CALL TO ORDER

The first meeting of the 1998 Spring Semester was called to order at 3:20 p.m. by President Linda Ramsey in Room 36 Business Administration Building. (We allowed some extra time for everyone to find the new location.) Present were 40 senators and officers, 1 substitutes and 4 guests.
 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as distributed.
 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no unfinished business.
 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President Ramsey brought a report from the January 27 Executive Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee on the proposed rank of Professor II is still not finalized. A committee member is needed from every school.
 

VCAA Kendall Blanchard wants to be able to register an opinion earlier in the approval process for undergraduate curriculum proposals. The committee agreed to suggest that a cover letter be included with proposals to ask for feedback.
 

Ramsey reminded the senators that nominations for senate officers for the upcoming year should be to Kristy by February 15.
 

The minutes of the Executive Committee should be changed to state "Jerald informed the committee that the "Banner" records system is slated to be in place in Fall '98 for Spring 1999 registration."
 

Ramsey stated also that information regarding any scheduled meetings should be sent to Bud Grimes so it goes on the campus calendar. This is especially important now that meeting rooms are scarce. The physical plant also use the campus calendar for planning purposes.
 

BUDGET AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS

Robert Nanney brought a report from the Budget and Economic Concerns Committee. This committee has been studying models for use in making salary equity comparisons. Nanney said that he would report fully next month.
 

UNDERGRADUATE COUNCIL

Alice Catherine Carls brought the entire packet from the council as a motion and second. The entire packet was approved as presented.
 

GRADUATE COUNCIL

Maurice Field brought the curriculum proposals as a motion and a second. Motion carried.
 

INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

Dan McDonough stated that there was nothing from the Instruction Committee to come before the senate for action at this time. There has been a great deal of discussion about International Students and their levels of classroom and conversational skills. It appears that some of the problems are due to International Students who achieve at least the minimum TOEFL score, which means they are not required to participate in International Programs.

Another topic of discussion was the use of adjunct instructors. Although there was much discussion, there was no committee consensus.
 

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

No report at this time.
 

PERSONNEL POLICIES

President Ramsey brought the report from the committee in the absence of Roger Fisher. The relationships that are expected between faculty and students are spelled out in detail , but at present there is no section dealing with questions of how faculty are expected to deal with their colleagues and with other members of the university staff. The PPC is looking into the possibility of adding specific items to the Faculty Handbook under the area of "collegial relations."
 

NEW BUSINESS

President Ramsey updated the senators on the status of the Chancellor's Search. She also stated reminded the senate of the UT Board of Trustees Meeting, later in the week.
 

ADJOURNMENT

Motion and second to adjourn 3:40 p.m.
 
 

Linda Ramsey, President Steve Rogers, Secretary