NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Minutes of Faculty Council Meeting
Friday, September 1, 2006

A.  Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President John Yeutter in E 107.  There was ITV access at Muskogee, Broken Arrow and Tahlequah.

Council Members in attendance: Harriett Hobbs (Library), Ernst Bekkering (Business & Technology), Rick Matzen (Science & Health Professions), John Milbauer (Liberal Arts), David Scott (Liberal Arts), Lallie Scott (Liberal Arts),  Dan Sisk (Science & Health Professions), Dawn Yonally (Education), Tom Salmon (Optometry), Robert Taylor (Education), Denise Deason-Toyne (Business & Technology), Alan McKee (Optometry), Bill Rosener (Business & Technology)

Council Members in attendance in Broken Arrow: Pamela Louderback (Library), Jon Shapiro (Business & Technology).

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:   Dalton Bigbee (VP for Academic Affairs), Mark L. Giese (Education/IR), Chuck Ziehr (Liberal Arts)

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

1.  VP Bigbee addressed the Council.  He has been reading annual reports and talking with deans.  He wants faculty to know that his office door is always open and looks forward to working with Faculty Council.  There was a question about support for research both in funding and release time through reduced teaching loads.  He responded that he is looking for solutions to that question.  He recommended that faculty use the grant application process that Dr. Jackson is streamlining in his area.  

B. Committees and Standing Reports

    1. Minutes of March 3, 2006 and April 7, 2006 were deferred until the next meeting.  There was not a quorum at the May meeting so there were no minutes for that meeting.  It was recommended that a place holder be put on the web site to indicate that there are no May minutes.

    2. Announcements: dates of Strategic Plan Open Fora (or Forums)

    These meetings will take place after Labor Day.  There are a variety of locations on all campuses.  Some will be video conferenced.

C . New Business

    1.  Discontinuing Printed Class Schedules

    There is a problem with the printed class lists since they go to press almost a year in advance.  There was a recommendation that we discontinue out of date paper copies.  The Open Classes list on the web site is always up to date.  There were comments about using the printed documents for marketing especially in the competitive BA market.  We don't know what the cost is.  Perhaps there is a way to make them pay for themselves with coupons or advertising.  It was then recommended that we discuss the ideas with the Student Senate and see what they think.

    2.  Campus Water Quality

    There is a wide spread problem with the color of water on campus, particularly hot water.  Buildings mentioned were Haskell and Business and Technology.  Other than using this for an Undergraduate Research Project, it was suggested to turn in work orders and go through the regular maintenance channels.

D.  Old Business

    1.  Peer Evaluations/Performance Reviews

    There was extensive discussion of this issue.  The question is whether Faculty Council wishes to pursue this issue further.

     Some comments were made in reference to the fact that there are no guidelines for merit increases that apply across the campus.  Some faculty, such as in Education, have specific criteria to meet each year.  Dr. Bigbee asked if we want uniformity across campus.  A number of concerns were raised about how merit pay is awarded, whether the criteria is known in advance, whether the criteria is subjective or objective, and which colleges already have procedures in place.  Dr. Bigbee said that we need to clarify procedures for promotion and tenure.  This process will help us clarify our process and will benefit all of us.  He solicits Faculty Council cooperation and involvement in the process.  Most likely the process will be specific at the program or department level.

E. Other Business

     We would like a follow-up on recommendations made last year regarding the Fitness Center and Fee Waivers for faculty families.  The recommendations were sent to one person last year.  Dr. Yeutter will send them to Barbara Abercrombie and Christy Landsaw to see what responses we can get.

E.  Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

Submitted by Linda West, Secretary-Treasurer
10/02/06