Faculty Council

April 3, 2003

1008 Evans Lab

3:30-5:30

 

Present: 36

Guests: 1

 

3:30     1.         Invest Yourself

 

Representatives from the Undergraduate Student Government came to discuss their “Invest Yourself” campaign. The goals is to present Administration and Faculty as communicative rather than threatening. They want volunteers on May 18th from 1-4pm to help them go door-to-door to reach out to the campus community.

 

3:50     2.         Budget Cut Crisis

 

Professor Dick Gunther alerted Faculty Council to the threats by the State Legislature to drastically cut the budget for Higher Education. He said that there are split opinions, and a big opportunity to make a positive impact. Dr. Gunther told Council about a rally involving other Ohio universities, Ohio Faculty Council, USAC, the Alumni Association and Students. He stressed the need for a large turnout since it will be covered by the press and the broadcast media. Dr. Gunther distributed copies of a petition, and asked that everyone return as many signatures as possible to the Senate Office by noon on Monday. Council asked a representative from Legislative Affairs to propose to the committee a report card be kept on all legislators regarding their support to Higher Education.

4:07     3.         Ad Hoc Governance Committee

Professor Doug Macbeth presented the findings of the committees report. He said that POAs are required of departments and schools but not colleges. The committee advised that a rule be made and awaits further instruction from Faculty Council. There was a discussion on the ideas of “Rules” versus “Guidelines.” Professor Steve Pinsky suggested that Faculty Council refer the matter to Steering. Professor Jerry Winer said that Faculty Council should form a committee and invite members of OAA to sit on the committee. Secretary of the Senate Susan Fisher said that OAA should be actively involved and said that the rule should be patterned after the departmental POA rule. Dr. Blackwell suggested that the committee be a joint Faculty Council and Steering Committee. Faculty Council proposed that a University Rule be developed requiring all colleges to have POAs. Faculty Council further requests that a join committee of Faculty Council and Steering e appointed by the Chair of Faculty Council and Steering to draft such a rule in consultation with OAA and the Council of Deans. The proposal was approved unanimously by voice vote.

4:50     4.         Evaluation of Administrators

Faculty Council debated undertaking evaluations of administrators. Chair Mumy noted that such action could put Council in an adversarial position. There was a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of such an evaluation by Faculty Council. Sally Rudmann, Secretary of the Faculty, volunteered her office as a location for this evaluation. Vice-Chair Grady Chism suggested a website survey tool, and Dr. Macbeth noted a company in Kansas that performs such evaluations. Dr. Winer proposed that Faculty Council constitute a committee to develop an instrument to evaluate chairs, deans and directors and other administrators. This committee shall develop a process whereby Faculty Council administer the instrument and disseminate the results. The proposal was declined by voice vote. Dr. Blackwell proposed that a committee be formed to collate pertinent information, consult the appropriate parties and make a series of recommendations on the faculty evaluation of administrators for Faculty Council’s disposition. The proposal was approved unanimously by voice vote.

5:16     5.         New Business

Chair Mumy made an announcement regarding the status of the ASC proposal.

 

The meeting was adjouned at 5:20pm.