Present: Bob Patten, Speaker, and Ed Akin, John Ambler, Yildiz Bayazitoglu, Ed Cox, Bala Dharan, André Droxler, Caroline Levander, Seiichi Matsuda, Gordon Mutchler, Barbara Ostdiek, Jennifer West, Gordon Wittenberg. Absent: Stephen Baker, Janet Braam, John Zammito.
The agenda consisted of: (1) Approval of Minutes of 3 April meeting, (2) Committee reports: (A) Curriculum, (B) Committee on Committees, (C) Undergraduate Teaching (report from Deborah Harter about Alan Grob's concern regarding graduate students teaching lower-division undergraduate courses), (D) Elections, (E) Benefits (report from Susan McIntosh about maternity benefits), (F) Salary, (3) Future projects, (A) Committee to review faculty governance: Charge, Composition, Time Table, (B) Committee to review faculty status issues: Ranks, Definition of "Full Time" and "Part Time,Voting privileges, Who is covered by 201-97? (4) Other.
(1) Approval of Minutes of 3 April meeting: The minutes were approved.
(2) Committee reports:
(A) Curriculum: The speaker stated that a Calendar Committee could be instituted to acquire input from not only faculty but also from staff and from students regarding the academic-year calendar,which significantly affects all of those groups.
The motion was made and seconded that instead of instituting a new committee, the University Council (whose present membershipincludes students, staff, and faculty) be assigned that responsibility.
(B) Committee on Committees: Ambler stated that the Committee on Committees recommendations of service report was sent to Dr. Gillis. However, since that submission, one issue has occurred regarding the possibility of lecturers serving on the committees. Discussion of that issue will be delayed until the fall Faculty Council Business Meetings.
(C) Undergraduate Teaching (report from Deborah Harter about Alan Grob's concern regarding graduate students teaching lower-division undergraduate courses): The Speaker stated the main concerns described in the report are (1) the need for additional training of graduate students who are teaching lower-division undergraduate courses and (2) that there may be too many first- and second-year courses being taught by graduate students.
The motion was made for the Speaker to request that the Deputy Speaker acquire from the registrar a list of courses that are taught by non-PhDs and a list of laboratories where non-faculty are the principal participants, to provide additional information for the council.
(D) Elections: Droxler stated that there were two uncontested positions that were filled, and Bob Patten won the contested position. The motion was made and seconded to accept the Election Committee's report.It was accepted, unanimously.
However, the fourth position, a Professor at Large to fill a four-year term, had no candidates and needs to be filled, and there are five, possibly six positions that may open (because of recent faculty promotions) within the next few months.
The motion was made that the Election Committee meet to further discuss those issues, and then report back to the Faculty Council regarding suggestions for those positions. In addition, it was suggested that the Speaker consult with Dr. Gillis about the issues involved regarding those positions. It was agreed, unanimously.
During the next Faculty Council Business Meeting, reports from the Speaker and from the Election Committee will be discussed.
(E) Benefits (report from Susan McIntosh about maternity benefits): The council agreed to delay discussion regarding this report until the next Faculty Council Business Meeting.
(F) Salary: The Speaker stated that the Salary Committee now has the MIT study, and that committee will provide a report that will show the gross salaries by gender and by school, and the salaries will be adjusted for the cost of living.
(3) Future projects, (A) Committee to review faculty governance: Charge, Composition, Time Table, (B) Committee to review faculty status issues: Ranks, Definition of "Full Time" and "Part Time, Voting privileges, Who is covered by 201-97? The council agreed to delay discussion regarding those issues until the fall Faculty Council Business Meetings.
(4) Other: There being no other items on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 1 p.m. However, an additional meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 4, at noon, Anne and Charles Duncan Hall, Conference Room 1003, to resolve last-minute issues that were unresolved by the council during this year's business.
Ellen Butler
Secretary