The University of Southern Mississippi
Faculty Senate Minutes for February 17, 2006
Hall of Honors at 2:00pm
Forum Speaker Homer Coffman, Chief Technology Officer
Homer Coffman presented an update of IT activities for USM to the Faculty Senate. Information included Planning, Project Implementation, Regulatory Compliance and Governance. He stated that all meetings are open, and minutes are placed on the website. The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), and HIPPA were discussed. Current projects include wireless systems upgrade, and Server (email) upgrades. The new Southern Miss Portal (my.usm.edu) was presented as a more efficient and convenient way to access USM sites such as email, and SOAR. See the faculty senate website for the entire slide presentation.
1.0 Call to Order at 3:00pm
2.0 Approval of December 9, 2005 and January 27, 2006 delayed.
3. 0 Approval of Agenda- Agenda was modified to include CALEA and Graduate Assistant Report in New Business, and Move New Business to after Officers Report.
4.0 Officers Reports
4.1 President
4.1.1 Gulf Coast Status
Dr. Thames met with Coast faculty and staff about the status of the Gulf Coast Campus. There is no answer yet from IHL regarding where the Gulf Coast Campus will be rebuilt. Senators reported that the Jackson County facility was almost normal, and at the Stennis Space Center NASA was coming to fix damage to facilities and equipment. Senators also said that USM had provided and Advisor Information Sheet about Federal Disaster Funds for Students, to meet unmet needs as determined by the FAFSA.
4.1.2. Katrina Relief Fund
The fund has been set up through the USM Foundation. About $60,000 earmarked for faculty and staff affected by Hurricane Katrina was awarded.
4.1.3. Shared Governance Document
The document was approved by the Senate at the last meeting, and was delivered to Dr. Grimes and Dr. Thames. Dr. Grimes has asked to discuss a few points. Bill Powell will keep the Senate informed.
4.1.4. Motion on Presidential Searches
The motion was sent to IHL President Virginia Shanteau-Newton, to Ed Blakesley and Tom Meredith. A copy was sent to Mark Goodman. There has been no reply. Dr. Meredith has been asked to speak to the Faculty Senate, with no specific response yet.
4.1.5 Meetings with Dr. Thames, Dr. Grimes, Cabinet.
The Executive Committee meets with Dr. Thames next week. Sabbaticals are going to be granted, but summer research grants and summer instruction grants will not be awarded this year due to lack of funds related to Katrina. Senators discussed options to not awarding the grants, including limiting the number of grants, reducing the amounts of the grants, and obtaining the money for faculty development grants by rescinding the administrative raises given over the summer.
In cabinet meetings, 10 day enrollments were reported as down, resulting in reduction of tuition revenue. Also reported was that the SGA surveyed students and found that faculty advising was highly rated by students.
4.1.6 Sabbaticals and Summer Grants- See 4.1.5.
4.1.7. NCATE/SACS- NCATE visit will be March 25, and SPA reports are being generated, and 5 need to be redone. SACS visit in April, and the Senate has requested a meeting with the SACS visitors to discuss issues of shared governance.
4.1.8. Clyde Kennard Petition
A petition signing to pardon and exonerate Clyde Kennard is being coordinated by the Center for Human Rights. Bob Press reported that signing the petition provides an opportunity for Mississippi to correct a wrong done and help remove the stigma of criminality for an innocent man. Credit goes to the students involved. The petition was circulated for Senators to sign if they desired.
4.1.9 Research/Clinical Faculty
Senators examined and discussed the document forwarded to them by administration. The document, Draft Policy and Procedure Statement on Non-Tenure Track Research Faculty, Clinical Faculty, Artist-in-Residence, and Postdoctoral Training Positions at the University of Southern Mississippi, appears to be a document circulated about 2 years ago among faculty, from the University Research Council. Its purpose is to establish a consistent set of titles and promotion criteria for non-tenured positions. Administration has returned with a request for Faculty review and approval of the document (it had not been approved in the past). After discussion about the confusion about the document’s travels through different University entities, Bill Powell expressed concern that the document discusses annual evaluations and promotions without faculty input. One Senator was concerned that there was a statement about “financial raises and promotions” shall be consistent across the University which is ambiguous regarding where the money will come from. One senator asked that the document be considered as is to expedite the process of rewarding these non tenured positions. The document was referred to the Faculty Welfare Committee for review and recommendations.
4.1.10 Other
Bill Powell reported that he inquired on whether the Faculty Senate President could attend the Executive Cabinet Meeting as well as the Regular Cabinet Meeting, but was told “no”.
4.2 President-Elect
4.2.1 Provost Council- No meetings, no report.
4.2.2 Outsourcing Physical Plant
Myron Henry reported that the first meeting was today. The committee members were told that outsourcing of the Physical Plant had to be in the best interests of the employees as well as that of USM. He said he asked questions about any analyses performed that suggested that outsourcing was needed. The response was that there were no figures compiled as of today, but the figures will be compiled in the future. Vendors have been visiting campus and will be submitting proposals to be analyzed. It was stated by the committee chair that all options were still on the table, and that outsourcing depends on if it is beneficial to staff and USM. Joe Morgan is the primary contact person for the outsourcing issue.
4.2.3 Heroes of Katrina
Nominations are still open for those faculty and staff who helped others and showed goodwill to those on the Coast.
4.2.4 Faculty Handbook Committee
Myron Henry reported that he was unable to attend the meeting; however, David Beckett attended the meeting. Myron Henry has not been informed yet what occurred in the meeting.
4.3 Secretary -No Report
4.4 Secretary Elect
4.4.1 Mary Beth Applin reported that she is on the Non Credit Programming Committee on behalf of the Faculty Senate. They have met about 2-3 hours every other week. Last February, due to a visit from SACS, was split into credit and non credit parts. The credit programming was given to the Colleges. Then the non credit programming was to be given to the Colleges. Colleges had little experience with non credit programming and had no resources to deal with them. The committee informed the Provost of all of the activities of non credit programming, with the recommendation that Colleges were not prepared to take these over. The committee was then charged by the Provost to create a plan to have the non credit programming become a self-sustaining unit. This process is ongoing, and the plan will be presented to the Cabinet in March.
5.0 New Business
5.1 CALEA –Motion about Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1992. Bob Press presented a motion in writing. The motion was seconded. Discussion about this issue centered on the fact that in 1994 Congress passed a law to permit surveillance on communications, but Universities were excluded. Last year the law was extended by the FCC to include campuses. The law calls for Universities to make their technological communications accessible and compatible with law enforcement technology so seamless monitoring can occur. This creates Academic Freedom as well as Financial Concerns. Concerns were expressed that the law has a chilling effect on faculty and student communications via email and telephone. A student visitor spoke about the difficulties of communicating about caustic and explosive materials on line (for research purposes), and the possibility that this would trigger an investigation. One Senator said that if all Universities were objecting, then that would make a difference. For USM to make a statement alone is like doing and saying nothing at all. Educause.edu purposes and stance on the issue were also discussed. One senator expressed that Universities are unique and the free sharing of information is essential, and that THIS University should go on record as objecting. Another senator said that the FCC commissioner was a political appointee, and that we could all contact our representatives in Washington to object to this decision. He also said that we should produce a well developed statement about our opposition and why we support the Educause petition. Several other senators agreed with the need to object to potentially warrant-less surveillance on campuses.
The motion, was passed by a majority of voice votes. The motion:
The USM Faculty Senate is opposed to the FCC’s proposal that all universities upgrade its computer equipment to allow potentially warrantless searches of student, faculty and staff email under its 2005 amendments to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1992 because it violates the freedom of speech and academic freedom of our students, faculty and staff. Besides increasing student tuition, this law is likely to “chill” student and faculty research on issues perhaps unrelated or only tangentially related to the issue of national security.
5.1 Graduate Assistant Report-
Amy Young reported that there is a proposal by the Provost (given to the Deans and Chairs) to change the GA allocation in the University and that faculty are largely unaware of this document. Only a few faculty stated that they had heard of this proposal from their chairs. Faculty do not appear to have been engaged in analyzing the effects of this proposal. Another Senator stated that once again, the administration is continuing in an ongoing pattern of disregarding faculty participation in governance that concerns them directly. The proposed policy calls for a reallocation of GA’s to those Colleges and Departments with Doctoral Programs and/or Terminal Degrees. In this scenario, the College of Business would not receive any GA’s. The document says that the re-allocation would be based on College productivity and occurs over a 2 year period. The removal of GA’s from non doctoral programs would free up $250,000 for redistribution. E & G funded GA’s should be eliminated over a 2 year period. The threshold for tuition waivers should be raised to $800/month over a 2 year period. The total E & G monies should be increased. This is to provide larger awards (if fewer). The effect on many departments would be devastating. Bill Powell has asked for a copy of the document from the Provost. Bill Powell stated that the document was called a “Strawman” for discussion and review, and that he is conducting a review. The Graduate Council and Faculty Senate has not been involved or informed about this. These cutbacks will have a ripple effect that could cause a loss of students. This policy would have long term harmful effects on departments, the University, and it will cost a lot more to hire more faculty members to provide the teaching currently being done by the GA’s, as well as lost tuition from graduate students lost to the University. One senator said that taking graduate assistant money from some to give to others is not the solution. The administration should be fund raising to increase the numbers of GA’s across all departments. One senator stated that our president needs to be engaged in more fundraising activities other than pressuring faculty to write grants. Bill Powell stated that he will write to Dr. Grimes and express the concerns brought forward today from the Senate. Bill Powell said that the Academic and Graduate Councils and Council of Chairs need to be involved in this process.
6.0 Committee Reports
6.1 Academic and Governance: Bill Scarborough, chair No Report
6.2 Administration and Faculty Evaluations: Steve Oshrin, chair The deadline for submitting evaluations is February 24, and about half have been returned so far. Please make sure your chair distributes the evaluations forms soon.
6.3 Awards: Mary Lux, chair- Awards committee from The faculty senate was allowed to meet with the awards committee from the University to begin the search for the Grand Marshall. The committee is going forward with the other Faculty Awards. Some changes will be made in the numbers of support letters involved in the application process. The deadline for nominations is March 30, 2006.
6.4 Budget: Myron Henry, chair. No report from meetings, but he said that the Senate budget committee needs to meet to update the November letter about the budget and include concerns about ad hoc approaches to budget reductions.
6.5 Constitution and Bylaws: Randy Buchanan, chair- Met once virtually to plan what is needed in changes to bylaws from elections.
6.6 Faculty Welfare: Tim Rehner, chair -No Report
6.7 Government Relations: Dave Duhon, chair No report
6.8 Technology: Barton Spencer, chair Barton said that his committee was following up on the wiretapping (CALEA) issue, and that faculty need to begin thinking about how to shoehorn our department and faculty information into templates in regards to the new Internal Portal system. The University technology committee is also working on a statement about individual monitoring of email.
6.9 Elections: Paula Smithka, chair. Paula reports that lists of faculty names are being reviewed and cross checks for elections. She will meet with the bylaws committee via email about recommendations for bylaws changes.
6.10 Ad hoc committee reports and liaison reports
6.10.1 Academic/Graduate Council- Academic Council- Jeff Evans reports that USM has finished it response to SACS concerns about USM Core learning objectives being too broad. Another senator reported that there was also a concern by SACS that the IHL Board of Trustees had too much influence on USM. Program reviews and self studies are due March 1 or April 1 to the Graduate and Academic Councils for review. They are also reviewing 124 hour degree plans and online programs (advising, and a parallel system when a program is proposed to be over 50% online).
6.10.2 American Association of University Professors- Next general meeting is March 8 at 3:30pm in Owens McQuage 123, and there is a State wide meeting in April 8, in Jackson
6.10.3 Faculty Leadership Council- Will meet Monday and talk about many of these same issues.
6.10.4 President’s Council –Bobby Middlebrooks said that a report was given about the coast. There was discussion about outsourcing the Motor Pool, which happened about a week and a half ago. Departments who use special vehicles will have the vehicles returned to departments and departments will assume responsibility for them. There was also a discussion about getting permission to fill faculty positions in departments, and it appears that getting permission works differently for different departments across the University. Some are having no trouble, and others are being told that they cannot advertise or hire. Bill Powell will put this on the list to discuss with administration.
6.10.5 Transportation- Bill Scarborough reported that few people attended the last meeting, so little business was transacted. The SGA representative proposed the “Eagle Eye” Parking Proposition, which proposes that parking be allocated in concentric zones, with inner zones costing more ($150/year), and cost reduces as the lots are farther from the center of campus. Problems are that staff cannot afford this plan. It will be discussed further. Faculty and Staff would be given first choice, and then leftover spaces would be available for students. One senator remarked that she heard that the gated Polymer Science reserved lot may not be continuing next year. However, a lot user said that he had heard that a real gate is planned for the lot this summer, and that current lot renters might have first choice of the lot next year.
7.0 Old Business
8.0 Other-
8.1 The Theatre is putting on “Will Power” this weekend, and “Scapin” was lauded as a success at the American Pops Theatre Festival, and was held over.
8.2 Dr. Antonio Rodriguez-Buckingham thanked the Faculty Senate for the condolence card sent to him in sympathy for the recent death of his wife.
8.3 Be aware that the Secretary to the Dean at the College of Education is very ill, and needs your prayers. She is in ICU at FGH.
8.4 Dr. Larry Mead expressed thanks to the students who attended the Senate meeting and who spoke for preserving unmonitored free speech at Universities.
9.0 The meeting was adjourned at 5:05pm
Faculty Senate Meeting 2/17/06
Members Present and Those Represented by Proxy (Proxies are in Parentheses):
College of the Arts & Letters
Cindy Brown
Anita Davis
Cheryl Goggin
Stanley Hauer
Stephen Judd
John Meyer
Bill Powell, President
Bob Press
Bill Scarborough
Paula Smithka
Amy Young
College of Business
Bill Gunther
James Magruder
College of Education & Psychology
Ann Parker Blackwell (Taralynn Hartsell)
Taralynn Hartsell
Joe Olmi (Mary Beth Applin)
Antonio Rodriguez-Buckingham
Janice Thompson
College of Health
Wendy Bounds
Bonnie Harbaugh, Secretary
Mary Lux
Stephen Oshrin
Coastal Science, Marine Science & Gulf Coast Research Lab
Chet Rakocinski (Don Redalje)
Don Redalje
College of Science & Technology
Randy Buchanan
Eyler Bob Coates
Jeff Evans
Mary Dayne Gregg
Jerry Griffith (David Cochran)
Myron Henry, President-Elect
Lawrence Mead
Bobby Middlebrooks
Gail Russell
University Libraries
Mary Beth Applin, Secretary-Elect
Jay Barton Spencer
USM-Gulf Coast
Darlys Alford (Allisa Beck)
Patsy Anderson
Allisa Beck
Eric Nelson (Alissa Beck)
Members Absent without proxy:
College of the Arts & Letters:
College of Business:
David Duhon
College of Education & Psychology:
College of Health:
Tim Rehner
Coastal/Marine/GCRL:
College of Science & Technology:
University Libraries:
USM-Gulf Coast: