September 27, 2002

Senate President Scott Meyer called the meeting to order at 2:01.

Members Present:  Bagga, Powers, Hardig, Meyer, Simone, Parker, Truss, Murphy, Kurz, Jones, Walsh, Scott, H. Hamilton, and Puleo.

The minutes of the September 13^th senate meeting were read, corrected and approved.

President’s Report:

President Meyer welcomed Jim Murphy as the new CAS senator.

President Meyer addressed the issue of term rotations.  He requested information on term rotations from each of the college deans.  He received only one response.  He asked senators to report their understanding of the length of their terms.  Senator Puleo informed the senate that she had been told her term would be for 3 years (as opposed to the stated 2 year term).  President Meyer will address senate concerns surrounding term rotation and continuity with the Deans.  Issues surrounding non-tenured senators were raised.  It was noted that it is important for tenured senators to take the lead on senate issues that have the potential for controversy.

President Meyer spoke of the University Planning Committee’s work.  The latest draft has been made public.  Themes include: technology, infrastructure, public relations, diversity, and finances.  President Meyer suggested that the senate formally endorse the planning document.

The issue of a “shared sick leave” policy was discussed.  It was noted that many public and private schools have programs; including Shelby County schools, University of North Alabama, and the University of West Alabama.  There is currently no law obligating the university to have such a program.  Last year, the University Board of Trustees Personnel Committee turned back a request to establish a sick day bank.  The fundamental difficulty with such a program is the relationship of sick leave and retirement benefits.  Also at issue was the potential for such a program to be used in a punitive manner.   Particular methods of dealing with this were discussed.  Confusion exists with respect to current policies concerning sick days and retirement benefits.   Since last year’s senate did not submit any type of proposal, it was decided that an important first step was to find a copy of what had been rejected by the personnel committee.

Concerning questions raised at the previous senate meeting regarding hiring, promotion and tenure decisions, President Meyer reported that Dr. McChesney asserted that the information given to the senate was in error.  Dr. McChesney reminded President Meyer that the administration often had information unavailable to faculty and that current policy provided that faculty only recommend actions.  Final decisions were the responsibility of the administration.  The ensuing discussion centered on the lack of communication between administrators and faculty.  There is a great deal of interest in reviewing the policies and processes governing hiring, promotion and tenure decisions.  Tenure was described as a “floating target”.  A consequence of such a perspective is that faculty morale is damaged.  The senate recognized that solutions via formal policies are limited.  It was suggested that the senate communicate to the administration (a) faculty perspectives, (b) the source of these perspectives, and (c) the consequences of these perspectives for faculty morale and the working relationship of faculty and the administration.  Later it was further noted that while we hope to open up communication lines between faculty and administrators, we must also be sensitive and respectful of the privacy of individuals in particular cases.

President Meyer reported that the senate proposal to add sexual orientation to the University’s non-discrimination policy had been rejected by the Board of Trustees.  “Political considerations” was cited as the reason.  The senate had referenced COPLAC schools in their proposal but the board reasoned that other state institutions were more appropriate to use form comparison.  It was reported that there has been a rewording of a section of the university’s non-discrimination policy.  The changes may be found on the university web site in-Administrative Policies-Section 011120.

Senator Powers reported on her charge as liaison to the SGA.  It was noted that the University of Montevallo is the first Alabama school to use a liaison between the faculty senate and student government.  The objective of this position is to identify common concerns and coordinate efforts toward common goals.  The SGA is aware of faculty concerns regarding hiring, promotion and tenure.  The SGA shares these concerns.  In addition, the SGA concerns include:  faculty salaries, increasing tuition, and the use of print cards in computer laboratories.   Addressing what students should know in regards in personnel decisions and how they obtain this information is a concern for the university.  The senate resolved to make use of the SGA liaison in order to offer an official, formal presentation of issues that may concern university students. 

There will be a faculty assembly on Wednesday, October 2^nd at 3:30 in the Montevallo Room.  Low attendance at past assemblies in conjunction with the recent university planning retreat raised concerns regarding attendance.  It was decided that a more formal agenda might promote attendance.  President Meyer agreed to construct a list of issues and notify faculty of particular topics that will be addressed at the assembly.

Work continues on arranging a meeting with members of the Board of Trustees.  The senate hopes to coordinate a visit with ongoing campus events.  A question and answer session with faculty is being discussed. 

President Meyer read from a letter written by Alabama Senator Richard Shelby.  Senator Shelby reported that he has forwarded the university request for $2 million dollars in funding as a historical women’s college to the appropriation committee of which he is a member.

Senator Hamilton reported that he has requested budgets from Vice President Jarrett and expects to receive them within the next week.

Senator Hardig has requested a copy of university policy regarding student grievances against faculty from the Office of Student Services.  In addition, he is gathering information on policies from other universities.

Senators Scott, Truss and Jones are working on a review of the university salary administration policy.  They are gathering information on this policy from the university salary committee.

Senator Walsh reported that Prof. Hoerner is receptive to the idea of members of the university technology committee, who are also faculty senators, representing faculty interests on that committee.

President Meyer announced that he is scheduled to meet with Dr. McChesney on Thursday, October 3^rd.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  After a not particularly close vote, the motion was passed and another meeting of the Montevallo faculty senate came to a close at 3:53.