Faculty Policies Committee Minutes, March 24, 2003, 3 p.m.

 

Present: Michelle Benedict, Barbara Coleman, Gordon Eisenman, Jim Garvey, Cliff Gardiner, Andy Hauger (chair), Jeff Heck (secretary), Bill Reese, Jana Sandarg, Sabina Widner

 

Minutes of March 17, 2003 were approved as distributed.

 

Agenda items:

 

1. Review of items for consideration

            Sent to UC                    Email Policy

                                                Cullum Policy and resulting FPC changes in Faculty Handbook

                                                International Affairs Policy

                                                Sexual Harassment Policy

                                                Sexual Harassment Committee membership

                                                Promotion and Tenure Policy

 

            Outstanding                   Parking

                                                Employee Benefits (New faculty)

                                                Cullum Courses

                                                Textbook buyback

                                                Fall Break

 

2. Sexual Harassment Committee Policy

            The FPC considered and made minor changes to the Sexual Harassment Policy resulting from Betsey Neely’s legal review of the proposal. The proposal will next be considered by the University Council.

 

3. Elections

            The committee reviewed and discussed the process for holding FPC and University Council elections. Gordon Eisenman proposed that the email balloting time be extended; adding the days between the release of the sample ballot and the start of normal voting would allow more campus members to participate. The committee approved the suggestion. Voting time by paper ballot will continue as is.

 

4. Study Abroad Programs

            The University System of Georgia recently increased its percentage goal of students who study overseas to four percent, up from two percent. A problem arises for faculty who seek to support the USG program, as some chairs are more able and/or willing than others to provide support (release time/course reduction and annual evaluation credit). The FPC will seek to support the USG goal through changes in the Faculty Role Model. Faculty who travel overseas to teach courses should also be supported in the model changes. This problem is deferred to next year’s committee. Andy Hauger will include information about it in his report to the next chair.

 

5. Recreational Facility Hours

            Are the swimming pool and the weight room open an adequate number of hours for faculty? Andy Hauger will research on the current scheduling for the next meeting. A survey of interest in use of the facilities will be considered.

 

6. Textbook Resale by Faculty

            Further discussion led the committee to invite Dan Whitfield to the next FPC meeting, March 31.

 

7. Free Speech

            Further discussion led the committee to invite Jasper Cooke to meet with the FPC in the future.      

 

Adjourned 4:00 p.m.
Next meeting: March 31, 2003, 3 p.m., Science Building