Faculty Association Minutes Feb 2006

CALL TO ORDER

Judy Solano called the meeting to order at 12:17 p.m.

II.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of the January meeting were approved as published on the web.

III.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wesley Maas was introduced as the new coordinator of Athletic Academic Support. Maas briefly described the function of the Athletic Academic Support coordinator. Invited questions and concerns about student athletes, please contact Maas @ wes.maas@unf.edu, x. 2485.
Pierre Allaire encouraged faculty to identify candidates for the Caring Award and the Caring Institute. Previous winners of the Caring Award were introduced. Forms for nominees will be found at the back of the room following this meeting.
Chip Klostemeyer: There will be a “Meet the Candidates” opportunity immediately following this meeting in the Faculty Commons.
Mark Workman introduced Dr. Imeh Ebong, Assistant Vice-President for Research. His office is in the Provost’s suite. Ebong holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Arizona State University and comes to us from Northeastern University.

IV.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Academic Programs Committee – Janet Bosnick

Janet Bosnick reported the committee met this morning. Three items are on today’s legislative agenda. The committee is continuing to examine the feasibility of an automated APC submission process. The next meeting is scheduled for 3/2/06.

Academic Standards Committee – John Cummings

Lisa Jamba reported for Jack Cummings. The committee met 1/23/06. They are reviewing the appeals process and appropriate bylaws. They have two items on the agenda today.

Adjunct Affairs Committee –Lee Richardson

Lee Richardson reported the committee met 1/18/06. Adjuncts continue to express concern on receiving feedback concerning their teaching. Library research sessions are scheduled for adjuncts next week. The next meeting is 2/15/06.

Budget Advisory Committee –Jeffrey Harrison/Paul Mason

Paul Mason reported. Two information items are enclosed in today’s packet. The committee met yesterday. They are developing a survey for faculty---what things about budget make people concerned? What would the faculty like the budget committee to consider? The next meeting is scheduled for 3/1/06.

Campus Technology Committee – Diane Taner

Diane Tanner reported that the committee met 1/30/06. They met with the web advisory committee and reviewed the new Faculty/Staff “Quick Links” webpage. The Quick Links should be published soon. Let the committee know if you have problems with the information sheets in technology equipped classrooms. The committee is discussing the change in the way faculty login (use of N number) scheduled for May. The next meeting is scheduled for 2/20/06.

Faculty Affairs Committee – Patrick Plumlee

No report.

Faculty Enhancement Committee – JoAnn Nolin

No report.

Nominations and Elections Committee – Cynthia Jordan

Cynthia Jordan reported the committee met 1/19/06, they discussed the upcoming elections. The election of Faculty Association officers will take place on 3/2/2006; the election of Faculty Association committees will take place on 4/6/2006. The floor was opened to nominations for faculty officers. No additional nominations for President. No additional nominations for Vice-President. No nominations have been received for Secretary. Nominations will continued to be accepted until the Executive Committee meets to set the agenda for next month’s meeting. The Nominations and Elections Committee is accepting nominations for committee vacancies; cjordan@UNF.edu. Next committee meeting 2/9/06. Committee vacancies are posted on hotlinks page on the Faculty Association website.

Promotion and Tenure Committee – Cindy Scott

Cynthia Scott reported that the committee has finished their deliberations; letters have been delivered to the candidates. The committee will meet 2/10/06 with the Provost to discuss the committee’s recommendations.

Research Committee – Mina Baliamoune

No report.

Strategic Planning Committee –Yemisi Bolumole

No report.

Support Services Committee – Rama Rao

Rama Rao reported the committee met on 1/26 with Shawn Brayton (AA).

Executive Committee - Steve Shapiro

Steve Shapiro reported that the committee met to establish the agenda for today’s Faculty Association meeting; the committee's next meeting is scheduled for 2/14 at 12:15 p.m.

SPECIAL REPORTS

President - John Delaney

Mr. Delaney announced that the University Administration and United Faculty of Florida have reached an agreement. The spreadsheet will be run today. The contract will be available next week. There have been some delays due to editing. Mr. Delaney noted that Leonard Carson offered high praise to Shira Schwam-Baird for her efforts in editing the final contract. A letter from Carson was read.

Legislative Liaison Report - Janet Owen

Janet Owen reported that the new Chancellor of the State University System has been well received. The Chancellor stopped by UNF for a very brief visit, he will return for a longer visit. The Board of Governors will meet 4/23/06 at FAMU; the agenda includes the discussion of the proposed medical schools at UCF and FIU. The Governor has recommended a 9-10% increase for universities; he proposes that enrollment growth be funded completely. Tuition increases of 5% (undergraduate) and 7.5% (graduate) are also suggested. A $1,000,000 increase in need based aid for students has also been recommended, as has continued support of the Succeed Grant Program and Centers of Excellence. $30,000,000 in PECO funds have been approved by the Governor.

United Faculty of Florida - Cheryl Frohlich

Cheryl Frohlich affirmed Mr. Delaney’s report. Frohlich reports that minor changes were made to remaining two articles. Once those changes have been checked for accuracy, they will be TA’d.

Provost Search Committee - Dale Clifford

The committee has reduced the size of the pool from 70 to 16. The committee meets every Friday. Telephone interviews are being set up. Clifford invites faculty to share any suggestions for interview questions with the committee.

VI.

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

1.	Mason:How much will be withheld from the lump sum salary payments? Campbell: withholding will be made according to IRS guidelines.
2.	DeDeo: What is the end date for contract? Delaney:There is a two year extension of the contract, but negotiations for next year’s salary increases will open shortly. Frohlich: extension carries contract until 2008. A potential of three articles identified by each side can be renegotiated.
3.	Shapiro: Will Leonard Carson continue to represent University Administration? Delaney: Yes.
4.	Watkins:When can we anticipate the lump sum payment? Delaney: Following ratification, the contract will be taken immediately to the Board of Trustees, funds should come two-two ½ weeks following approval by BOT.
5.	Shapiro: Will we see the spreadsheets? Frohlich: Parts of the spreadsheet will be available—raises for each faculty member. Faculty evaluation data will not be available.
6.	Solano: Will UFF assume responsibility for election of the P&T Committee and the Sabbatical Selection Committee? Frohlich:As soon as contract approved, UFF will assume responsibility.
7.	Rao: Will the P&T Committee provide feedback to department committees? Scott: No, the guidelines do not require notification to committees, deans, or department chairs.
8.	Shapiro:Noted recent landscaping efforts and construction of new water feature. He asked “Do we have money for computers in the classroom?” Shuman: Funds are available to equip an additional 9 classrooms with technology. Administration is working with UTC. Solano is pressuring Board of Trustees to fund ALL classrooms. Delaney: will try to increase room upgrade funds.
9.	Murphy:Why are members of the P&T Committee allowed to abstain from voting on promotion and tenure decisions? This is profoundly troubling. Scott: My understanding is that people can choose to abstain for any number of reasons; not clear on the history, but seems to have been a tradition of the committee. Slaughter: Abstention is NOT a tradition; in past, abstentions have not been permitted. [Solano editorial note: There is no rule that speaks to this question one way or the other. Each committee has operated per instructions received from the Provost and according to its own understanding of what is expected.]

VII.

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Item #1 -FA 06-01: Submitted by the Academic Standards Committee

Plagiarism (Initiative Recommendation)

Plagiarism. Moved by Academic Standards. No discussion. Item approved.

Item #2 -FA 06-02: Submitted by the Academic Standards Committee

Plagiarism Task Force Recommendation

Task Force on Plagiarism. Moved by Academic Standards. No discussion. Item approved.

VIII.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Item #1: Submitted by the Nominations and Elections Committee

Faculty Association Officers

Item #2: Submitted by the Nominations & Elections Committee

Faculty Association Standing Committees and University Committees

Item #3: Submitted by the Budget Advisory Committee

E&G - 2004-05 Expenditures & 2005-06 Budget

Item #4: Submitted by the Budget Advisory Committee

Summary of Academic Affairs Budget Data for 2005-06 and Projection for 2006-07

IX.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Katherine M. Robinson, Secretary