President Kathleen Cohen reminded everyone that Fall Convocation will be held tomorrow, October 6, at 10:30 a.m. in the Robinson Theatre. Dr. Chudley Werch, the 2000 Distinguished Professor, will give an address. Awards will be presented to the Distinguished Professor and Runner-up and the Outstanding Teaching, Advising, Scholarship and Service recipients. Convocation will be followed by the annual faculty/staff picnic on the Green.

The Faculty Staff fund drive begins October 16. Last year faculty and staff contributed 45% of the drive proceeds. The UNF Foundation is offering a C. Ford Riley print for purchase, which would count toward the Faculty/Staff Fund Drive contribution. Payroll deduction is an option. There are flyers in the back of the room with more information. There is also information about UNF license plates. The money from license plates comes directly back to the University. As an added incentive, faculty members who found a pink and black sticker under their seats received a t-shirt promoting the license plates.

Aretha Jones-Cook from the Office of Retention Services spoke to the Faculty Association about the purpose and aims of her department. She noted that she and her staff work directly with students experiencing any difficulties. There is an early warning system in place that faculty can use to notify Retention Services when a student needs assistance. Ms. Jones-Cook said there is a campus-wide retention committee and she asked for interested persons to consider serving on the committee. Ana Linares and Casandra Barlow were introduced and pointed out flyers on the back table with more information. Ms. Barlow remarked that it is much cheaper to retain students than to recruit new ones.

Pierre Allaire introduced the new director of Alumni Services, Faith Hall. She asked faculty for ideas and assistance.

Dr. Mauricio Gonzalez, the new Vice-President for Student Affairs, was introduced.

Barbara Tuck for Paul Mason. The Committee is scheduled to meet with President Hopkins Monday, October 9 at 12:00 p.m. There will be information items in the November packet.

The Committee has met once and will meet again Thursday, October 12 at 12:15 p.m. in Building 11, Room 1327. Members plan a meeting with the provost relating to promotion and tenure and other issues.

No report.

No report.

Ms. Owen reported that the second meeting of the Education Governance Transition Task Force will be held in the UNF arena on Thursday and Friday, October 12 and 13. A public hearing will be held in the UNF Arena from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, October 12. Detailed information and agenda is available on the Office of Governmental Affairs Webpage. Ms. Owens reported that the interim president of the University of Florida, Dr. Charles Young, supports the North Carolina model of education governance.

Kathleen Cohen reported that there is a link from the Faculty Association Webpage to get up-to-the minute information. The conference will be Webcast on Myflorida.com.

Kathleen Cohen read the following questions:

Christopher Leone: For building 39 (Health), landings on each stairwell level have been designated as smoking areas. These locations are problematic for those of us with offices at the end of hallways. Smoke from the outside is pulled into the building whenever the hallway doors are opened. Some students and faculty are asthmatic and, for these individuals, even a small amount of smoke is a potentially potent irritant that might trigger an attack. Those of us who are familiar with asthma know that such attacks are serious health problems and not just minor inconveniences. Is there some compelling reason why designated smoking areas cannot be placed away from the entrances to this building?

LouAnne Hawkins: Is there some mechanism to address the smoking problem.. As far as I can tell, virtually every entrance to every building (with the exception of access to the President's Office and VP suites) is a designated smoking area. Additionally, ash cans line the length of the walkways on both the first and second floors. I have an autoimmune disease that makes breathing quite a problem under the best of circumstances. Being forced to walk through clouds of smoke to enter and exit every building has increased the problem dramatically. Does the Clean Air Act have no provisions to insure clean access to buildings? Is there any way to designate smoking areas for each building at a single entrance that has the least traffic or, better yet, away from the buildings all together. I am a strong proponent of personal freedom and absolutely support everyone's right to smoke, but I question the wisdom of exposing to serious health risks those of us who are trying to maintain healthy lives.

Bob Fagin said his office is trying to address the problem. They are doing a test with the cooperation of the faculty of the College of Health. They are trying to locate smoking areas away from doors for the exact reasons listed in the complaints. They are evaluating the right balance between the rights of smokers and the rights of people who do not want to be bothered by the smoke. Mr. Fagin said he will also supply this answer in writing.

Rama Murthi Rao: Our offices are in Building 11. The walkway from our building to the multi-story garage passes by a sewage tank. This tank emits a foul odor which I am forced to inhale every day when I walk to and from my office from the garage. Can the university check the air around this tank and tell me whether it is a health hazard?

Dan Endicott's answer to Dr. Rao's question: Although it is unpleasant, this odor should not present a health hazard. It is my understanding that the lift station will be relocated in the near future. Bob Fagin said they are also looking at ways to take care of the smell.

Questions from the floor:

Kathy Brown to Tom Serwatka: Asked about the answer relative to the "W" on the late withdrawal form. She asked if the question will go back to the Academic Standards Committee. Dr. Serwatka said the Faculty Association should make that decision and that Ms. Brown could request that it go back to the Committee. She made the request. Kathleen Cohen directed the matter back to the Academic Standards Committee.

Pat Plumlee question for Bob Fagin: There are no covered walkways between building 9 and 10 and 14 so people get wet when it rains. Is it possible to get some kind of cover over the gaps? Bob Fagin said he is aware of the problem. The money for that kind of improvement comes with building funds. When there is construction in that area it is possible it can be fixed. Steve Shapiro mentioned the area outside of the Faculty Commons. Mr. Fagin said his office will look at the problem.

Bob Fagin reminded faculty again about the Open Forum for the University Master Plan. He encouraged faculty to attend and voice their ideas and opinions. The Open Forum is October 13 at 3:00 p.m. in the College of Business auditorium.

Verna Urbanski asked why travel reimbursements take so long. Mr. Fagin said there were two reasons. For several months, only one person was doing that job. Another person has been hired. Faculty should submit vouchers in a timely fashion. If there are individual problems, he urged the person to send him an email. He agreed with Ms. Urbanski that four months is too long. It should not take more that two weeks.

Chris Rasche questioned whether input from faculty on the Master Plan would be considered or if it is too late for changes? Mr. Fagin said now is the time and opportunity to voice opinions. It is not too late.

Pat Plumlee asked Bruce Fortado about the orange flyer he received from UFF in regard to the Board of Regents demise. He asked if UFF is planning for a worst-case scenario or does someone have a firm idea of what will happen? Dr. Fortado said UFF must prepare for the worst-case scenario. He again urged people to attend the open forum at the Arena on October 12.

A motion was made and passed to extend the question and answer period for five minutes.

Judy Rodriquez asked about errors in pay. Is there a mechanism to track errors in payroll? Dr. Fagin will supply a written answer.

Pali Sen asked the Parking Committee about faculty/staff parking. The question will be forwarded to the Committee.

Itemem #1 - FA 00-27: Submitted by the Academic Programs Committee. (withdrawn from last meeting)

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
(Music) 1-APC 3 program change

Dr. Russac moved the item. There was no discussion. The item passed.

Item #2 - FA 00-30: Submitted by the Academic Programs Committee.

College of Computing Sciences and Engineering
(Building Construction Management) 1-APC 3 (program changes)

Dr. Russac moved the item. There was no discussion. The item passed.

Item #3 - FA 00-28: Submitted by the Academic Programs Committee.

College of Health
(Health Sciences) 5-APC 1 (new courses), 3-APC 3 (program changes)

Dr. Russac moved the item.

Dr. Chris Rasche asked about 00038, the new masters program in Public Health. She questions whether there are provisions for resources needed for a new program.
Judy Perkin responded. The Master of Public Health degree will be replacing the Master of Science in Public Health certificate. They have identified faculty who can teach.
Dr. Rasche said there should be some assurance that the University plans to support new programs before they are approved.
Dr. Serwatka reported that the BOR approval process now says you must be sure that the program can be run without new resources. He said that Dr. Kline and Dr. Challey came to an agreement on the program.
Dr. Rasche said she feels that there should be some assurance that university plans to support a new program before it is approved.
Dr. Serwatka said if a department can't demonstrate that is has the resources, it will not be approved and will have to come back to the Committee when the resources are there.

The item passed.

Kathleen Cohen reminded faculty that nominations are being accepted for the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards. Forty-five nominations have already been received.

The meeting adjourned at 12:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________

Barbara L. Tuck, Secretary