| Tuesday, 8 December 1998 | 2:30 p.m. |
Volume 99: Number 4 |
President Richard Veit called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
Absent were: Adams (NUR), Ainsley (Stud. Aff. Ctme.), Bartolome (Curric Stud), Blundo (Library Cmte.), Crawford (Spec Stud), Earney (A&BL), Galbraith (M&M), Jones (CHM), McLaurin (MAT), Moore (Pub. Serv. Ctme.), Morden (Fin. Aid Ctme.), Moss (Provost), Myers (A&T), Parnell (LIB), Rack (MUS), Ragon (HPER), Seidman (HST), Spivack (ERS), and Wray (PDS).
Approval of Minutes: The November minutes were approved.
Special Order of the Day: Richard Veit was reelected as Faculty Senate President for 1999-2000.
UNCW has not received a fair share of funds for tuition remission for graduate students. The last time they were awarded, for example, 240 tuition remissions were given out in the UNC system, and UNCW received only one of those. This year we were told we would obtain 3% of the total allocated or approximately 28 remissions, worth $204,000. Later, however, General Administration informed us that a provision had been added to the bill at the last minute that eliminated UNCW and other comprehensive universities from access to tuition remission funds. This alteration was the result of a lobbying effort by faculty of the research institutions. Even General Administration was unaware that the change had been made to the bill. Thus UNCW will not receive any tuition remission funds this year. It is not fruitful to attempt at this late date to pressure legislators to rescind this provision. The best we can do is to convince the legislature that the comprehensive universities deserve their fair share of these funds in future. Apart from the loss of tuition remissions, the Chancellor is concerned that this maneuver sets a bad precedence for the system and does not bode well for future support for our graduate programs. The Chancellor feels that we have committed ourselves to these programs and he will find funds for 14 remissions this year only. This is only a temporary solution, as such funds must be taken from other purposes. We cannot afford this kind of support in the long run. Nevertheless, any graduate students who are recruited with remissions can expect the university to continue to support them as long as they qualify for such funding.
Committee Reports:
The change suggested in section iv. of the motion prompted much discussion. The crux was whether demonstrations of proficiency by students in areas covered by Basic Studies courses warrant the reduction of the total required Basic Studies hours equal to the credit hours of the waived course(s). Those who believe they do no (i.e, those in favor of the motion) argued that Basic Studies is not punitive but rather an opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of disciplines. The requirement of 45 hours in Basic Studies is not excessive and if students are waived from certain requirements within Basic Studies, requiring them to complete a total of 45 credit hours would not be a hardship. Those arguing against the motion maintained that by requiring the students to complete additional Basic Studies classes in lieu of classes from which they are waived is unfair to good students whose preparation already includes some of the educational goals of Basic Studies. They should be free to take more advanced classes. Moreover, the change would be a disincentive to recruitment of honors students. Section iv. was defeated.
Whereas a goal of the Basic Studies requirement in foreign languages is that UNCW students attain a certain level of proficiency in a second language, and
Whereas a realistic target level is at an intermediate level of proficiency in that language,
Therefore, be it resolved, that the University waive the language requirement for studentswho place into the 300 level or above of a foreign languagewho score at the 300 level or above on the foreign language placement exam.Students must still complete 45 hours of basic studies credit.(Motion 99-2-4, carried as amended)A motion to return the motion to the University Curriculum Committee for reconsideration failed. Arguments for deleting the last sentence (which had been added to the FLL motion by the UCC) were the same as those regarding section iv. of the previous motion, above. The motion carried as amended.
Old Business: None
New Business
Whereas, the Glass Room in the University Union has been used as a faculty-staff dining
room for several years, and
Whereas, the ARA has recently been providing a buffet lunch at a
reasonable price twice a week, and
Whereas, this dining area promotes collegiality between faculty
and staff from different departments, and
Whereas, there have been proposals to use the Glass Room for
other purposes,
Therefore, be it resolved by the UNCW Faculty Senate that the
administration is hereby requested to continue the use of the Glass Room as a
faculty–staff dining room to continue the Glass Room in its present use.
(Motion 99-4-11, carried)
Representatives from Student Government said that SGA wished to make the Glass Room more student friendly. The building is primarily built for student needs with student funds. They do not wish to drive anyone out, but a closed-off section sends the wrong message to students. The need of faculty for a space of their own is valid, but the space should not be at the expense of the students. A proponent of the motion said that its intent was not to make the room exclusively for faculty and staff, but that information indicating that Business Affairs was planning to make an office out of this space prompted the resolution. The intent of the resolution is to maintain its function as a dining area. Business Affairs said that the room is not planned for offices. The plan is to relieve pressure for dining room space. Students do not have adequate space in the Hawk's Nest during lunch. It was agreed by all who spoke that students are welcome to participate in the buffet, which is offered twice weekly.
Announcements
The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Submitted by: Raymond Burt, Secretary
