Faculty Senate Proposed Minutes

October 31, 2003

Faculy Senate Building

 

Members Present – Barbara Hunt, Bill Parker, Glenn Rhyne, Jimena Aracena, Jim Fitzgerald, Bobby Fugitt (secretary), Shawn Dickey, Brian Anderson, Ellen Jackson, Rick Montalto, Tom Velek.

 

Members Absent – Janice Giallourakis, Melinda Rush.

 

Scott Rawles spoke at 12:19.  He addressed the purposes of grants.  They are:  (1.)To support academic programs.  (2.) To meet institutional objectives.  (3.) To support personal scholarship of faculty members.  Eighteen million dollars in grants have been written in the last 8 months.  Personal vs. professional scholarship was discussed.

 

1.                  Meeting called to order at 12:19.

2.                  Question posed:  is there a change in the policy about not funding overseas research?

3.                  Agenda adopted.

4.                  September minutes adopted with noted changes.

 

5    Updates

a.         MUW is working closely with Hinds Community College in recruiting efforts.  Hinds personnel will be on campus December 1, from 10:00 – 3:00 pm.  Dr. Limbert and Dr. Adams have been to every community college in the state.  Most interest from prospective students in nursing program.  Bids on gym construction have been re-submitted and accepted.  Asbestos in the old gym has been removed.  A yearbook will be produced for this year.  Staff council announces that raises for staff next year are unlikely. 

b.         Fiscal year closed with a positive balance.  Need mission statement feedback ASAP.

c.         All university presidents working with IHL to get 12% raises over a three year period.  Dr. Limbert wants to visit with Faculty Senate—tentatively scheduled for last week of January.  Dr. Limbert has stated she wants to support research by faculty.  Questions posed as to extent of support and how it will be carried out.  A motion to ask Dr. Limbert how support will be initiated died on the table.  Barbara will address this with Dr. Limbert during their next meeting.

d.         PIE Council assigned members to subcommittees to review IER’s and mission statements of each academic and support unit.

e.         UCC approved Art 504/505 course description.  Brian will ask division heads to review courses offered and consider removing classes not offered in the last five years. 

f.          UFSA has new state President and Vice-President.  UFSA will discuss the universities calendar in more detail in later meetings

 

   

   6       Old Business

a.                   Other committee reports –

 

1.      International Students - Jimena and Tom met with Courtney Taylor, who is the campus international student recruiter.  They report there is no budget to recruit or travel to international student conferences.  There is no retention focus on international students.  Ms. Taylor has no formal training for her position.  It is reported that many international students have problems once they arrive on campus.  The ISA is seen as less important than in the past, primarily because international students seem to be integrating themselves more into campus life.  About 1/3 of them have been to high school in the US.

2.      Budget Oversight Committee – Discussed differences in salary among divisions.  Jim distributed a handout that displayed the salary ranges among divisions on campus.  Salary inequities were discussed.  Several questions posed – Where is the money from unfilled positions? – Is it feasible to have a lobbyist for higher education?  A motion to table the issue was made, seconded and approved by acclamation. A change in the calendar was discussed.  The universities all seem to implement different calendars.  Senators can email Barbara with issues and concerns in this matter.

 

     7.    New Business

            a.         Rick Montalto presented information concerning his belief that the university is failing to comply with PS 1101 and PS 1302.  Barbara will discuss this with the president.

            b.         A sample course evaluation instrument was passed out for review.  Comments and concerns to Barbara in a week.

 

 

            The meeting adjourned at 2:49.