A.  Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by President John Yeutter in SH 204.  There was ITV access at Muskogee, Broken Arrow and Tahlequah.

Council Members in attendance: Terri Baker (Liberal Arts), Ernst Bekkering (Business & Technology), John Diamantopoulos  (Science & Health Professions), Harriett Hobbs (Library), Peggy Kaney (Library), John Milbauer (Liberal Arts), Tom Salmon (Optometry), David Scott (Liberal Arts), Lallie Scott (Liberal Arts),  Robert Taylor (Education), Dawn Yonally (Education).

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

Council Officers in attendance:  Linda West (Secretary/Treasurer), John Yeutter (President).
 
Guests: Janet Bahr, Kim Cherry, Larry Williams

A. Introductions and NSU Administrative Officers

[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.]

President Williams outlined NSU's help with Katrina efforts, including transferring two students so far.  He commented on the search process to replace Dr. Pate.  There will be a committee named soon.  Dr. Yeutter will serve on the committee and the position will be well advertised.  There will be no hard start date.  We will look until we find the individual we want to be VP of Academic Affairs. 

Interim VP Bahr addressed the Council.  Dr. Donna Wood has resigned.  There is a search in process for the Director of the Center of Teaching and Learning.  She also emphasized that since the National Guard has been called to the Katrina effort we may have students affected who did not have notice and do not have access to phones.  We need to be as flexible as possible.  She reported that NSU is up a little in overall enrollment, which is not true across the state.

Dr. Baker asked a question about reports that Chairs had been pressuring faculty to change grades.  Dr. Bahr stated that this did not come from the Administration and that the correct response would be to talk to the dean involved.  President Williams also supported the process of contacting the dean, the VP for Academic Affairs and if necessary come to him.  He will not pressure faculty into changing grades.

Dr. David Scott asked about clean withdrawals late in the semester as this had been changed.  Dr. Bahr said that a W could be granted to the twelfth week of school.  She asked faculty to use the early alert form to notify First Year Experience about problems with students not attending class.

VP Cherry addressed the group about parking.  They know there are problems and they are working on them.  Some lots were not finished due to problems with the company.  They will be finished during Christmas break.

Dr. Lallie Scott asked about the budget that pays faculty salaries.  VP Cherry said that funds come from both appropriations and student tuition.  As compared to years past, we are relying more and more on student tuition and fees to pay our bills.

Dr. Baker said that parking this semester had been easier for faculty and we appreciate that.

B. Committees and Standing Reports

1. Minutes of last three meetings, March 4, April 8 and May 2

Dr. Baker moved to defer approval until the next meeting.  It was seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 2. Treasurer's Report

There was no report at this time.

3. Faculty Welfare Committee Report

There was no report.  We need to appoint Faculty Welfare Committee members and Faculty Awards Committee members.  The Vice President chairs this committee and we have no Vice President at this time.

C.  Old Business

1.  Task Force on Dept. Chair Selection

    Dr. Giese chairs this committee.  It has met three times during the summer, but is still trying to find a good time for all members to meet.  They are in the early stage of the process and have received information from other schools.

2.  "DFW"

3.  Faculty Lounge

The Cedar Room is open for faculty.  It closes at 2 pm.  There is a need for a place for faculty to sit and discuss.  Dr. Yeutter has office hours at the Faculty Council office.

4.  Academic Officers visits

It is good to have this opportunity to visit and we will extend an invitation to every meeting.  There was further discussion of how to support junior faculty in response to requests to change grades.  Workshops and developing the mentoring program were offered as solutions.  Other factors in the solution that were mentioned were: policies for chair selection, clear information for constructing syllabi in the Faculty Handbook,  and finding out what causes these cases.

D. New Business

1 .  Selection of Vice President.

Dr. John Diamantopoulos volunteered for the position of Vice President.  Dr. Baker moved that we accept his nomination by acclimation, Dr. Taylor seconded.  The motion passed.

2.  Office Hours for Association/Council Officers in Room 103, Administration.

Dr. Yeutter's office hours are 10 am -12 pm on Tuesday and Thursday.

3.  Referred to Committee.

Several complaints will be referred to the Parking Committee.  Members of the committee reported that they have discussed some complaints and many have been solved.  Dr. Yeutter is working with Student government on addressing the gas price  problem.  They are discussing a ride share board and car pooling to help students get to class.

The Broken Arrow delegates thanked Dr. Yeutter for providing ITV access.

F.  Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4.14 p.m.