Faculty Senate Minutes - January 24, 2002

THE MINUTES OF THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE MEETING HELD
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2002, AT 4:00 P.M. IN THE ALUMNI LOUNGE OF
THE MEMORIAL STUDENT CENTER

MEMBERS PRESENT: Blaker Bolling, Joe Abramson, Purnendu Mandal, Glenda Lowry, Clara Reese, James Sottile (President), Roxane Dufrene, Melisa Reed, Kellie Bean, Pam Mulder, Sherri Smith, Nick Freidin, Cheryl Brown (Secretary), Carlos Lopez, Larry Stickler, Stan Sporny, Joan St. Germain, Matt Carlton, Chuck Somerville, Jeff May, Clayton Brooks, Ashok Vaseashta, Jamil Chaudri, Denise Landry, Susan Welch, Bruce Brown, Susan Imes, Karen McNealy, Wendy Moorhead, Judith Arnold, Mildred Battle, Donna Donathan (Vice-President), Gerald Doyle, Robert Williams, Kenneth Guyer, David Chaffin, John Szarek, Rudy Wang, Charles Clements, Isabel Pino, Vernon Reichenbecher, Jerry Jones, Fred Pauley, Chuck Bailey, Dan Hollis, and Michael Robinson.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Kurt Olmosk, Bart Cagle, Elaine Baker, Ray Rappold, Mike Murphy, Hamid Chahryar-Namini, Blake Sypher, and Beverly Delidow.

PARLIAMENTARIAN: Dallas Brozik present.

GUESTS: Brandon Dingess, Don Van Horn, Marshall Onofrio, Tony Williams, Ben Miller, Hal Shaver, Sarah Denman, Christina Murphy, Mike McGuffey, and one signature I could not read.

Faculty Senate President Sottile called the meeting to order at approximately 4:00 p.m.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

There was a quorum. Minutes of the December 13, 2001 meeting were approved as read.

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A. Introduction of Karen McNealy, CONHP as replacement for Bill Flannery. Introduction of Michael Robinson, CITE as replacement for Herb Tesser. Introduction of Susan Welch, CONHP as temporary (spring semester) replacement for Rebecca Appleton. Introduction of Beverly Delidow as the new chair for the Faculty Development Committee.

B. The Marketing of Faculty Ad Hoc Committee has been formed, there are 12 members, and we are in the process of scheduling the first meeting.

C. The President has approved the following Recommendations: SR-01-02-6 LA--Recommends that the Faculty Senate continue to support a bill, which will authorize the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to change employer’s contributions from 6% to 7.5% and reduce employee contributions from 6% to 4.5% to the TIAA-CREF retirement funds. Such an adjustment should be defined as an equity adjustment.; SR-01-02-7 LA-- Recommends that the Faculty Senate, the University President, and the Institutional Board of Governors support an enhancement legislation on SB653 which re-instates the voting memberships in the WV Higher Education Policy Commission for the State Representatives of the Advisory Council of Faculty, Classified Employees, and Students; SR-01-02-9 LA-- Recommends that the Faculty Senate support the concept of legalizing state employees’ service in the West Virginia Legislature; SR-01-02-11 CC-- Recommends approval of the listed COURSE CHANGE for the Elizabeth McDowell Lewis College of Business and Recommends approval of the listed COURSE DELETION for the College of Education & Human Services ; and SR-01-02-12 CC-- Recommends approval of the listed COURSE ADDITIONS for the College of Education & Human Services.

D. The president has disapproved SR-01-02-8 LA Recommends that the Marshall University community actively participate in all legislative forums regarding the pertinent issues of higher education in West Virginia. In addition to voluntary efforts, appropriate representatives from the various campus constituencies (e.g., President’s Cabinet, Dean’s Council, Classified Staff Council, student organizations, Faculty Senate, Legislative Affairs Committee, and other faculty and staff organizations, etc…) and alumni organizations should be identified. The University President, the President of Faculty Senate, and/or their representative is responsible for the coordination and assignment. The assignees are encouraged to attend the public hearings as well as the interim and regular legislative sessions. These representatives could be granted official leave time and reimbursed financial expenses as appropriate.) Dr. Angel wrote, “While the university encourages voluntary participation in legislative forums, it is imperative that the institution speak through its official representatives to avoid the sending of mixed or conflicting messages and to focus on priority issues. Legislative efforts are handled by Bill Burdette, Charlotte Weber, David Ice and Tom Hunter in addition to the president and members of the Marshall University Board of Governors who represent all campus groups.

E. The HEPC has developed a legislative tracking system available at: www.hepc.wvnet.edu/resources/tracking.html.

F. Information about the recent NCAA sanctions imposed on the MU Athletic Department may be found at www.ncaa.com

G. University travel is handled by American Express, if called direct there is a $30 charge, if the Resport http://travel.americanexpress.com/travel/axone is used there is no charge. Travelers may use other (cheaper) vendors but must provide documentation that Resport was at a higher rate. Travel is handled by Sherry Osburn, x2214 or Elizabeth Graybeal, x2489.

H. Discussion of Dr. Sottile’s and Donna Donathan’s presentation to the MU Board of Governor’s.

3. REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT:

Dr. Angel stated he had three items to discuss:

A. Thank you to Senator Byrd for his assistance in obtaining federal funds for the university these past two years—$25 million received last year and $10.6 million received this year—for the construction of the biomedical sciences building.

B. He spoke about the current Legislature, stating there are one of two views—optimistic or pessimistic. The governor has cut the higher education budget by 3% (except for community colleges), which affects 89% of Marshall’s budget, equal to a $1.9 million reduction. Also there are anticipated increases in the PEIA and BRIM premiums. The government received $12 million dollars in money but due to expenses there is a zero increase in its budget. But it is too early to panic. Dr. Angel attended a senate finance committee meeting where the Chancellor presented his budget and there was no talk about a 3% reduction. It is thought a reduction may be made up by raising tuition (7 ½ % or 8%) or receiving additional funding from the Legislature. One major current concern is the possibility of new revenue bonds, which would be funded from State Lottery proceeds. Marshall University could receive $20 million; however, new revenue may not be available this year.

C. Dr. Angel spoke of the NCAA investigation concerning the faculty member who gave a study guide to athletes and the study guide later became their test; the Athletic Department coordinating employment for Proposition 48 athletes and our not being allowed to do so according to NCAA guidelines; and the wage paid to these athletes being much higher than the prevailing wage paid to the public for similar employment. After a very long investigation process the NCAA imposed sanctions on the University. Dr. Angel has met with the Athletics Department and imposed his own sanctons, 24 to be exact, ranging from changes in personnel, disassociation from an athletic booster,

NCAA rules monitoring and clarification, and letters of reprimand to certain faculty and staff involved.

4. ACF REPORT:

            Ben Miller reported the ACF met January 17, 2002. They will make a presentation to the Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) on
            February 15, 2002 pertaining to faculty workloads. The ACF is also trying to get the Chancellor's approval and support for faculty being
            more involved in the evaluation process for deans, vice-presidents, and other major administrators. Administrative evaluations are not being
            prepared the same way on all campuses nor in the same manner as faculty evaluations.

The ACF also discussed funding for capital projects. He stated that funds requested by the University would be used for construction of a Community College building or for a Visual Arts addition to the Fine & Performing Arts Center. It is a question of priorities.

Dr. Angel responded that the issue is more than just priorities as it was the Legislature’s intent to separate the Community College from our campus, and that the Community College not be situated in one location, that it go to the people. There is an issue between HEPC and BOG of who sets guidelines and priorities.

The ACF has requested the HEPC review legislative outcomes from 1994 to 2000 looking at full-time faculty, classified staff, part-time faculty, etc…to determine if the legislation has been beneficial. They have also requested comparison of peer data.

5. BOARD OF GOVERNOR’S REPORT:

Marshall Onofrio reported the BOG met January 23, 2002 with several presentations being made by various groups--students, Flexible
Manufacturing, and Faculty Senate. The BOG continues to discuss with the HEPC who has the discretion and power to make decisions.

The University’s budget was a primary topic of discussion, especially bond issues and debt allocation. An auditors report was accepted.

Recommendations for honorary doctorates were approved.

Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Marsh 5, 2002 in Huntington, WV.

IT WAS MOVED, SECONDED, AND APPROVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA.

6. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:

SR-01-02-13 (FS): Recommends to the President that he marshal all the available resources—faculty, staff, and students—to express to the Legislature our deep concern over potential budget cuts. WAS MOVED, SECONDED, AND PASSED

IT WAS MOVED, SECONDED, AND APPROVED TO RETURN TO THE AGENDA.

7. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: (None scheduled for this month.)

8. REQUESTS TO SPEAK TO THE SENATE:

A. Larry Stickler requested information about the 2001 pay raises. The Legislature gave state employees a raise effective the beginning of the fiscal year but higher education employees’ raises were effective in October. He questioned why the higher education raises were not retroactive and where the excess funds were spent. Dr. Sarah Denman stated she would investigate this issue and have information at the next Senate meeting.

B. Marshall Onofrio reported on the last Athletic Committee meeting and their discussion of the NCAA sanctions imposed on the University. He stated that it was moved, seconded, and approved to form a subcommittee whose charge will be to work with the Athletic Compliance office from this point forward. This subcommittee will meet monthly during the academic year with Compliance office personnel. Four members of the Athletic Committee will serve on this subcommittee. Dr. Sottile requested Senate approval to appoint an Executive Committee member to serve on this subcommittee. The request was approved.

C. Purnendu Mandal spoke of his and other faculty’s dissatisfaction with the current vendor (American Express) contracted for making travel arrangements. He stated that the agency is based out of state, they have an excessive transaction fee if contacted directly and that he must pay for travel using his personal credit card then wait for a reimbursement from the state. Dr. Sarah Denman stated she would investigate this issue and have information at the next Senate meeting.

D. Glenda Lowry spoke about the smoking at building entrances issue. She requested the Senate to approve her suggestion that a red line be painted around the buildings. This red line would indicate the distance smokers would have to be from the building entrances. Dr. Sottile stated the Physical Facilities & Planning Committee is discussing this issue and he would give her suggestion to them.

9. AGENDA REQUESTS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS:

There were none.

THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:15 P.M