Minutes of the University Committee
for July 22, 1999

The Committee met at 1:00 in 262 CART. Members present were Tim Fossum, Laura Gellott, Fran Kavenik, Carol Saffioti-Hughes, and Lee Van Dyke. Also present were Larry Duetsch and Herbert Pitts.

Following a round of introductions, Herbert Pitts, recently appointed Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity and Diversity, sought input from the Committee regarding the charge and structure of the University Diversity Committee that Chancellor Keating will soon appoint pursuant to the campus' Plan 2008. The provisions of our Plan 2008 charge the UDC to "...meet monthly for the purpose of assessing the campus climate for diversity and formulating recommendations to the Chancellor regarding improvements." Mr. Pitts said that he interpreted the charge of the UDC very broadly, to include issues of concern to any and all subgroups of our population. He indicated that he expected to recommend that the Chancellor appoint a faculty member and an academic staff member as co-chairs of the UDC and asked for the Committee's advice on all faculty appointments to the UDC. Mr. Pitts also said that he expected to recommend the formation of working groups that would develop proposals for consideration by the UDC on matters such as climate, curriculum, employment, precollege activities, and training programs. He asked the Committee to help identify faculty members that might wish to become involved at this level. Members of the Committee thanked Mr. Pitts for seeking their advice on these matters and assured him that he would receive a slate of faculty nominees for the UDC within a few days. After Mr. Pitts left the meeting, the Committee agreed that he and Chancellor Keating should be invited to make a presentation regarding the UDC at the first Fall meeting of the Faculty Senate.

David Holle and Ronald Singer joined the meeting.

Mr. Holle presented a draft of a proposed Administrative Policy #62 - Annual Salary Savings and Budget Transfer Policy, saying that Chancellor Keating had asked that the proposal be reviewed by the University Committee before it received further consideration by his Cabinet. Mr. Holle also presented a document entitled "1998-99 Departmental Budget Shortfalls and Carryover Requests." Mr. Holle and Dr. Singer reviewed both of these documents with the Committee and responded to questions. Members of the Committee had no objection to the proposed policy and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to review the budgetary information. After Mr. Holle and Dr. Singer left the meeting, the Committee agreed that they should be invited to make a presentation on these matters to the first Fall meeting of the Faculty Senate.

Diana Sharp joined the meeting.

Prof. Gellott and Dr. Sharp presented a draft proposal to create a standing faculty committee on advising. Given the importance of sound advising practices throughout the university, the Committee concurred with the presenters that such a committee is needed. After some discussion, the Committee asked the Secretary of the Faculty to prepare a revised draft that would be suitable for consideration at the first Fall meeting of the Faculty Senate.

Diana Sharp left the meeting.

Prof. Gellott indicated that she would serve on a search and screen committee to find a new Coordinator of Student Evaluation Services during the coming month.

As incoming Chair, Prof. Gellott asked other Committee members to help her identify larger issues that should be given high priority during the next academic year.

Committee members noted that no call for nominations for the Faculty Distinguished Service Award was issued this past Spring. It was agreed that this was simply an oversight and that steps should be taken during the Fall semester to formalize the selection process so that this doesn't happen again next Spring.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00.