University Assembly
(to be considered for approval at November 13, 2001, meeting of the University Assembly)UNIVERSITY ASSEMBLY
UM-ST. LOUIS
September 18, 2001 3 p.m.Student Government Chamber, Millennium Student Center
Assembly members were welcomed to the first meeting of the University Assembly in the 2001-2002 academic year by the Chairperson, Dr. Lawrence Barton, who opened the meeting at 3:05 p.m.
A moment of silence was held to honor victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.Minutes
Minutes of the previous meeting (held April 24, 2001) were approved as submitted.
Report from the Chairperson – Dr. Lawrence Barton
The Chair noted that this is the second year under the new governance regulations. Although they worked reasonably well last year, there does appear to be some room for improvement. The Committee on Bylaws and Rules will likely be busy again this year. The Chair invited suggestions and comments from Assembly members.
The Faculty Senate and University Assembly meetings have been switched in order. Assembly meetings, the Chair explained, are usually shorter than Senate meetings. Last year, a number of Senate members left before the Assembly meetings were convened.
The Chair reported that only 6 of the 13 slots for student members of the Assembly are filled this year. The President of the Student Government Association is an ex officio, non-voting member of the Assembly. Chair Barton vowed to assist the students in addressing this problem. Under the new governance document, the responsibility to organize and hold elections is delegated to the students, themselves.
All Senate and Assembly committees are set. (We have delayed convening the Committee on Student Affairs until students are included on the membership,
and the Administrator Evaluation Committee’s newly-elected chairperson has
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declined to serve.) The committee roster reflecting chairpersons is posted on the web.
It was announced that Dr. Charles Korr has been elected to replace Dean Mark Burkholder as the representative from History.
Activities for the coming year include continuing to work to improve the funding situation. We all recognize now that UM-St. Louis receives too small a share of the UM budget. The Chair said we need to be sure that all the business leaders in the metropolitan area and all the state representatives are completely familiar with what the actual situation is. Ideas on how to proceed were invited by the Chair, who remarked that he will alert the students to this problem and contact the Current.
Last year, there were problems on the campus mainly attributable to poor communication. The Chair commented that communication is a two-way street and said he hoped the Assembly and the Senate will aid in dealing with this difficulty.
Report from the Chancellor – Chancellor Blanche Touhill
The Chancellor reported that she met with the Academic Officers and the Cabinet earlier in the day to discuss the treatment of foreign-born faculty, students, and staff in light of the attacks that occurred last week in New York and Washington, D.C. She said she was told that there are few, if any, reports of abuse on the campus. Mostly, the concerns expressed by students have been fear of what could happen and a general discomfort created by media reports concerning the larger community around UM-St. Louis. During the previous week the Chancellor distributed a memorandum to faculty and staff reaffirming our commitment to diversity and tolerance. It has been suggested that this memorandum, or a similar one, be distributed to students as well, and the Chancellor said she is acting on that. Other steps to be taken will include sending a letter specifically to our international students and making a statement in the State of the University address on this subject. Chancellor Touhill invited suggestions from Assembly members and encouraged that they be directed to herself, to Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jerry Durham, or to Mr. Curtis Coonrod, the provisional Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Director of Admissions.
Report from the Budget and Planning Committee – Chancellor Blanche Touhill
(see attached)
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At the close of her report, the Chancellor invited questions/comments from the floor. Dr. Joseph Martinich referred to an article in the Current which indicates that the campus police force has been cut by about 25 percent. He expressed concern about such a deep cut in a vital service. The Chancellor reported that when cuts were discussed by Budget and Planning, there was much debate as to what percentage should come from the academic side as opposed to the non-academic side. Traditionally, this campus has taxed the non-academic side to a greater degree. The police force was reduced from 24 to 16, which leaves us with two official police persons for every 8-hour shift for 7 days a week. Chancellor Touhill offered to take this issue back to Budget and Planning. Dr. Martinich expressed the view that we have gone too far and two officers may not be enough to handle anything above a minor skirmish. Dr. Donald Phares inquired if we are able to count on neighboring police departments if it should become necessary. Vice Chancellor Schuster offered the information that the St. Louis County Police and Normandy Police would back up our officers, and the Highway Patrol could be called on to quell a riot.
Dr. R. Rocco Cottone asked about the visit to the campus by a delegation of legislators. Chancellor Touhill reported that the President of Missouri Southern in Joplin had testified before the Missouri House of Representatives 6 or 8 months ago. He complained about underfunding. As a result, the Budget Committee of the House established a smaller committee that would go around the state starting sometime in summer or fall and take testimony from every public higher education institution, not the community colleges, but the 4-year institutions and the University. They started in Warrensburg. Every campus has about two hours for a presentation and a question-and-answer session. Our date will either be October 10 or 11. Four institutions (UM-Rolla, Harris-Stowe, Southeast Missouri State, Truman, and UM-St. Louis) are scheduled to make presentations. The Chancellor does not have an exact time, but she promised to get the word out through Assembly Chair Barton. The Chancellor said she is organizing her thoughts now and will be asking one of the student leaders to speak, together with Chair Barton and several community leaders. The hearings will be held in the J. C. Penney Auditorium, and the Chancellor encouraged all to attend. She confirmed for Dr. Cottone that it is an open meeting, and he is welcome to invite his representatives.
Dr. E. Terrence Jones noted that the State Auditor issued a report on our retirement program. One of the tables indicated that the campuses differ considerably on the compensation rate per 3-hour course for faculty: 25 percent at Rolla and Kansas City, 20 percent at Columbia, and 10 percent at St. Louis. The report went on to say that several faculty members at the St. Louis campus reported that they were told the maximum level they could anticipate being rehired at is 60 percent the first year and 40 percent the second year because of
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the limited rehire levels and/or the heavy teaching loads associated with those rehire levels. Some of the faculty members say they have decided not to take the
retirement offer. The report goes on to say that no faculty members were rehired above the 53 percent FTE level, which is less than the suggested maximum 60 percent. All 12 of the individuals hired above the suggested maximum rehire level at the St. Louis campus hold administrative or support positions, and they were rehired at an FTE level between 70-74 percent. Six of these 12 hold a top administrative position or report directly to the Chancellor. Faculty who retired on the Columbia campus earn on the average of 2 to 2-1/2 times as much as those who retired at UM-St. Louis. In light of this, Dr. Jones asked if the Chancellor was prepared to redress that and to increase the per course rate for faculty here. Chancellor Touhill said that the recommendation came from Dr. Nelson and the Academic Officers, and she accepted that recommendation. Now that you know about the disparity, Dr. Jones asked the Chancellor, how do you feel about this situation? Chancellor Touhill stated that binding legal agreements were made with each person who took VERIP. Dr. Jones asked if the Chancellor is willing to raise the compensation level. She replied in the negative. Dr. Jones then asked if the Chancellor feels she has the authority to do so. Chancellor Touhill said no.
Dr. William Long asked for the final numbers on enrollment. The Chancellor said the unofficial figures are 1.5 percent headcount increase and a 4 percent student credit hour increase. Mr. Robert Samples interjected the information that institutions “play” with their numbers until October 1.
There was no report from the President of the Student Government Association, but a student member of the University Assembly, Ms. Victoria Heffernan, indicated a desire to increase the number of students serving on the Assembly. She announced that the Student Government Association will meet soon, so a report from the SGA President is likely at the next Assembly meeting.
Completing the business at hand, the Assembly adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Pierce
University Assembly Secretary
(minutes written by Assembly Assistant Joan M. Arban)