October 4, 2001

President Cohen reported on the first meeting of the Board of Trustees held yesterday, September 5. She thanked the people who took the time to attend. She also thanked faculty and administrators who spoke to trustees about faculty representation on the Board. She reported that the new chair of the Board of Trustees, Carol C. Thompson, invited the president of the Faculty Association to sit at the table with the Board. She characterized it as an important, symbolic gesture.

Dr. Henry Camp spoke in his capacity as faculty athletic representative. The NCAA ranking of Division II institutions reported that out of over 200, UNF finished 6th in terms of students who graduated. UNF placed 88 of its 200 athletes on the Peach Belt Honor roll during 2001 spring semester. These students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all courses. UNF's student-athletes achieved an average GPA of 2.95 compared with the average UNF student GPA of 2.73.

Two University of North Florida student-athletes were awarded prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. Aaron Cuny, a senior cross country/track runner, and Alysia Kern, a senior volleyball player, each was awarded $5,000 toward their graduate studies from the NCAA. Only 10 student-athletes from NCAA Division II were awarded these scholarships. Cuny holds a 4.00 grade point average, while double majoring in English and economics. Kern is a biology major, and has compiled a 3.99 grade point average.

UNF won the Peach Belt Commissioner's Cup for the second consecutive year in 2001. The Commissioner's Cup is awarded to the athletic department with the best all-around sports program. UNF's baseball team went to the NCAA Division II World Series for the second consecutive year.

Dr. Camp expressed his appreciation to faculty for their support of student-athletes.

The Committee held its first meeting August 30. The next meeting will be September 27 at 10:00 a.m.

The Committee is scheduled to meet Monday, September 10, at 3:00 p.m. in FAMA.

The Committee will have its first meeting at the end of the month.

Dr. Solano wanted to address the fact that the Board of Trustees asked Kathy Cohen to sit at the Board table. She reported that the Faculty Affairs Committee had worked to try to get representation on the Board. She thanked President Hopkins for working behind the scenes to have faculty presence at Board meetings.

The Committee will meet September 13 at 12:15 p.m. in FAMA. There is one agenda item in today's packet.

The Committee will meet September 19 at 9:00 a.m.

No report.

The Committee will meet September 25 at 1:30 p.m. in the College of Business conference room.

Dr. Hopkins noted that she was glad the first meeting of the new Board of Trustees was over. She characterized it as an historic event. She reported that Carol C. Thompson, UNF graduate, was elected chair. Thomas O'Neal Douglas was elected vice-chair. He retired as chairman and CEO of American Heritage Life Insurance Company. Dr. Hopkins said she was happy that Carol Thompson invited the Faculty Association president to sit at the board table. This seat will not have a vote, but Dr. Hopkins said that boards are about talking and discussing more than voting. She reported that Dr. Tom Serwatka produced a good briefing book for the Board and that a Web site is in the works. Karen Stone spent time at the meeting talking about Sunshine Laws, public records and ethics laws. There was also a long presentation about finances of the university and also the nature of the student body. There was nothing about the faculty, but there is lots of information in the briefing book. The Board will meet three more times this semester. Dr. Hopkins told faculty to feel free to attend meetings. The main thing to happen before the next meeting is to prepare by-laws. They are likely to produce lively discussion at the next meeting. She welcomes any questions.

No report.

Chapter council meetings will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays prior to Faculty Association meetings at a place to be determined. There will a faculty luncheon on Wednesday, September 14, with a meeting afterward. Please bring new colleagues and friends to talk about issues. Dr. Scheirer reported that she hopes the contract will be extended through June 30, 2003. That would create some stability for everyone. That is one of the concerns now as negotiations continue. She reported that UFF and the administration worked collaboratively on the tuition waivers for employees. That successful process can be used as a model for the future.

Question from Dr. Rama Rao: Why is the Summer Scholarship Grant application 13 pages long, while the Summer Teaching Grant application is only four pages long? Why are biographical data and current and future plans considered necessary for Summer Scholarship Grant application while they are not considered necessary for Summer Teaching grant application? Can we alter the words "Project Summery" to Project Summary" in the Summer Scholarship Grant application?

The question will be sent to Dr. Kline.

Chris Rasche asked if there is still a Safety Council and if we get reports from them anymore. The answer is yes, we should get reports. Ellie Scheirer is a member of the council. It meets the 3rd Monday of the month but has not met since April. There is a meeting scheduled for this month.

Dale Clifford remarked that the bookstore is doing a worse job this fall than usual. What can we do about it? President Hopkins answered that there is a new contract that will be implemented shortly and that we owe a debt of thanks to Barnes and Noble for working with us until the new company is here.

Kathleen Cohen reported that Follette will be the new bookstore vendor.

Item #1 - FA 01-22: Submitted by the Faculty Affairs Committee.

Administration of the SUSSAI

Judy Solano moved the item and spoke in favor of its passage. She explained the reasoning behind changing Item e) on the SUSSAI administration. It states that Academic Affairs administers the survey. The assumption was that Academic Affairs would be responsible but would delegate responsibility to departments. The proposed change makes the departments responsible for logistics. Departments may distribute the surveys in different ways. Pali Sen noted that the SUSSAI was mandated by the Board of Regents. Were they still mandated? Judy responded that that was not clear. There needs to be time in the transition period to identify what we can do away with. There may be changes or another mechanism. Dr. Hopkins reminded people that all powers, etc., now rest with the local board. There will be no changes until changed by the new board.

The item passed.

The meeting adjourned at 12:40. President Cohen urged faculty to bring new/young faculty members to the meeting next month.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Barbara Tuck
Secretary