January 16, 2004

Members Present
Alexander, Daughhetee, Wacker, Hamilton, Hardig, Manning, Motii, Parker, Powers, Puleo, Simone, Spicer, Truss, Walsh.

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the October 31, 2003 meeting were approved.

President’s Report
Board of Trustee’s Meeting
There will be a Board meeting on February 13, 2003.
Revision of UM Policy 3060 - Investments and the Academic Calendar for 2005-2006 will be voted on.

Board of Trustee’s Reception
Prior to the Board meeting there will be a reception which will give the Board and the Senate an opportunity to meet.

Updates
A Faculty Assembly is scheduled for February 4, 2004.
Reconfiguration of ACHE is forthcoming and all Faculty Senate presidents in the state are asking for faculty and administrative representation.

Committee, Subcommittee and Special Project
Academic Policies
Finals week schedule (see handout) – It was recommended that the senators take the proposed schedule to the Colleges and request feedback.

Excused absences/”University Business” – At this point the committee believes it would be too difficult to effect a change. 

Faculty Morale
Analysis of faculty satisfaction survey (see handout) – Email copies to all faculty on Tuesday and prior to the Faculty Assembly.  Recommendations included presentation of the top 10 satisfied and unsatisfied items as well distribution of hard copies at the college level.  Copies will be distributed to the Math Department.

Sabbatical policy - No report at this time.

Sick day bank/catastrophic leave policy - Inactive at this time.

Child care benefits – The committee contacted the Child Care Center, however, the requested information is not forthcoming.   Recommendations included requesting information regarding the demographics of the student population and reviewing comparative data from other schools.  The committee would like to propose a faculty discount.

Faculty Lounge – A proposal was drafted for use of the bowling alley in Farmer Hall.  It will be sent to members of the Space Utilization     Committee.                           

University’s Scholars Wall – No update.  This is being handled by non-senators at this time.

Facility use policies – No report at this time.

Budget
No report at this time.

Salary Administration Policy
Working on appropriate wording at this time.

Technology
No report at this time other than an email from Mr. Scoma regarding the start of the AWP process for 2004-2005.

Bookstore Policies/Procedures
This committee met.  Issues of concern include procurement of books in a timely manner and orders for the fall semester are due in February.  Academic discounts for hardware and software were recommended inquiries.

Commencement/Convocation Policies
Arts and Sciences passed a resolution last year regarding prayer but follow through is not evident.  A formal statement from administration would be appropriate.

Faculty and University Policies
No report at this time.

Liaisons

OSP
Collected boxes of cell phone for Safe Home to be used to contact 911, Christmas bags and flowers in bud vases were distributed to the terminally ill.

SGA
No report at this time.

Montevallo Chamber of Commerce
When issues of mutual concern arise discussion will ensue.

Other
The Senate agreed that it would be appropriate to express our gratitude for the Christmas bonus.  It was recommended that we do it with the staff and present it as a resolution at the next Board meeting.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25.