The Faculty Senate of North Georgia College & State University met on November 11, 1999, at 12:30PM in Oakes 019.  The meeting was called to order by Dr. Donna Gessell, CEO, with the following Senators present:  Barnett, Batchelder, Biddy, Carroll-Cobb, Corotto, Democko, Gordon, Herbert, Kokkala, Link, Margeson, Patten, Sisk, Skelly, Spraker, Stahl, Szuminski, Temples, Tennis, Weinberg, Wiedmann, Woods.  Senators Anthony, Smith, Thurman, and Yonts were excused.  Dr. Toni Bellon attended as proxy for Senator Anthony.  Senator Roberts-Betsch was absent.  Also present were President Hansford, Dr. Buckhiester (VPAA), and Peggy Inman (Staff Council Representative).  Present as guests were Dr. John Nardo, COL. Tom Palmer, and Dr. Marilyn Lary.

Minutes of the October 14, 1999, meeting

The minutes of the October 14th meeting were submitted by CEO Gessell with the following corrections:  "officed" changed to "office" on page 2, "Buckhiester" inserted after "Vice President" on page 3, "eigth" corrected to "eight" on page 4, and "the" changed to "that" on page 7.  CEO Gessell called for any further  corrections or additions.  Senator Sisk pointed out a redundant "announced" on page 2.  There being no further corrections or additions, Senator Tennis moved that the corrected minutes be approved.  Senator Spraker seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

President's Report

President Hansford noted that three Vice Presidential positions have now been appointed and accepted.  He expressed his thanks to all those involved in the search process for their "cordial and collegial" attitude.  He noted that there were a number of very fine and strong candidates in all cases.  Most recently, Dr. Judith Bryant was offered, and has accepted, the position of Vice President of Student Affairs.  President Hansford informed the Senate that he had talked with many people concerning Dr. Bryant, and he was "very impressed with her."  He went on to express his appreciation to Laura Whitaker-Lea for her fine work as Acting Vice President of Student Affairs.

President Hansford announced that the search for a Vice President of Institutional Advancement is still in process.  He explained that the pool of candidates which resulted from the initial advertisement of the position as Director of Institutional Advancement had not been deep enough in the opinion of the search committee.  As a result, the position was raised to that of Vice President of Institutional Advancement and advertised again.  President Hansford stated that he hopes an appointment may be made by March 1, 2000.

Next, President Hansford announced the appointment of Tom McCracken as the new Coordinator of Distance Learning.  Director McCracken comes to NGCSU from Georgia College & State University, Millegeville, GA, and resides in Gainesville, GA.

President Hansford informed the Senate that, during a recent presidents' meeting at the office of Chancellor Portch, the chancellor announced that he would call for "level funding" for next year's budget.  This would mean no drop in funding despite an overall reduction in credit hours due, in part, to the conversion from quarter to semester hours.  President Hansford also passed on the information that the chancellor has asked for salary raises for state system faculty.  President Hansford explained that the chancellor has not specified a particular percentage as that is traditionally set by the governor.

Regarding the health insurance coverage provided to employees of the state, President Hansford announced that there is a significant projected funding shortfall.  For NGCSU, there may be a funding shortfall of as much as $260,000.00.  No decision has yet been made on how to fund such a shortfall.  He went on to point out that Chancellor Portch feels the actual shortfall may be less than anticipated.  Portch also announced there will be a request in the supplemental budget to cover the funding shortfall.  It is expected, however, that there will be increases in the cost of the health insurance both in terms of institutional premiums and individual premiums.  President Hansford pointed out that Governor Barnes has developed a Community Health Commission in an effort to cut costs, particularly administrative costs, in an effort to keep benefits and coverage the same.

In closing, President Hansford announced that the city of Dahlonega had received a grant from the DOT to establish gateway parks in the city.  NGCSU has swapped approximately 2 acres across from the ball field for approximately one acre, which includes a water pumping station, by the ball field and $20,000.00 from the city to put in sewer and water service at the ball field.  The water pumping station will be used to irrigate the ball field at a savings of about $8,000.00 to NGCSU.  The city of Dahlonega, in turn, will use the two acres across from the ball field to establish a gateway park.  President Hansford noted that, if at any time, one party or the other doesn't use the swapped land for the stated and intended purpose, ownership of the land will revert.

CEO's Report

CEO Gessell reported that Dr. Joe Jones will represent Physics on the Faculty Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee.  She went on to announce, that in response to a number of comments from members of the faculty about the closing of the NGCSU Bulletin Board, she has asked Senator Kokkala for the Technology Ad Hoc Committee to look into the matter.

New Business

A number of proposed amendments to the By-Laws, having been presented to the Senate at the October 14, 1999, meeting, were brought to a vote by Dr. John Nardo.

The first amendment concerned changing Article VII, Section 1, Subsection c, to read:
    "Each committee 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.]"
There being no discussion, the vote was called, the amendment carried.

The second amendment concerned 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 of an appropriate designate'.  Then
                                              delete 'the Assistant/Associate Registrar'."
Senator Wiedmann informed the Senate that a number of faculty members had expressed concern that reduction of committee membership would reduce opportunities for university service.  CEO Gessell pointed out that, regarding members of the faculty, the amendment deals only with the reduction of Senatorial representatives.  Since there are twenty standing committees and only twenty-eight Senators, the present arrangement results in multiple appointments and contributes to difficulties in scheduling committee meetings.  She also pointed out that service on standing committees is only one form of university service available to faculty.  Senator Corotto expressed concern at the idea of reducing the Senate's voice on some standing committees, particularly Academic Activities and Graduate Council.  Senator Woods raised the question of whether Senators are on these committees to represent the Senate as a constituency or for some other purpose.  Senator Sisk pointed out that Senators are appointed to membership on standing committees to serve as a conduit for communication and information between the committees and the Senate.  Senator Link stated that Senator Corotto was suggesting that the amendment called for the Senate to give up its voice on the committees when, in fact, there should be no Senate voice, per se.
Choosing to vote ad seriatim, the vote was called concerning each committee listed with the following results:
        Faculty Senators reduced from two to one on:
        Academic Activities - carried
        Academic Advisement - carried
        Academic Review - carried
        Admissions - carried
        Graduate Council - carried
        Library - carried
        Student Honors - carried

Senator Herbert moved to amend the proposal to increase (not decrease) student representation on the Academic Advisement Committee from three to four.  He pointed out that student representatives serving on committees often serve on more than one committee.  They are, thus, very busy and scheduling conflicts between committees could result in no student representation if the number of student representatives is reduced.  Senator Patten seconded the motion.  Senator Tennis spoke to reinforce the fact that student representatives are very busy and that their numbers ought not be reduced.  The vote was called, the amended proposal carried.

There being no discussion concerning the proposal concerning the Academic Review Committee, the vote was called, the proposal carried.

The next amendment concerned 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."
In the ensuing discussion, the proposal was split for purposes of voting.   Regarding the proposal to represent the four schools of the university equitably, Senator Sisk pointed out that the four schools do not equally represent the number of faculty members.  Some schools represent many more faculty than others.  The vote was called, the proposal failed.

Regarding the second half of the proposal calling for equitable representation of all student constituencies, Senator Woods questioned if this was not impossible.  He pointed out that the constituencies listed exceed the number of student representatives on a committee.  Senator Sisk suggested that the various and numerous student constituencies could be equitably represented over all the committees taken as a whole, not in terms of individual committees.

Vice President Buckhiester then moved to amend the proposal to read:
    "The appointing body of committees with student members 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."
Senator Spraker seconded the motion.  The vote on the motion to amend was called, the motion carried.  The vote was then called on the amended proposal, the amended proposal carried.

The next proposal dealt with adjustments requested for specific committees:

        Academic Activities Committee - Add the deans of all schools
        Academic Integrity Council - Increase faculty representation from 6 to 10 and
                                                         Increase student representation from 8 to 12
        Discipline Committee - Increase both faculty and student representation from 8 to 12
        Grievance Committee - Reduce faculty representation from 6 to 3
        Health - Reduce faculty representation from 5 to 4
        Library - Reduce faculty representation from one per department to one per school, add VPSA or
                       appropriate designate, also add Chief Information Officer or appropriate designate
        Minority Achievement Program Committee - Change one Senator appointed "by the Senate" to
                                                                                     "by the Committee on Committees."

The Senate again agreed to vote in seriatim.
The proposal to add the deans of all schools to the Academic Activities Committee carried without discussion.
The proposal to increase faculty and student representation on the Academic Integrity Council carried without discussion.
The proposal to increase faculty and student representation on the Discipline Committee carried without discussion.
Concerning the reduction in the number of members of the Grievance Committee, there was considerable discussion.  It was pointed out that other, appropriate venues now exist to handle cases of grievance and or conflict involving promotion and tenure, salary, sexual harassment, and civil rights.  In addition, it was pointed out that procedures are now in place for arbitration of conflicts.  Senator Weinberg reminded the Senate that the proposal called only for a reduction in membership, not the elimination, of the committee.  He went on to suggest, however, that reducing the size of the committee might be construed as sending the wrong message; namely, that grievance issues are not taken seriously.  Senator Batchelder pointed out that the committee is there just in case a grievance comes up which would not be handled by one of the other procedures or committees.  He went on to suggest that a larger committee might encourage complainants to speak up.  The vote was called, the proposal was defeated.
There being no discussion, the proposal to decrease faculty representation on the Health Committee carried.

The proposal to reduce faculty representation on the Library Committee also sparked discussion.  Senator Weinberg moved to amend the proposal to call for two faculty representatives from each school rather than one.  Senator Patten seconded the motion.  Senator Woods questioned whether each and all schools should be equally represented.  Senator Sisk suggested that representation based on a per school criterion might not allow broad enough representation as some schools are comprised of many more departments than others.  Senator Patten expressed the view that reducing representation from 12-15 down to 4 seemed too drastic a reduction.  The vote was called on amending the proposal, the motion to amend carried.  The vote was then called on the amended proposal, the amended proposal carried.

The next item concerned the Minority Achievement Program Committee.  Currently, the Bylaws call for the committee to include one Senator appointed "by the Senate."  In order to maintain consistency in the appointment process, it was proposed to change "by the Senate" to "by the Committee on Committees."  There being no discussion, the vote was called, and the motion carried.

The fifth amendment proposed concerned a correction of title.  The amendment called for changing "Department of Developmental Studies" to "Division of Learning Support Services."  There being no discussion, the vote was called, and the motion carried.

The final amendment was aimed at eliminating redundancy.  In Article VIII, the proposed amendment calls for changing "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."  Again, there being no discussion, the vote was called, the motion carried.

New Business
Senator Spraker, speaking on behalf of the Military Committee, along with COL. Palmer presented the following request to the Senate:

    "The Military Committee requests that the Faculty Senate create two faculty advisor positions for each of the seven (7) companies of the military program.  These advisors would each serve two-year terms with half the advisors completing their terms each year.  In the first year of the program, one of the two advisors for each company would be given a one-year term with the option to return for an additional two-year term.  The committee suggests that these advisors be selected by the Committee on Committees, since that committee is aware of the committee workload of each faculty member.  The duties of the faculty advisors would be, but are not limited to:

1)    Establishing an informal working relationship with the Company Commander and 1st Sergeants.
2)    Establishing a good working relationship with the Company Academic NCO.
3)    Responding to requests for academic assistance from the Corps Academic Coordinator.
4)    Mentoring, coaching, and teaching cadets from the assigned company during normal office hours
        upon request.
5)    Referring cadets from the assigned company to other faculty members on campus for assistance
        as required.
6)    Assisting the Company Commander or Academic NCO in setting up workshops or special
        tutoring sessions as required.
7)    Participating in dormitory academic counseling on a volunteer basis.
8)    Participating in Corps academic events on a voluntary basis.
9)    Participating in any company activities on a voluntary basis.
10)  Developing an academic and social rapport with the cadets in the freshman and sophomore
        classes.
11)  Making recommendations to the Commandant of Cadets and/or the Professor of Military Science
        on any academic issue which would enhance the academic performance of the Corps.
12)  Serving as a positive role model for cadets in their academic endeavors."

After presentation of the proposal, Senator Wiedmann inquired as to how many cadets, on average, make up a company.  COL. Palmer responded that, on average, a company is composed of 45 to 50 cadets of which 20 to 25 are freshmen.  In the discussion which followed, Senator Tennis voiced her opinion that this was "a great idea."  Senator Patten questioned whether the Senate wished to be so specific concerning the duties.  It was suggested that, in making such appointments, the Committee on Committees should look at a faculty member's advising workload rather than committee workload.  Senator Szuminski inquired why additional advisors are needed as advisement is already available through normal channels and processes.  Senator Stahl voiced the opinion that such special advisors were definitely needed as, in her experience, cadets coming to the advisement center "are lost."  With time running out, CEO Gessell called the question, and the proposal carried.

Announcements

Senator Weinberg announced that the NGCSU Honors Program is now supporting an undergraduate journal for research.  He explained that a campus wide e-mail will be going out with further information and particulars.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:01PM.

Respectfully submitted,
 
 
 
 
 

S.N. Wiedmann, Secretary
NGCSU Faculty Senate