The meeting was called to order at 3:06 p.m. by President John Yeutter in UC 228.  There was ITV access at Muskogee, Broken Arrow and Tahlequah.  There were sound problems at the BA site.

Council Members in attendance: Terri Baker (Liberal Arts), Ernst Bekkering (Business & Technology), Harriett Hobbs (Library), Peggy Kaney (Library), Rick Matzen (Science & Health Professions), Alan McKee (Optometry), John Milbauer (Liberal Arts), Tom Salmon (Optometry), David Scott (Liberal Arts), Lallie Scott (Liberal Arts),  Randy Snider (for Dan Sisk) (Science & Health Professions), Robert Taylor (Education), Dawn Yonally (Education).

Council Members in attendance in Broken Arrow: Marilon Morgan (Education), Jon Shapiro (Business & Technology), Joan Wipf (Education).

Council Members in attendance in Muskogee: Joyce Van Nostrand (Muskogee).

Council Officers in attendance:  John Diamantopoulos (Vice President), Linda West (Secretary/Treasurer), John Yeutter (President).
 
Guests: Janet Bahr (Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs), Gary Cheatham (Library), Neal Weaver (Vice President for University Relations)

Vice President Bahr talked to the group about enrollment statistics.  There are many kinds of head count statistics which can come from different sources and different locations.  Our unduplicated student head count is 9,702 and all three campuses serve a total of 10,958 students.  Many of these statistics will be available on the web site soon.  Also, for comparison information, we report our tuition and fees as one number.

Vice President Weaver addressed the group about a previous concern about the new business cards.  The new cards were designed to hold more information and present it in larger, more readable type.  By removing the clock tower image, they gained more space for the additional contact information that people have these days and for the longer titles that were not fitting on cards before.  He said that our current Print Shop is inefficient and adding more options to the standard card would cause problems.  Currently, the cards are free to faculty and staff.  He explained how the logo can be used in three different parts and different combinations.    There is an election November 8th in Broken Arrow about giving 195 acres of land to NSU.  His office has a video called "Declining by Degrees" that can be used.  It is about higher education from a PBS broadcast.

[Council will set aside time at the first of each meeting to visit with President Williams, Interim VP Academic Affairs Bahr and/or VP Administration Cherry should they be able to attend.]

Dr. Lallie Scott moved that the minutes be corrected, Hobbs seconded.  Dr. Milbauer moved and Dr. Baker seconded that the amended minutes be approved.  The motion passed.

 2. Treasurer's Report

The figures were included on the agenda for the meeting.  We should know about rollover funds in November.

3. Faculty Welfare Committee Report

There was no report. 

B. New Business

1.  Business Cards

See earlier discussion.

2.  Mission Statement

The new proposed mission statement was discussed.  It is a good length for a mission statement.  One thing that seemed missing was a statement about service.  This could be included in vision statements which are next on the committee's agenda.

3.  Books for Library

The topic was opened for discussion.  Dr. Baker said that some disciplines depend on printed material and recently published books, especially from smaller presses.  Use of ebooks was discussed.  Printing, copying and pasting are not user friendly in these ebook products.  In the liberal arts, books are assigned for reading and some people may be reading for 6-12 hours which can be hard with ebooks.  There was a question about the percent of ebook purchases to print book purchases.  West stated that for the last three years it had been about 50 percent ebooks and 50 percent print books of the number of titles added to the library collection.  Other factors discussed were that fewer books could limit our ability to do research and that we need books that may not be main stream.  A number of ideas were presented that would help the library acquire more materials for less cost.  It was decided to invite Dr. McKiel to address Faculty Council.

4.  Political Issues

    a.  OTRS Funding

There was discussion of the 47% funding rate as compared to ten surrounding states.  The next lower rate was 60%.  There was also discussion of a Tabor type amendment that would be harmful to educational spending.

    b.  OSRHE Funding

Yonally reported on a speaker who could address some of these concerns.  Dr. Yeutter will contact Dr. Bill White and see if he could talk to us.

5.  Circle of Excellence Submission Guidelines

There is another meeting of the committee and then they will bring the guidelines to the December Faculty Council meeting.

C.  Old Business

1.  Task Force on Dept. Chair Selection

There is nothing to add.  The proposal is in the President's office.  

2.  "DFW" research

3.  Faculty Fringe Benefits

    a. Faculty Lounge

Dr. Yeutter said that the Cedar room is getting more use.

    b.  Fitness Center Fees

Nothing new to report.

4.  "Speaker's Bureau" for Faculty

There is a PDK brochure of speakers for area schools.  A Speaker's Bureau could serve as a good PR vehicle for University relations.

1 .  WordPerfect

Matzen reported that even though the product will not be supported after January 1, 2006, faculty could still ask for copies to be installed up to the number of paid copies on campus.  Concerns will be taken to the Academic Technology Committee that is meeting soon.

2.  Parking Committee

Matzen asked that any concerns be sent to him and he will take them to the next meeting of the committee.

The meeting adjourned at 4:44 p.m.