Senate Faculty Meeting

December 14, 1999

SC 117

3:00-5:00 pm

Attendance: Grant Richards, Ron Hammond, Janet Bennion, President Romesburg, Dr. Stoddard, John Balden, Larry Holt, Cameron John, Karin Davidson, Christopher Jones, Max Christofferson, Kirk Rasmussen, Laurie Wood, Eddy Cadet, Bryan Eldredge, Lori Richards, Doug Miller, Brian Birch, Elaine Byrd, K.D. Taylor, Forrest Williams, Jill Jasperson, Lynn Turnquist, David Brandt, Denza Bruss, Kathie Debenham, Keith Snedegar, Paul Bean, Eldon Greenhalgh, David Manning, Tom Perkins, Luis Arzola, Gary Noll, Renee Van Buren, Nate Oldham, and Lowell Glenn, Damen Bahr

Absent: Chester Heath, Malcom Crawford, and Gary Griffin

CALL TO ORDER

Grant Richards called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ron Hammond moved to table the minutes until Michaela can do an in depth, thorough job of recording them. Luis Arzola seconded; motion carried.

INFORMATION ITEM

Concerning benefits, Corey Callihan provided handouts on two items: 1) health benefits of other state institutions, and 2) claims incurred and premiums earned. He is going to do an RFP (requests for proposal) and look at other companies for better benefits. When he gets those back, the committee will review and make decisions accordingly. He has been working with Joan Ogden of Salt Lake City, who has provided him with information about making cuts to save money. Grant asked about past bills not yet reimbursed by Educator's Mutual. Corey responded by saying Educators Mutual has upgraded their computers, and brought in temps to process claims.

Brad Winn is the new VP for Planning and Student Services. He wants to align community needs with what UVSC provides. Planning would provide unit level data support; if a unit wants to review its mission, Planning would help them. He stated that Planning is a service unit, designed to conduct market research in the community, to facilitate the fulfillment of community and college goals, and to determine whether UVSC is progressing towards these goals. Mark Spencer, the associate VP for Planning, recognized President Romesburg for getting everyone involved in promoting the greatness of UVSC. President Romesburg added that it's time to revisit things. He finds it disturbing when the faculty do not know what UVSC is all about. He wants to do a full-blown strategic campaign involving faculty, students, staff, and community. This campaign will be more comprehensive, more thorough, than ever before.

Paul Henderson, a lobbyist with AFT, recommended we mobilize people on campus to talk with legislators in their own home districts. He encouraged senators to write a letter; or call legislators to talk to them about important issues. The governor's budget is pushing for 6%; higher education is going to get 4.5%. This is lower than what has generally been given higher ed. The march on the capital has had a positive impact for public ed.. We want to make sure higher education gets as much as public education. There is money for salary equity catch-up, but it isn't much. The Regents wanted 13.1 million, but there isn't near the 13.1 million available. But we need to continue to push. We need higher education out there to tell the legislators what we need. Getting out there and being public is the key. The real power is the in involvement at the election level.

Janet Bennion presented some ideas given to her by lobbyist, Michael Reberg. We need to make legislators believe they need us, she said. We need to provide them with resources, such as interns, polls, studies, job placement, and so on. This will promote a positive, ongoing relationship that they will remember when appropriating funds to us.

ACTION ITEM

Grant Richards spoke on the formation of an ad hoc committee. He stated we should allow the impeachment process to be the vehicle of investigation as suggested by the Executive Committee. Larry Holt said the Exec Committee should procedurally delegate it to a standing committee, which is the senate as a whole. President Romesburg requested constitutional clarification. Grant handed out the section from the constitution. President Romesburg then asked if the impeachment action bears on whether an ad hoc committee is formed. Grant said we have the petition which is an information item at present. Voting will take place at the next senate meeting where as to whether to begin the impeachment process. With a two-thirds majority vote, the individual is removed from office. Grant asked, again, if we go ahead with the impeachment, do we need the committee? Brian Birch commented by saying the two issues are interrelated. We have a petition for impeachment, and we would honor whatever the senate decides, he said. Brian further stated, if the impeachment vote fails, the Humanities and Philosophy Department would like to form the ad hoc committee. Kirk moved to table the formation of an ad hoc committee until the senate decides on impeachment. Brian seconded. One opposed. Motion carried.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Petition for Impeachment

Grant Richards informed the senate that "impeachment" means an investigation will take place; the next step is removal.

The petition for Ron Hammond's impeachment reads:

"The opening statement of the Constitution of the Utah Valley State College Faculty Senate states that 'The purposes of the Faculty Senate are to provide a faculty voice in the policy making of the College; improve the professional, economic and civic status of its members; build solidarity among its members for the solution of problems of mutual concern; and provide opportunities of leadership and stimulate professional enthusiasm.' According to VIII of the Faculty Senate Constitution, impeachment is possible if a member of the executive committee is guilty of "malfeasance, neglect of official duties and the failure to lead."

The undersigned strongly believe that Ron Hammond, Faculty Senate President-Elect, violated these precepts, as well as unstated codes of professional ethics, in Faculty Senate on October 26 and November 23, 1999, as well as in his November 3 e-mail sent to all UVSC faculty. A separate document prepared by the UVSC Philosophy Department details how Ron Hammond has breached faculty senate policy, faculty policy, Utah State Board of Regent Policy, as well as professional ethics, in his actions.

We therefore ask for the impeachment of Ron Hammond as Faculty Senate President-Elect."

Higher Education Day at the Capitol

Grant stated we are planning a higher education day at the capital on February 16, 2000. We want to make a powerful impression by reserving a room, getting a state official to speak to us about procedure, and going out and marching on the steps. We are feeling the importance of making ourselves seen and heard. The governor has requested 4.5%, but that doesn't mean we'll get it. We also want to set up a few meetings with students, and work out a press release. We'd like to have students accompany us up to the capital. Senators were again encouraged to call their legislator and tell them we are concerned about equity and access.

The UVSC Student Body officers reported that they would be glad to join faculty at the capital. They are hosting a dinner on the 15^th with the legislators and will continue their efforts to fight for quality education.

Teacher of the Year

KD Taylor spoke for Deb Marrott about the early deadline for Teacher of the Year. Deb is trying to have the Teacher of Year selected by January, so individuals can speak at Convocations in the spring. January 21^st is the deadline for chairs to submit their choices to the deans. Please make everyone aware.

Christmas Party

Cameron John announced that the Pace Christmas Party is December 17, from 11:30-1:30, at McKay Events Center. Encourage your departments to attend.

Teacher Evaluations

Damen Bahr reported his committee is trying to correlate the efforts of everyone on campus to gauge and reward performance. He handed out a summary document which presents the key ideas of all entities: tenure, rank, merit, merit bonus, Teacher-of-the-year. He wants to use assessment procedures that ascertain the quality of performance relative to the values. The most prominent feature or value is teacher evaluations by students. The consensus of the committee is that the entire process needs improvement. We need to better at rewarding and assessing teacher performance, Damen said. "We want all entities to talk to each other in the process." Damen proposed that his committee present a questionnaire at the general faculty meeting, Dean's Council, President's Council, and Chair meetings to find out what everyone values. Larry Holt asked how are Damen is going to involve students in this process. Damen said he will meet with Nate Oldham on this issue.

Y2K

Lisa Lambert reported on a memo distributed by computer services about protocol. Before leaving campus for the holidays: 1) comply with request to have all computers Y2K updated, and 2) turn off computer, and unplug it.

Computer Update

Chris Jones, speaking for Roger deBry, added that if you haven't been upgraded, you will not be allowed back on the network on January 1^st. Also, he said that there is a long range plan in regards to computing; a move towards the Oracle database.

Elections for Executive Senate Secretary

Laurie Wood reminded all senators to send her any names for the Exec Secretary position before the end of the term.

Regents Meeting

Pres. Romesburg reported USU students had suggested they would voluntarily increase their tuition an additional 3%, while most other students were rallying for lower tuition costs. There is strong resistence to give up any authority to spend those dollars. It is not going to happen. President Romesburg further said higher education institutions have tried to separate tuition and salary issues. It is poor practice to pit students against their own faculty, he said. At the Regents meeting: 1) they approved new MBAs at Weber and SUU (Chris Jones wanted to know whether that would impact our USU related MBA; Pres. Romesburg responded, "no."), and 2) the governor visited the regents and announced his budget. He will recommend 4.5% for salaries, plus regents salary equity (not fully funded). The governor also presented three challenges: 1) he wants our students graduate more quickly, 2) he wants us to identify the ten least represented counties in higher education, take the bottom ten and increase their participation by 10% by 2004, and 3) he would like to see the number of degrees (graduates?) in engineering and the information sciences doubled by 2008. Romesburg concluded with information concerning the science building. The contract is signed and will take 17 months to finish.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Faculty Merit

Doug Miller suggested to follow the same pattern until Damen's committees comes up with new ideas.

Ron handed out his statement of apology.

Reminder

Grant reminded all senators to get their AFT postcards to Ernie.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was requested by Kirk Rasmussen; Forrest Williams seconded. Motion carried.