MINUTES_1107

Tuesday, 13 November 2007
2:00 p.m., EB 162
Meeting 2008-03

Meeting called to order at 2:03pm.

Roll call

Absent:

Departmental senators: Adams (Nursing), Avery (Chemistry), Barth (Public and International Affairs), Blundo (Social Work), Burt (Foreign Languages), Clark (Cameron), Cook (Sociology), Cordle (CAS), Graham (Economics), Lammers (Mathematics), Sawrey (Psychology), Seidman (History), White (Music), Wray (Information Systems).

Committee chairs: Brenner (Student Affairs), Chandler (Buildings and Grounds), Hurdle (Public Service and Continuing Studies), Johnson (Research), Walker (Admissions).

Approval of the October 2007 minutes

October 2007 minutes were approved.

Executive Session

In accordance with the provisions in the Faculty Handbook, we will go into Executive Session for the purposes of considering candidates for honorary degrees.
- Two nominations were considered.
- Both candidates each received the requisite 2/3 favorable vote.

Individual reports

1. Chancellor DePaolo

UNC Tomorrow meeting.
- Tomorrow at 12:30pm in the Golden Hawk Room.
- Thanks to Mark for getting the word out.
- We are the last meeting of this group.
Update on basketball player who was summary suspended.

Introduced Pat Leonard, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
- UNCW Police got a tip that one of our students had a loaded gun on campus.
- Student in question (who cannot be named) was given a summary suspension.
  - This results in an immediate removal from campus without question.
  - Student can request to be allowed back on campus.

Millennial campus update.

Introduced Bob Roer.
- Link to PPT.
- CREST (Campus for Research, Entrepreneurship, Service and Teaching).

All activities must be consistent with mission and strategic goals of UNCW.
All proposals will be vetted by Buildings and Grounds committee, Board of Trustees, and Board of Governors.
Three current projects, based on faculty input:
- Forensic lab.
- Marine biotechnology facility – in Myrtle Grove campus.
- Health and fitness center.
Centers:
- Center for Marine Science site – south CREST site.
- East CREST site.
- West CREST site.
Governance.:
- Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs.
- Dean of Graduate School and Research.
- Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Service.
Questions:
- Will UNCW still own the facilities on which they will be located?
  - Yes – there are two models.
    - Private funding
    - Or land lease long-term leases, after which time the buildings revert to UNCW.
- Is there an acceptable level of risk?
  - We might take out loans to build buildings without tenants in the space; that’s a risk
- Could there be biological risks?
  - No more than we already have on campus.
- Can we pull the plug on research that is deemed too risky?
  - Yes – NC State has all these safeguards in place.
- Would the same ethics that apply to federal-funded research apply for private-funded research?
  - Absolutely – they would have to go through the same approvals on campus (IRB, etc.).
- Will the PowerPoint presentation be available?
  - Absolutely.
- Can we post it on Academic Affairs?
  - Yes
- Is CREST the new name?
  - Yes – it's the generic name for this type of project.
  - But millennial campus is still in use

Talked about George Stokes.

Executive Administrator of the State Health Plan.
The Chancellor invited him to come today to address Faculty Senate.
- But he is at a board meeting on campus.
The Chancellor suggests hosting an open forum or a joint session of Faculty Senate and Staff Council.
- Should she issue an invitation to him?
From the floor:
- They may be having an open forum with him today from 5 to 7pm in the Golden Hawk Room -- but that may have changed.
He has talked of having a minimal employee contribution to offset the current dependant Talked about Perhaps having a minimal employee contribution to offset dependent contribution; he has also talked about domestic partner benefits.
From the floor:
- Having him speak before Faculty Senate would be a better idea. Open fora do not usually benefit attendees – they are more about the presenters.
Or it could involve Faculty Assembly and the system-wide Staff Council.
Let the Chancellor know how this evening goes please.

2. President of the Senate Spaulding

ROTC.

This was referred to UCC.
UCC tossed it back to us.
Perhaps CAS ought to look at it as last time we had ROTC on campus, it was housed in CAS.

Senate President election in December.

Questions:

When will we know who is/are nominated?

At the December meeting.
Interested people will arrange for their nominations.
Nominees are typically asked to say a few words.

You are not running again?

That is correct – I am in year 3 of 4 and think a change would be good.

You might want to tell people what is involved.

Steering Committee is working hard to generate more support for the Faculty Senate.
Currently, we are searching for permanent space and staff support for Faculty Senate.
We are discussing the possibility of the Faculty Senate President becoming a 12-month position.

Bill Bolduc, Faculty Athletic Representative.
- Link to PPT.
- Introduced Kelly Landry Mehrtens, new Director of Athletics.
- Wants to remind everyone what faculty involvement with athletics is.
- Athletics Council.
  - Assists and guides the Athletic Department in maintaining academic integrity at UNCW.
  - Reviews grades of all athletes.
  - Reviews class attendance of all athletes.
  - Meets 2-3 times a semester.
  - Advises on policies.
  - Reviews missed class requests.
  - Each sport is reviewed every 2-3 years.
- Faculty Athletic Representative is Bill Bolduc.
  - He assists with NCAA compliance issues.
- A culture of academic emphasis persists in Athletics at UNCW.
  - The graduation rate is among the highest in the state and CAA.
  - UNCW has had three winners of the CAA Scholar Athlete of the Year.
  - The graduation success rates tend to be higher for athletes than for the population at large.
  - All 19 of our teams exceeded the baseline number of classes taken toward their majors.
- Faculty roles.
  - Help athletes monitor grades by submitting midterm grade reports.
  - Contact Sandy Morrison (Head Academic Advisor) with questions and issues (do not contact coaches directly).
  - Contact Dr. Hunt or Dr. Bolduc with questions or concerns.
- President Spaulding:
  - Faculty should be very appreciative of the work level that Bolduc and Hunt put in to this -- it saves the faculty as a whole work and worry about this.

3. Steering Committee submits the following motion, regarding proposed changes to Faculty Assembly Membership:

[Motion 08-03-09] That the method for determining the number of delegates to Faculty Assembly from each campus be based on a percentage of total faculty, rather than a number. For more information, please read this document: Memo to campuses with Charter (PDF)
- President Spaulding:
  - It does not result in the redistribution of power. It is just a way to account more effectively for growth.
  - Question:
    - I don’t understand the sentence as written.
      - Did the senator read the attached information? The attachment clarifies the situation.
        
        No.
        
        You should have done.
  - We will most likely be addressing this on our campus soon.
- [Motion 08-03-09] carried.

Committee reports

1. Academic Standards submits the following motion:

[Motion 08-03-10] The Academic Standards Committee submits the REQUIREMENTS FOR ANOTHER BACCALAUREATE DEGREE on page 92 of the 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalogue be modified with the following additions (underscored) and deletions (struck through):
A student with a baccalaureate degree from UNCW may receive ~~another baccalaureate degree if it is~~ a ~~different~~ second baccalaureate degree in ~~and~~ a different major. The student must meet all the requirements for the second degree and major, including 31 hours in residency, at least 15 semester hours in the major at the 300-400 level, and course work that meets the spirit of UNCW’s current basic studies requirements.
- Does the Chair of the committee want to address this?
  - Russ Herman:
    - This only affects students who have completed a UNCW degree and have then come back.
    - It resulted from a complaint from a student in this situation, who was trying to get federal funding.
    - We realized there were some discrepancies.
- Discussion
  - Chancellor: What does phrase “course work that meets the spirit” mean?
    - This is language that reflects what other campuses are doing and reflects other sections in the course catalogue.
    - It basically means that the requirements might have been changed since they got their first degree.
  - Chancellor: I am worried that it is too general – that it might get us in trouble.
- [Motion 08-03-10] carried.

2. University Curriculum Committee submits the following motion:

[Motion 08-03-11] That the Senate approve the following recommendations:
- Delete BIO 204: Principles of Biology: Cells (currently meets basic studies)
- Delete BIO 205 Principles of Biology: Plants (currently meets basic studies)
- Delete BIO 206 Principles of Biology: Animals (currently meets basic studies)
- Approve BIO 201 Principles of Biology: Cells for Basic Studies- Life Science
- Approve BIO 202 Principles of Biology: Biodiversity for Basic Studies- Life Science
- Approve BIO 495 Applied Learning Seminar-- New Course, Computer Competency, Oral Competency, will be required for a major/minor option in department
- Approve FST 210: Moviemakers and Scholars Series for Basic Studies – Fine Arts
- Approve FST 110: Concepts in Film for Basic Studies – Fine Arts
- Delete FST/THR 225: History and Appreciation of Film: Silent (currently meets basic studies)
- Delete FST/THR 226: History and Appreciation of Film: Sound (currently meets basic studies)
- Delete FST/THR 227: History and Appreciation of Film: Modern (currently meets basic studies)
- Delete CRW 202: Explorations in the Creative Process and Change Prefix to FNA 102: Explorations in the Creative Process
- Approve FNA 102: Explorations in the Creative Process for Basic Studies – Fine Arts
- Approve CRW 203: Forms of Creative Writing – for Basic Studies- Literature
- Approve EVSL 195 – Environmental Studies laboratory for Basic Studies- Life Science
- Approve ARH 476: Art History Capstone Seminar (new course, required for a major, meets computer and oral competency)
- Approve change in coursework required for Studio Art (49 hours to 55 hours)
- Approve change in coursework required for Art History (42 hours to 48 hours and change in 300-400 level)
- Approve requirements in Film studies from 42 hours to 45 hours
  - President Spaulding:
    - Two points:
      - Regarding the BIO 495 line, there is a typo.
        
        It should be BIOL 495.
      - Regarding the FST lines, we are only deleting the FST portions.
    - If there are no objections, we will vote on these as one motion. Are there any objections?

3. Michael Freeze (Math) submits the following motion, motivated by recent interactions between students and speakers:

[Motion 08-03-12] "That the Faculty Senate investigate the adoption of a professional code of faculty conduct which specifically enumerates faculty commitments to its respective disciplines and to its students. In particular, that the Faculty Senate consider the obligation of faculty as educators to support and respect diversity among individuals in all educational settings, and to protect students from abusive or demeaning speech based on race, sex (such as gender, marital status, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and veteran status."
- Will Freeze speak to this please?
- From the floor:
  - Can you make the motion larger?
- Michael Freeze:
  - The Campus Diversity Climate Survey noted that students are often the victim of disparaging comments.
- President Spaulding:
  - You need to ask for a unanimous assent that [Motion 08-03-12] be withdrawn or move to vote.
- Hearing none, [Motion 08-03-12] is withdrawn.

4. Department of Biology and Marine Biology submits the following motion:

[Motion 08-03-13] That the Faculty Senate endorse the following resolution prepared by the Department of Biology and Marine Biology:
“Whereas the principles of academic freedom include the right to speak freely about the results of our scholarly work without fear of punishment, we condemn the termination of the UNCW Tidal Creeks Program contract by New Hanover County Commissioners in a manner and timing that could be construed as retribution for the exercise of those rights by our colleagues.”
- Martin Posey, Chair of Biology:
  - Is it appropriate to defer to a faculty member – Larry Cahoon?
    - Yes.
  - Larry Cahoon:
    - [Motion 08-03-13] refers to New Hanover County retaliating against two UNCW scientists for their public discussion of their results.
    - Goes back to the spring.
      - The trigger point was Cahoon’s discussion of his results about a sewage spill on a radio show some months ago.
      - The Assistant County Manager and County Manager threatened to cancel the contract with UNCW.
      - They cancelled without telling us why.
      - Politicians retaliated against UNCW for communicating their findings.
- President Spaulding:
  - Will you take questions?
- Martin Posey, Chair of Biology:
  - UNCW Administration has been very supportive of the scientists involved.
- Questions:
  - I think it is entirely appropriate that we support this. However, I have a problem with you accusing the County Commissioners of violating your academic freedom – they are under no obligation to respect your academic freedom. We can support you on the spirit of it – but this is following the wrong logical path.
  - Couldn’t we delete the 9 words after “Commissioners”?
    - We have had confirmation in writing from one of those Commissioners that this is why it happened.
  - Motion from the floor: [Motion 08-03-14] To amend the motion by deleting the words: “ in a manner and timing that could be construed.”
    - [Motion 08-03-14] seconded.
      - Discussion
        
        Tim’s point is not addressed by [Motion 08-03-14].
        
        What happens after this [Motion 08-03-14] is carried?
        
        Hold on until after the vote.
    - [Motion 08-03-14] carried.
  - What happens next after this [Motion 08-03-13] is carried?
    - We talk regularly on the radio about these issues. The other side has accused us of not having the support of UNCW.
  - They will receive copies of this?
    - I do not send these out – no.
  - Is it possible to turn this [Motion 08-03-13] down and have it referred back to remove the allusions to “academic freedom”?
    - I think it does relate to academic freedom– this could have ramifications for future research at UNCW.
  - Perhaps it is better to allude to the principles of a free society – free speech?
  - If we have a contract with the County Commissioners, are they not obliged to respect our academic freedom? I don’t want us to drop the academic freedom.
  - Maybe we can combine the two?
    - Is that a motion? We cannot do anything without a motion.
  - I think it would require legal input to see whether County Commissioners are bound by academic freedom. I want to support you but actually accuse them of the crime that they are actually guilty of (and that the public will understand).
  - Motion from the floor: "Whereas the principles of academic freedom include the right to speak freely about the results of our scholarly work without fear of punishment and the contract includes a right-to-publish clause, we condemn the termination of the UNCW Tidal Creeks Program contract by New Hanover County Commissioners in a manner and timing that could be construed as retribution for the exercise of those rights by our colleagues."
- [Motion 08-03-13] carried.

Old business

1. Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice submits the following revised motion:

[Motion 08-02-06] In an effort to expand faculty participation in the Commencement Ceremonies at Trask Coliseum as a celebration of student and faculty achievement, to make it a more meaningful event for all participants, and,
Whereas, we believe the current Commencement without the conferral of an honorary degree and speaker limits the celebration as an intellectual milestone, and,

Whereas, we believe that Commencement ceremonies are opportunities to honor students’ achievement as well as faculty involvement in that achievement, and,

Whereas, we believe that Commencement is a celebration of our collective intellectual accomplishment,

We resolve the following:
1. the Trask Commencement Ceremony should restore the conferral of honorary degrees and invite the degree recipient to give a brief graduation speech
2. that reading students names individually be celebrated at the Departmental ceremonies where they will be greeted by the professors who guided their educational pursuits
3. that reading students names be discontinued at the Trask Commencement Ceremony
With faculty senate endorsement of this resolution, we intend to take this conversation to the appropriate bodies for continued consideration, especially Student Government Association.
- This will be discussed at the December meeting.

New business

No new business.

Announcements

No announcements.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 4pm.