(minutes to be considered for approval at University Assembly meeting on February 13, 2000)
MINUTES
November 14, 2000
4 p.m. 126 J. C. Penney
The meeting was called to order at 4 p.m. by the Chairperson of the University Assembly, Dr. Lawrence Barton.
Minutes of the September 12, 2000, meeting were approved as submitted.
Report from the Chairperson – Dr. Lawrence Barton
The Chair noted that the agenda for the University Assembly meeting was considerably longer than the Faculty Senate’s agenda for their just-completed meeting, so he promised to be brief. He commented that the Assembly’s first report from the Student Government Association would be given that day and welcomed Mr. Ryan Connor, SGA President, and his colleagues to the meeting. The Chair said he hoped Mr. Connor would reciprocate by welcoming the Faculty Senate and University Assembly to the Student Government Chamber of the new Millennium Center for future meetings. Mr. Joseph Porter, President of the Alumni Association, was also welcomed to the Assembly meeting. Mr. Porter and a committee not listed on the agenda, the Computing and Instructional Technology Committee, would report that day, the Chair said.
The Chair advised Assembly members that at the Intercampus Faculty Council meeting on November 10, he reported to the President that we liked the look of the Millennium Student Center, and had met there, but was refused the use of the facility by the SGA for the November 14 meeting. In addition, the Chair said he pointed out to President Pacheco that we are looking forward to the opening of the new parking structure at the end of the month and are hoping that students will use it so that the Chair’s end of the campus gains less congested parking.
Also at the IFC meeting, the Chair informed the President that some of our faculty colleagues have gained good publicity for the institution at the local, national, and international level during the election fiasco. He particularly mentioned Drs. David Robertson, Andrew Glassberg, E. Terrence Jones, Richard Pacelle, and Stephen Caliendo. He also noted that Dr. Joyce Corey won a major regional award last month.
The Senate and Assembly Office understands that the elections for student vacancies on committees are proceeding very deliberately, and the Office looks forward to receiving the results. We are anxious that the students participate fully in the governance process, as prescribed in the new bylaws, and hope that the two groups, the Student Senate Organization and the SGA, will work together to assure the best possible representation and participation by the student body.
In closing, the Chair reported that a progress report on the campus Master Plan will be presented at the December 5 Senate meeting. He invited Assembly members who are interested to come to the Senate meeting.
Report from the Chancellor – Chancellor Blanche Touhill
The Chancellor began her report with the information that students and many others have sent her some very pleasant comments about the new Millennium Student Center since it opened last month. Nearly 600 people attended the first Fall Open House to be held there on November 12. The building and the Open House were overwhelming successes, the Chancellor said. A formal grand opening celebration is scheduled for November 28, at 12:30 p.m. The pedestrian bridge linking the Millennium Student Center to the North Campus Quad – between Lucas and Clark halls – should be open by that date; however, the new parking garage on East Drive will not be finished in time for the grand opening celebration. It should open by mid-December and be completely operational by the start of the Spring semester.
Several students and the student newspaper have asked what will happen to the space vacated by units that have moved into the Millennium Center. Chancellor Touhill reported that in Lucas Hall, Dean Young has requested that the College of Arts and Sciences be given the space vacated by the Evening College. She said she is considering the Dean’s proposal. Deputy to the Chancellor Donald Driemeier has been asked to evaluate the various requests forwarded by individuals and units seeking the space in the University Center and Woods Hall. The Chancellor said she has asked Dr. Driemeier to present a report on his progress at the next Senate meeting.
Chancellor Touhill closed her report with the information that parking garages C, D, and N will be closed over the Thanksgiving holiday break for inspection.
Mr. Josh Stegeman said he heard of a news report concerning pornography on the Internet by University of Missouri students. He inquired if UM-St. Louis students were involved. The Chancellor deferred to Dr. Jerrold Siegel, Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology, who said he believes our students are not involved and are being very cooperative.
In a follow-up question, Mr. Stegeman asked about the $3.00 fee students were paying when the University Center was built. Vice Chancellor James Krueger said the $3.00 was simply rolled over into the new building. Students, he said, are paying 5.1 percent on debt service on the bonds – a very low rate.
Report from the Student Government Association – Mr. Ryan Connor
Mr. Connor thanked the Assembly for its welcome and said he wants to work with the Assembly and Senate. He said he believed that the Student Government Chamber will be available for the Faculty Senate’s December 5 meeting.
At the SGA meeting earlier in the day, there was more than a quorum present, and the new constitution was approved. It will go out soon to the students for ratification.
Mr. Connor reported that the students would like to use some of the empty shell space in the Millennium Center for a pub/sports bar, a place for students to get together in an intimate environment.
Homecoming, it was reported, will be held at the Millennium Student Center this year.
Report from the Alumni Association – Mr. Joseph Porter
Mr. Porter, the President of the Alumni Association, gave a very enthusiastic report on the Association and its recent activities. We have, he said, 62,900 alums, and nearly 85 percent of them live within 65 miles of the campus. Only 2,500 of them are members of the Alumni Association, which requires them to pay a $35.00 annual fee. The Association is organized loosely under a Board of Directors, some of whom are elected and some are appointed. Their mission is to support the University. They raise money and try to help recruit students. The Alumni Association is in the process of endowing scholarships and supporting athletics by establishing a UMSL sports hall of fame.
When the Association went looking for volunteers, no less than 500 people signed up for its Alumni Ambassadors program. They were told they could do as much as they want or as little as they want. Mr. Porter asked faculty and administrators to think of ways to put these people to work. The Ambassador group will help with special school nights. They will participate through the Alumni Alliance in supporting our University-wide lobbyist in his efforts in Jefferson City.
At the close of this report, Deputy to the Chancellor Donald Driemeier reported that beginning this week, we will have a student intern from the CORO Foundation coming here from the Friends Board to see how we might use our volunteers more effectively.
Report from the Committee on Bylaws and Rules – Dr. Lois Pierce
On behalf of the Committee, Dr. Pierce presented the attached amendments to University Assembly bylaws. The proposals have the effect of splitting in two the Committee on Student Affairs and Student Publications, thus returning to the way these committees functioned in past years. The proposals were approved without dissent.
Report from the Committee on Computing and Instructional Technology – Dr. Fred Willman
(see attached)
There was a brief further discussion centering on the need to change passwords. Dr. Paul Roth questioned the need for such change and suggested that the policy be made more discriminating. Dr. Willman stated that there are some issues of concern that prompted the Committee to recommend the change. The overriding reason was that having a reasonable standard would be in the University’s best interests. Dr. Mark Burkholder pressed the issue by asking the number of specific problems that have happened on this campus. Dr. Jerrold Siegel said there have been incidents here where people have lost files and where people have had others’ passwords. He said he is not sure that Price Waterhouse Coopers is solving a problem as much as instituting good practices. In closing, Dr. Siegel clarified that the password change pertained to UM-St. Louis accounts, not UM accounts, like CICS.
Completing the business at hand, the University Assembly adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Pierce
University Assembly Secretary
(minutes written by Ms. Joan M. Arban, Faculty Senate and
University Assembly Assistant)