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Faculty Senate Minutes

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

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

Roll Call

Absent: Blundo (Library Comte.) Clark (Dean, Business), Denny (Soc.Wrk), Dutka (Lib.), Evans (Soc.&Anth.), Friarson (IT Comte.), Garris (Info Syst.), Howe (Management), Lawson (Accountancy), McKay (Psych.), McLaurin (Math & Stats), McNamee (Soc.& Anth.), Moore (Arts/Theater), Olsen (Comm.Studies), Rogers (UCC), Roscher (Accountancy), Sargent (Arts/Theater), Sigler (Econ.), Sizemore (Evaluation Comte.), Walker (Admissions Comte.).

Approval of Minutes:  The September 12 minutes were approved, with the correction noted in Associate Provost Carter's report that the approximately 60%/40% ratio of students in the UNCW freshman class is females/males, rather than males/females. 

Special Order of the day

The Senate voted in closed session on two honorary degree nominations. 

Individual Reports:

1. Chancellor Leutze:
• Noted that although the polls look good at the present on the bond issue, the last bond vote passed by only 51.4%.
• The bond issue is for $3.1 billion, of which $2.5 billion would go to the university system for capital funding, $.6 billion to the community colleges; UNCW would receive $108 million, CFCC $36.5 million. UNCW would be able to construct the School of Education building, a new Arts building, a new general classroom building, make renovations to 8 other buildings (Alderman, Hoggard, Friday, Kenan, Kenan Auditorium, King, and James). 
• Explained that the bond issue allows the University to borrow money to pay off over a 30 year period, just as one would take out a loan for a house, but that the State Treasurer has indicated that the bond can be paid off out of regular state revenues, without an increase in taxes, and will not change the states' triple A bond rating.
• Noted that if the bond issue does not pass, New Hanover County would have to raise the funds itself for CFCC, which otherwise would be provided by the state. The bond would allow the campus to grow to approximately 11,000 students. Additional funds would be needed to reach the projected final stage of 12,500 students. 
• Added that faculty who currently are in offices which need carpets, improved lighting, or comfortable chairs should forward that information through the departments to his office, since he is committed to providing such basic amenities to the faculty. 
2. Provost Cavanaugh discussed a number of issues which had come up in the process of the SACS review, particularly having to do with the RPT policy. The University need not have uniform rules on these matters across all schools and all departments, but its practices should be consistent with its written policies.
• The minimum number of people at rank involved in RPT decisions: there should be enough for a fair hearing. At present there are no set rules on this issue.
• The decision process and final responsibility. At present some departments rest the decision in a faculty vote, in others the chair decides alone. 
• The timing of the RPT committee review. In many institutions, this comes after the Dean's recommendations, which may work to ensure a fair process at the schools, then at the university level. At UNCW, the RPT committee reviews dossiers before the Deans, who then send it on to the Provost.
• External review. Should there be external review of RPT dossiers on scholarship, other items, how should this be administered?
• Feedback to candidates and due process. What and when should candidates be informed about the decisions at the different levels, and what form should the appeals process take?
• Added that there may be undue emphasis at present on Q16 SPOT scores for teaching evaluation, rather than a "wide variety" of materials, as the written policy indicates.
• Reminded Senators of his willingness to visit department meetings.
• In response to question, indicated that the salary increment for promotion would be increased this year, and that it would not come out of merit money. 
3. President Snowden:
• Announced the orientation meeting for new chairs of Senate Committees would be October 17, SB 209, at 3:30 p.m. 
• Noted that faculty may wish to include a cell phone policy in their syllabus, as some faculty have reported cell phones going off and being used even during examinations. 
• Asked Senators to check the Facsen web site to make sure their names are spelled correctly, and email corrections to the Faculty Secretary. 

Committee Reports: 

1. The following motion by the Steering Committee of the Faculty Senate passed:

That the Faculty Senate Steering Committee shall appoint a task force to review RPT policies and procedures; and that this task force shall be broadly representative of the faculty, and shall present a report, possibly including recommendations, to the Faculty Senate (Motion 01-2-3).

Old Business: none

New Business: none

Announcements: none

The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.