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Faculty Senate Minutes

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

President Lynne Snowden called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.

Roll Call

Absent:  Adams (Nursing), Alexanian (Physics), Clark (Business), Denny (Soc. Wrk.), Earney (Acct. & Bus.Law), Elikai (Acct.& Bus.Law), Errante (Admissions Cmte.), Feng (Math), Friarson (IT Cmte.), Garris (Info Systms), Hines (St. Affairs Cmte.), Johnson (HPER), Kasala (Math), Kiddle (Research Cmte.), King (Music), Lawson (Acct.), McCall (Anth.), McKay (Psych.), Moore (A&T), Narayan (Comp. Sci.), Sigler (Econ.), Sizemore (Eval. Cmte.), Stowell (Nursing), White (Chem.)

Approval of Minutes

The February minutes were approved.

Individual Reports:

1. Chancellor Leutze

• Noted the Governor's budget for next year includes a 2% salary increase, though this comes out of retirement reserves, but the budget for the following year includes $450,000,000 out of a lottery and closing tax loopholes, which the legislature must approve.
• Since the state is reviewing cell phone use, the Chancellor will direct the Provost to have the Deans review cell phone use in their schools, to determine what is necessary.
• Addressed the issue raised by Dr. Gurganus at the last Senate meeting concerning the decline in Afro-American enrollment at UNCW, noting the following problems:
  • UNCW's policy is concerned not only with enrolling, but retaining minority students. Our minority students graduate at a 36% rate in four years, compared to, e.g. 18% for UNC-Charlotte, and 26% for UNC-G.
  • We have determined through study of the problem that students below a 945 SAT are not likely to succeed at UNCW, but in the eight surrounding counties, 71 Afro-American students had SATs over 1000 last year, and in North Carolina, only 1100 had SATs over 1000. Thus if the UNC system wants all historically white institutions to enroll 10% minorities, it needs 10,000 minorities with SATs over 1000--but there are only 4000+ in every four year period. (The SAT is not the only measure, but it is a better predictor than GPAs.)
  • UNCW is caught in a "catch 22": (a) we are directed to raise minority enrollment, but (not-a), we are directed not to use affirmative action; we compete with other schools, inside and outside the UNC system, who have more money in scholarships to offer for a small pool of qualified students; and it is irresponsible to enroll students who probably cannot succeed.
  • UNCW is not content with the decline in minority enrollment, and is again reviewing its policies, to address this problem. Provost Cavanaugh added on this point that UNCW has a very aggressive outreach program that was begun a few years ago in the middle schools. UNCW continues to keep in contact with those students, who are now beginning high school, and expects the dividends of that program to begin in a few years. 

2. Provost Cavanaugh

• Addressed questions raised about graduation, beginning with the problem, faced last year, that the number of graduates exceeded fire code regulations; lacking an indoor venue of sufficient size, something had to be done.
• Student and faculty groups surveyed split 50/50 over whether to have an outside ceremony with names or inside ceremonies and whether to have a speaker at a big outside ceremony or not; students voted 60/40 in favor of dropping the department ceremonies, faculty were 2/3 against calling names at the large ceremonies. With no consensus, the decision was made to have two Saturday ceremonies, and to move the department events to Friday (there was no support for 4 p.m. Saturday department ceremonies). It was agreed that students should not receive diplomas on Friday. Thus it evolved. The entire process will be evaluated and reviewed and, where change is called for, redesigned for next year.
• There have been some misunderstandings and false rumors about graduation, including:
  • There is nothing to prevent students from taking pictures and "walking" at Friday department ceremonies, though they receive their actual diploma at the Saturday ceremony.
  • The only change in the content of departmental ceremonies is what is in the envelope--departmental receptions will again be supported by university funds, and departments are free to do exactly what they have done before.
  • In response to concerns about where the families would eat on Friday night, there will be a large buffet at the Friday 8 p.m. Student Affairs event, in addition to what departments provide.
• Announced that motivational speaker and philosopher Tom Morris had agreed to speak at both commencements.

3. President of the Senate Snowden

• Reported on several matters from the Graduate Council, including:
  • Announcement of a joint Master's program with ECU in Education and a Certificate in Hispanic Studies.
  • A new policy on Grant Awards, which reads as follows:

    Academic Affairs Policy on Grant Awards made Directly to Faculty:

    To insure that departments and college/schools are cognizant of the academic and financial implications of all successful grant proposals, and to insure that all grants obtained by university faculty are included in the university's record of external funds received, all proposals submitted by university faculty to external funding agencies must be submitted through the appropriate departmental chair and dean to the Office of Research Administration. This includes proposals to funding agencies that traditionally award grants or fellowships directly to individual faculty members, such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Fulbright Scholar Program. Such grants shall be considered as a direct buy-out of faculty services, and any additional university resources requested by a successful applicant, if honored, are to be provided from the budgeted resources of the department and college/school of the submitting faculty member, unless prior arrangements have been approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The dean of the appropriate college has the prerogative to deny all requests for additional resources related to a grant award, and to deny requests for leaves of absence predicated upon grant awards. 

    Approved March 13, 2001. Effective July 1, 2001

    There was considerable discussion of this policy. Associate Vice Chancellor McLaurin explained that the policy was an effort to make it easier for faculty, especially humanities faculty, to get support from UNCW. Dean Hadley stated that the policy did not impose a "cut" for the university, from such grants. Some faculty objected to the policy, as imposing another hurdle of administration, and for not being publicly discussed, prior to announcement. 

• Noted that Committee Selection Preferences will again take place electronically, as well as voting for Faculty Senate Autonomous committees, and that committee selection will occur soon.
• Announced an open meeting of the Special Select RPT Committee on March 27, 3:30 p.m., Dobo Hall, Rm. 202.
• Reported a website on a student/faculty initiative on the university's environmental policies, www.fac.unc.edu/sustain.

4. Building & Grounds Chair Noland: report postponed until April

Committee Reports:

1. The following motions from the Academic Standards Committee were passed as amended (italics): 

    a. Change in Student Withdrawal Policy (Motion 01-7-22)

The Academic Standards Committee proposes that the Withdrawal Policy on page 71 of the Undergraduate Catalogue be revised as indicated below:

WITHDRAWAL POLICY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

A student is allowed to withdraw from the university or from individual  may drop any or all courses without financial or academic penalty through the end of the first week of the semester without having a grade entered on the academic record. Inclusive of the second through the sixth  seventh week of the semester, any student who withdraws from the university or from individual courses will receive a grade of "W." A grade of "W" will not affect the student's grade point average. Beginning with the seventh  eighth week of the semester, a grade of "WF" may  will be assigned for each course withdrawal and will count as hours attempted; this failing grade may be changed to "W" should extenuating circumstances warrant. If a student is suspended after the deadline for withdrawal with a "W," each instructor shall assign a grade of "WF" or "W" based upon the student's academic performance prior to the suspension.

To withdraw from an individual class or classes, through the sixth  seventh week of classes, the student must report to the Registrar's Office before or on the last day for withdrawal, as indicated in the university calendar of events. Students attending summer sessions need to be cognizant that the withdrawal period in summer may be only one or two days. Therefore, summer school students should carefully note the last day to withdraw from classes as printed in the summer school schedule of courses.

To withdraw from all classes and the university at any other time during the semester, the student must process an official withdrawal form through the office of the dean who oversees the student's major. A student who is assigned to Student Academic Support Programs the General College must process the form through the director of Student Academic Support Programs the General College. If the student is unable to appear in person to withdraw from all classes and the university, written notice must be sent to the appropriate dean's or director's office.

Should extenuating circumstances warrant, the grade of "WF" assigned for any course withdrawal after the withdrawal deadline may be changed to a "W." Documented extenuating circumstances may include: death of an immediate family member; traumatic and unforeseen circumstances which are considered beyond a student’s control; prolonged emotional instability, physical injury or illness which has resulted in the student’s inability to complete academic responsibilities.

It is the student's responsibility to initiate an appeal for this change to be made by submitting a written request and supporting documentation within ten regular class days of the dean's decision. Grounds for appeals are limited to substantive new evidence or material procedural irregularity. In the case of late withdrawals from individual courses or late withdrawal from all courses, the student must initiate the appeal in the office of the dean or director as stipulated in the above procedure for university withdrawal. The dean or director may approve or deny this request for a “W”.  In cases where the request is denied by the dean or director, the student may submit a written request for consideration with supporting documentation to the Committee on Withdrawal Appeals. All decisions made by the Committee on Withdrawal Appeals are The decision of the dean or director is final. The written request with supporting documentation and must be rendered  made prior to the end of the semester in for which the withdrawal occurred is requested. A grade of "WF" that is not appealed successfully remains a permanent part of the student's academic record.  

Students attending summer sessions need to be cognizant that the withdrawal period in summer may be only one or two days. Therefore, summer school students should carefully note the last day to withdraw from classes as printed in the summer school schedule of courses.

b. Establishment of a Provost's Committee on Withdrawal Appeals (Motion 01-7-23)

Provost's Committee on Withdrawal Appeals

The committee has jurisdiction over all undergraduate appeal requests for exceptions to rules regarding course withdrawal after the deadline.  It is the student’s responsibility to submit an appeal through the office of the dean of the college who oversees the major or the director of the General College.  Grounds for appeals are limited to substantive new evidence or material procedural irregularity. The appeal must be made within ten regular class days of the dean's decision. All information to be considered by the committee must be submitted in writing.  All issues of discussion and record of voting shall be kept confidential.  The decision of the committee is by simple majority and final.

The committee shall be composed of 5 voting members and 2 ex-officio non-voting members (i.e., Dean of Students and Registrar). The 5 voting members shall consist of one faculty representative of each college or school, appointed by the Provost, and a representative of the General College. The Dean of Students will serve as chair and be a non-voting member. The Registrar will serve as recording secretary and be a non-voting member. A quorum shall consist of any 3 voting faculty members.

    2.   Decision on 01-7-24, Research Faculty, and 01-7-25, non-voting student Senate representative, was postponed.

          a. To add the following on Research Faculty to the UNCW Faculty Handbook (Motion 01-7-24): 

    V. A. 6  Research Faculty 

The Research Faculty shall consist of those faculty whose major function is to conduct research in the academic units of the University and who hold the rank of Research Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Assistant Professor. Research Faculty shall be voting members of the department or academic unit but shall not hold tenured or tenure-earning appointments. The extent of voting privileges shall be determined by the host department or academic unit.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR. Appointment to the rank of research assistant professor requires completion of professional training, in most fields marked by the doctoral degree, and the clear promise of a successful career in research. 

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR. Appointment to the rank of research associate professor normally requires a record of substantial success in research activities including grant funding and research publications. 

RESEARCH PROFESSOR. Appointment to the rank of research professor requires a tangible record of  research or artistic achievements and recognition as a scholar within her/his professional field. 

Research faculty will support and conduct research for projects and programs that receive extramural funding. In addition, research faculty may teach courses as needed and receive up to twenty five percent of their salary from instructional sources. Those research faculty who also participate in the instructional activities and with the Department Chairs consent, may use flexibility when scheduling courses so as not to interfere with their research obligations.

Research faculty status will be recommended for those scientists who are needed to support research projects and programs sponsored by the University. The faculty sponsor or supervisor will submit recommendations for appointment to the Department Chair or Director. Upon approval by the Chair or Director, the recommendation will be processed according to University hiring policies. Appointments for Research Faculty will be issued for a definite period of time specified in the letter of appointment that will also specify rank, salary, and full-time or part time status. Annual review of Research Faculty will be conducted by the Supervisor and Chair or Director. Research Faculty will be considered for promotion following the timetable and policies established for regular teaching faculty. 

Research faculty will be eligible to hold graduate faculty status based on the criteria of the host department or academic unit.

Research Faculty members with a minimum of 5 uninterrupted years of service at UNCW are entitled to one month's notice with pay for each year of full-time continuous service as a Research Faculty member. The host department or academic unit will be responsible for arranging the bridge funding. A maximum of twelve months of pay for twelve or more years of service will be provided. Support will begin upon the termination of grant support. The Research Faculty member will be assigned duties during the notice period and such pay will cease upon the availability of other grant support at the University or acceptance of employment elsewhere. Notice so used may be re-earned at the rate of one month per year up to the maximum of twelve months. 

Discussion included questions about "voting privileges" research faculty might have, and whether research faculty status should not be recommended for "scholars" rather than "scientists" needed to support research projects and programs sponsored by the University.

b. Non-voting ex-officio seat for an SGA representative (Motion 01-7-25): 

The Faculty Senate shall create a non-voting ex-officio seat for a student representative from SGA, with the intention of fostering increased communication between the two Legislative Bodies. This ex-officio will be an elected member of our body, appointed by the President of the SGA and approved by a simple majority of the SGA Legislative Body, and will serve as a liason between the two bodies. 

Senator Richard Veit proposed the following substitute resolution:

That section I.A of the Senate Bylaws be revised as follows:

I. Membership

A. Qualifications

1. To be eligible to serve in the Senate as an elected representative one must be a full-time faculty member of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. [See Art. I, Sec. 1 - Gov. Doc.]

2. The chancellor shall be an ex officio voting member of the Senate. The chief academic officer and the dean of each college or school shall be ex officio non-voting members of the Faculty Senate. [See Art. IV, Sec 2 - Gov. Doc.]

3.  The chair of each standing Senate committe, or another committee member elected by the committee, shall be ex officio a voting member of the Senate. A faculty member may serve simultaneously as a departmental senator and as a committee senator but shall be limited to one vote.

4. A representative of the Student Government Association, appointed by the SGA President and approved  by a simple majority of the SGA legislative body, shall be a non-voting member of the Senate and shall serve for a one-year term. 

A Bylaws change requires a 2/3 vote of the Senators; this was no longer possible, leading to adjournment. 

Old Business

1. Decision on 01-6-13, Writing Across the Curriculum, postponed in February, was again postponed.

New Business:

1. Decision on 01-7-26, Wellness Center, was also postponed due to lack of time and a quorum.

Announcements

        None.