Faculty Policies Committee Minutes, November 17, 2003

Present: Michelle Benedict, Gordon Eisenman, Cliff Gardiner, Jeff Heck (secretary), Marc Miller, Bill Reese (chair), Katherine Sweeney, Wendy Turner, Donna Wear, Janice Whiting, Sabina Widner

Minutes from November 10, 2003 were approved as revised

OLD BUSINESS

1. Fall Break –

The FPC discussed two options for providing a Fall Break. The first option, which changes the timing of finals to provide two open days, is the current focus of the FPC. Katherine Sweeney will continue work done by Wendy Turner to develop a multi-year trial calendar employing the option. One concern is that an occasional year’s calendar may prove problematic, reducing the two days of break to one day.

2. Peaceful Assembly / Freedom of Expression –

The authors of the existing peaceful assembly guidelines in the student handbook have replied to the changes proposed by the FPC for inclusion in the Faculty Manual. They are working on a counterproposal to present to the FPC.

3. New Faculty Mentoring –

Welcome CD - Sabina Widner met with Information Technology Services’ Cathy Barner, Assistant Director for Support Services, and Randle Berlin, Support Specialist III – Trainer, to discuss the production of a CD for incoming faculty. Both expressed interest in the production, recommending a storyboard be developed. Files are being sorted for inclusion, the timeline is workable according to all parties, Dr. House will move forward with production of the university anthem for inclusion, and Katherine Sweeney will distribute a copy to FPC members of a previously done Admissions CD, as an example of what might be produced.

4. Faculty Sabbaticals –

Marc Miller will lead on this issue, as he is preparing a national study on sabbatical trends with a focus on MIS faculty. He will present his results on completion, likely early next semester.

5. Innovative Institutional Budgeting –

An anticipated meeting with members of the administration and the development office will be postponed until next semester, when we can invite Vice President for Institutional Development John Flowers to join our discussions.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Fall Student Convocation –

Following discussion concerning faculty governance and the establishment of the academic calendar, the FPC concludes:

“The Faculty Policies Committee understands the dangers of ‘calendar creep’ in establishment of the academic calendar. If academic events, such as the Fall Convocation, were placed outside the contractual period for faculty and faculty were required to attend, there would be a problem with de facto extension of the contract. However, the FPC feels that faculty are encouraged, not required, to attend this event, graduations, and honors night, all of which provide great benefit to students, parents, the school and the community. There is no indication that attendance at the convocation is recorded for use in punitive action in annual reviews, or in promotion or tenure decisions. Therefore, the FPC recommends that faculty continue to support these events, which are of great moment to many of our first-generation freshmen, and that faculty should include mention of their attendance in their annual reports as a measure of their support for this institution. See Section 421.2.4 in the Faculty Manual.”

Meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.

Next and Final Meeting for Fall, 2003: November 24, 2003, 4 p.m., Allgood Hall, Dean’s Office Conference room, N210 suite

First Meeting of Spring Semester will be January 12, 2004.