DRAFT - NOT YET APPROVED - DRAFT

 

NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

Minutes of Faculty Council Meeting

Friday, September 5, 2003
 

A.  Introductions

The meeting began with all those present introducing themselves.

Council Members in attendance: Grant Alexander (Business & Technology), Terri Baker (Arts & Letters), Dan Glasgow (Education), Andrew Marquis (Social & Behavioral Sciences), Diana Mashburn (Math, Science & Nursing), Rick Matzen (Math, Science & Nursing), Jeff Miller (Optometry),  Latricia Pack (Optometry), Jackie Schumaker (Library), Lallie Scott (Social & Behavioral Sciences), Debbie Smith (Education), and Linda West (Library).

Council Officers in attendance:  Andrew Vassar (Vice President), Gary Wickham (President), and Chuck Ziehr (Secretary/Treasurer).

Others in attendance: Alana Doughty
 

B. Committees and Standing Reports

1. Minutes of May 2, 2003 meeting

The minutes of the May 2, 2003 meeting were approved with minor typographical corrections. Motion: Glasgow, Second: Mashburn.
The approved minutes are available online at http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~faculty_council/minutes/minutesmay22003.html 

2. Treasurer's Report

President Wickham stated that the Council was given a budget of  approximately $4,500 for this academic year.

3. Faculty Welfare Committee Report

Vice President Vassar will serve as the chair of the Faculty Welfare Committee.  There was not yet a report from this committee for the current semester.
 

C. Old Business

1. Student Memorial

Ziehr gave the history of how the Student Memorial began in the Faculty Council during Fall 1998 with an idea presented by Dr. Bill Wallace.  A student/faculty committee (chaired by Ziehr who was then Faculty Council President) was formed to explore the possibility of a building a permanent memorial to commemorate students who died while attending NSU.  The Council ear-marked up to $2,500 for the memorial; Northeastern Student Government Association (NSGA) and some other student organizations also committed funds.  The committee obtained President Williams' approval for the memorial.  Eventually, a brick and earth design for the memorial by R.C. Coons (then a member of the art faculty) was accepted and built by NSU Physical Plant personnel on a site south of Seminary Hall.  President Williams recommended that two bronze plaques be installed on the memorial; one identifying it as the Student Memorial and one containing an appropriate, famous quote.  While Amelia Fitzgerald was Vice President of NSGA, quotes were gathered from a variety of student sources; however, it is unknown if a quote was ever approved by President Williams, and the memorial remains unfinished; in fact, it has nothing associated with it that identifies its purpose.

It was moved by Matzen and seconded by Marquis that the Council pursue completion of the memorial and commit up to $500 if needed.  The motion passed unanimously.  Baker will contact some student leaders to have the matter brought up in the NSGA.  Ziehr will speak with Stephen Highers, NSGA President, and Tracie Cantrell, a member of the PLC who works in the President's Office.  It was suggested that student initiative is likely required for completion of the memorial.

2.  Circle of Excellence Bricks

Wickham reported that Dana Eversole (Faculty Awards Committee Chairperson) noted that the bricks for last year's winners had not yet been ordered.  Tom Carment told Wickham that he would get a price quote for the bricks.

3.  Revised Teaching Evaluation Instrument (Student Evaluation of the Instructor)

Wickham reported that Past President of the Council, Kenny Paris, reported that the new evaluation instrument that was designed by a faculty committee last year was approved by the Faculty Council and by the Administration.  Although it was supposed to be employed last spring semester, a technical difficulty prevented its implementation at that time.  It will be used this semester (Fall 2003).
 

D. New Business

1. Organizational Thoughts

Wickham noted that many current practices and procedures at NSU originated in the Faculty Council.  Council members mentioned the following as examples:
Faculty Evaluation Instrument, Faculty of the Year in the three areas of responsibility, Student Memorial, Employee Appreciation Day, Employee Tuition Waivers, helped spur Seminary Hall renovations, Distance Learning Committee.  Matzen noted that the increased communication between the Faculty and the Administration that occurs because of the Faculty Council's interaction with the Administration produced immeasurable good.

2.  Faculty of the Year Plaques

Wickham noted that the three plaques were still in the Faculty Council Office (Administration 103); these plaques are traditionally displayed in the college of the winner of each category (teaching, research, and service).  He noted that the plaques only go back to the 1995 winners.  He recommended that in addition to the "travelling" set of plaques that a permanent set of plaques also be created with winners back to 1990 (when the Council began selecting winners in the three categories) and displayed in a permanent and prominent place of honor.  Baker moved and Scott seconded that a permanent set of plaques be created with winners back to 1990 and that up to $500 be committed to this purpose.  The location for display is to be determined later.  The motion passed unanimously.

3.  Faculty Council President's Memento

Wickham recommended that gavels with a brass plaque (about $13 each) be presented to each past Council president who served since President Williams came to NSU in recognition of her/his service to the Faculty Association and the University.  During discussion it was noted that the NSU Faculty Association began in 1971 so it was moved that these gavels be presented to all former Council Presidents (who are still at NSU) during a recognition of the 30th anniversity of the association. These presidents were Brian Rader, Gary Wickham, Craig Clifford, Tom Carment, Chuck Ziehr, Chris Owen, and Kenny Paris.  Motion: Mashburn. Second: Matzen.  Motion passed unanimously.

4.  Recognition of Retirees by Faculty Association

Vassar noted that there was no standarized system at NSU for recognition of faculty retirees.  He suggested a formal recognition of all retirees be made at the Employee Appreciation Day which should be moved to April, and that gifts be provided for the retirees by the University. It was moved by Alexander and seconded by Matzen that this matter be referred to the Faculty Welfare Committee for consideration.  The motion passed unanimously.

5.  Faculty Council Office

Wickham noted that the Faculty Council still has full use of Administration 103.  He recommended that the office be used more to provide visibility for the Council and to encourage communication with the Council by faculty and administration.  He and the other Council officers will establish a schedule of at least one office hour per day when the Council Office will be staffed.

6.  Official Expressions of Sympathy

Wickham recommended that the Council have a plan for how to express our sympathy when a faculty member dies.  Motion:  This matter be remanded to the Faculty Welfare Committee for consideration.  Motion: Baker; second: Alexander.  Passed unanimously.

7.  Standing Committees of the Council

The Council has three standing committees:  Faculty Welfare, Faculty Awards, and Nominations.  In addition the Council is charged with nominating faculty members for several of the University's standing committees.  A slate of faculty candidates for this latter task is usually developed by the Nominations Committee and presented for Council approval late in the Spring semester; however, this was not done last spring so Wickham and Ziehr developed the slate during the summer and submitted it to the Office of Academic Affairs which develops the slate of candidates for all committees that is then presented to President Williams for approval.  Wickham commended Dana Eversole for chairing last year's Faculty Awards Committee; he will ask her if she will chair the committee again this year, which is to be appointed in September.

8.  Maintenance of the Council Webpage

West and Alexander have been maintaining the page in recent years.  West developed the new design for the page that was employed a year or two ago.  Wickham requested that West and Alexander evaluate the current website for needed updates and/or changes.

9.  Problems Faculty are Experiencing with Health Insurance

Matzen reported that he had experienced problems with Harrington Benefits Services particularly regarding Claim Verification Forms for his spouse resulting in long delays in settling claims.  Other members noted similar problems.  Wickham will request that Tim Foutch, Director of Human Resources, address the Council regarding this matter at our next meeting (Oct. 3); this will be just prior to the Insurance Options Period.

10.  President Williams and Vice President Pate at October Council Meeting

Vice President Pate contacted Wickham and asked that he and President Williams be placed on the agenda for a short presentation about long-term strategies for the NSU budget.  They will be placed on the October agenda from 3:00 to 3:30.
 

E.  Other Business

1.  City Council

John Yeutter sent word that the Tahlequah City Council will meet today at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the sales tax issue.

2.  NSU userids

John Yeutter mentioned to Wickham that some faculty and students have had difficulty getting their NSUnet userids changed when they deemed this necessary; for example, women who had experienced domestic abuse and/or divorce.  Wickham will explore this issue with the Director of C&T, Michael Gibbons.

3.  Faculty Insurance Expertise

Wickham requested that Grant Alexander check among the faculty in the College of Business and Technology to determine if there is someone with insurance expertise.  If so, he/she is requested to attend the October Council meeting when insurance issues will be discussed.
 

F.  Adjournment

Submitted by Chuck Ziehr, Secretary-Treasurer
9/23/03