CALL TO ORDER
The first meeting of the 1999 Spring Semester was called to order at
3:20 p.m. by President Jerald Ogg in Room 36 Business Administration Building.
Present were 42 senators and officers, 2 substitutes, and 7 guests.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as distributed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Ogg gave a report from the Executive Committee. A report
has been received from the General Education Task Force. This report
outlines the recommended course options for a university core curriculum
and a general statement about what faculty should be able to expect from
all students who graduate from UTM. The recommendation has been referred
to the Undergraduate Council, but will not be brought before the full Senate
until the faculty at large have the opportunity to discuss the issue in
an open forum.
Ogg mentioned the West Tennessee Regional Culture Center, which was
brought up at the Academic Council. Chancellor Conn had said at that
time that rather than being strictly a cultural center, it should be broader
in scope and might be something akin to West Tennessee Studies.
The Lunch Bunch has had good attendance. These dutch treat lunches
are planned for different days during the Spring semester, so more faculty
would be able to attend. The issue of book buyers on campus has again
been raised, and was referred to the Budget and Economic Concerns Committee;
they will be considering whether book buyers fall under the category of
solicitors and will draft a clear policy on this. The Student Academic
Support Center has asked that Tommy McGlown be allowed to attend Executive
Committee meetings as a non-voting observer. This has been approved.
The UT President Search Committee has not met since October or November.
President Ogg stated that as of this date, there are no applicants.
Senator James Johnson stated that he had requested that a forum on faculty rights be planned with representatives from the state and from the union. He asked if this had been done. President Ogg told him, not at this time and that they would discuss this.
A question was also raised regarding a policy on senators rank and committee responsibility, and that responsibility should be attached to faculty rank. Ogg said that this would be discussed at the next executive committee meeting.
BUDGET AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS
Jenna Wright brought a report from the Budget and Economic Concerns
Committee. Information regarding retirement insurance (Medigap) was
made available to the senators. Employees who are nearing retirement should
familiarize themselves with this option and should contact Caryl Martin
in Personnel Services if they have questions. One item discussed
at the meeting was banking courses by teaching an overload during a semester
but not being paid for it, accumulating the time and using it later.
There were no items to be brought before the senate at this time for action.
UNDERGRADUATE COUNCIL
Doug Sterrett brought the curriculum proposals from the January 23
meeting as a motion and second for approval. Motion carried.
Sterrett also said that the core curriculum proposal will be discussed
at a called meeting in two weeks.
GRADUATE COUNCIL
Marti Herndon presented the curriculum proposal from the January 25
meeting for approval. Motion carried.
INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Dan McDonough gave a report from the Instruction Committee.
He brought a motion and second concerning the Academic Fresh Start academic
forgiveness policy,
The term undergraduate in the Academic Fresh Start program will include all categories of undergraduate students.
Motion carried.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE
There was no report from the Library Committee.
PERSONNEL POLICIES
Roger Fisher brought a report from this committee. The report from
the Academic Council regarding tenure review was received on the previous
Friday, and the committee would be meeting to discuss it. There were no
action items at this time.
AD-HOC COMMITTEES
A recent faculty survey regarding a Faculty Club received only 45 responses;
these indicated general support for a faculty gathering venue, but little
support for a separate building and significant dues.
David Cooper has sent out an e-mail survey regarding Memorial Day. The senators were encouraged to give input on this issue and to encourage their departmental colleagues to respond.
NEW BUSINESS
The nominations for senate officers for the 1999-2000 academic year
are Dan McDonough and Doug Sterrett for Vice President/President-Elect
and Stephanie Kolitsch and Robert Nanney for Senate Secretary. There
were no other nominations from the floor. A motion was made that
nominations cease. The motion was seconded and carried. A ballot
will be distributed to the senators in the near future to vote on these
officers.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m.
E. Jerald Ogg, President
Robert Nanney, Secretary