MINUTES

Faculty Senate Meeting

September 28, 1999

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

SC117

ATTENDANCE

Present: Grant Richards, Lucille Stoddard, Ron Hammond, Janet Bennion,, John Balden, Larry Holt, Karin Davidson, Christopher G. Jones, Damon Bahr, Kirk Rasmussen, Laurie Wood, Bryan Eldridge, Lori Richards, Doug Miller, Eberhard Lehnardt, K.D. Taylor, Jill Jasperson, Lynn Turnquist, David Brandt, Kathie Debenham, Keith Snedegar, Paul Bean, Eldon Greenhalgh, David Manning, Malcom Crawford, Renee Van Buren, Louis Arzola, Gary Noll, Forrest Williams, Eddy Cadet, Baron Rohbock

. Absent: Cameron John, Max Christofferson, Chester Heath, Kirk Rasmussen, Denza Bruss, Tom Perkins

Excused: President Romesburg

Guests: Marlin Snow, John Valentine, Jeff Alexander

CALL TO ORDER

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

INFORMATION ITEMS

Grant welcomed legislators Marlon Snow, John Valentine, and Jeff Alexander to the meeting, and thanked them for their wonderful efforts in getting money for our new building. Their skills and efforts are very appreciated. Grant proceeded by giving Marlon, John, and Jeff plaques of appreciation.

Marlon said he is very proud of UVSC and the students who attend here. He expressed his anxiousness to help UVSC as much as possible to continue in the direction it is going. He believes our good faculty are the key to our success. He is certain most students would rather attend UVSC over BYU because of what we have to offer.

Marlon informed the Senate of the false information the press has published about increasing wages for faculty. He said he is uncertain if it will happen because it hasn't been discussed in their meetings.

He expressed the necessity to keep the trades portion of the college. He said if the college ever abandons the trades, then the college will lose a lot of community and industry support. He indicated Utah Valley is in need of more education, and is aware that the teachers need more money, but things have to happen first.

John Valentine expressed his desire to preserve the college and help it to improve. He feels it is very important to keep the trades as a part of the college as well. John wants everyone to know he has not advocated enrollment caps for the college. The article printed in the newspaper was accurate, but the heading wasn't. He wanted everyone to be clear on this issue. He pointed out our huge increase in enrollment in the past six years, stating that a national study indicated Utah County as one of the most under served areas in the country for higher education. This need has helped UVSC to become a college. UVSC has a lot of difficult choices to make to fill the demands of this valley. Many difficult challenges are facing this institution.

Jeff Alexander thanked the Senate for allowing him to attend the meeting. He told everyone how fortunate UVSC was to get the money for the new building. Everything came together perfectly for it. He believes this year will be a good year for education. He doesn't think there is any way we can avoid worrying about higher education. Currently Utah spends more than any other state per tax dollar on education than any other state. He pointed out the need to keep the trades programs at UVSC; they can't be dropped from our system.

Janet Bennion stated faculty concerns and priorities. She presented statistics which showed how poor the funding was this year, how fast the college is growing, and the problems of workload. She expressed how difficult it will be to continue providing students with quality education with so few resources. Marlin Snow indicated UVSC receives a lot of scholarships and donations because of the open door policy. If UVSC starts turning students away, ill feelings may arise and we will not receive as much support from community.

Faculty Senators were allowed to ask the legislators questions. Keith Snedegar questioned how an average faculty member could survive on a $10.00 per pay period increase , most of which went directly towards the increased cost of benefits. Marlon Snow responded with the suggestion to check our benefits provider and see where the increase is going. Perhaps UVSC needs to consider a different, cheaper, benefits provider. John Valentine said a lot of decisions, (such as choosing a benefits provider) used to be handled by the legislators. The responsibility is now given to different sectors which make decisions based on needs. It is best to not collapse all choices back into the hands of the legislators.

Laurie Wood asked John Valentine what he meant by "this looks like a good year for education." He responded by saying they want to push education as much as possible; they are going to look for areas where they can get more money for education. Overall, a lot of emphasis placed on education issues this year.

Ron Hammond shared some faculty concerns which were sent to him. Teachers are being forced to leave UVSC because they are unable to survive financially. It is difficult to find or hire faculty with our low salary postings. Christopher Jones gave an example to illustrate the problem. He wondered how we could satisfy the requirements of the Board of Regents and still find people to fill the positions. Marlin Snow suggested we could talk with the Board of Regents to have requirement adjustments made if necessary; they are willing to listen.

Grant Richards asked the legislators for their perception of UVSC and higher education, wondering if they view us as overworked and underpaid? Jeff Alexander said they see UVSC as a pattern for other institutions to follow. Grant said it seems we are being penalized because of our efficiency. John indicated almost all of the growth money last year went to UVSC.

Janet Bennion questioned what could be done to get more lobbying power. John Valentine said UVSC is "rocking the boat" and changing things. UVSC has been very successful at getting support because of how different they are.

Grant thanked the legislators for attending the Faculty Senate meeting. In closing, Marlon Snow suggested the Senate send a letter to the governor and voice our needs. UVSC needs to be more politically active.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Merit Committee, Doug Miller

The Merit Committee met and finalized most of the remaining salary merit applications. They have less than ten applications remaining that will be addressed in the next week or two.

Budget Committee, Keith Snedegar

The Budget Committee will meet on October 14^th. A review of the school faculty salary plans will be a major agenda item.

Academic Policy, Jill Jasperson

Jill Jasperson brought overheads to show the Senate what changes are being considered for the graphic standards and sabbatical leave policies.

Dr. Stoddard will be working with Human Resources to clarify the language that is used in the Sabbatical Leave policy to insure the flexibility that is desired. Laurie Wood cautioned to not have the wording too flexible that it can be abused in the future. This item will remain tabled until the wording is cleared up.

The Classroom Management policy is still being considered. Dr. Stoddard stressed the need to be sensitive to adjunct needs and consider that they don't have access to computers as full time faculty do.

Tom Perkins motioned to wait until the policies have been reviewed and changed for better understanding; Luis Arzola seconded the motion.

Student Body Report

Baron Rohbock gave the Senate a review of what the Utah Council Student Body is doing about the issue of concealed weapons on campus. Baron plans on representing both points of view, but feels the student voice is necessary on the issue. He is asking faculty to let Grant Richards know how they feel about this.

He also mentioned the new tuition payment plan which is available to UVSC students. They will now have the option of making small monthly payments rather than paying the entire sum. This is possible through a low rate loan.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Eldon Greenhalgh motioned to vote on all the past minutes at the next meeting. Larry Holt seconded the motion.

ADJOURNMENT

Forrest Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Larry Holt seconded it.