Minutes of the Faculty Senate

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Meeting convened at 1:00 p.m. by David Worrells, President.

ROLL CALL

Members present: James S. Allen, Mark A. Amos, Gary Apgar, Robert Benford, Peter Borgia, Terry Clark, Jon D. Davey, Paula K. Davis, Uday Desai, John M. Dunn (ex officio), George Feldhamer, Carl R. Flowers, Sanjeev Kumar, Don Rice (ex officio), Aldo D. Migone, R. William Rowley, Pamela A. Smoot, Gerald R. Spittler, Peggy Stockdale, Spyros Tragoudas (ex officio), Susan E. Tulis, R. Viswanathan, Jan Waggoner (for John D. McIntyre), Matt R. Whiles, Wenona Whitfield (for James E. Duggan), John R. Winings, Todd Winters, Kevin Wise, David S. Worrells.

Members absent: Allan Karnes (ex officio), Russ Trimble (ex officio).

Members absent without proxy: Carol A. Bauer, Joseph Brown, Peter Chametzky, Stephen D. Ebbs, Mark L. Francis, Maureen Francis, Bradley F. Schwartz.

Visitors and Guests: Caleb Hale (Southern Illinoisan), Marvin Zeman (Mathematics), Tony Williams (English).

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting on December 12, 2006, were approved as presented.

REPORTS

1. D. Worrells reported: a) he has attended several Diversity in Professional Services Committee meetings over the last few months. The committee generated some recommendations, and its report is available for review in the Faculty Senate office; b) the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee is meticulously moving along and has developed nine broad categories for which questions are being crafted. Applications are coming in and are subject to review by the committee; c) the Plagiarism Review Committee is also moving along, though he has been unable to attend any meetings thus far because of scheduling conflicts.

2. Interim Chancellor Dunn reported that the enrollment shortfall, the Illinois Veterans Grants (IVG) and escalating utility production costs have all created a significant challenge for FY07 (the current budget year). His philosophy is to do everything to avoid going back into current operational budgets because most of the commitments have already been made, and to do so would create havoc. However, in order to address the $1.8 million enrollment shortfall, he has had to access $900,000 of the contingency fund; another $900,000 was added to that by deferring some other expenses and payments. In order to address the $3.9 million total shortfall in both utilities and the IVG ($1.7 and $1.8 million, respectively), he will need to access the remaining $3 million in the contingency. He has met with the Chancellor's Planning and Budget Advisory Committee, his Executive Committee and the Dean's Council, and all are in strong agreement that this needs to happen. Interim Chancellor Dunn reported that FY08 will be a significant problem primarily because the University will be in the last year of the tuition stability plan. The new tuition income will only bring in $2.7 million out of the $4.7 million needed to meet salary increase obligations. In addition, there is the deficit in utility production costs that dates back to FY06, the increase in minimum wage and the University's obligation to put $1 million into need-based aid. There will be some programs such as the faculty hiring initiative that will have to be put on hiatus because there is simply no money and no income to sustain them. He uses the term hiatus because those programs will need to be restored, possibly in FY09, if the University can stay on its trajectory with respect to enrollment. He has been examining this and other possible actions with the appropriate bodies and believes the consensus is that these actions have to be taken. He will also be issuing a letter to the vice chancellors and others about developing a strategy for reductions of 2, 4, and 6% in base budgets. The deans have been strong in wanting to move forward with a plan now when faculty and others are here rather than waiting until May, June or July when everyone is gone. Interim Chancellor Dunn expressed hope that the state might provide some relief to offset some of the bad news. There will also be a new tuition and fees plan that will be acted on by the Board of Trustees on February 28. The plan calls for a 9.3% increase in tuition, with the additional adjustments in fees. There is also a new fee that addresses facility maintenance and utility production costs. He has met with the Undergraduate Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Council and believes both groups have been appropriately thoughtful and recognize that there are some challenges.

D. Worrells asked if the initiative for classroom improvements and enhancements will continue. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that it will also be on hiatus, at least for FY08. He noted the dollar amount has already been pared down from $1 million to $500,000, and the remaining $500,000 will have to be put on hold. He took $1 million from the Reflective Response University Initiative, of which $600,000 was distributed out to budgets. There is still $300,000 or $400,000 that will likely be put on hold [until FY08]. He is attempting to look at every dollar there is in an effort to stay away from the ongoing operating budget. He wants to make the budget process as transparent as possible to everyone in the University. A leadership meeting is scheduled for February 22, and he will again lay out the information to help people understand. He noted that he has "opened all the drawers" and there is no money.

U. Desai asked if the 2/4/6 percentage is a different percentage reduction in different areas. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that the 2/4/6 is a means of differentiating the reduction, noting this will occur in the Provost and Vice Chancellor area; however, he will also be looking at the non-academic areas to see if there is any money there.

R. Viswanathan asked what percentage of tuition and fees will go toward Saluki Way. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that none of the facility maintenance fee will go to Saluki Way. The fee is for the teaching/learning environments and the utility production costs. That will generate $1.9 million the first year and will only be imposed on graduate students and students in that freshman year. D. Worrells asked if there is any money for Saluki Way that could be drawn back and then putting that program on hold. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that there is a separate, ongoing fee that generates money into Saluki Way. It was imposed last year and is not a new fee.

3. Interim Provost Rice provided an update on the dean searches: a) one of the candidates for the College of Science position interviewed on campus on February 8-9. Three others will follow during the week of February 19. All have good resumes and credentials; b) the search committee for the position in Liberal Arts has narrowed down its list to six semi-finalists, although two have since withdrawn. The committee is currently seeking letters of reference for the other four semi-finalists; c) advertisements and a position description for the position in Education and Human Services were approved, and the ad appeared in the February 9 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. The search committee will begin reviewing applications around March 15-16. Interim Provost Rice reported that the ad for the position of Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management also appeared in the Chronicle on February 9, and that search committee will begin looking at applications on March 16. In other business, he reported that letters on promotion and tenure will be delivered by the end of the week. J. Allen noted that there is also work toward a quick turnaround on the search for a faculty coordinator for Service Learning.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

1. G. Feldhamer asked about the status of the changes to Grievance Procedure and when the Senate might expect to hear something. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that part of the delay relates to where the administration is at currently with respect to collective bargaining negotiations. Also, he understands there is another potential amendment being brought forward by the Senate. He would just like to make sure the wording is how the Faculty Senate wants it, and then [he can affirm the revised document].

2. U. Desai asked Interim Chancellor Dunn to brief the Senate on negotiations with the Faculty Association. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that he remains optimistic, noting both teams have been working hard. He is hopeful both sides are coming to consensus. Interim Provost Rice indicated there were productive exchanges of language this morning with respect to the Faculty Association contract. In addition, the non-tenure track faculty will meet this afternoon with the [bargaining] team. Interim Chancellor Dunn indicated that negotiations with the graduate assistants have also been initiated, although those are further behind.

3. Interim Chancellor Dunn reported that Rodney Jones, distinguished professor in English, is the recipient of the 2007 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. It carries with it a monetary award of $100,000. This is a significant achievement for Dr. Jones and reflects well on the University.

REPORTS (cont.)

4. A. Karnes provided a written report on the January 19, 2007, meeting of the Faculty Advisory Committee (included as Attachment A to the Agenda).

5. S. Tragoudas reported the Graduate Council approved a resolution offering a concurrent Master of Science and Juris Doctor degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

1. R. Viswanathan presented for approval the Resolution on the Ethics Test (included as Attachment B to the Agenda). P. Stockdale expressed support for the resolution but commented the instructions did indicate the test would be timed. R. Viswanathan responded that it was never specifically stated there was a minimum amount of time in which the test could be taken. T. Williams expressed the hope that Senators would approve the resolution, believing the State Executive Inspector General has disavowed such constitutional rights as due process and fair hearing and has provided no evidence to back up his "malignant assertions." He also expressed his extreme disappointment for the entire University administration for not taking a stand for faculty and others who are being bullied and treated in a shameful manner. R. Benford agreed, recalling that when plagiarism charges were raised against the chancellors of Edwardsville and Carbondale, the SIU President spoke out against those who made the charges. R. Benford hoped the president would do the same in this case.

Resolution was approved unanimously on a voice vote.

2. R. Viswanathan presented for approval the Resolution Urging Legislators to Introduce Legislation Urging the Governor to Authorize Payments for Illinois Veterans Grants to Colleges and Universities (included as Attachment C to the Agenda). G. Feldhamer asked if the legislation specifically states that universities will be reimbursed. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that veterans are entitled to four years of education at no personal cost. Up until three years ago, the state reimbursed colleges for those costs. When the University was first alerted to this, it had a shortfall of $800,000, which the state did not fully reimburse. Last year, the shortfall was $1.4 million, and this year the projection is $1.8 million. Interim Chancellor Dunn pointed out that SIUC has a very high proportion of student veterans in contrast to other universities, so the impact is more significant here than at other universities. G. Feldhamer asked if other universities are lobbying their legislators. Interim Chancellor Dunn responded that as the gap increases, universities and community colleges are beginning to articulate that this is a significant problem.

Resolution was approved unanimously on a voice vote.

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE -- T. Winters, Chair

1. T. Winters presented for approval the Resolution to Recommend the Approval of the RME to Establish a Minor in Health Care Management (included as Attachment D to the Agenda). Hearing no discussion, D. Worrells called for a vote.

Resolution was approved on a voice vote.

2. T. Winters presented for approval the Resolution to Recommend the Approval of the RME to Add a Bachelor of Science Degree in Plant Biology (included as Attachment E to the Agenda). R. Benford asked if there is a resource impact, e.g., will it mean different requirements for the students. T. Winters responded that it would mean more math and science. He indicated it is a very small program, with only about 15 undergraduates currently.

Resolution was approved on a voice vote.

3. T. Winters presented for approval the Resolution to Recommend Approval of the RME to Change the Existing Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition into Two Bachelor of Science Degrees: in Human Nutrition and Dietetics; and Hospitality and Tourism Administration (included as Attachment F to the Agenda). He indicated this is an idea that was brought forward to the Department of Food and Nutrition from its agricultural leadership board, which is made up of constituents throughout the state. These two programs--Human Nutrition and Hospitality and Tourism--had been specialties. While the University has been decreasing in enrollment, the Department of Food and Nutrition has actually had an 8% increase in these programs. T. Winters believes there could be a further increase in the number of students in these two programs if more identity is given to them away from Food and Nutrition.

Resolution was approved on a voice vote.

4. T. Winters reported the committee has been spending time discussing admissions, recruitment and retention issues. There are some committees on which a number of [UEPC members] serve, such as the Undergraduate Diversity Committee and the First Year Experience Committee, that are also looking at these issues. The UEPC will continue to investigate and discuss them as well.

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE -- G. Feldhamer, Chair

1. G. Feldhamer re-introduced for approval Resolution B on Proposed Changes to the Grievance Procedure for Faculty (included as Attachment G to the Agenda). He indicated the resolution was withdrawn at the December meeting so the committee could affirm the changes are what they wanted. The change is relatively trivial but necessary. J. Allen asked whether voting faculty includes term faculty. G. Feldhamer responded that term faculty would be included.

Resolution was approved on a voice vote.

2. G. Feldhamer reported the committee is examining several other issues none of which deal with the JRB(!)

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE -- R. Viswanathan, Chair

R. Viswanathan presented as an informational item the Tenure/Tenure Track Voting Faculty FTE Totals (included as Attachment H to the Agenda). He noted that the changes in FTE resulted in a gain of one Senate seat in Liberal Arts, bringing their total to nine representatives, and one loss--carried over from last year--in Medicine, preserving their total at three.

COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES -- No report.

FACULTY STATUS AND WELFARE COMMITTEE -- No report.

BUDGET COMMITTEE -- T. Clark, Chair

T. Clark reported the Faculty Senate does have a voice on the Chancellor's Planning and Budget Advisory Committee. He continues to beat the same drum about driving enrollment, in particular, marketing. It is his hope that encouraging changes can be made in that area. D. Worrells asked when the marketing video will be shown on television. Interim Chancellor Dunn indicated that while the feedback on the video has been positive, there is also additional tweaking needed as a result of some of the feedback. A suggestion was made to have a showing of the video at the next Senate meeting.

OLD BUSINESS - None.

NEW BUSINESS - None.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Interim Chancellor Dunn commented on the vermicomposting facility located on West Pleasant Hill Road. He noted that 155,000 pounds of food waste is generated by the University's residential living areas; rather than continue to haul that off at an expense, it is now going to the composting facility for worm food. He noted that the University has always been a green campus, and he wanted the Senate to be aware that there are beneficial activities going on at the facility.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.