skip to main content Indiana State University University Faculty Senate UFS #2 Approved October 18, 2001 September 20, Minutes Indiana State University Faculty Senate 2001-02 Time: 3:15 p.m. Place: HMSU, Dede III Officers: Chairperson J. Cerny, Vice Chair S. Lamb, Secretary C. Hoffman Senators: E. Bermudez, M. Brennan, D. Burger, G. Christianson, B. Clouse, N. Corey, D. Gilman, R. Goidel, V. Gregory, M. Hamm, M. Harmon, P. Hightower, H. Hudson, J. Jakaitis, R. Johnson, N. Lawrence, L. Maule, J. McNabb, D. Memory, F. Muyumba, T. Nicoletti, N. Rogers, R. Schneirov, L. Sperry, J. Tenerelli, E. Warner, W. Warren, C. Yoder Absent: John Allen, R. Clouse, A. Cockerham, P. Dutta, B. Frank, K. Liu, R. McGiverin, W. Moates, D. Vesper Ex-Officio: President Benjamin, Provost Pontius Deans: T. Foster, B. Hine, D. Hopkins, C. Ingersoll, J. Maynard, B. Passmore, B. Saucier, T. Sauer Visitors: M. Summers, D. Williams I. Memorials were read and accepted for Dorothy Elmore and Robert D. Seltzer. (Tenerelli, Hamm 30-0-1). II. Administrative Report President Benjamin noted this year's United Way campaign being chaired by a faculty member, C. McClaren, and he encouraged Senate participation in the campaign. He commented on recent events of terrorism and extended thanks to faculty for their supportive response to students. He further noted and thanked faculty for service on administrative ad hoc committees. The President invited attendance at his fall address scheduled for next Monday. Provost Pontius reported on budgetary allocations--travel dollars and equipment funding. He noted other upcoming budget activities. The provost said he is working on final membership of three administrative committees--Program Array Review (copy of charge distributed to Senate Executive Committee), Summer School Administration and Professional Status of Chairs. He referenced the copy of items requested for Senate input and his adjusted dates for feedback. He explained the proposed composition of the search committee to select a dean for Arts and Sciences and noted that an outside consultant had been contracted. He said that the committee to review the graduate school structure was in place and to be charged next week. The provost expressed his need for faculty government input during summer months. S. Lamb addressed the following statement/question to the President, "I have an objection to soap operas. They are able to be sustained because of a lack of communication between the characters. Since I don't want to be in a soap opera I am going to raise this issue. I have heard a number of faculty express concern about whether or not the administration is considering reducing retirement benefits for those retired as well as for those who will retire eventually, and/or, to reduce fringe benefits in general; And faculty are also concerned that need is one of the drivers behind the consideration of the reorganization of human resources. Would you address this fear?" President Benjamin responded that he was not aware of a planned reduction in retirement benefits and that further response would come from Vice President Schafer. P. Hightower asked if the list of low enrollment programs presently being reviewed was newer than the 1999 version. UFS #2, 9/20/01 Page 2 Provost Pontius said it was the 1999 list. Chair Cerny commented that reports from the three administrative ad hoc committees would be channeled through faculty governance. III. Chair Report Chair Cerny reported on his attendance at a recent Board of Trustees seminar and noted the copy of his Board statement enclosed in Senate packets. He encouraged Senator participation in the Walk for a Cure and the United Way campaign. Senate Secretary, C. Hoffman, read a letter from a former Department of English graduate student from Saudi Arabia expressing his condolences for the September 11 attack on America. The Chair informed the Senate of recent committee housekeeping activities by the Executive Committee: K. Gaul replaces A. Chirhart, Archives Committee; J. Buffington replaces D. Bennett on the Student Life Committee; AAC alternate, S. Hardin, replaces F. Draper; V. Anderson, fall replacement for S. Roy, and C. Montanez, fall alternate on Graduate Council. Appointments were made to three Provost ad hoc committees: L. Maule, Program Array Review; W. Barratt, Summer School Administration; and R. Hunter, Professional Status of Chairs. Nominees to the ISU Web Advisory Committee were Sr. A. M. Anderson, P. Hightower, D. Layton, and B. McClaren. The provost will select one member. The Governance Chairs Council is scheduled for September 25. Council membership: G. Tryban, Arts and Sciences; S. Moncada, Business; T. Tobey, Education; D. Rogers, Health and Human Performance; E. Acree, Nursing; W. Croft, Technology; the Library is holding its election today. IV. SGA Report SGA Chief of Staff, S. Walters, reported on the Annual Organizational Fair and the executive board cookout. V. Fifteen Minute Open Discussion N. Lawrence voiced concern with Monday night class scheduling on holidays--distance education students cannot attend due to closure of off-campus school classrooms. D. Burger said aerospace students' delay in flight training could mean difficult schedules later in the semester and he asked for faculty understanding. R. Schneirov made the following statement: I would like to say a few words to the Senate about an issue that many of us have been working on for the last several years, and that is improving the status of non-tenure track faculty. To remind you: in each of the last two years the Senate has passed resolutions asking for the pay for full-time non-tenure track faculty be raised to $24,000 per year and that part-timers receive $1000 per credit hour. We also passed a resolution in the spring asking for a special parking dispensation for part-timers. Meanwhile, all during the last academic year a committee appointed by the provost was working to formulate a comprehensive policy for our university in relation to non-tenure track faculty. That committee came up with a thirteen-page report including detailed and specific recommendations. I call your attention to these developments from last year because it is important not to lose our momentum. If we are to maintain professional standards at this university; if we are to integrate our non-tenure track faculty members fully into the life of the university community; and if we are to stop the gross exploitation of a minority of our faculty members, we must not lose our focus. It is in the interest of all of us--whatever our status at this university--to maintain decent minimum standards for all our faculty. In that regard I propose that the Executive Committee and the appropriate Senate committee study the recommendations made last spring and report on them to the Senate. I # UFS#2,9/20/01 Page 3 also propose that we make clear through the appropriate channels our concerns that resolutions already passed by the Senate be implemented with all due speed. We need to make sure that per credit hour and full-time salaries be raised significantly in the shortest time feasible to reach the goals set by the Senate. And I am particularly concerned that the agreed upon floor of $21,000 for full-time faculty be applied to all faculty not just some. Finally, I would like to invite all Senators as well as members of ISU's community to an AAUP sponsored gathering during national Campus Equity Week between October 28 and November 2. At that time a new film will be shown on the nation-wide movement of part-time faculty for equity and justice. More information will follow. Anyone interested in a copy of these recommendations should ask me. Provost Pontius said he planned to respond at the October Senate meeting to open-ended resolutions made by last year's Senate. VI. Minutes for the August 30 meeting were approved. (Burger, Clouse 30-0-1). VII. Faculty Dismissal Hearing Committee Replacements J. Harper and S. McFadden were approved for five-year terms. (Hightower, Muyumba 30-0-1). VIII. Standing Committee Reports Administrative Affairs Committee, R. Johnson--The AAC had met three times. Officers were elected: S. Davis, Chair; K. Liu, Vice Chair; and V. French, Secretary. The Committee had requested additional information from the President and Provost before further considering University re)Organizational plans. Arts Endowment Committee, G. Christianson--The AEC had not met. Curriculum and Academic Affairs Committee, J. McNabb--The CAAC had met and elected officers: P. Engelbach, Chair; S. Fletcher, Vice Chair; and Sr. A. M. Anderson, Secretary. Faculty Affairs Committee, N. Corey--The FAC had met last Wednesday but did not achieve a quorum. Next meeting scheduled for September 26. Faculty Economic Benefits Committee, V. Gregory--The FEBC had met and elected officers: S. Macke, Chair; J. Hellmann, Vice Chair; and D. Bennett, Secretary. Graduate Council, D. Memory--The Council had met and elected officers: M. Boyer, Chair; A. Tomey, Vice Chair; and L. Rosenhein, Secretary. Student Affairs Committee, M. Harmon--The SAC had met and elected officers: M. Harmon, Chair; and R. Englund, Vice Chair and Secretary. University Research Committee, E. Bermudez--The URC had met and elected officers: E. Bermudez, Chair; L. Ellingson, Vice Chair; and S. Moncada, Secretary. The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m. # Last modified: May 20, 2008  Copyright © 2009 by Indiana State University.