Members in Attendance: Bill Wallace, Jackie Wilcox, Johnnye Morton, Mary Johnson, Anne
Davey, Steve Archer (for Dunn Faires), Gary Cheatham, Diana Downing, John deBanzie, George Fulk, John Milbauer, Chuck Ziehr, Paul Westbrook, and Cari Brown.

Guests in Attendance: Ken Collins, P.K. Ebert

I.  Standing Reports

     A. The minutes were amended to reflect the accurate proceedings and accepted by the group.

     B. Treasurer's Report

      1997-98 budget allocation:                                       1997-98 budged after all current
                                                                                      encumbrances are paid:

      Travel   $1,000                                                         Travel   $1,000
      Operating Expense $3,500                                        Operating Expense $3,844
 
II.  Old Business

     A. Council Committees

    Our Constitution states that we must have three (3) standing committees: the Faculty Awards
committee, the Nominations committee, and the Faculty Welfare committee.  However, there are
no guidelines as to how the committee members are chosen.  Ziehr suggested that the committee members nominate and elect a chair to the Faculty Awards and Nominations committees. The Faculty Welfare committee is chaired by the Faculty Council Vice President according to the terms of the Constitution.

    Westbrook was elected as the FACULTY AWARDS committee chairman during the February
6 meeting.  He stated that the committee should consist of a representative from each college and
the library.  He also stated that the members should consist as much as possible from winners
for the past three years because they are ineligible to win faculty of the year this year.
Westbrook suggested that we first appoint winners from the last three years and then fill empty
member slots (ie; an unrepresented college).  Westbrook so moved.  The question was called
and the motion carried.

    Westbrook noted that the College of Education and Library were unrepresented.  Tom Newton and Jim Winterbottom were suggested.  All were in favor of the suggested members.  Westbrook stated that he would ask them if they wanted to participate.

    For the NOMINATIONS committee, Ziehr suggested that one (1) representative from each
college and the library be represented.  The members will then elect a chair (who will have
voting privileges).  Each college and the library was asked to present a nominee to the
committee.  They are as follows:

      Business and Industry: Anne Davey
      Arts and Letters: Dana Eversole
      Education: Jeannette Wilson
      Library: Melissa Cast
      Math, Science and Nursing: Gary Vandenbos
      Optometry: Lynn Cyert
      Social and Behavioral Sciences: Mike Sharp

      The nominees were presented for approval and approved.

    For the FACULTY WELFARE committee, Paul Westbrook will serve as chair by his
position as Faculty Council Vice President.   The question was raised as to whether the chair
should be a voting position.  The concern is that one (1) college will have two (2) votes.  Fulk
suggested that the chair be the delegate from his/her college as well and have a voting position.
All were in favor.  A list of potential nominees was read to the Council.  They are:

      Business and Industry: Dunn Faires
      Arts and Letters: Paul Westbrook (Chair)
      Education: Libby Ethridge
      Library: Charles Veith
      Math, Science and Nursing: John Beck
      Optometry: Harry House
      Social and Behavioral Sciences: Cari Brown

      The nominees were presented for approval and approved.

    One last thing on committees...In 1991, the Faculty Council asked administration for greater
input into the nominations process for university wide committees.  Ziehr asked whether we
should again request the administration to allow Faculty Council to have greater input into the
committee nomination process.  deBanzie so moved.  All were in favor.  Ziehr then asked
whether we should list the committees in which we would like greater input or should we make
the general request and hope for all we can get.  Davey suggested that we should be as specific
with our request as possible.

    A list of committees was distributed to the members and each member was asked to vote for
the committees that the Council should receive greater input for nominations.  deBanzie moved
that we ask for greater input in the nominations process for those committees that received four
(4) or more votes.  All were in favor.  The list of committees is as follows:

      1.  Admissions Appeals                                   6.  Commencement
      2.  Curriculum and Educational Policies            7.  Faculty Development
      3.  Faculty Research                                        8.  Graduate Council
      4.  Student Conduct                                        9.  Teacher Education Council
      5.  University Computing Council

     B. Inauguration

    It is meant to be a celebration of NSU.  Faculty are strongly encouraged to participate and
attend the functions.  The faculty is invited to the investiture and the reception.  Other activities
are scheduled for the week and a calendar of the events will be distributed to faculty members.

    C. Faculty Salary Schedules

    At this stage the President is exploring the idea with other administrators.  Davey suggested
that at this point we can speak with our Dean's and colleagues.  Milbauer moved that the Faculty
Welfare committee monitor the progress of the faculty salary schedule and report back next
month.  The motion passed.

     D. Tuition Waiver

    Wallace reported that he has an appointment with the President about this issue.  He called
Southwestern's Faculty Council President.  Their FC President reported that they pressed in
favor of a tuition waiver or reduction for years to no avail.  Then out of the blue the
administration gave them the policy they were requesting.  A copy is being forwarded to
Wallace.

    E. Administrator Evaluation

    Milbauer reported that AAUP wants to be connected with Faculty Council on this project.
Milbauer reported that he felt strongly that AAUP would support the changes to the
administrator evaluation suggested by President Williams.  Davey suggested that since the use of
the evaluation was the main sticking point between AAUP and Faculty Council that we should
have a clear vote from AAUP in support of the evaluation before we attach their name to the
project.  deBanzie moved that since the Faculty Council voted to support the President's
suggested changes and we did at least hear back from a representative of AAUP, we continue
our efforts.  The question was called and all were in favor.

    The next question was how do we proceed.  Ziehr said that he would begin the process and
ask for our assistance where necessary.

    F. Faculty Liability Issues

    The State Regents' staff and the Faculty Advisory Committee to the State Regents (F.A.C.) are
developing a faculty liability seminar for late March or early April.  Faculty are requested to
submit questions to be addressed in the seminar to Jim Trapp, Chairman of the F.A.C. via e-mail
at jntrapp@okway.okstate.edu or mail them at Faculty Advisory Committee to the Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education, 500 Education Building, State Capitol Complex, Oklahoma
City, OK 73105.

    deBanzie suggested that a flier should be circulated letting the faculty at large know about the
seminar.

    G. Vice Presidential Search Update

    Ziehr reported that there were 70 applicants.  These 70 were cut first to 21, then to 10 and
finally to 5 applicants.  They were presented to the President and interviews were set.

    H. Intersession and Summer School Salaries

    This issue was delegated to the Faculty Welfare Committee to research further.

III. New Business

    A. NCATE

    Ken Collins appeared before the Council and discussed the upcoming NCATE visit.  An
accreditation team will be on campus from April 4 - 8 reviewing our teaching programs.  If you
wish to see an institutional report, contact your dean for the information.  The College of
Education is starting a series of presentations to make people aware of what to expect during the
NCATE visits.  Call the College of Education for more information.  Mr. Collins reported that a
preliminary visit with NCATE members went very well.

     B. Faculty Course Load Considerations

    deBanzie raised the issue that there is a noticeable discrepancy between course load hours
and contact hour, particularly in lab classes.  The focus of this issue is the best level of quality
in teaching performance, not getting out of current work assignments.  The Faculty Welfare
Committee will discuss this issue along with Faculty salaries and intersession teaching.

     C. Enrollment enhancement suggestions

          Tabled.

     D. Consideration of a resolution in support of a faculty member

          Withdrawn.

     E. Heart Awards
 
            P. K. Ebert will chair a committee to seek nominations for and select winners of the Heart Awards.  One staff member (non-faculty) and one student will be honored who have made outstanding contributions to the spirit of community at NSU.  The awards wll be presented during Inaugural Week.

     F. Meeting was adjourned at about 4:45 p.m.