MINUTES of the Faculty Council Meeting, Friday,
January 19, 2001, 3:00 pm
Members in Attendance: C Owen K Paris, J Yeutter, G Alexander, K Thompson,
J Milbauer, M Rogers, D Linebarger, J Winterbottom, G Wickham, J Faulds,
L Ethridge, C Choate, R Matzen, J Wilson, M Bither
Guests: K Ott, A Casas, M Bentley, C Ziehr, T Baker
AGENDA
A. Committees and Standing Reports
1. Minutes of December 8, 2000 Meeting
2. Treasurer's Report
3. Faculty Awards Committee
a. committee
membership
b. new procedures
for its work
4. Nominations Committee
B. Old Business
1. Status of Case of Alleged Sexual
Harassment
2. Discussions with Administrators for
Clarification of Merit Pay Procedures
3. Developments Regarding University
Grievance Committee
4. Status of Mentoring Initiative
5. University Committee Restructuring
Initiative
C. New Business
1. Faculty Role in Freshman Convocation
2. Reduced Pay for Low-Enrollment Inter-session
Classes
3. Noel-Levitz Workshops Led by University
Personnel
D. Other Business
E. Adjournment by 5:00pm
A. Committees and Standing Reports
1. Minutes of December
8, 2000 Meeting
The minutes were amended to reflect the accurate proceedings and accepted
by the group.
2. Treasurer's Report
3. Faculty Awards Committee
The President reported that the committee had been constituted, that
G Fulk and K Ott would co-chair the committee. The application procedures
proposed by J. Alexander at the last meeting would be used to streamline
and organize the process.
4. Nominations Committee
J Winterbottom reported that the nominations committee would be meeting.
B. Old Business
1. Status of Case of Alleged
Sexual Harassment
G Alexander reported that the faculty member involved still had yet
to receive any official communication from anyone in the administration
concerning the resolution of the crime she has reported to campus police.
The council UNANIMOUSLY passed a resolution stating that:
The Faculty Council wishes to repeat its support of Dr. Marianne Bennett
in this case of alleged sexual harassment. Faculty Council views sexual
harassment seriously, and expresses empathy in any distress she suffers
as a result of this incident. Faculty Council advises her that if she believes
that that the issue has not been resolved, that the Faculty Grievance Committee
would be an appropriate venue for a University-level remedy.
Original to Dr. Marianne Bennett
Copies to: President Williams
Ms. Ginny Wilson
Dean Penny Dotson
Mr. Tim Foutch
2. Discussions with Administrators
for Clarification of Merit Pay Procedures
The president reported that he had discussed the Council's resolution
with both president Williams and Vice President Pate. They both expressed
agreement that merit pay should be based upon the same criteria as promotion
and tenure. There was a consensus of the council that the President should
request that this understanding be made an official University policy to
be reflected in the Faculty Handbook. VP Pate also encouraged the Faculty
to work to develop these criteria. The council also requested that the
President write to all faculty urging them to complete the urgent task
of developing criteria and examples in each department as implied in Section
3.351 of the faculty handbook.
3. Developments Regarding
University Grievance Committee
The President reported that an agreement has been reached between the
parties after the grievance committee met and reported from a preliminary
hearing that a formal hearing was necessary. Council requested that the
president send a letter of appreciation to the committee for their work
in assuring that the rights of this faculty member were protected.
4. Status of Mentoring Initiative
The president reported that VP Pate would be appointing a committee
5. University Committee
Restructuring Initiative
The president reported that this committee has been constituted, but
has yet to be convened.
C. New Busines
1. Faculty Role in Freshman Convocation
The president advised the council that VP Pate would like the faculty
to be involved in the planning of the Freshman Convocation, particularly
to make this a serious academic event. The consensus of the Council was
that we should accept this invitation.
2. Reduced Pay for Low-Enrollment
Inter-session Classes
The president reported that a faculty member teaching an intersession
class had, without clear prior notice and agreement, been presented with
a contract at the midpoint of the intersession class for an amount only
two-thirds of the previously agreed compensation, due to low enrollment
in the class. A motion was presented that was passed by the NSU Chapter
of the AAUP reading:
The NSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors
requests that by April 1, 2001, the administration provide faculty with
a clear written statement of enrollment requirements for any course to
be taught during intersession. In addition, faculty salary should be clearly
stated and, once stated, non-negotiable.
The consensus of the council was that of agreement with the resolution,
but concern was expressed concerning the clarity of the intent. After some
discussion, the motion was tabled.
3. Noel-Levitz Workshops
Led by University Personnel
The President reported a suggestion that the council follow up on the
advisement workshop held this fall by presenting a series of workshops
for the faculty led by the faculty. This will be developed further this
spring.
D. Other Business
G Alexander reported that members of AITP were available to assist
faculty members with web-page development
