Sam Bigham, Wayne Jones, Stan Alluisi, Diane Dixon, Randy Prus, Kenneth Chinn, Glenda Zumwalt, Lisa Hill Coleman, Sandra Thomas, Margaret Avard, Ken Elder, Charla Hall, Virginia Davis, Patricia Stubblefield, Faye Mangrum, Gleny Beach, Kitty Campbell, Rod Minatra, John Allen Hendricks, Kyle Thomas, Buddy Pierce, Brett Elliott, Glenn Melancon, Bryon Clark, Jerry Polson.
Meeting called to order by Sam Bigham at 3:00.
Minutes of November 8 were accepted as posted.
President Johnson presented a handout on the budget with comments. He also reminded everyone of the memorial service for Lynn Mathew and Jake Marcum at 5:00 in Montgomery Auditorium. He stated that these types of things really test the campus and he stated that the university has come together in a most positive way. He mentioned the memorial funds set up for the students.
President Johnson discussed the new construction on campus and was positive concerning the campus attitude. Johnson stated that last year was a decent year budget wise with the 3% pay raise for faculty but that some rescheduling was necessary in order to come up with the $900,000 needed for that raise.
President Johnson gave the $376,523,140 total funds available (overall state budget) as one of the best years in many for funding. This is due in some part to the high gasoline prices. He talked of the endowed chairs matching funds which must be funded and usually go to the two flagship universities. Also, Johnson talked about the governors state of the state address and his support of the education system. He said that Governor Keating has been a strong supporter of education over the past few years.
President Johnson wants to wait until after the allocation discussions before discussing a rate increase in tuition.
Johnson talked of the Oklahoma State Regents allocation proposal on page 5 of his handout. "This is the single best page available discussing the needs of the state in education." He stated that the faculty and students going Tuesday, March 6th to the State Capital to address the chamber and senate will be a great way to push our message of educational needs to the powers in the Capital. This is Higher Education Day and a very effective time for educators to make their needs known. President Johnson listed the names of several prominent people who would be speaking at the event and encouraged faculty to make the trip to OKC.
President Johnson opened the floor to questions.
Glenn Melancon questioned the apparent contradiction in seeking more graduates from our colleges and universities and yet raising the tuition at the same time. President Johnson stated that there are those who are not as in touch with reality as might be desirable so they think a higher tuition would be no problem. President Johnson stated the Oklahoma Legislature decides tuition, not the regents. He feels that 9% is too much of a raise in tuition.
Jeff Hale next presented the idea of an academic advising center to the faculty senate.(see proposal)
He stated that the number one factor that impacts our organizational health is the quality of the faculty. Second is the student experience while they are on campus. He is looking for feedback from the faculty. We had (last year) the largest number of new students since 1994. Unfortunately, our retention is at a five year low. The students are coming in the front door while at the same time going out the back door in alarming numbers. If the university can find some way to keep the students here, the numbers (enrollment) would increase as a dramatic rate. The number of freshmen staying until the sophomore year at a 10 year low. Retention rate is at 55% at present. If we (Southeastern) had maintained our retention standards of three years ago we would have had over 300 more students on campus this year to a total of over 4,000 students.
Hale talked of an advising center proposal that may soon become a reality. Unfortunately, the funds may not be available. Adult learning and "Gear-Up" are topics which may be included in the proposal. This could change the name to "Student Success Center" or something along those lines. Hale stated that 600+ students are undeclared and are at risk of leaving the university simply because they do not have a home. These 600 students could be enough to justify the advising center.
Hale opened up for questions.
Sam Bigham asked about a timeline to which Hale stated that since he has no money he didn’t have an idea of timeline yet. Jeff Hale stated that with partial staffing by interested parties, something could be on-line by fall, 2001.
Kenneth Chinn asked about the telephone registration and the growing disconnect with the students because of this. Hale stated that the phone registration idea was a good one but that it was put into place without safeguards and therefor has potential for abuse. Several negatives to telephone enrollment were discussed.
Wayne Jones suggested a PIN number be given to each student by their advisor upon meeting for scheduling and advisement. The numbers would be unique to each student and would change each semester thereby forcing meetings between students and their advisors. Hale stated that this idea has been discussed.
Bryon Clark suggested looking at which academic departments have been successful at advising and using them as models.
Sam Bigham recommended that in examining student attrition rates, the school needs to track those students who come to SOSU with the intention of transferring later on. He said that Jeff Hale wanted to work with one of the faculty senate committees on the advisement process.
A motion was made by Diane Dixon to assign that task to the University Affairs committee. The motion was seconded by Ginny Davis and passed unanimously.
Tim Smith presented a report from the supplemental compensation task force regarding indirect costs from grants. The task force recommended that indirect costs be awarded in three categories.
Two issues that still need to be addressed: Should significantly off -card faculty (20% or more above salary card) be entitled to receive indirect cost compensation? What about faculty who have been given release time?
The Faculty Senate discussed clarification of memo items 2 and 3.
Bryon Clark made a motion to send the memo with item 1 forward to the president and to table items 2 and 3 for discussion at the next meeting . Rod Minatra seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Rod Minatra reported that the committee is organizing the Faculty Senate Recognition awards. He is working to put the nomination forms on the web and to have the voting process web-based as well. The awards will be presented at a dinner scheduled for April 24, 20001 at 6:30 p.m.
Lisa Hill, Honors Program advisor, reported that the committee is considering the status of the Honors Committee. Currently, the Honors Committee is not represented on the University flow chart.
William Fridley reported that the committee is working to clarify promotion and tenure policies. He requested that Faculty Senate members email him with their suggestions, questions or problems.
Kitty Campbell reported that the committee is in the process of contacting the faculty senate leaders of the other Oklahoma colleges and universities to determine if their institutions evaluate administrators above the dean. If so, the committee is requesting a copy of the evaluation instruments.
Ken Chinn reported that his committee is developing a survey instrument regarding the budget process and faculty involvement. Sam Bigham noted that since the Chairs have to submit budget requests by March 2, 2001, the survey needs to be distributed soon. Glenn Melancon recommended that the budget committee obtain clarification concerning proposed changes in the budget process.
Sam Bigham reported that interim courses will now be counted as part of the summer school load. John Allen Hendricks noted that there needs to be clarification as to whether or not the interim faculty assignment comes out of the summer faculty allotments.
Bryon Clark reported that the task force is collecting salary information for the various disciplines in the university. Based on information he has already obtained, it appears that for many areas, the university is paying at about the national average for assistant professors but is under compensating at the Associate and full Professor levels. This is an issue, which has had a direct effect on faculty turnover. see memo
Sam Bigham stated that he will email new business information to the Faculty Senate members.
At 5:00 Bryon Clark made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Jamie Knapp. The motion passed.