(to be considered for approval at April 23, 2002, meeting of the University Assembly)
UM-ST.
LOUIS
February
19, 2002
3
p.m.
Century
Room A
Millennium
Student Center
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by University Assembly Chairperson Lawrence Barton.
Minutes from the previous meeting (held November 13, 2001) were approved as submitted.
Report from the Chairperson – Dr. Lawrence Barton
Chair Barton encouraged Assembly members to sign the attendance sheet that was circulating. He pointed out that attendance at Assembly and Senate meetings has been poor this year.
The Chair noted the passing of two colleagues, Evening College Dean Everette Nance and History Department faculty member Dr. Arthur Shaffer. Dean Nance died over the Christmas holidays, and Dr. Shaffer’s passing was recent. In 1977-78, Dr. Shaffer chaired the Senate. In 1982-83, Dr. Shaffer was the Presiding Officer of the Faculty Council, and he chaired the History Department in 1974-76. Both Drs. Nance and Shaffer will be missed.
Activity on the resource allocation issue continues, the Chair said. A draft has been written by the House Subcommittee on Funding Equity and will be finalized on February 20. Chair Barton reported that he has written to President Pacheco about funding and about his and the Chair’s interaction at meetings of the Intercampus Faculty Council. The Chair is seeking admission by the System that there is a problem and that the President is prepared to seek solutions, even if it takes several years. He mentioned that he is working in collaboration with Dr. Timothy McBride, of the Economics Department.
The Chair reported that he attended the spring meeting of the Missouri Association of Faculty Senates (MAFS) earlier this month. Last year, the major issue was faculty representation on Boards of Trustees. This year, the major issue is funding. A presentation was made by Representative Barbara Fraser, who
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serves as chairperson of the Subcommittee on Funding Equity among four-year institutions. In addition to this, the other major activity was a day of lobbying at the Capitol. The Chair regretted that his teaching schedule did not permit him to participate. He informed Assembly members that the Steering Committee concurred with the Chair, who believes we need to be better represented at the meetings. At the part of the meeting Chair Barton had to miss, a resolution (see attached) was adopted which MAFS hoped would be passed by all the Senates.
Although the Chair was unable to participate in the lobbying effort on February 5, there is another opportunity coming soon. On Wednesday, February 27, it is University of Missouri Alumni Alliance Legislative Day at the Missouri Capitol. The group will travel by Amtrak from the Kirkwood station at 7:15 a.m. and will return to Kirkwood by 8:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The Alumni Association will pay expenses (although it would be appropriate for attendees to contribute toward the cost). Those who are interested were invited to contact Ms.
Donna Carothers in the Alumni Relations Office. Chair Barton noted, however, that faculty must meet their classes, and students should not be encouraged to miss class.
In closing, the Chair invited comments and concerns.
Report from the Chancellor – Chancellor Blanche Touhill
The Board of Curators will be meeting at UM-St. Louis on March 21 and 22, at which time this campus is to make three important presentations, the Chancellor said.
We are to review with the Curators our Strategic Plan, which was submitted to President Pacheco last year. Dr. Pacheco recently asked us to make some revisions to that plan, and the Strategic Planning Committee has been meeting to determine how the requested changes can be accomplished. The revised Strategic Plan must be approved before being presented to the Curators, so the Committee is working on a fast timeline.
Also, we are to present our Academic Plan to the Curators, the first campus to do so. It must be related to the Strategic Plan. Vice Chancellor Durham is leading this effort, the Chancellor reported, and is in the best position to answer any questions.
In March, Sasaki and Associates, Master Plan consultants, will provide the Curators with an update of the Master Plan that the Curators reviewed in 1993. I believe that Sasaki will recommend that we continue our efforts to secure properties near the campus – perhaps expanding our boundaries as far west as
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Hanley Road. This plan must also receive Central Administration approval before going to the Curators. Sasaki also will present a space study that was conducted as part of a Systemwide review of facility needs and utilization.
Report from the Student Government Association – Mr. Ryan Connor
Recently, Student Government has passed three resolutions, one concerned funding equity, one concerned extending the hours of the Library, and one overturned the 1998 amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. This latter resolution pertains to students receiving financial aid who are involved in drug offenses.
The lobbyist group, Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM), has encouraged that the SGA give up its funding equity effort at this time, but Mr. Connor reported that the SGA will persevere. At its meeting earlier today, SGA members were urged to contact their legislators.
Homecoming was a success, with an attendance of 400+.
February 20 at 5:30 p.m. is the scheduled opening of the Pilot House. Mr. Connor invited everyone to attend.
Report from the Committee on Bylaws and Rules – Dr. Timothy Farmer
Dr. Farmer presented the three amendment proposals that were appended to the meeting’s agenda. Two, regarding membership on the Assembly and the Budget and Planning Committee, were approved as submitted. A housekeeping change was made from the floor to correct the title listed under the Committee on Computing and Instructional Technology. The old version, “Director of the Instructional Technology Center,” was replaced by the current title, “Director of Faculty Instructional Support and Telephone Services.”
Report from the Committee on Physical Facilities and General Services – Dr. W. Gary Bachman
(see attached)
At the close of the report Mr. Ryan Connor inquired if the Committee had received a letter concerning returning the parking ticket appeal process to students. Dr. Bachman reported that the Committee had received the communication but decided not to deal with it.
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Report from the Committee on Computing and Instructional Technology – Dr. Robert Keel
(see written report attached)
In closing, the Chair encouraged students to proceed with their elections for next year’s Assembly members. The Senate Office has begun the process of electing unit representatives and at-large members of next year’s Senate and University Assembly.
Completing the business at hand, the meeting adjourned at 3:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Pierce
University Assembly Secretary
(minutes written by Ms. Joan M. Arban, Assistant to the Senate Chair)