MINUTES

Faculty Senate Meeting

October 12, 1999

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

SC117

ATTENDANCE

Present: Grant Richards, Ron Hammond, Janet Bennion, Karl Worthington, John Balden, Larry Holt, Cameron John, Karin Davidson, Christopher G. Jones, Damon Bahr, Max Christofferson Kirk Rasmussen, Laurie Wood, Bryan Eldridge, Lori Richards, Eberhard Lehnardt, Elaine Byrd, Forrest Williams, Lynn Turnquist, David Brandt, Denza Bruss, Kathie Debenham, Keith Snedegar, Eldon Greenhalgh, Tom Perkins, David Manning, Louis Arzola, Gary Noll, Nate Oldham, Gary Griffin

Absent: Chester Heath, Eddy Cadet, K.D. Taylor, Jill Jasperson, Paul Bean, Malcom Crawford, Renee Van Buren,

Excused: President Romesburg, Lucille Stoddard, Doug Miller

Guests: Megan Kennedy

CALL TO ORDER

Grant Richards called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.

ATHLETIC FORMS

Megan Kennedy explained the new procedure and form UVSC athletes will be required to follow to obtain athletic leave. Athletes are expected to communicate better with their faculty prior to their absence, make up any missed work, and have bi-semester academic reports filled out to monitor their success in class. Advisors will meet with athletes who fall below standards. Penalties will be given to athletes who do not maintain the standards which have been set. Overall, the UVSC athletes are doing very well in comparison to other schools. Their grades are good, and the incoming freshmen athletes are getting mostly in the A and B range.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes for the August 18^th meeting contained errors in attendance. Larry Holt motioned to approve the minutes. (with appropriate changes) Luis Arzola seconded the motion. Votes were unanimous.

The September 14, 1999 minutes were motioned to be approved (with minor wording changes to the statement by KD Taylor) by John Balden and seconded by Eldon Greenhalgh. Votes were unanimous.

Spelling and attendance corrections need to be made on the September 28, 1999 minutes. Larry Holt motioned to approve the minutes with these corrections and the motion was seconded by John Balden. The voting was unanimous.

LETTERS TO LEGISLATORS

Janet Bennion re-emphasized the need for UVSC faculty to take action and let our local leaders know our concerns/needs. We need to thank them for the positive things they are doing for us as well as communicate our desire to continue providing high quality education. These efforts will help us receive the salary increases we need.

Janet is willing to compose a sample letter of things that can be written to the legislators. Gary Griffin informed us the letters should not be printed on UVSC letterhead. He recommended we use personal letterhead to prevent letters from looking like a mass mailing from our institution, and will appear more personal. Karl Worthington mentioned that specific facts and information can be obtained from the UVSC web site for our letters. Grant Richards concluded with the comment "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," and these letters will let the legislators know our needs.

FACULTY APPRECIATION NIGHT

James Arrington gave us a summary on the UVSC production of Grease. All faculty and adjunct faculty will be invited to enjoy the production as a form of thanks for all their efforts. October 29^th has been selected for the night of appreciation.

PERFORMANCE BASED FUNDING

Grant Richards summarized a handout concerning performance based funding. It covered the six criteria necessary to qualify for funds: each college will submit two criteria of their choosing. The other four were set by the state. President Romesburg appointed an ad hoc committee to address the CAP test, student satisfaction, and Trio program, retention, and outcomes. Karin Davidson, on the outcomes committee, voiced her concern about the Regents not paying attention to the real outcomes. She stating that her committee was given one meeting to come up with performance indicators. She complained that the indicators perscribed for them in the proposal are not measuring the right kinds of areas and have nothing to do with true performance based on course-specific skills. She will update the senate as the proposal progresses. During the Educated Peoples' conference in November, more information about specific outcomes will be addressed.

[Damon Bahr, voiced his confusion about the two proposed UVSC indicators; Grant said we will gather more information about this concern and recommended that senators let the legislators know what we are working with. Larry Holt said that we need to make sure the chosen mechanism really does what it should to reward the right people.]

ACADEMIC STANDARDS REVISION

Dave Manning informed the Senate there were two committees on campus with the title of "Academic Standards Committee." The other committee is planning to rename themselves the "Academic Appeals Committee" to eliminate confusion. A few changes will be made to the Academic Standards policy and will then be reviewed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Budget Committee Report

Keith Snedegar will be meeting with the Budget committee on Thursday October 14, 1999 to review school faculty salary plans. The Benefits Committee met and concluded it will cost more money to continue with the same level of benefits. It is an unpleasant reality and may be considered a pay cut. We are encouraged to submit ideas or opinions on this concern. Chris Jones said an increased cost for benefits may not seem as a pay cut, but it IS a pay cut! We should not take a weak position on this issue. Grant Richards said UVSC is considering five other compensation packages.

Curriculum Committee

Chris Jones emphasized the need to have departments produce documents and requests on time!

The Teacher of the Year process is being changed this year. Deadlines will be moved up a little so awards can be announced and handed out at the graduation. It will be hard this first year, but by next year we should be on track.

ADJOURNMENT

Forrest Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting and Kirk Rasmussen seconded the motion.