October 17, 2003

Members Present:  Alexander, Hamilton, Hardig, Manning, Motii, Parker, Powers, Scott, Simone, Spicer, Truss.

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the September 26, 2003 meeting were approved.

PRESIDENTS REPORT
Welcome New Senators
Senators Erin Spicer and Don Alexander were welcomed.

Welcome SGA Representative
The SGA asked if a representative could come to the meeting.

Expressions of Condolences and Pity for Senator Hamilton in his Hour (or 80+ years) of Bereavement ...because the Red Sox lost.

Report of Meeting with President McChesney
President Parker reviewed the structure of the committees and concerns the Faculty Senate will address this year.  Dr. McChesney commented on the Salary Administration Review Committee, the Bookstore, convocation/commencement speakers and email addresses for the Board.

COMMITTEE, SUBCOMMITTEE AND SPECIAL PROJECT REPORTS
Academic Policies
>The Subcommittee on Academic Suspension Policy distributed a proposal that outlined the issue, procedure, findings, and recommendation.  The Faculty Senate voted to accept the recommendation.  It will be forwarded to Administration.

>Finals week schedule
The finals week schedule will be effective spring 2004.  It was sent to the  Registrar.
 
>Excused absences/"University Business"
This was brought up at CDC.  There will be a university policy.

Faculty Morale
>Analysis of faculty satisfaction survey
The committee is looking at the results and trying to determine how to present the data in a report to the faculty prior to the Faculty Assembly in January.

>Sabbatical policy
No report at this time.

>Sick day/catastrophic leave policy
Not active right now.

>Child care benefits
Dr. Alexander is willing to work on this. It was noted that faculty pay the same price as community people, however, in the past it has been advertised as a benefit to faculty.  The designated contact is Fran Andrews.

>Faculty lounge
A proposal will go to the space utilization committee next week to use the old bowling alley.  Furniture can be pulled from storage and the space can be maintained and cleaned by the university. The legal capacity is 85 - 90 people. 

>University Scholars Wall
It is being taken care of by Scott Meyer and others.

>Facility use policies
Nothing to report.

Budget
Nothing to report.

Salary Administration Policy
The university committee hasn't met in several years.  Institutions do salary analysis every couple of years.  Procedure and implementation policies are not clear or consistent.  The committee will determine what kind of data is available.

Technology
Nothing to report.

Bookstore Policies/Procedures
The Faculty Senate was asked to address the role of the bookstore on campus.  Originally, it was stated that outsourcing the bookstore would increase and improve service. 
The textbook ordering form no longer asks if students can come to class before buying the book.

Commencement/Convocation Policies
There are three distinct issues; faculty seating, speakers, and prayer.
The Senate is conveying this as an issue that needs to be dealt with for the good of the University.

Faculty and University Policies
There is a problem with policy changes in the summer.  Notification occurs in July and is voted on in August, thus faculty are unable to contribute to proposed policies.  The Senate currently operates October - April.  It was suggested that the Senate operate year round.

LIAISONS
OSP
The luncheon is on Tuesday in the Montevallo Room.  There will be a report about the Christmas project and the Safe House.

SGA
Working with SGA on the graduation pledge program.

Montevallo Chamber of Commerce
Nothing to report.

OTHER
The following points were made:
The following points were made and/or discussed:
Research the issues you are investigating thoroughly.
The Faculty Senate should go on record for certain items. 
Paper is no longer available through the bookstore.
How are tests in Student Services administered?
Cheating should be report to Academic Affairs.  The final resolution will become a part of the student's records.
Faculty non-involvement and apathy can be traced to the lack of action by previous Senates.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm.