MINUTES

Faculty Senate Meeting

November 23, 1999

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

SC117

ATTENDANCE

Present: Grant Richards, Lisa Lambert for Lucille Stoddard, Ron Hammond, Janet Bennion, John Balden, Larry Holt, Cameron John, Karin Davidson, Christopher G. Jones, Damon Bahr, Kirk Rasmussen, Laurie Wood, Eddy Cadet, Bryan Eldredge, Lori Richards, Brian Birch, Doug Miller, Elaine Byrd, K.D. Taylor, Forrest Williams, Jill Jasperson, Lynn Turnquist, David Brandt, Denza Bruss, Kathie Debenham, William Cobb for Keith Snedegar, Eldon Greenhalgh, Tom Perkins, Luis Arzola, Malcom Crawford, Lowell Glenn, Nate Oldham.

Absent: Max Christofferson, Chester Heath, Paul Bean, David Manning, Gary Noll, Renee Van Buren, Gary Griffin

Excused: President Romesburg

Guests: Karl Worthington, Karen Olsen, David Keller, Ernie Carrey, Nancy Plagge, Paula Tibbets, George Hickman

CALL TO ORDER

Grant Richards called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

John Balden asked for a correction to be made in the minutes for November 9, 1999. Voting was not unanimous. Two people were opposed to the symbolic motion made by Keith Snedegar, and there was one abstention.

John Balden motioned to approve the minutes with corrections. Kathie Debenham seconded the motion.

ACTION ITEMS

Academic Standards Revision

Christopher G. Jones asked for a word clarification under the section of suspension. He wanted the word "consistency" to be better defined (at least a 2.0 GPA for two semesters) and to be written into the policy.

Christopher Jones motioned to approve the policy with the amended language. John Balden seconded the motion. Voting was unanimous.

Sabbatical Leave

Jill Jasperson presented changes which had been made to this policy since the last meeting. Kirk Rasmussen recommended minor word changes. Jill will incorporate them and present the final version to Nancy Bartlett. Doug Warner said this is the most lenient sabbatical leave policy in higher education. Sabbatical leaves are not automatic. Individual departments will need to decide if they can cover the financial cost. Chris Jones would like a separate source of funds for sabbatical leave to insure that all departments have equal opportunities for leave.

Janet Bennion motioned to accept the policy with the minor word changes suggested by Kirk Rasmussen; Forrest Williams seconded the motion. Two people were opposed to the motion.

INFO ITEMS

Year's of Service: Bryan Eldredge said the Year's of Service banquet will be held on the evening of March 8 for those who have served 10 years. A social will be held on March 9^th in the afternoon for those who have served 5 years. Senators were asked to check calendars and notify him if these times conflicted with other activities.

Computer Advisory: Chris Jones reported that all faculty need to have their computers audited by computer services. All faculty are encouraged to comply. Audits consist of having someone from computer services insure that the computer will function properly in the new year, as well as check proper computer software licensing.

Mission Statement: Grant Richards stated President Romesburg has withdrawn the revised version of the mission statement,and asked for everyone to review it. Perhaps we can rewrite it entirely. Janet Bennion passed around a newly revised proposed mission statement. It is based upon ideas which were submitted by various faculty senators. Any ideas or suggestions can be submitted to Janet Bennion.

Benefits Update: Grant Richards said UVSC has located a consultant to help us decide on a benefits provider. Next month we will have more information. A bid will be placed at the beginning of the new year.

Political Action: Grant passed out information USHE Tax Fund distribution percentages, and FTE percentages. Ernie Carey made yellow post cards available for faculty and students with the governor's address on them. We are encouraged to express concern about our two main needs: equity and access. We can mail them individually or postage needs will be made available by Ernie Carey.

Grant has set a tentative date, February 16^th, to have a "Higher Education Day at the State Capitol." He said faculty and students from several colleges throughout the state may join with us to lobby with the legislators that day and make a statement to the press there.

Humanities and Philosophy Request:

Ron Hammond wanted to follow the request of the Humanities and Philosophy Department and have an ad hoc committee formed to investigate the situation. He admitted error in sending the mass e-mail to the faculty.

Brian Birch said the letter written by his department was to express concern; Brian again requested that an ad hoc committee be formed; it was not a letter of accusation. He believes their department item was placed on the last senate meeting in an appropriate manner. Their department is willing to hold off until the investigation is completed by consultant James Faulkner.

Forrest Williams believes the Humanities and Philosophy Department responded in a way any department on campus would have. It is important for us as a Faculty Senate to respond in an appropriate way. He believes many people are watching to see how the Senate handles the issues. Grant Richards agreed with Forrest, and expressed the need handle this situation the best way possible for all parties involved.

Lisa Lambert, attending in behalf of Lucille Stoddard, wanted the senate body to respond to what happened in the meeting on October 26^th. She said the issue of mission statement revisions and Ron's issues with the Ethics courses should never have been meshed. The senate needs to determine if things were handled appropriately. We need to decided if we are dealing with fairness issues, constitutionality, or policy and procedure issues. Many people are watching this issue, and we need to deal with it properly.

Janet Bennion defended the decision of Dr. Lucille Stoddard to have a consultant review the Ethics courses on campus. Janet said if we were to have it reviewed by people on campus, sides would easily be taken. Neutrality will be maintained with an outside consultant.

Ron Hammond responded to Lisa Lambert's statement by admitting that he sees the mission statement process faux pas as the same issue as his concerns with the validity of the Ethics and Values courses. He stated that they are closely related issues.

Ron Hammond continued by stating that there are serious problems with the Ethics and Values courses, and proceeded to list them. Janet Bennion interrupted these statements by cautioning Ron against further perpetuation of the negative statements against Ethics. She felt his comments were not professional, logical, or collegial.

A clarification was made by David Keller, Director of the Ethics Center: The issue of the mission statement and the issue of Ron Hammond's concerns about the integrity of the Ethic's and Values course are completely disconnected. Ron is incorrect to equivocate the two issues. It should be clear that there is no "Ethics Department" at UVSC and never has been. There is the Center for the Study of Ethics and the Department of Humanities and Philosophy. Centers on campus do not offer courses. It was the Ethics Center that was involved in reworking the mission statement. The Humanities and Philosophy Department knew nothing about it and had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Luis Arzola suggested both sides apologize to each other and end the debate. It is a waste of our time. We can't be emotional in this discussion. We need to relax and look at the facts before we take action.

Forrest Williams suggested Ron Hammond step down as Faculty Senate President Elect; a person who has caused so much division and controversy on campus as he has should not allow himself to preside over this body. He is concerned for what might happen if he remains in this position.

Ron Hammond apologized for sending out his survey email, but he also stated that there are serious problems with the Ethics and Values course.

Brian Birch passed out copies of a response to Dr. Stoddard's most recent e-mail letter.

The senate will decide what actions should be taken and if an ad hoc committee should be formed. This final discussion and vote will be taken at the next Faculty Senate meeting on December 14, 1999.

Committee Reports

Laurie Wood asked the senators to let her know if they or a member of their department are interested in running for Faculty Senate Secretary. Nominations need to be submitted to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee before the Christmas break so elections can take place at the first meeting of the new year. The position will remain as it is written in the constitution - a one year term.

Adjournment

KD Taylor motioned to adjourn the meeting at 4:55, and it was seconded by Laurie Wood.