To commemorate the Silver Anniversary of the Faculty Senate, and to honor and recognize the Past Presidents of the Faculty Senate, a reception was held prior to the regular September meeting.

CALL TO ORDER

The first meeting of the 1997 Fall Semester was called to order at 3:35 p.m. by President Linda Ramsey in the Boling Center Room 201-2-3. Present were 41 senators, 3 substitutes, and 23 visitors, including past Senate presidents. Lang Unger, Jr., and Patricia Taylor were also present to represent Past Presidents Lang Unger, Sr., and Patrick Taylor. (Fifteen of the Past Presidents were in attendance.)

As each Past President was escorted into the meeting, President Ramsey announced his or her name and the period of service. A certificate and pin were presented to each. Maurice Field spoke briefly on behalf of the Past Presidents.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the April 29, 1997, meeting were approved as distributed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no unfinished business.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Executive Committee
President Ramsey gave report of the September 9 meeting of the Executive Committee, and reminded the senators that the Senate information is available on the web page. Suggested Rules of Order for Meetings of the UT Martin Faculty Senate were distributed, and Ramsey asked the Senators to review these and send any suggestions or comments to her, Jerald Ogg (Vice President), or Anna Clark (Parliamentarian). These suggested rules and any suggestions will be discussed at the next meeting.

Ramsey announced that there are conflicts with the scheduled General Faculty Meeting in October, and said that the Personnel Policies Committee would be bringing a motion before the Senate later regarding the section in the Faculty Handbook which addresses how this meeting is set.

She stated that she had been talking to Shannon Burgin regarding computer training for the Senators and other faculty members and said that a survey would be sent out soon to the faculty to see what their computer needs are.

Student members have been added to several Senate committees. They are Marcus Tubbs (Graduate Council), Jason Knight (Library Committee), and Ben Hays (Instruction Committee).

Ramsey said that we would be looking at the theme of "Year of the Scholar" this year. The Senate will be in charge of an Open Hearing in April. Any suggestions for panel members should be sent to Linda Ramsey.

There have been some concerns about charging the students for printing in the computer labs. It should be noted that when the Technology Fee was voted upon, the students specifically stated that they did not want the fee to go toward supplies, and printing costs fall under the category of supplies (for paper). The printing fees will begin after Christmas.
Budget and Economic Concerns Committee
Robert Nanney said that there were no action items to come before the Senate at this time, but he had several informational items. Phil Dane had informed the Committee that a 2% raise is still expected in January. Nanney stated that it was hoped that it would be an across-the-board raise, since it is such a small percentage.

He also said that information would be sent out later about a meeting, probably next month, when the Assistant UT System Treasurer would be here to meet with faculty, mostly to discuss vision and dental insurance and what the parameters are to participate in these.

At the next meeting of the Budget and Economic Concerns Committee, there will be reports about the actual benefits of the technology fees and how they are to be used, and from K. Paul Jones and his staff about past salary equity studies.

Undergraduate Council
Alice Catherine Carls had no items to bring before the Senate at this time.

Graduate Council
Maurice Field brought the curriculum change proposals from School of Business as a motion and second from the Council. Motion carried.

Instruction Committee
Dan McDonough brought a report from the August 26 meeting of the Instruction Committee. Sophomore and freshman enrollment in upper division courses was discussed at length at the meeting. Members of the committee were to discuss this issue with their respective departments, and the question was tabled pending the advice of the departments. This item will be brought before the Senate at a later date.

The recommendation that senior international students be exempted from taking the ACT/COMP exam as a requirement for graduation was brought before the Senate as a motion and a second from the Committee. Motion carried.

Library Committee
Joel Stowers brought a report from the Library Committee in Lisa LeBleu's absence. A periodical evaluation survey was performed last year, and from the information gained, numerous periodicals were deleted. These were not listed as needed by any faculty and had not more than one use during the entire year. In addition 81 of the 188 titles deleted are now available in online full text.

It was also noted that the new online full text services provide access to over 1300 periodicals plus abstracts for thousands more.

Personnel Policies Committee
Roger Fisher said that there was nothing at present to bring from this committee to the Senate. The Committee had decided that they needed one more meeting before bringing the item regarding selecting dates for the General Faculty Meetings before the Senate.
 

President Ramsey again told the Senators that the scheduled date for the General Faculty Meeting in October conflicts with a Board of Trustees meeting, so she would be unable to be there, and Vice President Ogg also had a conflict and would be unable to attend. She asked if this could be adjusted just for this semester, at this Senate meeting. A motion was made that the General Faculty Meeting be held on October 21 this year. During discussion, Vice Chancellor Blanchard stated that there is a conflict on that date with a state-wide meeting. The motion was defeated.

After further discussion, a motion and second was made that the General Faculty Meeting be held on October 30. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Linda Ramsey, President

Steve Rogers, Secretary