The University of Southern Mississippi

Faculty Senate Meeting

March 26, 2004

Union Hall of Honors

2:00 p.m.

 

Members Present and Those Represented by Proxy (listed in parentheses):

 

College of the Arts and Letters:

Amy Miller (Mark Miller), Phillip Gentile, Kate Greene, Stephen Judd, Tony Lewis, John Meyer, Bill Powell, Bill Scarborough, Paula Smithka (Bill Powell), Mary Ann Stringer (Susan Malone), Susan Malone

 

College of Business and International Development:

James Crockett, David Duhon, Trellis Green, Mark Miller

 

College of Education and Psychology:

Taralyn Hartsell, Janet Nelson, Jay Norton, Joe Olmi, John Rachal, Janice Thompson

 

College of Health:

Joyous Bethel (Mary Frances Nettles), Margot Hall, Bonnie Harbaugh, Susan Hubble, Amal Khoury (Margot Hall), Kathleen Masters, Stephen Oshrin, Mary Frances Nettles

 

College of Science and Technology:

David Beckett, Randy Buchanan, Peter Butko, Ray Folse, Mary Dayne Gregg (Margot Hall), Myron Henry, Jerry Mattson (Alan Thompson), Gail Russell (Denis Wiesenburg), Alan Thompson, Denis Wiesenburg

 

University Libraries:

Mary Beth Applin

 

USM Gulf Park:

Darlys Alford (Pat Smith), Kathy Davis (Mary Beth Applin), Shadad Naghshpour, Pat Smith

 

Members Absent: (none)

 

1.0                 Call to Order (2:04)

 

2.0                 Myron offered a moment of silence in respect for the death of Mason, the son of fellow Senator Joyous Bethel and her husband, Joe Bohanon.

 

3.0                 Approval of February/March 2004 minutes (moved/seconded/passed)

 

4.0                 Approval of Agenda: Changes were made to the order of the agenda as reflected in these minutes (moved/seconded/passed by acclamation)

 

5.0                 Officers’ Reports

5.1                President

5.1.1            Kathy Hayman; USM Bookstore: Myron introduced Kathy Hayman, Director of USM Bookstore who requested help in encouraging faculty to get their book lists returned to the bookstore for the summer and fall list of textbooks to be ordered and to get textbooks on the by-back list as well.

5.1.2            University of Alabama Senate resolution of support and MSU Senate resolution of support; Myron Henry referenced the documents of support from MSU and Alabama in support of the Faculty Senate resolutions to reinstate Drs. Stringer and Glamser and in support of the faculty and Faculty Senate of USM to engage in “responsible and professional criticism of the administration” (MSU Resolution, March 11, 2003). The resolution of support from MSU was dated March 11, 2004 and the U of A resolution was dated March 17th, 2004.

5.1.3            Myron commented on the cancellation of all future meetings with the Faculty Senate leadership by the President until the resolution of the Springer/Glamser case; in response to the cancellations the Senate leadership requested meetings with Provost Hudson in order to keep the lines of communication open with the Administration. To date, there has been no official response from Provost Hudson. It was unclear to the Senate officers how or with whom communication with the administration would occur.

5.1.4            Myron also referred to the second transmittal letter to Dr. Potter dated March 13th  in which the officers of the Senate presented a point of view offering reasons for the all-faculty convocation no-confidence vote of 431-33. Dr. Henry also offered personal thanks to those that attended the recent BOT meeting last Thursday (the first board meeting following the no-confidence votes taken by the Senate and the full faculty of USM).

5.2                President-elect

5.2.1            Board of Trustees Meeting last week: David Beckett reported on the College Board meeting noting that he contacted the Board and requested to be able to address the Board. The request was denied. David reported on the Senators who were in attendance at the meeting, also noting that there was a contingent of students at the meeting as well. He further noted that the Board immediately went into executive session to discuss the need to go into executive session to discuss the USM issue (Yes, it is correct as written!). He reported that the Senate representation got the opportunity to address the media regarding the no confidence issue at USM. He also reported on the interview with WDAM regarding the article that recently appeared in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

5.3                Secretary: reported proxies (refer to the attendance roster above)

5.4                 Secretary-elect: Susan Malone reported on the statement in support of Dr. Henry that was sent out as letter to editor to the American, the Clarion Ledger and the Sun Herald newspapers; it was published only in the Clarion Ledger a week later. Susan also voiced appreciation to those community leaders who served as overseers during the confidence votes recently taken.

 

6.0                 Committee Reports

6.1                 Academic and Governance: (no report)

6.2                 Administration and Faculty Evaluations: (no report)

6.3                 Awards: Tony reported that 43 people have been nominated for awards. Will be meeting in the next 2-3 weeks to determine the selections of the combined Awards Committee. Alan Thompson also announced that the Committee has been asked to solicit nominees during this spring for the Headwae Award as well, such that the nominee will have ample time to put together materials for review in the fall. Myron noted that this charge of the Committee (the nominees of the Headwae Award) was disconcerting in that the function of the Committee is carried over into the next year, which contradicts the Provost’s prior indication that this Committee was to function on an ad hoc basis only during this year. Alan noted that after the current awards decisions are made, there would be an attempt to meet with the Administration to further discuss this issue of the Awards Committee in the very near future. Another suggestion included continuing with the Senate Awards Committee as it has functioned in the past regardless of the future action of the Administration.

6.4                 Budget: Mark Miller reported for Mary Ann Stringer noting the request made of the current administration for the organizational chart and the salaries of Administration personnel. No response has been received to date. The issue of a second request was discussed by Dr. Miller. Dr. Henry also voiced concern regarding the Albertson’s building purchase as related to the Nursing School and the current budget situation. The Committee was asked to draft a letter seeking such information.

6.5                 Constitution and Bylaws: (no report)

6.6                 Faculty Welfare: (no report)

6.7                 Government Relations: (no report)

6.8                 Technology: Mary Beth Applin reported that Jill Beneke’s presentation to the Senate has again been postponed.

6.9                 Elections: Peter Butko reported that there will be an upcoming meeting next week to develop the ballots and put into motion the election process. Peter also noted that Glamser and Stringer would be retained on the ballot as an eligible candidate for election. The members of the Senate applauded in response to the statement.

6.10              Ad hoc committee reports and liaison reports (AAUP and others):

6.10.1         Bill Scarborough reported for the Transportation Committee noting changes in parking due to construction that will occur this upcoming summer; also noted that beginning on April 12, the visitor’s booth will request to see the license of anyone requesting a parking pass. He also reported regarding the AAUP noting that Frank Glamser will be retained as the President of the AAUP for the duration of his tenure, although he will not preside while his current situation is unresolved. Bill later reported that the national office of the AAUP has written and forwarded two letters to the Administration voicing concern about the current Stringer/Glamser situation.

6.10.2         Susan Malone reported for the Ad Hoc Committee on Credentialing and Hiring: The Committee has composed a formal request from Dr. Dvorak for a copy of her vita that was submitted as part of the hiring process by April 5; Dr. Dvorak has also been offered the opportunity to provide additional information regarding her qualifications that she felt could be valuable to this process; the memo was copied to Dr. Thames and Dr. Hudson.

6.10.3         Ad hoc committee regarding the outsourcing of bookstore and food services: Mary Beth Applin reported regarding outsourcing of bookstore/textbook center function. She reported that the Administration has asked that companies resubmit bids/proposals for outsourcing for a contract period of ten years because submitted bids were not favorable. The anticipation is that the bid process will be completed by May of this term. Myron also noted concerns associated with the effects of such outsourcing on current university personnel. Jerry Mattson also presented information regarding the outsourcing of food services and the complicated factors involved in such an arrangement.

 

7.0                 New Business

7.1                 Possible endorsement of a Faculty Senate open letter to Dr. Thames: It was moved/seconded/passed to go into closed session pertaining to discussion of an open letter to President Thames regarding the recent termination events. Two questions that were offered included: 1) whether an open letter should be sent to President Thames; and 2) the content of that letter. After coming out of closed session it was moved/seconded/passed by secret ballot (41-2) to have an open letter drafted to President Thames. The character/content of the open letter was briefly discussed with a committee being formed (composed of Senators and non-Senate faculty selected by Dr. Henry and the other Senate officers) to develop the content of the open letter addressing major issues of the past two weeks that resulted in the no confidence vote. The secret ballot vote was 41-1 in favor of drafting the open letter addressing specific issues that have occurred over the last two year. The members of the Senate also decided to pay for publishing the letter in the Hattiesburg American to ensure its dissemination with the intention to publish the letter as soon as next week.

7.2                 Special meeting of the Faculty Senate set for April 7th at 5 p. m. in the Library Room 123.

7.3                 Bill for Audit of Coast Elections: Pat Smith offered the bill from the auditing firm for canvassing the no confidence vote.

8.0                 Old Business

8.1                 Endorsement of NCAA Framework for Comprehensive Athletics Reform submitted by the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (COIA) in August 2003: moved/seconded/passed by acclamation. Copy of document included in the Senators’ packet.

8.2                 First reading of a resolution offered by Stephen Judd requesting that President Thames resign from the Presidency of USM. Executive officers suggested that the Senate needed a formal first reading of the resolution offered for consideration, but warranting no action. A copy of the resolution was contained in the Senators’ packet.

 

9.0                 Adjournment (5:08)