FACULTY SENATE

FULL MINUTES OF 5 DECEMBER 2000

 

The fourth regular meeting of the 2000-2001 Faculty Senate

was held on Tuesday, 5 December 2000, in

the Mendenhall Student Center Great Room.

 

Agenda Item I.  Call to Order

Bob Morrison, Chair of the Faculty called the meeting to

order at 2:10 p.m.

 

Agenda Item II.  Approval of Minutes

The minutes of 14 November 2000, were approved as

distributed.

 

Agenda Item III.  Special Order of the Day

 

A.  Roll Call

Senators absent were: Professors Stanley (Biology), Joyner

and Kester (Education), Taylor (English), Barnes (Health and

Human Performance), Lyandres (History), Woodard (Human

Environmental Sciences), Fiordalisi, Meredith, and Mustafa

(Medicine), Shinpaugh (Physics), Conradt (Political

Science), Killingsworth (Past Chair of the Faculty), and

Feldbush (Vice Chancellor for Research).

 

Alternates present were: Professors Brown for Holbert

(Allied Health Sciences), Twarog for Arnold (Art),

Spickerman for Tabrizi (Computer Sciences), Jones for

Watson (English), and Pokorny for Williams (Nursing).

 

B.  Announcements

1.  The Chancellor has approved the following resolution

from the 14 November 2000, Faculty Senate meeting:

 

00-28  Approval of the Fall 2000 Graduation Roster,

       including honors program graduates.

00-29  Resolution supporting the International

       Programs.

00-30  Policy on Requesting a Professional Leave of

       Absence.

00-31  Interpretation to the ECU Faculty Manual,

       Appendix D, relating to the meaning of the phrase

       "spring term".

00-32  Curriculum matters contained in the minutes of

       the 28 September 2000, and 12 October 2000,

       University Curriculum Committee meetings.

 

2.  The Center for Faculty Development is offering training

sessions for direct peer classroom observation.   

These sessions will be on:

 

Wednesday, January 24, 2001 from 2-5 in the General

Classroom Building, room #1009  and

 

Thursday, January 25, 2001 from 2-5 in Ragsdale , room

#218A. 

 

These sessions are designed for faculty members who,

in the Spring semester, will serve as observers or

who will be observed using the Faculty Senate

procedures and instrument.  Faculty may register by

phone (#6470) or email (claytond@mail.ecu.edu).

 

3.  Several University budget documents are now available

for review in the Faculty Senate office.  Those documents

include the following:

* 1999-2000 Annual Report of Results on UNC

   Management Flexibility

* 2000-2001 Plan for expenditure of state appropriation

  carry-forward and estimated lapsed salaries and

  benefits

* 2001-2003 Expansion Budget Request

 

C.  Richard Eakin, Chancellor

Chancellor Eakin discussed master plans for new buildings

and praised the work done by the designers. Margaret Ward

will be sworn in as a new trustee on December 8, replacing

Henry Williamson. The Chancellor stated that each day the

state of North Carolina is facing significant budget issues; he

advised Senators to stay alert to the state budget situation

as it may impact ECU. The Chancellor introduced and

welcomed Kitty Hart Hill, the recently hired Assistant

University Attorney. The Chancellor sent his best wishes for

the holiday season.

 

Spickerman (Computer Sciences) asked about the report on

employment category of all faculty. The Chancellor stated

that the report is not yet available because it is currently

being reviewed by the Office of the President, an annually

scheduled process completed. Eakin asked Chair Morrison if

the reporting schedule could be amended so the report can

be reported in a more timely way. 

 

D.  Richard Brown, Vice Chancellor for Administration and

Finance

Vice Chancellor Brown distributed and discussed material

recently viewed at the Leadership Forum regarding current

and future budget concerns. A copy of the detailed

Reallocation Plan that represents the $9,052,994 funds

under Phase I is available for review in the Faculty Senate

office. He attached a News and Observer article dated

November 16 titled "Budget Shortage Grows", which

highlighted some of the anticipated problems with next

year's state budget. Brown stated that construction

stemming from the recently passed bond issue cannot keep

up with increased faculty needs. Brown stated that the

University's goal is to eventually move all non-academic

functions away from the main campus. ECU may have to

provide $500,000 in tuition giveback to General

Administration as a result of an unexpectedly high number of

freshmen admitted this past fall. The utility shortfall is $1.1

million and will grow. Brown urged faculty to conserve

energy. ECU, in its 2001-02 budget request, should

anticipate a nice budget increase for academic and health

affairs. The bad news is that Governor Easley will need to

address number of problems, including utility expenditure,

primarily due to revenue shortfalls last year. Also the state

lost a $60 million court case; the loss of a pending court

case concerning at risk children could create  further

financial difficulties.

 

Vice Chancellor Richard Ringeisen, regarding November 6,

when classes were cancelled due to snow, explained the

response of his office in suggesting the possibility of using

reading day as class day. He assured senators that Reading

day will not be used as a makeup day, he only reminded

faculty of the upcoming reading day.

 

E. Phil Dixon, Chairman of the ECU Board of Trustees

Mr. Dixon discussed the Chancellor search. No decision has

been made since the last Senate meeting with respect to

whether Chancellor candidates will visit campus. The idea

will be raised on December 14 at a search committee

meeting. Dixon noted that the search committee is using the

same approach as UNC-Chapel Hill did with their Chancellor

search. Other models are being considered. Three full days

of interviews have been conducted. Conference calls were

made on December 1.

 

Dixon was in receipt of a letter sent by Jack Karns, Vice

Chair of the Faculty, that had expressed concerns about the

search. The letter mentioned that the University of Wisconsin

at Madision's search process contrasted with ECU's. Dixon

stated that at Wisconsin, all three of the candidates were

provosts; the situation would be more difficult for sitting

chancellors or presidents. Dixon reminded Senators of the

proper role of the Board of Trustees in the Chancellor

search. He read from the UNC Code about the role of faculty

in the search as well. Dixon stated that a previous ECU

Chancellor, Brewer, had been dismissed after seeking

another position. He also stated that no other chancellor

search chair had visited the Senate. Dixon noted that six

pubic sessions were held, and that faculty input was

received. Dixon was critical of faculty for the low amount of

participation at the forums. Dixon stated that three names

would be submitted to President Broad.

 

Karns (Vice Chair) stated that his letter was written for the

benefit of faculty on campus that did not know details of the

search situation. Karns stated that nothing in the UNC code

precludes the possibility that finalists will be brought to

campus for a visit. Nothing in the Code prohibits the names

of finalists being shared with the faculty. Dixon responded 

that the search committee would determine whether campus

visits would be made, but that they would be sensitive to the

wishes of the candidates. Candidates have not been told

there would definitely not be a campus visit.

 

Schneider (Business) asked if it was typical of chancellor

candidates to visit campus or just meet with the search

committee. Dixon stated that he could not imagine a

candidate accepting the position without seeing campus.

 

Allred (Psychology) stated that it was unfair to criticize

faculty for the low attendance at the public forums as many

were away during the summer.  She also stated that there

were other factors relating to the exit of Chancellor Brewer.

Dixon stated that he was the attorney and that other job

interviews were the primary factor. Allred also stated that if

the candidates were indeed highly desirable, they should

have little fear that their current university would dismiss

them. 

 

Dixon stated that it was his wish that the incoming

Chancellor would commit for a period of more than 7 years.  

Cope (Psychology) stated that he would be reluctant to hire

someone without an interview. He stated that if someone is

going to lead the University, he would like to meet them even

if he has no say in the hiring process. 

 

Ciesielski (Industry and Technology) stated that the faculty

must trust the committee, and that we are not against them.

The choice will not be satisfactory to everyone. He stated

that campus interviews would be helpful because someone

at ECU may know the person, and be able to pass along

feedback.  Dixon stated that Governor Hunt was not a

candidate for the position.   L'Esperance (Education) asked if

the trustees that are not on the committee have asked to

meet the finalists, and will they? Dixon stated he did not

know.

 

Karns (Vice Chair) offered the following resolution:

"Whereas, the East Carolina University Chancellor Search

Committee's Tentative Schedule for concluding the search

and interview process does not presently make allowance

for on-campus visits for search finalists; and Whereas, the

absence of on-campus visits is a serious departure from

precedent given East Carolina University's previous

Chancellor searches; and Whereas, East Carolina University

is a comprehensive university comparable to similarly

situated institutions across the United States that follow the

custom, courtesy and practice of on-campus visits as part of

the total interview process; and Whereas, the faculty,

administrators, students, staff and various off-campus

constituents and supporters of East Carolina University have

a vested interest in meeting all Chancellor search finalists. 

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the East Carolina University

Faculty Senate requests that all finalists be afforded an on-

campus visit prior to conclusion of the search process."

 

Ferrell (History) moved to amend the resolution by adding

after "visit" in the last sentence "and meet with members of

the University's various constituencies".  The amendment

was approved.  A motion was made to change "afforded" in

the last sentence to "provided an opportunity to an on-

campus visit".  The amendment failed.  A motion was made

to amend the resolution by adding an additional paragraph

that would read "Whereas, the East Carolina University

Faculty Senate expresses its total support and appreciation

for the work done by the Chancellor's Search Committee;

and".  The amendment failed.

 

Karns applauded the committee for its work to this point, but

stated that the present procedure represents a serious

departure from precedent. Smith (Allied Health) spoke

against the resolution, expressing faith in the elected faculty

representatives on the committee. Ferrell (History) stated

that previous search committee chairs have visited the

Senate before. Sargent (Chemistry) spoke against the

resolution, stating that it was not wrong to go against

tradition.  Allred (Psychology) spoke in favor, believing that

we should go on record as requesting that this be a very

important part of the process. Pravica (Mathematics) spoke

in favor, hoping it would deter those candidates who view the

faculty as pushovers.

 

Cope (Psychology) spoke in favor, stating that it would send

the message that we are excited to work with the new

Chancellor, and that the resolution does that. Theurer

(Music) stated that this is not a request to do the committee's

work, just a chance for the finalists to come to campus and

meet together. Dixon stated that he would invite the finalists

to campus. Godbold (Communications) spoke against the

resolution, stating it was not necessary in light of Dixon's

statement.

 

Following a lengthy discussion on Professor Karns'

resolution, the resolution failed by a vote of 24 to 22.

 

F.  Allan Rosenberg, Faculty Assembly Delegate

Given the length of the current agenda, Allan Rosenberg

(Medicine) offered to postpone his report on the Faculty

Assembly meeting of November 17, 2000, at the January 30,

2001, Faculty Senate meeting. 

 

Agenda Item IV.  Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business to come before the

Faculty Senate at this time.

 

Agenda Item V.  Report of Committees

A.  Agenda Committee

Ralph Scott (Academic Library Services), Chair of the

Committee, presented the proposed 2001-2002 Faculty

Senate and Agenda Committee meeting dates.  There was

no discussion and the report was approved as presented. 

RESOLUTION #00-33 

 

B.  Committee on Committees

Ralph Scott (Academic Library Services) Vice Chair of the

Committee, first presented the second readings for the

following academic committee charges: Academic Standards

and Honors, Faculty Welfare, Libraries, Lifelong Learning,

Student Academic Appellate, Student Scholarships,

Fellowships, and Financial Aid, and Unit Code Screening. 

 

Hutchinson moved to postpone voting on the second

readings of the revisions to committee charges until such

time as all committee charge revisions have received a

second reading.  The motion was approved.  Rosenberg

(Medicine) and others stated that the responsibilities outlined

are too great for committee members. Pravica (Mathematics)

stated that there would be too many subcommittees and not

enough actual committees.  Michele Sharp (English), Chair

of the General Education Committee, who was granted

speaking privileges for the meeting, was recognized and

offered the following from the Committee: " Whereas the

interests of general education would be ill served by

incorporation of the functions of the General Education

committee into the Academic Standards Committee, the

General Education Committee opposes that action."  The

General Education Committee's report was accepted.

 

Prior to the conclusion of the discussion on the second

readings of the various academic committee charges,

Rosenberg (Medicine) called for a quorum.  With a lack of

the required 35 members, the Faculty Senate meeting was

adjourned.  The remaining business before the Faculty

Senate will be added to the January 30, 2001, Faculty

Senate agenda.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.