The Faculty Senate of North Georgia College & State University met on October 14, 1999, at 12:30PM in Oakes 019. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Donna Gessell, CEO, with the following Senators present: Anthony, Batchelder, Biddy, Carroll-Cobb, Corotto, Democko, Gordon, Herbert, Kokkala, Link, Margeson, Patten, Roberts-Betsch, Sisk, Skelly, Smith, Spraker, Tennis, Thurman, Weinberg, Wiedmann, Woods, and Yonts. President Hansford and Vice President Buckhiester were also present. Senators Barnett, Stahl, Szuminski and Temples were excused. Dr. Kathleen Gruenhagen was present as a representative for Senator Szuminski. Guests included Dr. Catherine Chastain, Dr. Catherine Finnegan, Dr. John Nardo, COL. Tom Palmer, J.R. Sessions, and Ms. Andi Stepnick.
Minutes of the September 9, 1999, meeting
The minutes of the September 9, 1999, meeting were submitted by CEO Gessell with a call for corrections or additions. There being no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved as submitted.
President's Report
President Hansford reported that the Strategic Planning Committee had met the previous week and finalized the Strategic Directions. He explained that these directions were meant to be "broad general statements" covering the coming two year period. The fact that an item might not be mentioned was not to be taken to mean that the item was not important. President Hansford went on to explain that the directions will be further defined by the various university units as they formulate and submit their respective responses. These responses, upon delivery to the Strategic Planning Committee, will serve as the basis for much more specific strategic goals and action plans. Finally, the Strategic Planning Committee will submit strategic goals and action plans to the faculty for final review and comment before the goals and actions plans go back to the Strategic Planning Committee for finalization and dissemination to the university community.
President Hansford announced that four candidates for the position of Vice President of Student Affairs had visited the campus. The search committee had forwarded the names of three of the candidates to President Hansford. He will forward the three names with his recommendation to the BOR. Regarding the search for a Director of Advancement, the President informed the Senate that the search committee felt there was insufficient depth in the pool of applicants. Therefore, the position has been changed to Vice President of Institutional Advancement. A new search will be undertaken in hopes of attracting a larger, deeper pool of applicants.
President Hansford announced that Larry Mitchell, Director of Continuing Education, has reported that approximately 1700 young people participated in various summer camps held on our campus this year.
Finally, President Hansford announced that a significant grant has been awarded by the state to support the North Georgia Appalachian Development Center. The President gave credit for the receipt of the grant to Vice President Buckhiester and Dean Daigle. The Center will conduct seminars and workshops to assist local and regional businesses.
CEO's Report
CEO Gessell informed the Senate that Dr. Barnett has reported that the Graduate Ad-Hoc Committee has completed its external survey and is in the process of completing its internal survey.
The Faculty Evaluation Ad-Hoc Committee, the decision having been made
to take a more long range view, has been expanded in terms of membership
in order to represent all departments and the total educational process.
The constitution of the committee is as follows:
Dr. T. Fox, Chair
Dr. P. Bielec, Biology
Dr. F. Byxbe, Political
Science/Criminal Justice
Dr. C. Chastain, Fine Arts
Dr. M.L. Frank, Psychology/Sociology
Dr. S. Irwin, Physical Therapy
Dr. B. Mann, Language/Literature
Dr. G. Mann, History
Dr. K. Melton, Business
Administration
Dr. T. Richardson, Chemistry
Dr. K. Sisk, Math/Computer
Science
Dr. M. Spraker, Physics
Dr. D. Stegelin, Teacher
Education
Dr. A. Sumners, Nursing
Dr. T. Temples, Health/Physical
Education
New Business
Senator Sisk announced, in keeping with changes in the Bylaws approved
at the fall faculty meeting,
announced the following changes made by the Committee on Committees:
Publication Comm. - Eric
Link to replace Lennet Daigle
Graduate Council - Susan
Gannaway to replace Bob Michael and
Toni Bellon to replace Judy Long
Senator Roberts-Betsch brought the following recommendations to the Senate from the Deans' Council. Due to the change from the quarter system to the semester system, it was recommended that the various deadline dates regarding Pretenure Review be changed as follows:
Senator Roberts-Betsch, again on the recommendation of the Deans' Council, proposed the following change regarding the process involved in Pretenure Review. It was recommended by the Deans' Council that the candidate's letter of support from her/his department chair be included in the materials reviewed by the Pretenure Review Committee. During the ensuing discussion, Senator Sisk pointed out that this would change the order of the process; at the present time the department chair's letter comes after the Committee's report. Senator Roberts-Betsch expressed the position that the chair's letter of support would be useful to the review committee. CEO Gessell asked if the annual evaluations, already included in the materials sent to the committee, aren't sufficient. Senator Smith raised the question that isn't the committee's assessment meant to be an impartial assessment and not influenced by a chair's letter of support. The question was called, and the recommendation was defeated.
Dr. John Nardo presented a number of proposed Bylaws amendments for the consideration of the Senate. These changes were felt to be necessitated by the transition from quarters to semesters and also by the change to a four-school university.
The first amendment concerns changing Article VII, Section 1, Subsection
c, to read:
"Each committe shall [submit]
a written annual report to the Chief Executive Officer [no
later than] the last regular
meeting of the academic year. The report shall include a list
of all items placed on the
committee's agenda and note the disposition of each. [The
minutes of the last Senate
meeting of the academic year shall incorporate these reports.]"
(brackets denote changes)
The second amendment concerns the reduction of senatorial representation
on committees:
"Reduce the number of Senators
from two to one on the following committees:
Academic Activities
Academic Advisement
Academic Review
Admissions
Graduate Council
Library
Student Honors
In order to keep an odd
number of voting members in committees affected by the above
changes, we recommend the
changes below.
Academic Advisement: Decrease student representation
from three to two.
Academic Review:
Change 'the Registrar' to 'the Registrar or an appropriate
designate.' Then,
delete the Assistant/Associate Registrar."
The third amendment concerns the fair representation of the university's
constituencies on committees:
"Create two new subsections in Article VII immediately before the descriptions
of committees.
Article VII, Section 1,
Subsection h:
Faculty Representation
When a committee has four or more appointed faculty members,
rather than elected faculty
members, the appointing body shall attempt to represent the
four schools of the university
equitably in the assignment of those faculty members.
Article VII, Section 1, Subsection
i:
Student Representation
When a committee has student members, the appointing body
shall attempt to represent
the student constituencies of the university (resident, commuter,
undergraduate, graduate,
military, non-military, multicultural, international, etc.) equitably
in the assignment of those
student members.
Delete such wording in the description of individual committees: the
Academic Integrity Council and the Student Life Committee."
The fourth amendment concerns adjustments requested for individual committees:
Academic Activities Comm. Add the deans of all schools
Academic Integrity Council
Increase faculty representation from six to ten
Increase student representation from eight to twelve
Discipline Comm.
Increase faculty representation from eigth to twelve
Increase student representation from eight to twelve
Grievance Comm. Reduce faculty representation from six to three
Health Reduce faculty representation from five to four
Library
Reduce faculty representation from one per department
to one per school. Include the Vice President for
Student Affairs or an appropriate designate. Include
the Chief Information Officer or an appropriate
designe.
Minority Achievement Program
Committee
Change one Senator appointed "by the Senate" to
"by the Committee on Committees."
The fifth amendment concerns a correction of title:
Change "Department of Developmental
Studies" to "Division of Learning Support Services"
The sixth amendment deals with parliamentary authority:
In Article VIII, change
"current edition of Robert's Rules of Order: Newly Revised, or most
current edition" to "current
edition of Robert's Rules of Order: Newly Revised."
Upon presentation of the foregoing amendments, questions arose concerning the various amendments. Regarding the proposed change in student representation, it was questioned whether, perhaps, student representation should be increased, rather than decreased. A question also arose regarding the Graduate Council and whether or not the Bylaws are written so as to already exempt it from the four school proposal. Concerning the proposal calling for a balanced and equitable student representation across student constituencies, it was questioned whether and/or how the Vice President of Student Affairs would be made aware of such a requirement. Finally, questions were raised concerning changes in the constituency of the Grievance Committee. Senator Smith inquired as to what kinds of grievances such a committee would hear? Dr. Nardo explained that the Grievance Committee would not hear grievances concerning salary, tenure or harassment. He explained that such a committee could hear grievances made by a faculty member against a department chair, for example. Senator Batchelder questioned the logic in reducing representation given the initial constituency was, it is assumed, logically based. Dr. Nardo explained that, since the committee has, in fact, been rarely active, it was felt that maintaining the membership at six allowed the committee members to unfairly inflate their service to the institution. Senator Batchelder questioned whether such inflation was truly damaging. Dr. Nardo went on to explain that the reduction in membership of the committee was also spurred by a concern over the best use of resources. In other words, does it make sense to assign six faculty members to serve on a committee which rarely has business to conduct and, thus, deny other, more active committees the services of those members of the faculty. Senator Roberts-Betsch indicated that the committee, itself, was a carry over from earlier days when other committees (such as harassment, etc.) did not exist. Senator Weinberg voiced the opinion that, although the proposed change appears cosmetic, it is, in fact, substantive.
CEO Gessell reminded the members that the amendments were only being presented. The Senate will not take action on them until its next meeting. She encouraged all Senators to communicate the proposed changes to their constituencies and to solicit the opinions of the faculty they represent.
Dr. Catherine Finnegan presented the strategic directions developed by the Strategic Planning Committee. The directions fall under three categories: those related to programs, those related to population, and those related to environment.
The first direction proposed read as follows:
"The University will ensure continued excellence
in its programs and services through its on-going comprehensive assessment
process."
The second direction proposed read as follows:
"The University will expand its service and educational
commitments to the region while maintaining the character of the institution."
Senator Batchelder questioned how we would know if the "character of
the institution," in fact, had changed or was changing? Dr. Buckhiester
pointed out that the character of the institution is defined by the university's
mission statement and eight core values. He further pointed out that
the current character is assessed in the action plans which result from
the directions.
The third direction read as follows:
"The University will incorporate curricular and
other changes that will increase awareness of diverse cultures."
Senator Weinberg moved to amend the direction by adding "and respect
for" after the word 'of'. Senator Smith seconded the motion.
Senator Patten expressed concern that this direction not be allowed to
erase the importance of Western culture within the curriculum. The
motion carried.
The fourth direction read as follows:
"The University will enhance its recruitment and
retention of a diverse and well-qualified student body."
Senator Kokkala questioned the phrasing of "diverse and well-qualified."
Dr. Finnegan explained this wording was chosen to indicate that the one
adjective does not qualify the other.
The fifth direction read as follows:
"The University will increase cultural, ethnic and
gender diversity among staff, faculty, and administration."
Senator Smith raised the question of what was meant by "gender diversity."
It was pointed out that there are only two genders. Senator Smith
moved that the direction be amended to read as follows:
"The University will increase cultural, ethnic diversity
and gender representation among staff, faculty, and administration."
There was some discussion over the use of the term 'representation'.
'Equity' was suggested as an alternative. Senator Yonts reminded
the Senate that these directions are meant to be broad, general statements.
The motion carried.
The sixth direction read as follows:
"The University will enhance its fiscal resources
through increased philanthropic and external support."
Dr. Finnegan pointed out that the previous direction had used the term
'foundation.' This term was replaced by "fiscal resources" to indicate
the broader scope which will be taken in future.
The seventh direction read as follows:
"The University will enhance its ability to employ
and retain qualified faculty and staff."
The eight direction read as follows:
"The University will continue to advance and support
the utilization of technology.
Dr. Finnegan pointed out that this direction is a new addition.
The ninth direction read as follows:
"The University will continue to provide a secure
and supportive learning and work environment."
The tenth direction read as follows:
"The University will continue to provide an environment
that enhances intellectual, personal, and professional development."
Dr. Finnegan pointed out that both the ninth and tenth directions were
broadened from those in the past.
The eleventh direction read as follows:
"The University will continue and support its administrative
services."
Dr. Finnegan pointed out that this direction is a new addition to the
Strategic Directions.
This completed the scheduled new business.
Announcements
CEO Gessell called for announcements. Senator Weinberg announced that the Ad-Hoc Committee on Sexual Harassment is planning on conducting an extensive survey of the student body regarding this subject. The committee plan calls for the survey to be conducted in class and requested the help and support of all faculty. The survey will be conducted later this semester. A survey of the faculty and staff will also be conducted.
Dr. Gruenhagen announced that Dr. Toni Bellon's campus-wide teaching and learning program had been registered with the Carnegie Foundation. The program calls for campus-wide conversations designed to define what we mean by "the scholarship of teaching," and to identify those things the both encourage and discourage such scholarship.
Senator Tennis reminded the faculty of the upcoming Faculty Review by the Corps of Cadets, and urged faculty members to attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:48PM.
Respectfully submitted,
S.N. Wiedmann, Secretary
NGCSU Faculty Senate