North Georgia College & State University Faculty Senate Meeting:
Minutes for Thursday, April 10, 2003

 

Call to Order

At 12:31 P.M., C.E.O. Jimmy Woods called the April 10, 2003 meeting of the NGCSU Faculty Senate to order.
Senators in Attendance: Dlynn Armstrong-Williams, Kim Benton, V.P.A.A. Phil Buckhiester, Noel Campbell, Carl Cavalli, Elizabeth Combier, Barry Friedman, Robert Fuller, Anne Gaillard, President Nathaniel Hansford, Kristi Hislope, Scot Irwin, Aaron Lu, D. Brian Mann, C. Michael Powell, Lindsey Reeves, Harriette Richard, Andy Schaffer, Sally Weidmann, C.E.O. Jimmy Woods
Newly Elected Senators in Attendance: Catherine Chastain, Elizabeth Lewis, David Morris, Greta Olsen
Senators Excused: Jack Broman, Ahmad Ghafarian, Bud Reiselt, Jeff Sommers, Ann Stucke, Ann Sumners
Newly Elected Senators Excused: Mariana Pomphile
Senators Absent: Kaye Biddy, Chris Dare, Georgia Mann, Alice Sampson, Dan Thompson
Newly Elected Senators Absent: Kevin Mace, Steve Smith
Guests: Kim Melton, Linda Roberts-Betsch

March 13, 2003 Minutes

C.E.O. Jimmy Woods submitted the minutes of the March 13th meeting for approval and called for any additions or corrections. There being none, Sally Wiedmann moved to accept the minutes. Harriette Richard seconded, and the minutes were approved with no revisions.

President's Report: Dr. Nathaniel Hansford

The President began with a budget update. He explained that the `04 budget is still up in the air and added that the `03 budget is in effect without additional cuts. The Governor could add cuts, Hansford said, but it's not likely. The `04 budget is in process, he continued; the House has approved it, while the Senate has not done so yet. We will have to see about whether or not taxes are raised, but this, said Hansford, probably wouldn't happen without a special session. If there is no tax increase this year, he explained, there would be worse cuts next year. Concluding his budget remarks, he said that there will be a President’s meeting to discuss a possible tuition increase, which he sees as ideal at the rate of 5%. He then asked for questions.
Hansford then moved to the search for new head basketball coach, explaining that we have qualified candidates interested, and that the search is moving forward. The Search Committee is comprised of Tom Temples (Chair), Mark Spraker, Jason Pruitt, Mark Howarth, Kathy Sisk, Mac McConnell, and Cory Duvall.

C.E.O.’s Report and Election of New Officers: Dr. Jimmy Woods

Woods offered his thanks to the departing senators, his welcome to the new senators, and his (tongue-in-cheek?) congratulations to the reelected senators. He then moved on to the election of officers for 2003-2004.
Elections: Woods told the assembled that he had been renominated as C.E.O. and that he had no other nominations. Opening the floor for such, none were forthcoming. Barry Friedman moved that Woods be named C.E.O. in a unanimous ballot, and Sally Wiedmann seconded. The motion (and thus Woods' election) carried forthwith.
Moving to the election of a Secretary, Brian Mann explained that he had not been reelected to the Senate and thus could not serve. Woods then opened the floor for nominations. Elizabeth Combier was nominated by Barry Friedman. Combier asked what the duties are, and Mann explained them. Michael Powell moved to close the nominations, and Scot Irwin seconded. Barry Friedman then offered a resolution to thank Mann for his service as secretary, and Kristi Hislope seconded.

Committee on Committees Report: Dr. Kim Melton

Melton cited information on committee appointments from a handout that was given to Senate Executives (cf. Senate Archives). She listed the C.O.C members and explained that their goals were to fill committees based on preferences, provide broad representation across departments, provide continuity from current to upcoming committee rosters, and be equitable in distribution of assignments. There were, she explained, 202 requests for feedback distributed and 91 replies. 88 of these are on committee. 69% of them were appointed to their first choice. Only 3 people are on unrequested committees, all due to procedural exigencies. All but 1 committee has at least 1 member continuing on the committee. After a few more facts were cited, Melton enjoyed the unanimous acceptance of her report.

Suggested Changes to the Faculty Handbook: A.V.P.A.A. Dr. Linda Roberts-Betsch

Putting her suggested changes up for considerations on the overhead, she explained that they had to do with sections 4.6 (post-tenure review) and 4.7 (format for the dossiers). They had to do with wording that caused procedural problems, she said, and comprise adding a referral to section 4.7 for the CV format (4.7: section 8, regarding the written analysis of evaluations and copies of the evaluations). Also, she proposed taking #8 and moving it to the documentation section from the C.V. section because it doesn’t apply to post-tenure review (as it does for tenure).
Scott Irwin asked for clarification on whether it was a proposal for a change in content or in format. Consensus ensued that it doesn’t, in fact, imply a change of content. Scott Irwin moved to accept the changes and Dlynn Armstrong-Williams seconded.
Barry Friedman suggested, as a friendly amendment, that the instructions should say that student evaluations are required. Clarifications on what’s required for the dossier followed. Robert Fuller postulated that we could we could add parenthetical comments to each item clarifying whether it is required or not. Elizabeth Combier urged consistency in listing what is required and what is suggested. Armstrong-Williams agreed. Andy Stucke suggested that only required items be marked as "required." Scott Irwin suggested that #3 be marked as required, but that #'s 4, 5, & 6 be left open.
Combier asked what we should do when we’re compiling the dossier (again supporting consistency of labeling). Barry Friedman moved to amend the proposal by adding parenthetical statements as to what is "suggested." Linda Roberts-Betsch suggested specifying these details in the directions rather than in the item list. Barry Friedman moved as above, Dlynn Armstrong-Williams asked if we could vote on motion, then work on items #'s 4, 5, and 6.
Woods said yes and called for a vote on the current motion, which carried .Barry Friedman then moved that #'s 4, 5, and 6 be marked as "suggested," not "required." Elizabeth Combier seconded. V.P.A.A. Phil Buckhiester asked for clarification, remarking that he found it strange that all things should be only "suggested." Sally Wiedmann added that performance evaluations are yearly, and committees look at overall picture. Scott Irwin moved to make #'s 4 & 5 as "required", but leave #6 marked as "suggested." Dlynn Armstrong-Williams seconded. Barry Friedman agreed to the amendment, leaving Lindsay Reeves wondering why and item would only be "suggested." Buckhiester replied that it was because he wanted to have a mechanism to move forward in case an item is not available (as in letters of support). The motion carried.

Childcare Committee Report & Recommendations: Dr. D. Brian Mann (this agenda item reported by Elizabeth Combier)

Dr. Mann distributed handouts on his report. He reminded the Senate of the resolution passed last March for childcare facility report. Information is available on the N drive as well. First part: to decide to establish a facility on campus with our resources. He invited those from past initiatives to attend and to offer information. Col. Lord and Dr. Gannaway also came.  Several kinds of care exist; baby care – labor intensive, etc. There are different staff and requirements for each, and regulations exist as needs to separate age groups. Faculty should, some felt, be able to use kids in research. Dr. Gannaway said that is not their interest for education dept., as programmatic needs do not correspond to those for the care of children under 5 years of age. A lab school not desired.  Surveys in 1999 and 2003 show that most people at the college need childcare in the lower age group; especially students.
Financial resources are also an issue. To build a facility is unlikely; no resources or conversions available. Supplies, utilities, etc. needs include personnel, supervisory people for every age group, staff in each room for each age group. State standards apply. Record-keeping also.
In 1999, Dr. Kirk Heriot offered a cost-analysis of $3,554 per week, which Mann considers to be an underestimate. There are professional services available: 8 providers in the area. Thos for ages 0-2 are in short supply, but available. There are concerns with appearing as competition to these businesses. We cannot offer such services as benefits to students & employees. 102 replies on surveys sent out in 1999. 87 responses this year. So, student body does not have a pressing need for services of this kind.
The committee talked to providers. It invited Darlene Bearinger to come from a private facility. She is agreeable to the idea. She can provide the service from birth to 4 or 5 years old. Will offer 20 spaces to us on a part-time basis as a trial run experiment. Contract at the beginning of the semester for so many hours. Writing proposal and is forthcoming. Similar relationships with other providers are possible.  So, investigate further with private provider. According to Mann, Gerald Lord stated that to favor one provider over another is not a problem. We will act as a referral agency. In Gainesville, there exists such a service. We felt we could perhaps augment this and offer something specific for our students and staff here in Dahlonega.
This will be to provide referral service to NGC community, develop our own resources, or both. Students seem to approve as project. Dr. Weidmann asks about specifics on the offer of Bearinger. Mann clarified that the 20 spaces are available, spread out over the age group. Noel Campbell lauded the committee’s report and pointed out liability of the college otherwise. Woods pointed out, as a point of order, that we only need to approve the report, not its recommendations. Friedman asked why the report is marked as a draft, and moved to endorse it. Seconded by Fuller, the motion carried.

 

Announcements and Adjournment:

Barry Friedman mentioned the deadlines to RSVP to upcoming banquets, and beseeched attendees to please get their money in. In lieu of further announcements, Woods adjourned the meeting at 1:31 P.M.
 

Respectfully submitted,
D. Brian Mann, Secretary, and Elizabeth Combier, incoming Secretary, NGCSU Faculty Senate