Synopsis: The Senate
(1) passed an amended Proposal 10-98, emeritus/emerita professor policy.
(2) heard from Kim Maxwell and John Sellars that the Capital Campaign has reached $16.5 million (including a $12 million gift of Geoquest software); there is a major increase in alumni giving.
(3) introduced Proposal 7-99 (Faculty Distinguished Service Award) and Proposal 8-99 (Semester Calendar).
(4) heard from Kevin J. Walker, Black Student Association, who presented a proposal to declare the third Monday of January as an official University holiday with only a half day of instruction, accompanied by funding for a week of activities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(5) passed Proposal 9-99, Transition to Full Co-pay of Health Care Premiums for Retirees.
Secretary Glime called roll. Absent were representatives from Army/Air Force ROTC, Institute of Wood Research, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and Institute of Materials Processing. Liaisons in attendance were Ted Soldan (Staff Council) and Anthony Moretti (USG).
2. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
Guests included Fred Dobney (Provost), Kim Maxwell
(Michigan Tech Fund), John Sellars (Sr Vice President for
Advancement), Chris Anderson (Educational
Opportunity), Narei Ngwenya (Student), Shalini Rudak
(Educational Opportunity) and Kevin J. Walker (Black
Student Association).
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Senator Pegg asked why Proposal 9-99 was
considered new business when the issue had already
been presented and discussed as Proposal 11-98.
President Seely replied that the proposal has been substantially changed since its last presentation, thus necessitating treatment as an emergency proposal if we are to vote on it tonight.
Haapala MOVED and Vanden Avond 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 302
Senator Gopal pointed out that Adjournment had
been numbered as 8 instead of 9.
Long MOVED and Hwang seconded the motion to approve the minutes of meeting 302 as corrected. The motion PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
5. OPEN MOTION ON PROPOSAL 10-98,
EMERITUS/EMERITA PROFESSOR POLICY [Appendix B]
Senator Gale stated that the second sentence of item
2 was unclear. He suggested that it be reworded to "This
procedure, which shall include approval by department
faculty and an appeal system, may be initiated by the
retiree or his/her department." He suggested that all
references to department be changed to include schools.
President Seely ruled that these two suggestions be incorporated as editorial changes, with department being replaced by department/school.
Gale MOVED and Sutter seconded the motion to delete from item 3 the wording "As a sign that each Professor Emeritus/Emerita is viewed as an important and valuable asset of the University," leaving "All emeriti/emeritae shall be granted the following privileges:". The motion PASSED on voice vote with one dissent.
Seely ruled that this change was editorial.
Senator D. Reed suggested that in item 5 the words "have to" be changed to "shall." This change was accepted by Seely as an editorial change.
The motion to approve Proposal 10-98 PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
6. COMMITTEE BUSINESS/REPORTS
Kim Maxwell and John Sellars (Advancement)
presented an update on the Capital Campaign. Sellars
reported that contributions had increased from $2.7
million by October last year to $16.5 million by the same
time this year. [Appendix C] He pointed out that $12
million of this is from a single donation of Geoquest
software.
Senator Gale asked what is meant by a gift in kind. Sellars explained that it included gifts such as those of software, training, or equipment.
A major increase has occurred in alumni giving. In 1997 it totalled $262,000, whereas in 1998 it totaled $1.3 million.
Senator Suryanarayana asked about gifts given directly to departments.
Maxwell responded that the department needs to notify the university.
Sellars added that it can be embarrassing if the University doesn't show recognition.
Maxwell reported that Dick Robbins is chairing the national campaign and that Gary Anderson is contributing significantly to the campaign effort. Both are involved in visiting alumni.
Maxwell reported that there are three special campaigns within the overall Capital Campaign. These are focused on featured objectives: Forestry and Wood Products building expansion, Hockey Education Center, and ME-EM Department remodeling. These are being headed by interested alumni.
The Fly-in programs are working very well. Selected alumni are brought to campus to see it in action and have been very impressed with what they have seen.
One of the factors contributing to our funding success is that we have identified a large number of alumnae/i whom we had not contacted for a long time. Many of these newly identified alums are entrepreneurs. These alumnae/i are helping us to identify the best way for MTU to interact with their potential donor alumnae/i.
Maxwell stated that the fund solicitors are also encouraging the donors to support their departments with their gifts. The alumnae/i have also greatly increased their self-identification of their annual incomes. Many of them have very positive feelings about the university and its faculty.
Sellars reported that we need advancements of about $50 million for the Capital Campaign. It will have its official launch in February or March of 2000. The goal is to raise $1 million by 2003.
Senator Chavis asked about the effort in the international market.
Sellars responded that it has been slow, partly because they lacked addresses of most of the alumnae/i. However, in their recent visit to Asia, they had a number of volunteers to be President of a local chapter. In Singapore, one member gave them an email list and offered to create a web page. Some offered to help with the fund-raising; others stated that they would like to help recruit students.
Chavis added that there is one minority student in California who would like to be involved, possibly with fund raising.
Sellars stated that Maxwell is working with a group of alumni on issues of interest to women.
Sellars added that they had discovered there was a chapter in Indonesia that we didn't know about.
Maxwell stated that the majority of gifts were restricted. They are trying to raise the endowment. Therefore, don't expect a check to the university.
Senator Gale asked if the endowment gave a 5% return. Maxwell responded that it did earn that much on the full amount.
Provost Dobney stated that we need to be really clear on the Schlumberger gift of $12 million (software). Sellars responded that they are holding it back because including it can appear to misrepresent the results of the campaign.
Senator Drummer asked what happens to the money received. Sellars responded that most of it is restricted by the donor. Maxwell added that endowed scholarships can relieve the general fund.
7. REPORT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT
President Seely reported that several new proposals
will be coming to the Senate soon: M. S. in
Environmental Engineering, Minors (addresses semesters
and concerns raised by the academic forum), and dual
majors.
The officers and the Provost met on 14 December. Seely met with the USG liaison and met with the USG Student Issues Committee. Discussions with the Provost revealed that several changes will be necessary in the 5-year plan.
8. NEW BUSINESS
President Seely stated that we were 5 minutes ahead
of the agenda, so that 25 minutes could be allotted to the
calendar issue (Proposal 8-99).
A. Proposal 7-99, Faculty Distinguished Service Award
[Appendix D]
Seely introduced Proposal 7-99 so that it could be
discussed at the next meeting.
B. Proposal 8-99, Semester Calendar [Appendix E]
Seely introduced Proposal 8-99 for discussion. He
stated that the calendar had been calculated backwards
from the ending date for the fall semester. It provided for
traditional MTU holidays and a one-week vacation at
Thanksgiving, based on earlier discussions.
Barna MOVED and Drummer seconded the motion to accept Proposal 8-99.
Seely introduced Kevin J. Walker, representative from the Black Student Association, who presented a proposal from that organization. [Appendix F]
Walker answered the question "Why celebrate Martin Luther King Day" by explaining that it is because of the life he lived, the strong leadership, and his philosophy of freedom and equality of opportunity for all people.
He stated that King exemplified truth, honesty, and togetherness and explained that the celebration of King's birthday serves to educate.
The BSA proposal has three parts: the third Monday of January will be declared an official University Holiday; there will be only a half day of instruction on that day, with classes ending at noon; there will be funding for a week's worth of events and activities in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Senator Lutzke stated that holidays are typically discussed from the perspectives of tradition. However, if African Americans are ever to feel they are valued and respected members of society, we need to recognize them. Because of the race relations that exist in our country, maybe this is what we need. He stated that this is a very well thought-out proposal.
Senator Pennington asked how often the holiday would fall on the first day of classes. Seely responded that such would usually be the case but that in some years classes would resume in the previous week.
Senator Snyder stated that the means by which we can effectively celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday depends on when the semester begins. If the semester were to begin one week earlier, we could require students to attend certain events as part of the world cultures course (general education).
Seely responded that one reason for the extended break is that it provides an opportunity for increased faculty productivity on grants and other activities.
Senator Barna added that it also avoids the need to turn in grades before the holidays.
Seely responded that the staff seems to think that one week after New Year's Day is sufficient to process grades.
Barna stated that a half-day holiday would accomplish the recognition needed for the Martin Luther King Holiday.
Senator Tampas stated that students would realize that missing half a day is probably not important and would take the whole day off. He questioned whether starting the spring semester one week sooner would bring the summer term closer in line with the trimester system.
Seely responded that there was not enough time for a full term even then.
Tampas stated that one objective of changing to semesters was to synchronize with other universities, but that some of the calendar plans seem to prevent that.
Walker responded to the earlier comment of Tampas by saying that students DO come the first day of class. He felt that if the Martin Luther King speech were broadcast across campus as students were leaving their classes at noon, students would take notice of it.
Senator Suryanarayana stated that the faculty seems inclined toward a shorter Christmas break; we should find the overall opinion of the faculty.
Seely responded that it is the responsibility of the Senators to find out.
Senator Leifer reported that one of his department members had stated that if someone wants to grade his 700 papers, we can run exams right up to Christmas. We also might want to consider a 3-hour exam since the term will be longer. Leifer once more expressed concern that we had not addressed the problems created for students who need to take a year-long course in the summer in order to get caught up; seven weeks is not enough time to do this.
Seely reminded the Senate that the calendar proposal is eligible for vote at the 6 January meeting.
Gale MOVED and Snyder seconded the motion to table Proposal 8-99 to the next meeting.
Senator Ouellette asked if the calendar committee could be at the meeting to answer questions. We need to know the data they used to make the recommendation they did, especially the summer issue. Seely responded that he could invite some of them.
Provost Dobney suggested that Seely review for the Senate the accommodations Kevin Walker had made in presenting the BSA proposal.
Seely stated that Walker had thought the calendar issue would come to a vote at this meeting. They had planned to have a large number of students in the hall, but instead they had sent a small number of representatives.
Senator Chavis stated that this group did not represent just the BSA. There are several other organizations also in support of honoring Martin Luther King with a holiday.
C. Proposal 9-99, Revision of Transition to Full Co-pay
of Health Care Premiums for Retirees [Appendix G]
Senator Barna, Chair of the Finance Committee,
introduced Proposal 9-99 as a replacement for Proposal
11-98. [Proposal 11-98 became a dead proposal at this
meeting because it was tabled and not removed from the
table.] Barna announced that this proposal was a joint
proposal of the Finance Committee and the Fringe
Benefits Committee.
Changes were necessitated by the change in premium from $2054 to $2340 per year for the Medigap program. This represents a 14% increase this year, but it is the first increase in several years. Approximations of cost increases are based on those used by TIAA/CREF for actuarial estimations.
Senator Nadgorny questioned how realistic the 6.5% annual yield is, particularly given recent events in the stock market.
Barna stated that the proposal calls for those persons earning under $50,000 per year would get 100%; the others would get an amount based on a 2% decline for each $1000 above $50,000. The cost has been estimated by Institutional Analysis. The Provost originally suggested that the cost to cover the shortfall for those earning less than $50,000 would cost $314,000; however, now it would cost $459,000 because of the higher premium. The 2% ramp for the remaining employees would cost an additional $264,000.
Senator Suryanarayana asked if it would be possible to get the money from somewhere other than the salary pool. The Board and the Administration have repeatedly stated their intention to raise salaries; this doesn't help.
Senator Snyder stated that this is one-time money, so if we don't fill a faculty position for two years we can recover the money.
Senator Pickens asked how the Medigap premium is calculated. Dobney responded that it is based on cost. They had managed to delay raising the premium, but the result was that the premium had gone up by 14% in one year. However, this had saved money for faculty in previous years. The increase in medical costs of $1.7 million last year had forced them to raise the rate.
Pickens responded that people should be paying for what they are receiving; the premium should be updated yearly and faculty should be kept apprised of the costs.
Dobney responded that they had tried to control the costs by changing providers so that the faculty and staff didn't have to bear the cost.
Snyder MOVED and Shapton seconded the motion to treat this as an emergency proposal.
Seely reminded the Senate that this proposal does not have to go to the Board as a separate proposal; the Board Finance Committee had agreed in principle and the Senate had been charged to work out the details.
The motion to treat this as an emergency proposal passed on secret ballot with 24 yes and 10 no votes.
Pegg MOVED and Sloan seconded the motion to approve Proposal 9-99, Revision of Transition to Full Co-pay of Health Care Premiums for Retirees.
Senator D. Reed questioned who constitute members of the Senate referenced in the lead paragraph. Seely responded that this is really a past fact; they consisted of discussions among the committees, officers, and Provost.
Senator Pennington suggested an editorial change in the lead paragraph so that the last sentence would read "The amount of these payments and the mechanism for their distribution shall be in accordance with the following plan, which has been developed by the Executive Vice President and Provost in consultation with members of the Senate."
Pegg requested a roll call vote, but Pickens requested a secret ballot, which takes precedence.
The motion to approve Proposal 9-99 PASSED by secret ballot with 30 yes and 4 no votes.
Seely thanked Institutional Analysis for their role in providing data analysis.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Ouellette MOVED and Long seconded the motion to
adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Janice M. Glime
Secretary of the University Senate