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Faculty Senate Meeting of June 17, 1999

The Faculty Senate of North Georgia College & State University met June 17, 1999, at 12:30 P.M. in Oaks 019. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Donna Gessell, CEO, with the following Senators present: Batchelder, Biddy, Corrotto, Democko, Gordon, Link, Patten, Skelly, Smith, Szuminski, Temples, Tennis, Weinberg, Wiedmann, Woods, and Yonts. President Day, Dr. Buckhiester (interim VPAA), and Ms. Peggy Inman (Staff Council Representative) were also present. Guests in attendance were Dr. Nathaniel Hansford (president select), K. Gruenhagen, M. Lary, T. McLeod, B. Michael, and T. Fox. Senators Anthony, Barnett, Kokkala, Roberts-Betsch, Sisk, Spraker, and Thurman were excused. Senators Carroll-Cobb, Herbert, Margeson, and Stahl were absent.

Dr. Gessell welcomed President Select Hansford to the meeting. Dr. Hansford expressed his appreciation for the invitation and his pleasure at joining the NGCSU community.

Minutes of the April 29, 1999, Meeting

Dr. Donna Gessell called for approval of the minutes of the April 29, 1999, meeting. There being no corrections or additions, they were approved as submitted.

President's Report

Dr. Day reviewed the physical master plan for the college over the next 25 years:

Call for bids for the new Science and Health Science Building are expected to go out this fall. Classes could be held in the 90,000 sq. ft. building 18 months later.
The Moore House will not be removed or demolished.
The Planetarium will go and a new planetarium, along with Plant Science, will be part of the new Science and Health Science Building.
Sanford Hall will not be renovated. Rather, a new dorm will be constructed off Highway 9 at the site of the current parking lot.
A 109,200 sq. ft. expansion of Stewart Library has been approved by the BOR. This expansion will include electronic classrooms, computer labs, distance learning facilities, facilities for a teaching and learning center and in-service facilities. This project has not yet been funded, however. Dr. Day estimated completion of the project in 5 to 6 years.
The power station will be moved from its current location, thereby enhancing the appearance of the college's main entrance. This project is funded in next year's budget.
A new Continuing Education Building and separate Military Science Building probably will not be approved.

President Day pointed out that, out of 64 proposed projects, the BOR approved only 14. The Stewart Library expansion came in third. President Day gave five reasons for NGCSU's successful record in getting such projects approved:

NGCSU's high academic reputation
Our student-centered teaching mission
Good planning
Good relationships with the Chancellor and BOR
The high caliber of NGCSU faculty

President Day went on to report that the budget is here and contracts are being prepared. The budget includes $1.7 million in MRR and ADA funds for improvements including exterior work on the Student Center, renovation of the library and renovation of Price Memorial.

Search committees have been formed for the various administrative searches. Information regarding these committees will be sent out via e-mail in the near future.

Price Memorial will be turned back to the college on July 1, 1999. A celebration for retirees will be held there on July 6, 1999. No date has yet been set, however, for the formal dedication.

In closing, Dr. Day expressed his thanks to the faculty, Terry McLeod, Judy McHan, Phil Buckhiester, Mac McConnell, and Marilyn Lary. In addition, Dr. Day expressed his confidence in in-coming President Hansford.

Report from the CEO

Dr. Donna Gessell announced changes to the makeup of the Graduate Council Committee. The committee members are as follows:

Professor Toni Barnett, Chair
Dr. Barry Friedman
Dr. Susan Gannaway
Dr. Rufus Larkin
Dr. Robert Laird
Dr. John Nardo
Dr. Kent Poff
Dr. Dee Stegelin

The committee is charged as follows:

to consider the makeup of the Graduate Council
to consider issues related to graduate faculty status
to make recommendations for changes to the Statutes and/or Bylaws

Election of Parliamentarian

Dr. Donna Gessell called for nominations for the position of Senate Parliamentarian. Dr. Gessell nominated Dr. Eric Link. Dr. Gay Tennis moved that nominations cease. The motion carried unanimously.

Bylaws Proposal to Change Article V. Section 1

At the April 29, 1999, meeting of the Faculty Senate, Dr. Donna Gessell presented the following proposal:

The Faculty Senate shall meet in open session, in space adequate for potential visitors, at least FOUR [three] times per semester during the academic year and at least once during the summer term. The Executive Officers of the Faculty Senate shall determine the dates and times for regular meetings and shall provide the Faculty with a copy of the annual schedule (fall through summer) at the beginning of the fall semester. (Changes in bold caps, deletions in brackets.)

Dr. Gay Tennis moved to accept the proposal, Dr. Steve Smith seconded the motion, the motion carried unanimously.

Faculty Evaluation Tool Revision Committee Report

Dr. Tom Fox, Chair of the Faculty Evaluation Tool Revision Committee, called for questions regarding the committee's reported recommendations. Dr. Sherman Day pointed out the need for timely action. Dr. Frank Corotto stated that he thought members needed time to study and consider the recommendations. Dr. Steve Smith moved that the vote on the report be postponed, Dr. Frank Corotto seconded the motion, the motion carried.

Instructional Technology Committee Report

Professor Marilyn Lary, reporting on behalf of Dr. Irene Kokkala, reported that the committee recommends it be continued as a standing committee with the following purpose, composition, and duties:

Purpose:    The purpose of the Instructional Technology Committee shall be to review and formulate policy related to Instructional Technology issues for the University.
Composition:    The committee shall be composed of one regular faculty member
from each school of the University (appointed by the Deans of the schools), one library representative (appointed by the Coordinator of Library Technology), a support staff member from Information Technology (appointed by the Director of Information
Technology), and a student representative (appointed by the Vice President of Student Affairs). One of the above committee members shall be a senator. Each member of this committee should have demonstrated interest in instructional technology issues. The out-going chair of this committee shall call the first meeting of the new committee for the purpose of electing a new chair and briefing the committee on previous results.
Duties:    The committee shall revisit annually the instructional technology needs of the University and make specific recommendations for their maintenance and enhancement. The committee shall review standing policies and procedures regarding use of instructional technology for learning and recommend changes to the Senate as needed. Furthermore, the committee shall maintain and publicize an updated list of funding sources available to the faculty and the University to support instructional technology.

Dr. Corotto questioned whether there was sufficient work for a standing committee. Dr. Tennis suggested that the speed with which technology changes and improves makes a standing committee necessary. Dr. Tennis also suggested that a standing committee could provide consistency in policies and guidelines. Dr. Paul Patten asked if the committee would have authority regarding department-specific technology. Dr. Day explained the committee addresses campus-wide technology needs. It was also pointed out the Dr. McLeod, Director of Information Technology, had requested that such a committee be available to oversee the policies and guidelines.

Professor Lary asked that the policies and guidelines submitted by the committee be
submitted as recommended. Dr. Patten made the motion, Mr. Gordon seconded the motion, the motion carried unanimously.

Corrected Academic Integrity Committee Report

Dr. Buckhiester, on behalf of Dr. Roberts-Betsch, stated that the report by the committee, submitted at the April 29, 1999, meeting was in error. The correct figures were: 9 instrument reports and 3 hearings. Dr. Buckhiester then displayed to the senate an example of the plaques, bearing the University's Academic Integrity Code, which will be hung in each instructional building.

Changes in Committee on Committees

Dr. Donna Gessell, on behalf of Dr. Sisk, Chair of Committee on Committees, recommended the following changes:

K. Eckler will replace J. Bennett on the Academic Integrity Council
F. Corotto will replace I. Kokkala as the Biology Departmental Representative (not the senate representative) to the Graduate Council

Dr. Woods made the motion, Dr. Smith seconded the motion, the motion carried unanimously.

Virtual Office Hours

Dr. Gruenhagen, in order to facilitate communication between students and faculty, asked that the Faculty Senate recommend that faculty members include their e-mail addresses on their syllibi and post the addresses on their office doors. Dr. Patten made the motion, Dr. Batchelder seconded the motion. After a short discussion, the motion carried.

Designation of Writing-Intensive and Oral Component Courses on Transcripts

Dr. Corotto made the following motion:

The Faculty Senate recommends that Writing-Intensive courses, and courses with an Oral Communication Component, be designated as such on student transcripts, and that transcripts include an explanation of the designation by means of a footnote. This recommendation includes courses offered during the 1998-1999 academic year, as well as subsequent academic years.

Dr. Smith seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Faculty and Staff Child-Care Survey

Dr. Corotto brought to the attention of the senate a child-care survey currently posted by B. Bielec and available for completion on the N: drive. Dr. Day pointed out that Governor Barnes has indicated that child-care programs are an issue of interest to him. Dr. Day went on to remind the senate that the BOR requires a needs-assessment before taking action on a program or funding request. This survey would provide such an assessment. Ms. Peggy Inman stated that this is an issue of interest to the staff council.

Announcements

Dr. Woods requested that, in future, the minutes of the Faculty Senate be written up on Netscape Composer and linked to an e-mail message rather than merely being posted on the N: drive. Dr. Woods volunteered his assistance to the secretary, should it be needed, in disbursing the minutes through Composer.

LTC Yonts announced that Cadet Andrew Robbins earned the distinction of being named Honor Graduate while at Ft. Drum, NY, this summer. Cadet Robbins was one of only three cadets completing the course. In earning this honor, Cadet Robbins competed against 100 active-duty and reserve officers.

Dr. Day announced that Dr. Ron Upchurch recently underwent quadruple bypass surgery. Dr. Upchurch is now home and recuperating.

The meeting adjourned at 1:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

S.N. Wiedmann, Secretary
NGCSU Faculty Senate