Members in Attendance: Bill Wallace, Jackie Wilcox, Anne Davey, Mary Johnson, Johnnye Morton, Gary Cheatham, Helen Hill, John DeBanzie, Diana Downing, George Fulk, John Milbauer, Mike Sharp, Chuck Ziehr, Paul Westbrook, and Cari Brown.

I. Standing Reports

A. Formal minutes from the last meeting on Friday, May 6, 1997 were not taken as the Secretary had a final exam conflict. Ziehr, Ebert and Brown are comparing notes to piece together substitute minutes that will be distributed at a later date.

B. Treasurer's Report

Fiscal Year 1997-1998
Travel: $1,000.00
Operating Expense: 3,500.00
Total: 4,500.00
Encumberances: 167.25
Balance: 4,332.25

* NOTE: There may be some carryover funds available from the '96-97 budget. The final sum will be known in November.

II OLD BUSINESS

A. Ziehr summarized the resolution regarding the faculty/staff tuition waiver and mentioned that it could now be sent to the Board of Regents. Wallace moved to submit the resolution to President Williams first for his feedback and consultation. Fulk seconded the motion. After discussion and review of the resolution, Wallace amended his motion to include an amendment to the resolution to change paragraph 2 to read "The tuition and fee reduction be changed from 50% to 90%."

Fulk then moved to amend the motion to submit the resolution to President Williams until October 1, 1997 in order to give the AAUP time to review and endorse the resolution. Wallace seconded the amendment. After discussion, the question was called and the amended motion passed.

B. Ziehr reported that the administrator's evaluation was still in progress. There is some concern over duplicating the efforts of the AAUP's administrator's evaluation and how the results should be reported. Fulk moved to create a select committee consisting of members from both AAUP and faculty council to review the administrator's evaluation and see if a compromise evaluation process can be reached. Diana Downing seconded the motion. Ziehr called the question and the motion carried. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should see Ziehr about an appointment.

III. NEW BUSINESS

A. The council discussed the most convenient meeting time. Friday afternoon is the only afternoon that does not conflict with class schecules. The council decided to meet the first Friday of every month at 2:45 p.m. The next meeting will be held on October 3. The meeting room will be announced at a later time.

B. Bolton reported that the Computer Science (CS) and Management Information Systems (MIS) programs are responsible for teaching MIS/CS 1003, Computers in Modern Society, a required course in the general education curriculum. He said that these programs collectively decided that Microsoft Office 97 would be the most appropriate software package to use for the course.

According to Bolton and the other couse professors, the university has refused or neglected to purchase a license for Microsoft Office 97 to be placed on the classroom computers and campus network. Only forty classroom computers are currently running Microsoft Office 95 and this number is insufficient to effectively teach the course and assign adequate out-of-class assignments.

After much discussion over the issue of academic freedom, a motion was made that the Faculty Council go on record as supporting the CS/MIS programs in their choice of software and requesting that the software be made available to them.

After more discussion of the issue, it became evident that the reason why the software has not been provided was not clear. Brown (with the assistance of Hill) moved to request the President of the Faculty Council to meet with the appropriate members of the university administration and explore the reasons for which software requested by the Computer Science and Management Information Systems programs has not been made available to the same. The motion was seconded by Jackie Wilcox. A vote was called and the second motion passed.

The council then worded a resolution to that effect.

C. The Council discussed issues facing professors in regards to ITV/Distance Learning courses. Ziehr suggested that a university wide committee should be formed to deal with distance learning issues. He suggested that the committee should involve students and at least one representative from every college and the library. Wallace moved that the Council request the Vice President of Academic Affairs to appoint a committee to deal with distance learning issues such as:

1. The impact an ITV/Distance Learning course has on the instructor's course load/work load;

2. The instructor's freedom to select which course(s) will be taught through ITV/Distance Learning;

3. Whether or how the instructor will be compensated for teaching an ITV/Distance Learning course;

4. What type of technical support is necessary and available to assist the instructor;

5. What copyright issues are presented in an ITV/Distance Learning course;

6. The appropriateness of the receiving sites; and

7. Other relevant issues.

Sixty percent (60%) of this committee should be appointed by the Faculty Council at large. This should be done by October 15. A resolution was drafted to this effect. A vote was called and it passed.

D. The Council discussed the problems with textbook availability and pricing at the NSU bookstore. There seemed to be a consensus that something other than the UPS strike caused unreasonable delays in textbook arrivals. There were also concerns voiced about text book selection and prices. Ziehr suggested that a meeting be held between the VP for Administration, the bookstore manager, and Paul Westbrook (or Cari Brown, if Westbrook is unavailable) to discuss these concerns and possible solutions. Ziehr so moved. Brown seconded the motion. A vote was called and the motion passed.

E. The council discussed the change in football ticket prices for faculty/staff and their dependents. Admission was free to faculty/staff and their dependent. This policy has been changed to require an admission price. Ziehr suggested that someone should meet with the Athletic Director to see why the change was made and request a return to free admission for faculty/staff and dependents. A motion was made for Ziehr to do the same. The motion passes unanimously.

F. The Council discussed plans for "faculty/academic involvement" in this years homecoming. Ziehr explained that last year we were encouraged to invite alumni to speak to our classes etc. during homecoming to focus attention on the academic achievements made by NSU alumni. Each college received $300.00 to cover the costs of some of the speakers. Ziehr reported that Student Affairs will probably like some financial assistance with this years homecoming. He suggested that if necessary, we give the necessary assistance up to $1,000. The motion was made and it passed.

G. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.