MUW Faculty Senate

January 28, 2005

Minutes Approved: April 1, 2005

Members present: Lea Helen Evans, Pres. (ED/HS); Jimena Aracena, VP (S/M); Brian Anderson, Sec. (HU); Richard Bailey (FPA); Shawn Dickey (FPA); Marty Harvill (S/M–proxy for Bonnie Oppenheimer); Richard Holden (ED/HS); Ellen Jackson (H&K); Scott McKenzie (IS); Glenn Rhyne (B&C); Theresa Sparks (NU); Cathy Young (LIB)

Guest present: Sam Gingerich (Provost/VPAA)

Members absent: Linda FortJ (NU); Van Roberts (B&C); Tom Velek (HU)

------------------------------------------------------------------

1. The meeting was called to order at 12:15pm.

2. The following agenda items were added: due to a scheduling conflict Jimena Aracena will not be able to attend Academic Council meetings this semester; Marty Harvill has a report from the implementation of reorganization committee.

3. The meeting agenda was adopted by unanimous vote.

4. The Nov. 19 and Dec. 10 minutes were approved unanimously.

5. Updates

a. Administrative Council: AMP working groups have been formed; W-2009 is being finalized; budget is greatest concern (contingency fund is being cut, likely that no unfilled positions will be filled); enrollment is up; repairs to the exterior of the Fine Arts Building are under way.

b. Academic Council: Due to a scheduling conflict Jimena Aracena will not be able to attend AC meetings, which are twice a month on a Tuesday at 2pm; Ellen Jackson agreed to take her place.

c. Meeting with Pres. Limbert: Unable to meet with her this month.

d. PIE Council: Reviewed the student survey of opinions about academics, campus life, etc.

e. Implementation of Reorganization Committee: Marty Harvill stated that the committee is reviewing MUW policy statements re: changes forced by reorganization; Faculty Senate should probably form a committee to edit faculty-related policies (e.g., promotion and tenure); the implementation committee will flag concerns in the policies, and the Fac Sen committee will make the changes; Lea Helen Evans, Glenn Rhyne and Richard Holden agreed to serve on this Faculty Senate Policy Review Committee.

6. Business

a. Dr. Gingerich: IHL has been informed of MUW’s reorganization, and it will vote on the matter at either the Feb. or March meeting. I expect IHL to rubber stamp it. The work of the Implementation of Reorganization Committee is indispensable. Its findings will inform, for example, the content of retreats to be held at Plymouth Bluff, which will address the roles of the deans and department chairs. The first retreat will be for current division heads, then others will meet. Discussion: Evans–Is it OK to make policy changes before we have received official IHL approval for reorganization? Gingerich–IHL will approve the change, so we should move forward. Harvill–And we will act first on the time-sensitive policies./// Mississippi’s budget situation does not look good. Gov. Barbour and the legislature have made a commitment not to raise taxes, but there is concern that prolonged cuts will hurt educational quality. At this stage, most of what comes out of Jackson is posturing, but each institution will eventually be asked how it can handle 5% cuts (Gov. Barbour’s plan). Further tuition hikes seem likely./// AMP working groups are meeting and will submit reports by March 31.

b. Policy Review: The Senate recommended changes to PS 1313 Criteria and Procedures for Faculty Salary Increases last year, but the proposal did not go far, partly because it was misinterpreted as forced leveling. The Senate will make the same recommendations re: equity, clarifying “market considerations”, etc. (from the Aracena-Anderson-Montalto Committee). Discussion: Harvill–We should stay focused on the larger context of PS 1313. Perhaps devising a flowchart of the procedure can help us understand the matter better.

7. Announcements:

Fund A: The Executive Council met Jan. 28 and disbursed funds as follows.

Total disbursed to date:          $5,425                         Remaining in Fund A: $3,575

8. Adjournment at 12:52pm.