Members Present:  Arts: Kimberley Davis, Cheryl Goggin; Shellie Nielsen; College of Business Administration:  Trellis Green, Scott Magruder, Robert Smith; College of Education and Psychology: Janet Nelson, Jesse Palmer, John Rachal, Lillian Range, Daniel Surry; College of Health and Human Sciences:  Jan Drummond, Michael Forster; College of Liberal Arts: Michael Dearmey, Linda Goff, Kate Greene, Kim Herzinger, Alexandra Jaffe, Arthur Kaul, Mark Miller, Stephen Oshrin, William Powell; College of Nursing: Janie Butts, Norma Cuellar; College of Science and Technology: Delia Anderson, Bob Coates, Dean Dunn, Mary Dayne Gregg, Mary Lux, Lawrence Mead, Karen Thrash; Center for Marine Science: Steve Lohrenz; Gulf Park: Darlys Alford, Shahdad Naghshpour; University Libraries:  Sherry Laughlin, Karolyn Thompson.

Members Represented by Proxy:  College of Business Administration:  Ernest King (pr. Trellis Green); College of Education and Psychology: Janet Nelson (pr. Lillian Range); College of Liberal Arts: Charles Bolton (pr. Brad Bond); College of Science and Technology: Robert Bateman (pr. Mary Lux), Gerald Mattson (pr. Karen Thrash).

Members Absent:  College of Health and Human Sciences: Mary Ann Adams, Susan Graham-Kresge.

FORUM:  John McGowan, Chief Technology Officer

Dr. McGowan began by stating that he and the Office of Technology Resources (OTR) are trying to be very involved with faculty and staff, but he is aware that they have not made much progress in this area because faculty and staff don't seem to know what OTR is doing.  He is aware of much discontent with technology issues on campus and wants to use this opportunity to discuss our concerns and to make us aware of OTR activities in four major areas of emphasis:

The first area of emphasis is driven by the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem and is associated with the PeopleSoft software.  OTR has to move very quickly to address this problem, which must be done before the end of this fiscal year (June 1999).  This new software will support the Human Resources payroll functions, financial aid, alumni development, registration, inventory control, etc.  This is a massive project--about $5 million--and is on schedule.  If we aren't compliant by next July, you won't get your paycheck.  Another component of the Y2K problem is the conversion of all of the legacy code on the Honeywell in order to identify and correct logic in the function control points for date dependency.  We have done all the remediation and identification of the code and are well into the certification phase.  All departments will be receiving a letter stating that each department must be checked to see what is mission critical for the Y2K issue.  This is a huge issue; the estimates for correcting the IHL's Y2K problem have gone from $17 million to $31 million.  People keep coming across new things that have to be addressed.

A second area of emphasis that OTR is working on is one that is very sensitive to many of you, and it is that many of you are not currently networked.  You don't have an adequate networked facility available to you ,and it is going to take a while to get this in place.  We will be spending $2 million on the network this year, but that is nothing compared to what we have to spend.  When I initially talked to you last year prior to my being hired on as Chief Technology Officer, I estimated that we would have to spend $20 million to bring this University up to date in terms of technology.  This University is a technology wasteland at this point.  The network and the voice system are two major components that have to be addressed immediately.  Those of you who have online dial-out capabilities and are not directly connected to the Internet are trying to go out to an independent service provider, for example, Netdoor.  What happens is that we are out of capacity on the voice side--we do not have the number of incoming and outbound trunks that we need to support the demands of this University, nor will the voice system currently in place support what we need.  We are proposing to go forward with the acquisition of a $2 million switch for the University, and that will happen this semester.  We are considering whether or not to acquire this switch, and if we acquire it, whether to lease or purchase, and if we don't acquire the switch, should we outsource the voice capabilities for the campus.  By the end of this semester we will have a new voice system in place, one way or another.  This will give us additional capacity for voice and data, both incoming and outgoing.  The modem pool now is limited to 28.8 kbs; we are moving toward more modems with 56 kbs access. As we move more toward networking, more and more of you will not need to use the modem pool.

There has been no planning here in the past, so whatever has been done has been based upon who could yell the loudest.  A network infrastructure cannot be built that way.  A network infrastructure is very dependent upon a central core that can support the rest of the campus.  Those of you who are using modems to go out on the Internet are going out at 28.8; those of your with direct access to the Internet are going out at T1 speeds (1.5 mbs).We're looking at going out across the central core of the network at speeds of greater than 155 mbs to half a gigabyte per second.  This is with the support of something called ATM (asynchronous transfer mode).  By this time next year, you will have an ATM core and one phase of the campus will be wired and we'll be starting on the second phase.  This network will have those kinds of speeds.  The ATM core will take into account the central areas of the campus that already have fiber attached to them. Most of our buildings are not wired to support transmission speeds required for a fully networked environment, so we will be rewiring buildings with fiber.  This will support not only data transmission, but also high speed graphics, collaborative computing and compressed video. We also need fiber to the coast to support this ATM capability.  All of this technology costs money and takes time.  OTR had an increase in its budget this year of $5.4 million, but this money has not been spent because we are still planning.  The network plan, as well as the Y2K plan,  has been completed and will be posted to the OTR web site soon.

We will be wiring 4, maybe 5 residence halls this year.  In addition, we will be wiring quadrants of the campus.  The quadrants that get wired first have to do with the PeopleSoft implementation that has to be done, and everything in that quadrant will be wired at the same time.  In the first quadrant to be wired will be these residence halls, the Alumni Association building, and the Honor House (because of the capital campaign), and Kennard Washington (for the PeopleSoft implementation).  Next to be wired will be the internal core of the campus:  the Library, Johnson Science tower, the Polymer Science building.  No funding was set aside for technology in the new liberal arts and performing arts buildings, so we are having to look at those buildings to see what needs to be done.

A third area of emphasis in OTR is the service component.  We want to be an organization that can support faculty and give a rapid turn-around for service.  This is now better than it was, but is not as good as it can be.  OTR will be outsourcing their third layer of support.  If OTR can't solve your problem, we want to be able to go to someone who can.  We are now outsourcing some of our support functions at the beginning of the semester.

A fourth area of emphasis is communication.  Even though much of this information goes to Deans' Council, it is not getting out to the campus.  We will be posting a regular newsletter to the OTR web page, and printed copies will be mailed to the campus as well.  Some people are very frustrated with OTR.  We are trying to work on partnerships with faculty and staff, but everything can't happen at once, and we can't respond to knee-jerk reactions.

Question: Several questions regarding Gulf Park needs and the issue of separate budgets for Gulf Park and the Hattiesburg campus.
JM:  We are standardizing on software--the direction is the Microsoft Office Suite, Windows 95/98; NT workstations and servers, and Unix at the enterprise level.    We are planning to support Gulf Park no differently than we support the Hattiesburg campus.  Everything will be brought on board at Gulf Park just as it's being brought on board here.  The technology group at Gulf Park reports to me.  This is true for all of the campuses.

Question:  Is Jackson County in the loop?
JM:  Yes.  We've just funded a lab at Jackson County.  We are one campus.  Not we and them and I and you.

Question:  Have we investigated private ISP (Internet Service Provider) perks for the faculty?
JM:  Yes, we've looked at this and we've also looked at become our own ISP.  We need to first work on getting access to the campus--the voice switch.  Then we can look at ISP issues.

Question:  What is the status of voice mail?
JM:  The system is being tested now.  With the new switch, voice mail will be available.  This could happen next semester.

Question:  The MIS committee has no faculty representation.  Could you address this?
JM:  I have been concerned about campus organizations that support technology becoming fragmented and falling apart.  These committees become essential as we move into a technology master plan.  The two committees that have any say are the Technology Assessment and Utilization Committee and the Teaching Learning Technology Roundtable.  We need to rejuvenate these committees, making sure there is faculty and student representation, and use them in planning.

Question:  While it is clear that efforts are being made to have the University Y2K compliant internally, is there concern about non-compliance outside the University and its potential impact?
JM: Yes, this is a serious concern.  If federal agencies are not Y2K compliant, we may have trouble getting funding to keep this University running, because we depend so much on federal financial aid.  Most federal agencies are not compliant.

Question:  Are there any plans to allow faculty to purchase computers at a reduced rate?
JM:  We're looking into that.  Soon all incoming students will have laptops.  The MBA program and Honors will be the first to look at that.  On the faculty side, we are trying to set up a program to afford financing for computing for the campus.  We may set up a streamlined financing arrangement for students to purchase computers, and we're hoping to have this in place by next semester. We are looking at a higher tier of computers and we will support Apple computers.

Question:  What is the problem with the  arts buildings?
JM:  The problem is conduit and also the wiring in the buildings.  We're looking at short term, quick and dirty options to get people up and on the Internet.  There are real problems in Walker Science building, McLemore Hall, Southern Hall, and others.

Question:  The arts faculty are just now getting telephones.  They are already at the bottom of the list.  What is the order of the list?
JM:  The buildings online now have fiber.  Arts has nothing.  We are looking at where we have the fiber and using what we have already.

Question:  Would you talk about the new distance education courses?
JM:  The first web course is being taught now.  I'm concerned with the technology side, not the course content side.  The issue of access is the only real impediment. Distance education is going to take off, and it doesn't have to have negative connotations.  I look at this as the open university concept.  USM is new to this.  I met with MSU and UM people at the IHL board meeting this week.  They are willing to bet that they can get to the coast before we do.  They have the pipe and the bandwidth for this right now.  We must start with the concept of web-enabled courses.  We have one online this semester and about 20 courses coming online next semester.

Question: In what sense does a professor teach such a course?
JM:  You have to separate the teaching moment from the learning moment.  In a web-enabled course, you have your course material, readings, etc., all online.  This is not for everyone.  I'm not an academician.  The issues of content and how to teach is one that the academics have to define.  Look at web sites for California Virtual University and the Southern Regional Education Consortium.  Or call Continuing Education for more information.

BUSINESS MEETING

1.0    Call to Order  The Business Meeting was called to order at 2:55 p.m.

2.0    Approval of Agenda  The agenda was approved with no changes.

3.0    Approval of Minutes  The minutes of the June 26th meeting were approved with one change.  In the second paragraph of the Forum report, Kate Greene asked that her statement be corrected to reflect that "professors cannot discuss the class performance or attendance of students."

4.0    Executive Committee Reports

4.1    President's Report  Jesse Palmer
I'd like to welcome back our returning Senators and the newly elected Senators.  You have been elected by your peers to be a voice on all matters of concern to the faculty.  I challenge you to take this position seriously.  Make every effort to attend, stay informed, and stay in touch with those who have elected you.  Bring to this body, for open discussion, faculty issues that need to be addressed.  Be prepared to take a position on these issues that are in the best interests of the faculty, students, and University.  This body needs to be proactive.  The Senate can only be proactive if each committee takes its responsibilities seriously by meeting regularly, setting priorities, doing research, and making appropriate and timely recommendations for action items.  I believe the USM faculty are committed to the basic themes that pervade the Report of the Commission on the Future of the University:  a student-centered focus and teamwork and collaboration.  I believe the faculty support the idea of widespread involvement in planning and setting priorities and expect to play a significant part in the strategic planning process.  I am asking every committee to review the COFU report and to develop additional charges for action.  I would like each committee to meet and prioritize issues to be addressed and present these at the October meeting.  Furthermore, I encourage each committee to present action items at anytime during the year.
For Your Information:
IHL: In July the IHL approved a $649.2 million budget request for the eight state supported universities for FY beginning July 1, 1999.  It includes a 3% pay raise for faculty and staff.  The Senate needs to keep the issue of nine month salary for instructional faculty in front of the administration.  USM lost ground last year to both MSU and UM.  During the summer the IHL approved three new degree programs for USM Gulf coast : BS in Marine Biology; MS in Coastal Sciences; Ph.D. in Coastal Sciences.  The IHL approved naming the field in Pete Taylor Park the Hill Denson Field.  There is serious discussion about mandating the "big three" play each other in football.  Price Waterhouse Cooper was hired by the IHL to study the revenues, economic impact and other considerations.  A decision appears to be forthcoming at the October IHL meeting.
President: The Senate summer school salary proposals were submitted to the President during the summer requesting the University move from a flat salary by rank structure to a percentage of the nine month salary structure.
Provost: The Executive Committee met with Dr. Henry, Provost, on September 10th, and discussed faculty concerns such as: membership on the Deans' Council; Representation on the Space Allocation and Utilization committee; Using faculty members outside departments to chair search committees for new chairs; Evaluations of Chairs, Directors, and Deans; The number of part time faculty and adjunct compensation; Faculty evaluations.  Dr. Henry requested to meet with the Senate Executive Committee on a regular basis. Dr. Henry announced that a Strategic Planning Committee will be appointed later this month.  Tenure and promotion documents are the property of the University; don't submit anything that you want to keep.
Summer School Committee: A Summer School Study Committee has been formed.  Jesse Palmer has been appointed and needs input from faculty.  The committee will deal with scheduling and programming. How can summer school be made more attractive for students and faculty?  Does USM need to change what it is doing in the summer?  How do you think summer school should be structured?  How do departments determine what will be taught and who will teach?  Who does USM serve during the summer?
Enrollments: Total summer enrollment (1998) decreased on the Hattiesburg campus by 1.1% from 1997.  Gulf Coast summer enrollment decreased by 6% (-79) from 1371 (1997) to 1292 (1998).

4.1 President-Elect's Report: Art Kaul.  No report.

4.2 Secretary's Report: Sherry Laughlin.
The Senate meeting agenda will be set at an Executive Committee meeting a week before the Senate meeting.  Copies of the agenda will be emailed to Senators on Monday before the Senate meeting.  Printed copies of the agenda will be sent by campus mail to those Senators without access to email.  Draft meeting minutes will be emailed to Senators about a week after the meeting, and will be campus mailed to those without email.  After the minutes are approved at the next Senate meeting, they will be posted on the Senate web site at http://www-org.usm.edu/~fsenate.  The site is linked on the campus web page under "Campus Life" and under "Academics."  The Secretary-Elect will send printed copies of the minutes to departments as requested.

4.3 Secretary-Elect's Report: Shellie Nielsen.
Proxies were announced and an attendance roster passed.  We are requesting that signed proxy forms be brought to the Senate meeting and turned in by the faculty member designated as a proxy.  Senators are urged to designated eligible faculty members other than current Senators as proxies in order to increase participation in Senate discussions.  Senate delegations are requested to collect names of individuals in their colleges who prefer to receive printed minutes rather than accessing them on the Senate web site. These names and corresponding departments and box numbers should be sent to Shellie Nielsen at Box 5052 or shellie.nielsen@usm.edu.

5.0  Committee Reports

5.1  Academic and Governance Committee:  Kate Greene.  No report.

5.2  Administration and Faculty Evaluations Committee:  Bill Powell.  No report.

5.3  Athletic Liaison: Trellis Green.
The Senate will be joining with the Credit Union and the Staff Council to provide a tailgating tent before football games this fall.  At least three volunteers are needed for each home game.  Trellis Green discussed with Dick Vogel and Rick Villareal the student ticket problem for the Texas A & M game.  The athletic department is now planning to let every student with an id in to the game.  Green also asked for any Senate input on the proposal to mandate football games between MSU, UM, and USM.  Karen Thrash expressed concern about student athletes being away from class for long periods of time for athletic events.

5.4  Awards Committee: Linda Dysart Goff.  No report.

5.5  Benefits and Work Environment Committee: Mike Forster.  No Report.

5.6  Constitution and Bylaws Committee:  Sherry Laughlin
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee will be reviewing the documents for changes.  Let members of the committee know if there are issues that need to be addressed.

5.7  Elections Committee:  Mary Dayne Gregg.
During the summer, a new department was created within the College of International and Continuing Education.  In the past there has been no Faculty Senate representative for this college since there was no academic unit within the college.  According to our Constitution (Division 2, Article 1, Section 113), the College of International and Continuing Education should have one representative until the time of the next apportionment.  Therefore, the Elections Committee has the following recommendations:  1) Mark Miller was elected this past spring as a Senator representing the College of Liberal Arts.  It now seems reasonable that Dr. Miller be the representative for the College of International and Continuing Education.  Dr. Miller is willing to do this. 2) The Faculty Senate President should now appoint a new Senator to represent the College of Liberal Arts.  This recommendation was accepted and President Palmer asked the current Liberal Arts Senators to recommend someone from a Liberal Arts department not currently represented on the Senate.

5.8  Environment Committee (ad hoc):  Glenn Matlack reporting for Dick Conville.
Dr. Fleming appointed the Environment Committee about a year ago as a result of a letter sent to Dave Duhon expressing concern about the campus physical environment.  The committee has provided information to the Commission on the Future of the University, and it has met with Physical Plant about issues related to the campus environment.  The committee has prepared and presented to Physical Plant a list of suitable native trees and shrubs for use on the campus.  The committee is concerned that the campus environment be addressed in a planned way rather than in a piecemeal fashion.  Steve Lohrenz asked that the committee consider drafting a resolution from the Senate addressing environmental concerns and he also said the committee should consider hiring a professional landscape architect to produce a plan.  Shahdad Naghshpour asked that the committee take a look at the Gulf Coast campus.  Linda Goff raised the issue of unsafe sidewalks as a result of tree roots.  Bob Coates asked if there are any architectural standards for the University; this is an issue the committee has not addressed.  Mike Dearmey wants the committee to draft rules for the cutting of trees.

5.9  Faculty Development Committee:  Norma Cuellar.  No report.

5.10 Technology Committee:  Dan Surry.
Jim Siders is trying to identify "technologicaly-interested" faculty for replacements on the USM Technology Assessment and Utilization Committee.  Contact Dean Dunn or Jim Siders if interested.  Eddie Williams of the Office of Technology Resources is putting together a working group to investigate the potential for loaner computers for faculty, including laptop pcs for short term loan for use in travel and at conferences, or for faculty having temporary duties such as working on the Commission on the Future of the University.  If interested in being involved in this, contact Dean Dunn or Eddie Williams.

5.11 University Club Committee: Kim Herzinger.  No report.

5.12 Parking Committee:  Bill Scarborough.  No report.

6.0  Old Business. No old business.

7.0  New Business.

7.1  Committee Assignments and Charges
Committee lists are on the web site. Committees should review the COFU report, develop additional charges, and report to the Senate at the October meeting.

8.0  Announcements
There will be a University Faculty Senates Association workshop on November 5th at the Jackson State Center (formerly the R & D Center) in Jackson from 8:30 - 3;45.  Topics to be covered are faculty compensation and salary compression, academic freedom, and faculty governance.
The tape of Therese Hanna, State Insurance Administrator, is on reserve at the libraries on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Coast campuses.

9.0  Adjournment.  The meeting was adjourned at 4:10.
 
Respectfully submitted:  Sherry Laughlin, Secretary