B. Treasurer's Report
1997-98 budget allocation:
1997-98 balance after all current encumbrances are paid:
Travel $1,000
Travel $1,000
Operating Expense $3,500
Operating Expense $3,491
* The 1996/97 carryover funds, totaling $1,122 will be added
to this years operating expense
account.
Ziehr reported that the Regents don't seem to be interested in revising the current policy system wide, at least for the time being. The current policy allows an institution to waive tuition (but not fees) up to 100% for employees and dependants if the institution wants to.
Thus, the current NSU policy does not allow a deduction in tuition and fees for dependents. Faires noted that Southwestern Oklahoma State University already has a dependent fee reduction within their policy. Ziehr noted that before the merger at UCT, Rogers State also had a dependent fee waiver. Milbauer moved that the Faculty Council examine the Southwestern Policy for tuition reduction with special consideration given to dependent reduction. The motion carried.
Ziehr stated that he would ask Bill Wallace to do this. If Wallace could not, Ziehr would.
B. Administrator Evaluation
Ziehr reported that President Williams supported the procedure
of the evaluation and the effort of
the Faculty Council and AAUP to the extent that the evaluation will
provide constructive feedback
and be self contained within NSU. President Williams stated that
the results should not be
forwarded to the Regents.
President Williams also felt that in order to be consistent with
student evaluations, only the
supervisor and the person evaluated should see all of the results,
and no one else should have access to written comments or the statistical
results.
Ziehr posed the question of whether we should accept his proposed
modifications or discuss it
further. The Council voted by a majority to accept the proposed
modifications to the evaluation
procedure.
Ziehr then pointed out that the instrument was advertised as
a joint project between Faculty
Council and AAUP. Milbauer stated that he will discuss the Council's
modifications at the next
AAUP meeting and report back to this body on the issue in March.
C. Distance Learning Committee
Ziehr noted that VP Williams informed the faculty at large that compensation will be paid developing for distance learning courses. The professor will receive $750.00 for the first distance learning course and $500.00 for each new prep.
Ziehr reported that the Regents are putting together a list of
disciplines and five member faculty
committees to evaluate existing multimedia instructional facilities.
They are also discussing the
possibility of placing six (6) training centers throughout the state
for distance learning education.
deBanzie moved that the Distance Learning Committee stay formed
and facilitate a means for
sharing information about distance learning issues among faculty members.
D. Faculty Liability Issues
Ziehr noted that the Regents will host a seminar on faculty liability
issues. The seminar is to be held
in late March or early April. Faculty interested in submitting
questions to be addressed in the
seminar may contact Jim Trapp, Chairman of the Faculty Advisory Committee
to the State Regents
at jntrapp@okway.okstate.edu. You may also mail your questions
to the Oklahoma State Regents
for Higher Education, 500 Education Building, State Capitol Complex,
Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Brown then addressed the faculty regarding worker's compensation
and personal injury liability.
Brown noted that worker's compensation should cover injuries which
occur while working in the
scope of their employment. Brown also summarized the information
discussed at the worker's
compensation insurance seminar held through the Personnel Office.
E. The remaining items of old business were tabled and will be
placed on a future agenda during the
appropriate meeting.
Ziehr reported that a search committee was appointed by President
Williams. The President
implied that it would be an open search with probable faculty interaction.
B. President Williams Inauguration
Ziehr noted that NSU has not held an inauguration for President Williams and should initiate one.
Hill moved that the Faculty Council initiate a convocation activity
to honor NSU and the new
President. Cheatham seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Ziehr moved that the faculty council could finance $3,000 of
the inauguration. Wilcox seconded
the motion. The motion carried. See Ziehr for more details
regarding the inauguration. An update
will be provided at the next Council meeting.
C. Faculty of the Year
Westbrook will chair the committee to pick the faculty members of the year. The committee will be consist of members who won an award within the last three years.
Ziehr reported that the Vice President for Administration and the Parking and Traffic Office have agreed to reserve and name a parking space for award recipients. Vice President Williams stated that this years recipients will also receive new computers along with the traditional plaque.
D. The meeting was adjourned.