November 1, 2001

President Cohen made the following announcements.

Convocation will be held tomorrow, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. in the Robinson Theater. A picnic will follow. Faculty awards are traditionally awarded during Convocation.

Ms. Cohen reminded members that Outstanding Teacher nomination deadlines are approaching. Forms are included in the agenda package and on the Faculty Association Website. The deadline is October 26.

For Paul Mosley: Buyback on Xerox copy cards will take place from November 19 through December 18. Contact Paul at the library (2616 or pmosley@unf.edu) for more information.

Pierre Allaire reported on the capital campaign and other fund raising activities. Last year on November 14 the University announced the beginning of a 65 million dollar campaign. Contributions are now up to $51 million. There will be a major gift announcement later this month. A second announcement is being worked on now. He noted that it is not unusual for a small number of individuals or companies to make up a fair amount of the goal of the campaign. At this time the University has received 14 gifts of two million dollars or more and 53 gifts between $100,000 and $1 million. Dr. Allaire said there will be a summary report in next month's issue of Inside UNF. The faculty/staff drive will kick off in the middle of the month. Pledge forms will be available online to simplify gifts.

Harry Kuhr, operations manager at the Boathouse, talked about current food services specials. Food Services has instituted tax free Fridays for staff. There are specials at each food service area on campus. Faxed orders are now available. He thanked the University for its support and partnership during renovations. Comment cards are provided at each food service area on campus and he urged people to use them.

Carolyn Williams invited members to attend the opening of the Bette Soldwedel Gender Research Center. An open house is planned for tomorrow, October 5, at 4:00 p.m. in Building 14, Rooms 1601-1602.

No report. The next meeting will be October 25 at 10:00 a.m. in FAMA.

The Academic Standards Committee has met three times. Guests included Hank Camp, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs on September 10, Provost Kline, Kim Luther, Registrar, and Joan Stafford on September 28 and Dennis Gayle, Associate Vice President, on October 4. The Committee has one agenda item in today's packet. The next meeting is scheduled for October 25 at 11:00 a.m. in the library conference room.

Diane Tanner for Homer Bates. No report.

The Committee has one item on today's agenda. The Committee will meet October 11. Members will look at the SUSSAI instrument and discuss possibly augmenting it with additional questions. The Committee will also rethink the use of the Faculty Commons.

The Committee met September 19. Members are in the process of reviewing summer teaching grants. Four faculty forums are planned. The first will be Friday, October 19 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Faculty Commons. The topic will be "Professionalism: Ethical Issues in the Academy." Other topics are to be determined. The Committee will meet October 25 at 10:00 a.m. in the Faculty Enhancement area.

No report.

The Committee is reviewing the summer research proposals. The next meeting will be October 23 at 1:00 p.m. in the College of Business Conference Room.

President Hopkins reported on the budget shortfall and the effects it will have on the University. The current budget shortfall at the state level is projected to be over 1 billion dollars. In addition, the economy is not doing well. She indicated that two things will happen. There will be a special session of the Legislature and there will be a callback. We will not know the full brunt of the economic crisis for a while. Twenty-two percent of the state's income is tourism based. The state is in very big economic trouble. There could be another callback later this year. Unless things really turn around, there will be permanent budget reductions by July 1. It is possible that there will be a permanent reduction of 8 to 12 percent. If this happens, it will be the worst this institution has ever faced. Dr. Hopkins said she is looking for money that is recurring to call back internally so that she has sufficient funds to meet the first callback. Between now and July 1, she will try to find ways to consolidate operations so we will hurt ourselves as little as possible. For example, she does not want to ruin technology support. Can she hold it harmless? No. Her number one priority is to preserve the instructional mission of the University. This means faculty and people who teach. She also indicated that it will be tough deciding what classes will be offered during the summer.

Dr. Hopkins said there are a few things that are happening now. There is a freeze on all hiring. She and Dr. Kline are developing a plan for how to meet instructional needs. There may be positions that must be filled. That decision will be made if necessary. She is planning a five percent across the board reduction. There will be technology reduction. We will eliminate renovations. There are some funds already earmarked for renovations and those funds will be spent. For example, some buildings need all new pipes. She indicated that the University must continue some projects. As for out of cycle pay raises, she said that can't happen now. She stressed that she had very badly wanted to give raises this year. It could possibly be done later. The state pay raises will be 2.5 percent. The Legislature could rescind that. She does not know what is going to happen. She is not optimistic. There will be no reclassifications and promotions. She characterized reclassifications as back-door raises. Dr. Hopkins also indicated that "no promotions" does not apply to faculty promotional raises. She promised to find a way to fund promotions.

Lucy Trice asked if there is any thought of eliminating support staff. Dr. Hopkins replied that openings will not be filled – she hopes that will do the job. She does not want to lay off anybody. She is hoping for creative ideas – possibly sharing positions. She urged anyone with ideas to speak to their Dean or send her an email.

A faculty member asked if capital construction would continue. Dr. Hopkins responded that a Legislative committee meets in October to release moneys. It can't rescind PECO money that is already earmarked.

Paul Halsall: What about tuition raises? Dr. Hopkins replied that the University does not have the ability as an institution to raise tuition. She thinks the Legislature will never give up that power. In most states that is what we would see happen. It will probably not happen here.

Pat Plumlee asked if it was possible that enrollments might be limited. Dr. Hopkins responded that it is something that will be studied. On the one hand, students are a source of revenue. But if you are thinking about having fewer students, it means that you can increase the quality of students. This will clearly be one of the things discussed by the Board of Trustees as it works out its strategic plan for the University.

Chris Rasche said that in the past, ideas had surfaced to deal with these kinds of problems by thinking of increasing faculty teaching loads. Dr. Hopkins hopes that will not happen. David Kline is considering different options. He will start discussions with Deans. It is possible that administrators could be required to teach. The question is, are they qualified?

A faculty member asked if grant travel funds will be frozen? Dr. Hopkins replied that if the travel is pursuant to a contract, funds will not be frozen. She urged people not to travel if it is not essential. Dr. Hopkins noted that travel is part of what we call the non salary dollars from which she plans to take the five percent for the callback. The University will limit to only essential travel. If a faculty member is giving a paper, that will be allowed. Each vice president will determine what is essential.

Judy Solano asked about an issue that she said would be related to the budget issue. She noted that the University still has a problem with what SACS thinks is unqualified adjuncts. How will we deal with this? Dr. Hopkins responded that they are reading all adjunct files to see if they are qualified. David Kline is developing a plan to deal with the problem. By next Tuesday, he will have a plan. We will have fewer adjuncts. She noted that we will have to recruit harder to find more qualified people. We must talk to people at JU, etc. to find qualified adjuncts. It is possible that we may hire more senior graduate students. She feels there are lots of ways to find more qualified people. David Kline remarked that he has a list of things he is trying to develop. He said there will be 50 or 60 sections that will not be able to use adjuncts in the spring. Dr. Hopkins remarked that we must all pitch in and pull together. This is also an opportunity to do better.

Chris Rasche wanted it reiterated that full time faculty hiring is now closed. Dr. Hopkins responded that yes, it is true. Dr. Kline will be chairing a committee to look at exceptions. There will be very few.

Judy Solano noted that the timing is especially bad. She is finalizing spring schedules with adjuncts and now everything is on hold. Dr. Hopkins responded that we must all look at global solutions. She does not know how much will be cut - she cannot spend money that she thinks will be turned back in.

No report.

Dr. Scheirer noted that current events are dominating UFF's thinking . Members are observing, trying to learn all they can in their watchdog function. She reported on upcoming events. The UFF Senate meets October 20 -21. Stan Swart will be holding insurance seminars. On November 14, there will be a membership luncheon and meeting. November 16, from 10:00 - 2:00, there will be a grievance training workshop. UFF needs more people to do this job.

Question from Dr. Rama Rao: Can pedestrian crossing stripes be painted and a warning light installed at the entrance to the parking garage near the Fine Arts Building so that the first floor parking decal does not become a ticket to get hit by a car entering the garage when you cross over to the Fine Arts Building side? A stop sign is also necessary for cars coming from the parking lane to the left of the garage so that cars entering the garage and cars exiting that parking lane do not collide.

Item #1 - FA 01-23: Submitted by the Academic Programs Committee.

College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Roberson moved the item. The item passed.

Item #2 - FA 01-24: Submitted by the Academic Programs Committee

College of Health

Dr. Roberson moved the item. The item passed.

Item #3 - FA 01-25: Submitted by the Academic Standards Committee

Dual Enrollment for Home Schooled Students

Pali Sen moved the item. The item passed.

Item #4 - FA 02-26: (FA 98-28 Revised) Resubmitted by the Faculty Affairs Committee

Judy Solano moved the item. It was seconded by Andrew Farkas. Dr. Solano commented on the item. She noted that the Faculty Association did have a policy on amplified sound, but the students were not happy with it. Student Affairs asked the Faculty Association to revisit the policy. Dr. Solano illustrated the changes using an overhead projector. She commented that the new policy is slightly less restrictive than before, but more restrictive than students would like to see it.

The item passed.

The meeting adjourned at 1:10.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Barbara Tuck
Secretary