December 6, 2001

President Cohen reminded faculty members that tomorrow is the last day of the faculty/staff fund drive.

Hazel Higgins introduced the new Follett Bookstore manager, Jeremy Johnson. Mr. Johnson came to UNF from Rollins College and was previously employed at Florida State University for five years. He discussed the transition taking place at the bookstore. Mr. Johnson promised that textbooks would be delivered overnight in emergencies and that everything will be fully operational for the spring term. Mr. Johnson said he plans for the bookstore to be a highly visible part of the campus and immediately responsive. In closing, he reminded faculty that cap and gown rentals are due by Wednesday.

No report. The committee will meet November 8 from 10:00 - noon in FAMA.

The committee has two items on today's agenda. Members met October 4 and October 25. The next meeting is scheduled for November 5 at 10:00 a.m. in FAMA.

No report. The committee is still attempting to arrange a meeting with President Hopkins. They could possibly meet in the middle of November.

The committee has one information item in today's packet. It concerns the possibility of adopting the College of Business Administration's questions designed to supplement the SUSSAI. An open hearing is scheduled for November 9 at noon in the College of Business, room 1020. Dr. Solano told members if they have questions and cannot attend the meeting, they should email either her or Bill Wilson.

The committee will meet Thursday, November 8 at 12:15 in the library.

No report.

No report.

The committee met October 23 regarding summer research grants. Selection results were forwarded to the Department of Academic Affairs.

Dr. Hopkins wanted to discuss some general budget issues. She noted that she had frozen some budget items in anticipation of the legislature's probable cuts. She wanted to make people understand that even though the reports are that the budget cuts will not be as bad as anticipated, they are still very substantial. The governor will use some of the state's rainy day funds, but if he spends too much now there will not be any for next year, and he needs to be prepared if there is a disaster. Estimates are that the economy will not make a fast recovery. Dr. Hopkins said she has still not held back enough money to fund this year and she expects there may be more cuts by the legislature later in the year. She said she must try to plan for that. She does not want to lay people off and she noted that pay raises did not get tampered with. Those UNF employees with salaries over $90,000 who are not part of the bargaining unit will not get raises this year. She had a question about travel restrictions and discussed why the vice president must approve any travel. As soon as she knows what the budget will be she will set targets for each division.

Dr. Hopkins said this is a chance for the university to change and improve. She wants to use this opportunity to rethink the way we do things. She is willing to accept any suggestions. She will look at every idea.

The following questions for David Kline and Anne Hopkins were asked by Judy Solano.

On behalf of the faculty of the University of North Florida, the Faculty Affairs Committee wishes to ask some questions arising out of the recent purge of adjunct faculty on the basis of insufficient qualifications. Our questions are based on the following observations and experiences of our members.

Dr. Hopkins responded to the first questions about the purge of adjunct faculty. She did not think the firings should be characterized as a purge. She tried to explain how and why the firings occurred. Dr. Hopkins took responsibility for the firings. She said SACS expects only her to be in charge, so she stepped in and she and David Kline read every adjunct file. The two of them decided who was qualified and who was not.

She noted that SACS itself does not approve anybody and never has. She explained that when SACS visitors first come, they can look at anything they want. They have boxes of files at their disposal and they select files randomly. They identified seven things that troubled them. The university quickly reduced that down to one – adjunct faculty. Dr. Hopkins discussed how SACS representatives imply who is acceptable. In her close contact with them, she feels she knows what they expect. She noted that the university has hired many people over its 29 years and some might not have met all requirements.

Dr. Hopkins said all chairs have now been told that adjuncts must meet the same requirements as regular hires. Minimum degree requirements will be met for all new adjunct hires.

Dr. Solano asked how the university will find people in the community who meet adjunct requirements? What will happen if they can't be found? Will departments who need them be able to hire regular permanent faculty?

Dr. Hopkins responded that she must figure out the budget first. She does not know yet how it will be handled. She is thinking of ideas. This might be an opportunity for regular faculty to get an overload – with more pay. Qualified adjuncts might get up to nine hours teaching load. She needs help locating people. She wants to get them from other universities that are within driving distance. David Kline is trying to look at release time. There will be ads in newspapers. Dr. Hopkins said people in the community know that the university is having trouble and are calling in to say they have advanced degrees. She said that UNF must end up with a fully qualified adjunct faculty.

Janet Own reported on the budget bill. She said negotiations were ongoing until the last minute. The Senate bill is not ready and the Governor could veto the whole thing or he could use the line item veto. She mentioned several highlights of the special session.

Dr. Scheirer commented that sometimes she is asked "what does the union do for me." She noted that this year's pay raises were protected. In 1992 they were not. Once a pay raise is negotiated, it cannot be rescinded.

Dr. Scheirer reported on the senate meeting she attended October 22 - 24. The bargaining council of UFF was instructed by the senate to go to impasse. Bargaining negotiations scheduled for October and November have been postponed. The University of Florida has been organizing and preparing for the possibility of local bargaining.

The UFF meeting on November 14 is open to all unit members. On Friday, November16, there will be a grievance training workshop.

Scott Hochwald noted that students who are called to active duty since the act of terrorism on September 11 are able to get tuition refunds. He wondered if, in general, there is a way for students to get refunds for courses at any time. He asked how the process worked.

Dr. Hopkins responded that state policy permits refunds to people who are called to active duty. Kim Luther said students go to Student Affairs to get paperwork. The university has had three students receive refunds.

Dr. Hochwald asked if a student can get money back for any other reasons? Could a faculty member excuse a student from a class and tell him to withdraw and get his money back? Dr. Hopkins responded that no, they could not, that university policies did not allow that.

Dr. Hochwald asked where are the policies that answer these questions?

Dr. Hopkins responded that they are in the graduate and undergraduate catalog.

Royal Van Horn said the question about faculty members excusing a student from class and telling him to ask for a refund was not answered adequately. A written question will be sent.

Item #1 - FA 01-27: Submitted by the Academic Standards Committee

Non-UNF course work may not be included on UNF transcripts.

Pali Sen moved the item. Chris Rasche asked for clarification of one minor item. Kim Luther responded to the question.

The item passed.

Item #2 - FA 01-28: Submitted by the Academic Standards Committee

Addition of WA and WX - Administrative Withdrawal Grades

Pali Sen moved the item.

Chris Rasche asked for clarification of the phrasing "necessitated by university requirements." She asked under what conditions a student would get a WA or WX? Pali Sen responded that the Association passed items last year that were based on administrative withdrawal policies. She indicated that the WA and WX are just parallel grades like WF and WP.

Kathy Brown said she was curious about the rationale that said the language broadens the range of options available to a faculty member. If this is an administrative action, how could the faculty have more options? Pali Sen responded that the intention is if an administrator comes back and asks what a grade should be, the faculty member has some choice. Kim Luther clarified several other points.

The item passed.

President Cohen directed attendees' attention to the information items in the agenda packet. She also reminded members about the open hearing concerning the supplemental questions for the SUSSAI form.

The meeting adjourned at 1:06.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Barbara Tuck
Secretary