September 3, 2004

Members Present

Alexander, Callaghan, Cooper, Daughhetee, Manning, Miller, Patton, Puleo, Tidwell, Webb.

Call To Order

The meeting was called to order at 2:08 pm.

Approval of April 29, 2004 Minutes

Stephanie Puleo moved to approve the minutes of the April 29, 2004 meeting, David Callaghan seconded and the minutes were approved unanimously.

President’s Report

Michael Patton reported on his transition meetings with Stephen Parker.  Michael Patton has scheduled a meeting with Dr. McChesney and will report back to the senate at the next meeting.  The senate discussed options to enhance continuity including mid-year elections and 2 year terms for the president.  Michael Patton announced that we needed to elect a new alternate secretary and appoint a representative and an alternate to the Faculty Grievance Committee.  Samantha Webb was elected alternate secretary, Stephanie Puleo was appointed as the representative and Don Alexander was appointed the alternate representative to the Faculty Grievance Committee.

Items From Last Year

The senate discussed items from last year that will continue to be addressed this year including:

• Continuation of the faculty satisfaction survey
• Continuation of the Faculty Senate/Board of Trustees reception and other efforts to enhance communication with the Board of Trustees
• Appointment of liaisons to various committees and organizations
• Ongoing concerns about adjunct decisions

New Items

The senate discussed the following new concerns:

• Program autonomy and voice.
• The consistent application of policy across the university.
• The possibility of sending representatives to the AAUP Annual Conference October 14-16.
• Cost effective and innovative ways for the university to provide morale enhancing benefits to faculty members. 

Assignment to faculty senate subcommittees will be determined at the next meeting.  The duties of the various committees were discussed.  It was suggested that an individual from the Salary Administration Committee be appointed as a liaison to the University Salary Administration Committee.

Announcements

The faculty assembly will be held in the Montevallo Room on September 22, 2004 at 3:30 pm in the Montevallo Room.  The next Faculty Senate Meeting will be held on September 17, 2004 at 2:00 pm in the Merrill Room.

 Adjournment

Don Alexander moved to adjourn, David Callaghan seconded and the meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.