1. The meeting was called to order at 12:16pm.

2. No additional agenda items were raised.

3. The meeting agenda was adopted by unanimous vote.

4. The Sept. 24 minutes were approved unanimously with no changes.

5. Updates

a. Administrative Council: Discussion of policies under review, building renovations and bonds, the IHL’s proposal for a 12% faculty raise over 3 years, and the opening of the Center for Creative Learning.

b. Academic Council: Discussion of MUW calendar now set for five years, and the addition of a December graduation ceremony.

c. Meeting with Pres. Limbert: The planned meeting was cancelled.

d. PIE Council: Reviewed the planning calendar and standards for evaluating W-2009.

e. UFSA: Oct. 21 meeting at Delta State–UFSA is not a conduit to IHL; JSU faculty may take a confidence vote on the university president; DSU has a new president; all faculties are working on self-governance issues and are concerned about low morale.

6. Business

a. Dr. Gingerich: The Academic Master Plan Steering Committee met on Oct.25 and set forth its tasks and schedule, to culminate in a final report by mid May, 2005. Not all campus units are represented on the committee, but there will be opportunities for input as working groups are formed./// IHL tenure policy has changed. The old policy allowed applications in the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th years. The policy will now be a “one shot” application in the 6^th year. MUW should consider a “halfway review” in the 3^rd or 4^th year to prepare those who plan to apply.

b. Dr. Richardson: After weekly meetings in Oct., the Academic Reorganization Committee is circulating a draft report and is eager for feedback. The current structure is a product of severe budget cuts in the early 1980s: MUW shifted from dept./school format to divisions and lost all but one of its seventeen graduate degree programs. Some of the graduate programs were subsequently restored, but the divisional structure remains. Structure will now be guided by forward planning: the committee proposes creation of a College of Arts and Sciences (a general liberal arts area plus Honors, Women’s Studies, and Study Abroad), three schools for specialized professional programs (e.g., the School of Education and Human Sciences, which includes Education, Health & Kinesiology, and Family Studies), and the Culinary Arts Institute. There will be a dean for A&S, funding for this position to come from division head positions eliminated by the reorganization. The three schools and CAI already have their administrators in place (division heads, who will be retitled). Each college/school will have several departments, each with a head (serving 10.5 month contracts with 1-2 courses off per semester). Each department will have considerable autonomy to develop their program(s). More details will be worked out this year, such as: safeguards against inequitable workloads across units; where certain programs (e.g., H&K) are best placed. Discussion: Jackson–Will the committee’s last action be the final report (early November)? Richardson–Input and discussion will continue after the report is submitted to Dr. Gingerich. He will solicit comments and suggestions and hold a general faculty meeting on the issue. Velek–Will MUW realign no matter what faculty think of the committee’s plan? Richardson–No, but at least some modest changes will result even if the reorganization plan is rejected. Velek–Will there be a vote? Gingerich–We will have a campus wide meeting; we will hold a vote only if the matter is contentious. Forte’–The draft plan places Speech-Language Pathology with Nursing, a much larger program. What if Nursing faculty are stuck with a hostile director? Richardson–The Nursing faculty will have control of the School of Health Sciences and its administrative hiring decisions by sheer numbers. Oppenheimer–Will administrative costs be the same after reorganization? Richardson–Yes. Velek–How will the current division head searches be affected? Richardson–If the plan is adopted we will search for a Dean of A&S instead of division heads for HU and FPA. Velek–The College of A&S is HU+FPA+S/M+two other programs. Since Sue Coates (FPA head) and Bridget Pieschel (HU head) are stepping down, does that mean Dorothy Kerzel (S/M head) has an inside track to be Dean of A&S? Gingerich–Maybe, but a full search will be conducted.

c. Policy review: By Nov. 3, senators will submit feedback and then vote via e-mail on the following policy proposals: Distance Learning (new); Distance Learning Advisory Committee (new); Guidelines for Use of University Provided Wireless Phones and Plans (new); Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (PIE) Council (revision of PS 3538).

d. Nominations: Hearing Panel–Jimena Aracena, Linda Forte’, Ellen Jackson, Scott McKenzie, Bonnie Oppenheimer, Van Roberts, Theresa Sparks; Fitness Center Fees Committee–Bobby Fugitt, Glenn Rhyne; One-Card System Committee–Lea Helen Evans.

e. Issues of concern: Deborah Bailey (ED/HS) learned that MUW has discontinued the tuition credit for faculty spouses who wish to take graduate courses; no announcement was made by the administration regarding this change. Discussion: Velek–This is typical of the ebb and flow of perks and benefits offered at MUW. We cannot recruit quality faculty without being able to advertise meaningful benefits that stay consistent over time.

7. Announcements

a. Faculty pay raises: Brian Anderson and Jimena Aracena met with Dr. Gingerich on Oct. 28 to share information about revisions to PS 1313. He expressed his interest in studying the matter and presenting a plan for faculty pay to the Faculty Senate later this school year.

b. Fund A: The Executive Council met Oct. 5 and disbursed funds as follows.

Total disbursed to date:          $2,175 

8. Adjournment at 1:30