NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

Minutes of Faculty Council Meeting

Friday, March 1, 2002

Members in attendance: Kenny Paris, Alicia Casas, Julie Sawyer, Grant Alexander, Kin Thompson, Dan Glasgow, Vanessa Hardbarger, Charles Veith, Carol Choate, Michele Bither, Gary Wickham, John Milbauer, Lallie Scott.

Substitute delegates: Steve Skattebo for Mimi Bentley, Randy Snider for Rick Matzen.

Other faculty in attendance: John Yeutter, Chuck Ziehr.

A. Committees and Standing Reports

1. Minutes of February 1, 2002 meeting

The minutes of the February 1, 2002 meeting were approved without amendment. Motion: Alexander, Second: Thompson

2. Treasurer's Report

Secretary-Treasurer Julie Sawyer reported that the account balance as of February 8, 2002, was $3,828.50. The paperwork for the $220.00 credit on the overcharge for the telephones in the Faculty Council office was received so the current balance was $4,048.50.

3. Welfare Committee Report

Vice President Alicia Casas stated that the Faculty Welfare Committee has not met since the last council meeting.

B. Old Business

1. On-line Survey

President Kenny Paris stated that he had sent the draft survey via email to the council delegates and officers, and had received only five responses. Most of the delegates in attendance indicated that they had not received it. Paris will resend to the delegates, and the survey will be distributed to all faculty members in the next week.

2. Office Hours Resolution

Paris reported that his impression from his last discussion with President Williams was that there may be some liberalization of the office hour policy. Options included eight hours on any days, eight hours over four days, and six hours over four days. President Williams will discuss the matter with Vice President Pate and the Dean's Council.

3. Faculty Due Process Legislation

The council discussed Senate Bill 903 which would require, upon request, written reasons for termination, nonrenewal of contract or denial of promotion for full-time faculty. Chuck Ziehr provided the council with some history of the evolution of local and state efforts to institute internal policies concerning this issue. Discussion included such issues as internal vs. legislated policy, accountability in tenure/promotion/termination decisions, and the potential for litigation. The council unanimously passed a motion requesting Kenny Paris send a letter supporting Senate Bill 903 to the Senate Pro Temp, Speaker of the House and legislators representing Tahlequah, Muskogee, Claremore, Poteau, Miami, Tulsa and Broken Arrow. Motion: Milbauer, Second: Veith.

4. Faculty Teaching Evaluation Instrument

President Paris informed the council that Ted Legatski, who is chairing the committee on revision of the evaluation instrument, was in the process of scheduling the first meeting.

5. Circle of Excellence

Kenny Paris apologized for changing the composition of the Circle of Excellence committee immediately following the February 1 meeting. Louis White will serve on the committee, in place of Carl Farinelli as previously announced, so that each college will be represented. Nominees have been notified by committee chair Dana Eversole. The ceremony is schedule for April 24, 2002, at 3:30 p.m. in the Net Tower Room.

C. New Business

1. Faculty Handbook Revisions

Paris told the council that he has been involved in the review and revision of the grievance procedures, Appendix B (Faculty Council Constitution and By-Laws), and Appendix C.

2 3. Faculty Council Sponsored Activities

Paris announced upcoming events co-sponsored by the Faculty Council:

Retention Teleconference, March 7, 12:00 - 3:00, Net Auditorium

Advisement Series, How to Advise Education Majors, Louis White, March 5 & 6,

3:00, Library 118

3. Consideration of Faculty Council Delegates for Muskogee and Broken Arrow

Carol Choate brought a request from faculty at the Muskogee campus that Faculty Council consider the issue of whether delegates from the branch campuses should be added to the council. The council asked Choate to determine the number of full-time faculty at the two campuses who do not also teach in Tahlequah.

D. Other Business

In other business, Paris announced that NSU would be hosting the Lone Star Conference Basketball Tournament March 1 and 2, and would most likely be selected as host for one of the NCAA Division II regionals the following weekend.

The council unanimously approved a motion to request that Paris draft a proclamation of congratulations. Motion: Alexander, Second: Wickham

Paris updated the council on plans for Freshman Convocation on August 18, 2002. Convocation Committee members are Kenny Paris (chair), Dave Linebarger, Bill Nowlin, Karen Carey, and Andrew Vassar. Serving the committee to select a faculty presenter for convocation are Dave Linebarger (chair), Roxanne Fillmore, Donna Smith, Denise Deason-Toyne, and James Alexander. The council approved a motion to support Freshman Convocation by providing a $1,000 incentive for a faculty presentation and paying for the printing of the brochures. Motion: Wickham, Second: Scott

Paris stated that Denise Deason-Toyne had asked him to bring an issue related to direct deposit to the council's attention. When an employee's direct deposit advisement is sent to their home, the word payroll is stamped on the outside of the envelope, and personal and financial information is contained on the form inside. Grant Alexander suggested that the room number could probably be substituted. John Yeutter suggested that a Privacy Task Force to deal with a number of privacy issues be appointed by Paris. Action was tabled until the next meeting.

Michelle Bither stated that colleagues had requested that she ask the council to discuss the recent increase in the drug benefit copay with HealthChoice. Delegates informed her that the insurance package is negotiated at the state level rather than locally, and that copayments are increasing with other insurance companies as well.

Chuck Ziehr told the council that the Regents have hired a consultant to aid in the search for a replacement for Hans Brisch. Craig Clifford, Tom Carment and Ziehr will meet with the consultant on April 2.

E. Adjournment

The next meeting of the Faculty Council will be held on Friday, April 5, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. in the Net Tower Room.

Submitted by Julie Sawyer, Secretary-Treasurer