Synopsis: The Senate
(1) Heard a report on the University budget process from Interim Provost Steve Bowen.
(2) Introduced Proposals 13-00, 14-00, and 15-00.
(3) Adopted Proposal 11-00.
Secretary Reed called roll. Absent were At-Large Senator Barry Kunz and representatives from Computer Science, Education, Materials Science and Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Institute of Materials Processing. Liaisons in attendance were Anthony Moretti (USG) and Ted Soldan (Staff Council).
2. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
Visitors included Bonnie Gorman (Student
Affairs), Steve Bowen (Interim Provost), Debbie
Lassila (Budget Office), Mike Abbott (Budget
Office), Geoffrey Roelant (USG), Josh Bennett
(USG), Marcia Goodrich (Tech Topics), Dave Nelson
(Biomedical Engineering) and Jonathan Fox (Army
ROTC).
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Prince MOVED and B. Reed seconded the
motion to approve the agenda as presented. The
motion to approve PASSED on voice vote with no
dissent. [Appendix A. NOTE: Only official Senate
and Library archival copies of the minutes will
contain a full complement of appendices.]
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING 330
Ouellette MOVED and MacLennan seconded the
motion to approve the minutes of meeting 330 as
presented. The motion PASSED on voice vote with
no dissent.
5. REPORT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT
Proposals 5-00, Changes to University
Sabbatical Leave Policy; 8-00, Senate Resolution on
Recruitment and Enrollment; and 9-00, Senate
Resolution on the 2000-2001 Academic Year
Budget were transmitted to the administration.
[Appendices B-D]
President Tompkins responded to Proposal 9-00, Senate Resolution on the 2000-2001 Academic Year Budget. [Appendix E]
USG has elected new officers for Academic Year 2000-2001 (Alesha Culp, President; Anthony Moretti, Vice President; Ryan Rizor, Treasurer; and Karyn Dibb, Secretary).
USG has sent a proposal to Vice Provost and Dean Janners allowing for the use of mid-semester grades as criteria for eligibility in pledging Greek organizations.
Seely reminded Senators that nominees are needed for the at-large seats. He also asked that Senators begin to identify candidates for the Senate President and Secretary positions.
6. COMMITTEE BUSINESS/REPORTS
University Budget Process [Appendix F]
Interim Provost Bowen provided an update on
the University budget and budget planning process.
Beginning with the premise that this year was
difficult from a budgeting standpoint for many
reasons, he noted that a final draft of the planned
budget for next year is due to the Board of Control
Budget Committee by May 2.
In developing the 2000-01 budget, the administration set a priority of sustaining initiatives already underway. A main goal was to address deficits and get the budget on a firm foundation to implement the strategic plan, with the idea of using strategic/opportunistic allocations/reallocations to meet these goals. The idea is to begin planning three years at a time.
There are two budget scenarios being examined: option 1 with a 7.4% increase in base allocation from the state and 3% in additional one-time funds; and option 2 with a 5.8% increase with 2% in additional one-time funds. Option 1 results in about a $300,000 shortfall in covering new expenditures while option 2 results in about a $1.7 million shortfall.
There will be input from the Budget Liaison group when discussing spending reductions. The 2001-02 budget process will focus on implementing the strategic plan. There will be annual updates to the plan, possible reallocation or reductions in some areas, and planning will be in 3-year 'units'.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Proposal 13-00, Supplemental TIAA-CREF
Contribution for Eligible Employees to Assist with
Post-Retirement Health Insurance Costs [Appendix
G]
B. Proposal 14-00, BS Degree Program in Biomedical Engineering [Appendix H]
C. Proposal 15-00, Health Care Premium Cap for Medicare-Eligible Retirees [Appendix I]
The proposals were introduced as new business.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. Proposal 7-00, Tenure, Promotion, and
Reappointment Procedures [See minutes, page
8379, for a copy of this proposal.]
Seely introduced proposed amendments to the
proposal from the Ad Hoc Committee on Tenure,
Promotion, and Reappointment.
Page 10
Both the personnel committee's review and the
department chair's (dean's) appraisal (where
applicable) are to be transmitted unchanged to the
corresponding College Promotion and Tenure
Committee or to the Inter-school Promotion and
Tenure Committee.
Page 15
6.3 Disclosure of Route of Appeal
Each year the committee on Academic Tenure,
Promotion, and Reappointment shall report to the
academic faculty:
i. the membership of the committee;
ii. the mechanism for submitting appeals.
This information is to be reported to the academic faculty no later than March 1 of each academic year.
Item 7, second paragraph, second sentence.
Adoption of any revision shall require approval
by the University Senate, and an approving vote
approval by a majority of the tenured and tenure-track faculty voting in a university-wide referendum,
such vote to be conducted by the University Senate,
and approval by the Provost and the President.
MacLennan MOVED and Williams seconded the motion to approve the amendments. The motion PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
Snyder MOVED and Blanning seconded the
motion to amend item 1.iii. on page two. The
chair/dean may not serve on the personnel
committee. ex officio, but may not have a vote on
the committee. The motion PASSED on voice vote
with dissent.
Seely asked Senators to raise concerns this evening so that the Senate is aware because debate will not be finished this evening.
Senators Snyder and Barna identified several sections they are concerned with. (1.vii., evaluations; 3.5.1.2, written comments; 5.1., appeals; and procedures for hiring personnel with tenure)
C. Proposal 11-00, Revision of Proposal 24-99,
Amendments to Academic Policies (Mid-Semester
Grades and Drop Policy) [Appendix J]
Senator Drummer introduced the proposal.
B. Reed MOVED and MacLennan seconded the motion to approve Proposal 11-00. Discussion focused on the definition of 'mid-term' and the length of the drop period.
The Senate agreed to vote on the proposal in two parts.
The motion to approve the section on mid-semester grades PASSED on voice vote with dissent.
The motion to approve the section on course drops PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Hodek MOVED and Ouellette seconded the
motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:30
p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by David D. Reed
Secretary of the University Senate