The Executive Council of the Faculty Senate

October 27, 2005 - 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Board Room, Newcomb Hall

Present: Houston Wood, Kenneth Schwartz, Marcia Childress, Teresa Culver, Alison Booth, Rebecca Kneedler, Steven Nock, William Kehoe, Reginald Garrett, Susan Kirk

Guest: Anda Webb, Associate Provost for Management (for Provost Gene Block)

Houston Wood, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order.

Houston Wood asked the Councilors if the group should have a retreat in January. Everyone support having a retreat. A discussion began on possible topics that could/should be addressed at a retreat. Mr. Wood suggested several possible topics:

1. The Capital Campaign

2. Diversity

3. International Programs

4. Attraction and Retention of Faculty

5. Presentations/Discussions around what each School does

Mr. Wood opened the floor for discussion.

Suggestions for Possible Retreat Topics:

• A focus on the role of the Faculty Senate - what the Senate has been doing; what can the Senate do; how does the Senate representatives get appointed by each school and; should the process by which Senators get appointed by each school be standardized.
• The role of the faculty in the University's ten-year academic plan. It was suggested that an outside facilitator lead the retreat conversation. Reading information on the topic should be gathered and sent to all Senators in advance of the retreat.
• Explore ways that the University might increase the attraction and retention of faculty - what can the senate recommend; housing issues; tuition for children of faculty; other issues?

An Executive Council meeting will be scheduled in November to finalize the agenda for a Faculty Senate Retreat to be held in late January.

Other issues discussed at the Meeting:

1. Houston Wood received an email form Jessica Childress, of the Black Student Alliance, titled "Zero Tolerance and Faculty." The document was initiated by the Black Student Alliance in October 2004 after the racially motivated vandalism of a Lawn resident's car. Ms. Childress asked Mr. Wood if the Senate would support the movement by encouraging faculty to place a Zero Tolerance Clause on their syllabi. The Executive Council agreed that the best approach would be for Mr. Wood to discuss the issue with William Harvey, Vice President and Chief Officer for Diversity and Equity. Mr. Wood agreed to discuss the issue with Mr. Harvey when they meet on November 1.

2. Mr. Wood met with Gene Block, Vice President and Provost. Mr. Block asked for the Executive Council's advice on issues pertaining to the General Faculty Council, and the distinction between tenured/tenure track faculty and general faculty. Mr. Block would also like to have a discussion with the Executive Council regarding the Large Binocular Telescope Initiative. Mr. Block said the president of Arizona University has resigned and an ad hoc advisory committee will be reconstituted to address issues and concerns. He asked for Senate representatives on the committee. Mr. Wood will appoint someone to represent the Senate on this committee.

3. E. Clorisa Phillips, Associate Provost for Institutional Advancement, contacted Mr. Wood regarding Senate representation of the SACS Compliance Committee. Reginald Garrett, Chair of the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee, agreed to serve on this committee.

4. Kenneth Schwartz, Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate and a liaison to the Honor Committee, reported on the Honor Committee-sponsored Faculty Survey on Honor. He said he is concerned that the survey contains no reference to the Single Sanction.

5. Steve Nock, a member of the Executive Council, said he has heard concerns from faculty in 9-month appointments that cannot receive 12-month paychecks. Anda Webb reported that this is an institutional issue.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Submitted by Teresa Culver, Secretary of the Faculty Senate