(minutes to be considered for approval at University Assembly meeting on April 24, 2001)
UM-ST.
LOUIS
MINUTES
February
13, 2001
4
p.m. 126 J. C. Penney
The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson of the University Assembly, Dr. Lawrence Barton.
Minutes of the November 14, 2000, meeting were approved as submitted.
Report from the Chairperson – Dr. Lawrence Barton
The Chair said he tries to give different reports at the Faculty Senate and the University Assembly meetings, but it is not always easy to come up with different materials. His first point is essentially the same as that which he presented to the Senate. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Chancellor Touhill made a PowerPoint presentation on workforce development in the St. Louis region. It describes the contributions of the campus in this area and also outlines the support UM-St. Louis receives from the state. We have 30 percent of the students and 20 percent of FTEs, but receive only 12 percent of the University’s budget. When this point is made, the response from UM is that we don’t have many expensive programs. Our response to this should be that we know why we don’t have those expensive programs – they don’t fund them.
The Chancellor’s presentation will be given to groups in order to, among other things, enlist political and other support in our efforts to redress the injustice of the division of the University’s budget. The Chair said he suggested that it be shared with faculty at a Senate meeting. After President Pacheco has seen it, this will be done. Chair Barton believes strongly that we should make the point about the budget at every available opportunity. He promised to do that at the Intercampus Faculty Council meeting on February 16, and he encouraged everyone – particularly students – to make this point.
The Chair reported that he recently attended the spring meeting of the Missouri Association of Faculty Senates. Each Senate chairperson reported about their organization. Chair Barton described the new processes we are now using by giving a history of the Senate at UM-St. Louis from the beginning through the most recent reorganization. He noted that he hopes to put part of it on the web in the section entitled “About The Senate.” That section has not been updated in about three years. The Chair commented that he needed to check some dates for the piece and consulted his copy of “The Emerging University,” by B. M. Touhill. He re-read the first three chapters, much of which was taken from correspondence of former Chancellors Bugg and Driscoll. A large portion of it involved discussions with the Central Administration about budgets, programs, etc. Reading those chapters makes it clear why those two Chancellors left, and we also know what led to Chancellor Grobman’s relatively early retirement. It was frustration with dealing with University Hall, or whatever it was called then, on issues of funding and programs. The Chair stressed the importance of continuing to make points to the President and his staff about budget and program inequities in the System.
Chair Barton reported that he has been invited to attend the Student Government Association’s forum on parking, one of his favorite subjects. More on this will be included in Mr. Ryan Connor’s report later in the meeting. It is important, the Chair noted, to keep in touch with the SGA and also with the Current.
In closing, the Chair welcomed comments and concerns about the Assembly and its business, especially from students, with whom he hopes we can continue to work productively.
Report from the Student Government Association – Mr. Ryan Connor
Mr. Connor extended an invitation to the Senate and the Assembly to use facilities at the new Millennium Student Center. He reported that the Associated Students of the Univeristy of Missouri (ASUM) met the preceding week. They and he are strongly against parental notification of underage drinking.
SGA President Connor invited everyone to attend the parking forum sponsored by the SGA on Tuesday, February 27, and reminded Assembly members that the Homecoming dance will be celebrated on February 16 this year.
Report from the Chancellor – Chancellor Blanche Touhill
The Chancellor reported that the Office of Admissions is planning for the Spring Open House on March 11 in the Millennium Student Center. Mr. Curtis Coonrod has asked that any faculty or student groups wishing to participate contact him as soon as possible.
For the second year, UM-St. Louis will participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement. Over the next few weeks randomly selected first-year and senior students will share their views about the campus by completing a short survey. The results of the survey are used to help improve the undergraduate experience at UM-St. Louis. We also have incorporated survey data into our Strategic Plan as a means of determining institutional performance on specific measures of progress on general education goals, undergraduate involvement in research and internships, and overall student engagement in learning.
As an aside, the Chancellor commented that she has a different view from ASUM and Mr. Connor concerning informing parents about underage drinking. Eventually, she said, we are hoping that 15-20 percent of our student body will be housed on campus. The other chancellors of UM campuses with housing are saying that very often students are inebriated.
Report from the Committee on Physical Facilities and General Services – Dr. William Connett
(see attached)
Completing the business at hand, the University Assembly adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Pierce
University Assembly Secretary
(minutes written by Ms. Joan M. Arban, University Assembly Assistant)