Alabama's Public Liberal Arts University

Faculty Senate

December 10, 2004

Call to order:  the meeting was called to order at 2:04 pm

Members Present:  Alexander, Bennett, Callaghan, Daughhetee, Manning, Martin, Miller, Parker, Patton, Puleo, Thrower, Tidwell, Wacker, Webb, Wicknick,  2 SGA representatives, 3 guests.

Approval of Previous Minutes:  Callaghan moved that the November 19, 2004 minutes be approved, Puleo seconded and the motion passed unanimously

President’s Report:  Michael Patton addressed the following issues.

  • An update on Faculty Senate budget and current balance.
  • Deans have submitted Case Nominees and Faculty Senate has until January 19th to select one of the nominees.
  • Potential questions for the Spring 2005 faculty survey.

Committee Reports

  • SAC Issues - no report.  A senator asked if there could be more family swim times at the SAC, the committee will find out more information and report back.
  • Student Grievance Policy - Michael Patton provided Dr. McChesney with the student grievance policy proposal created by a previous faculty senate.  Dr. McChesney will review the policy and provide feedback.

Liaison Reports: 

  • Don Alexander has been in contact with the SGA President and SGA representatives have been invited to faculty senate.

Old Business

  • Faculty Lounge - unlocking and locking the lounge continues to be a problem.  Jill Wicknick has taken on this responsibility but another solution needs to be found. 
  • Student Grievances - the faculty concern about the impact of student grievances on faculty was communicated to the administration.

New Business

  • Plus/Minus grading - senators will poll their fellow faculty members to ascertain faculty interest in plus/minus grading.

  • Personnel Issues - senators and guest faculty members raised concerns about several personnel issues including:  the impact of student grievances on personnel decisions, course assignment, scheduling, program autonomy in multidisciplinary departments, policy implementation, salary, and program viability.  The Faculty Senate discussed these issues including their impact on both faculty morale and the University of Montevallo’s mission as a liberal arts institution.  Michael Patton will gather more information and the Faculty Senate will generate a statement addressing these issues at the next meeting.

Announcements:  The next Faculty Senate meeting is January 14th at 2:00 pm in the Merrill Room

Adjournment:  Alexander moved to adjourn, Wacker seconded and the meeting adjourned at 3:33 pm.