Appalachian State University

Faculty Senate Minutes

 December 11, 2006 (Approved on January 8, 2007)

The Faculty Senate meeting was called to order by Chair Marking at 3:15 pm in the William Strickland Conference Room in I.G. Greer on Monday, December 11, 2006.  Senator Evans (due to a prior university commitment), Senator Ramsey (due to exams), Senator Lambert (due to exams), Senator Strazicich (due to exams), and Senator Mines were not in attendance.  Senator Arnold arrived at 5:00 pm. 

I.        Announcements:

A.          Chair Marking welcomed senators and asked visitors to introduce themselves.  Visitors were Dr. Tim Burwell (Academic Affairs), Dr. Edelma Huntley (Graduate School), Dr. Holly Hirst (Graduate School), Dr. Dennis Grady (Political Science), Dr. Tom Rokoske (Physics), Mr. Jerry Hutchens (University Advancement), and Ms. Jane Nicholson (Public Affairs).

B.          Chair Marking asked for Faculty Senate volunteers to attend the Chancellor’s Advisory Meetings scheduled for the Spring 2007 semester.  Senators Malloy, Williams, McBride, Scherlen, and Smith volunteered to attend the meeting on February 5, 2007 and Senators Huelsman volunteered to attend the April 23, 2007 meeting.  Senators were asked to check their schedules and let Chair Marking know if they could attend either of these meetings.

II.          Visitors Reports:

A.            Dr. Edelma Huntley, Dean, Cratis Williams Graduate School, thanked the Faculty Senate for recommending that an ad hoc university committee undertake a comprehensive review and evaluation of graduate education at Appalachian State University (Faculty Senate resolution Spring 2004).  Dr. Grady facilitated a slide presentation on the report that the taskforce submitted to the provost in October 2006.  His presentation included demographics of the graduate student population on- and off-campus, enrollment trends, graduate student and graduate faculty findings, graduate program director and department chair findings, best practices, assessment results, recommendations, and implementation strategies.  Questions and comments raised from the Faculty Senate included whether the taskforce tracked graduate students’ acceptance rates into PhD programs as a benchmark for success, need for incentives for graduate program directors, advantages and dis-advantages of dual-listed courses, whether program directors receive reassigned time for scholarly research, graduate students living at or below poverty level, and possibility of having tuition waivers for graduate students.  Dr. Grady noted that there will be a workshop on strategic planning in the spring for program directors.

B.            Mr. Jerry Hutchens, University Advancement, shared with the Faculty Senate the various components and activities of the University Advancement office.  A new online streaming video featuring the Chancellor will be transmitted to 36,000 alumni after the championship football game.  University Advancement works hand-in-hand with athletics which is a unique situation when compared with other universities.  Mr. Hutchens noted that the next capital campaign will focus on the academic mission of the university. 

C.          Ms. Jane Nicholson, Public Affairs, spoke briefly on the university’s adverse weather policy, which can be found on the homepage index under adverse weather policy or inclement weather.  There are links to the various media outlets that ASU contacts to announce closings and delays which include am/fm radio stations, cable channel 18, WBTV, channel 5, and emails sent to students.  Ms. Nicholson mentioned that the university seldom closes due to inclement weather.  The trend has been delay openings until 10:00 am classes.

III.      Minutes:

A.          Senator Harris moved to defer approval of the November 13, 2006 Faculty Senate minutes until the January 8, 2007 meeting.  Motion passed.  (See Vote  #1).                  

IV.     Provost’s Report: 

A.           Dr. Aeschleman updated the Faculty Senate on four recent Board of Trustees’ actions pertaining to changes in the Faculty Handbook.  Dr. Aeschleman reported that Motion FS 06-07/9-01 stating that a faculty member is relieved of all service obligations to the University while on Off-Campus Scholarly Activity and Family and Medical Leave was approved by the Board of Trustees at the December 7/8, 2006 meeting. 

                               Motion FS 06-07/9-01 to add Section 4.9.3.3 to the Faculty Handbook:

A faculty member is relieved of all service obligations to the University while on full-time paid or unpaid leave, including an OCSA and Family or Medical Leave.   In particular, a faculty member is not eligible to serve on a Departmental Personnel Committee during the academic year in which the leave occurs, or during an academic year in which she or he is absent from campus for any reason (for example, on a foreign exchange) for a semester or more.

Dr. Aeschleman reported that Motion FS 06-07/11-02 to recommend the following change (in italics) in the Faculty Handbook was passed by the Board of Trustees.

7.3 The Operating Procedures of University Committees

 7.3.2.4  Every committee will select a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members, for the academic year at its first fall semester meeting.

Dr. Aeschleman reported that Motion FS 06-07/11-03 to recommend changes in  the Faculty Handbook (in bold) was approved by the Board of Trustees.

5.2 Faculty Absence

Whenever a faculty member will be absent from class, she or he must notify the departmental chair. The departmental chair will make appropriate arrangements for the missed classes to be taught. Departmental chairs are encouraged to make reasonable accommodations for faculty requesting to miss class due to the observance of religious holidays. All absences from classes for any reason should be reported to the dean of the college/school by the departmental chair.

Dr. Aeschleman stated that Chapter 4 in the Faculty Handbook was updated to include the change from 1-1-2-3 contracts to 4-3 contracts which had already been added under Section 3.6.2. “Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure”.

 

              B.          Dr. Aeschleman responded to Senator Felkel’s email regarding stipends related to promotion noting that current practice is to award $1,000 stipend for promotion to Associate Professor, $1,000 awarded for earning tenure, and $2,000 stipend for promotion to full professor.  The Provost mentioned that he has asked Institutional Research, Assessment & Planning to conduct data analysis since his preliminary research indicated that the university might be low in awarding these stipends.  The Provost stated that the current system of awarding stipends is separate from merit raises and that they are automatic even in difficult budget years.  Dr. Aeschleman clarified that the Family Leave Policy indicates that leave with pay will be considered for the faculty member who exercises “primary responsibility for the care of an infant immediately following the birth” when two faculty members have a child together.  Dr. Aeschleman concluded his remarks by stating that he will update faculty on major campus initiatives during the spring faculty meeting.

V.          Committee Reports (Committee Chair’s name is in caps.)

   A.          Academic Policies  (HUELSMAN, Butts, Mamlin, Smith, Williams)

       No Report.

              B.          Agenda Committee (MARKING, Arnold, Harris, Marland)

                            No Report.

              C.          Budget Committee (STRAZICICH, Marland, McBride, Scherlen))

                           No Report.

              D.          Campus Planning Committee (TILLER, Arnold, Kaenzig, Ramey)

                            Discussed the creation of a campus-wide green building task force to provide

input into building projects.  Potential task force members could include LEED Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (the most well known commercial/institutional green building program) registered professionals on campus, Jeff Tiller (Faculty Senate, Campus Planning Committee Chair), Patrick Beville (Design and Construction), Jeanne Mercer-Ballard (Department of Technology), Joe Crocker (Department of Technology), Dave Robertson (Director of Student Programs), Tommy Wright (Director of Housing Operations), Clyde Robbins (Director of Design and Construction), Mike O'Connor (Director of the Physical Plant), and other interested faculty members.  The purpose of the task force would be to help facilitate construction of more LEED-certified buildings on campus.  Discussed energy efficiency efforts on existing campus buildings.

E.             Committee on Committees (LAMBERT, Horton, Malloy, McGuire, Mines)

Motion:  To approve the following replacements on University Committees and Faculty Senate for Spring 2007 semester:

·Mary Valante (History) replacement for Lynn Getz for Core Curriculum Committee

·Jeromy Hopgood, (Theatre and Dance) replacement for Glenn-Ellen Starr Stilling University Bookstore Committee

                     ·David Johnson (History) replacement for Diane Mines for Faculty Senate

·Need Replacement for Heather Waldroup (Art), Library Services Committee

Motion passed.  (See Vote #2).  (A replacement is needed for Heather Waldroup on the Library Services Committee.)

F.         Faculty Handbook Committee (MARKING, Moore, Arnold, Gates, Marland)

Motion 06-07/12-01 To add Section 6.5.4 The Departmental Assistant Chair to the Faculty Handbook.  (See Appendix A).

Rationale:

Currently there is no mention of Assistant Department Chairs in the Faculty Handbook with regard to responsibilities or departmental policies governing these positions.

Motion passed.  (See Vote #3). 

              G.          Faculty Welfare and Morale Committee (FELKEL, Ehnenn, Harris, McKinney)

                            No Report.

              H.          Welfare of Students Committee (RAMSEY, Carpenter, Davison)

Motion 06-07/12-02 to increase GPA requirements for “Degrees with Distinction”.  (See Appendix B:  GPA Requirements for Degrees with Distinction.)

Whereas, graduating with honors is a formal recognition of exceptional academic performance, as well as a means to add additional value and prestige to the degrees of students who have demonstrated such performance, and,

Whereas, large numbers of students are graduating from ASU with honors, and, thus, the value and prestige of these honors is being significantly diminished:

(On average, 26% of graduates for the last three years 2003-2006), and,

Whereas, grade inflation, such as it is, causes overall increases in the average GPAs of graduating seniors, and, thus, also reduces the value of degrees with distinction as currently awarded, therefore, be it

Resolved,  That the ASU Faculty Senate recommends current GPA requirements for Degrees with Distinction be increased as follows: Cum Laude 3.55 (from 3.45); Magna Cum Laude 3.7 (from 3.65); and Summa Cum Laude to 3.9 (from 3.85).

Resolved,  That this motion be forwarded to the University Academic Policies and Procedures committee for its consideration.

                            Discussion about increasing GPA requirements for “Degrees with Distinction” included concerns and issues related to grade inflation, change to percentage of top-ranking students within each college receive scholastic recognition, the need to consult with SGA before making any recommendations, penalizing colleges based on how many students achieve certain levels of scholastic achievement, students like to know their individual GPA vs. percentage, negative effect of compressing students into single category of either A or B grade-level, private sector cannot discern who is a good student/potential employee because they all look alike, honors need to mean something, if you raise the standards you may be eliminating students from different colleges/school from receiving honors, students with grades of D or F could potentially graduate with honors if based on a percentage ranking, students want to receive recognition for their scholastic achievements and include this on their resumes, students enrolled in School of Music and College of Education might earn higher grades due to admissions standards, and question about what other universities do to recognize their top students.  Senator Butts moved to table the motion and Senator Huelsman seconded.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #4).

VI.         Old Business

              None.

VII.       New Business

   A.       Ad Hoc Committee Resolution on Assistant Chairs.  Questions revolved around issues regarding a 10-month contract instead of 9-    month contracts and a closer parallel with the Department Chair verbiage was requested.  Senator McBride moved and Senator Felkel seconded to refer the motion back to the Ad Hoc Committee on Assistant Chairs for further consideration.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #5).

              B.         Motion FS 06-07/12-03 Parking Resolution.  Senator Butts moved and Senator Mamlin seconded that the Proposal on Event Parking be approved.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #6).  (See Appendix C).

The ASU Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and Student Government Association believe that the loss of parking revenue, due to circumstances beyond our control, should not be incurred solely by increasing parking fees for campus pass holders.   We believe that campus visitors should shoulder a share of the burden for upkeep of parking facilities and to help support the increased services they require.   We support the resolution approved by the Parking and Traffic Committee in February 2006 that would set aside a percentage of the ticket cost of each campus event.  We would specifically request that tickets for any event that requires additional security, traffic control or physical plant support include a surcharge. Tickets that are sold to those who pay general fees in relation to the event they are attending would not be subject to any additional charge.  

C.          Ad Hoc Committee on Faculty Voting Privileges.  Senator Harris reported that it was not possible to present recommendations to the Senate at this meeting.  The committee will continue working and present recommendations to the Senate before the end of the next semester.

Chair Marking asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #7).  The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 pm.

Appalachian State University

FACULTY PRESENT AND VOTING SHEET for December 11, 2006

Y = Yes             N = No               A = Abstain

Vote #1:            A motion to defer approval of the November 13, 2006 Faculty Senate minutes until the January 8, 2007 meeting.  

Vote #2:            A motion from Committee on Committees to approve replacements on University Committees and Faculty Senate for Spring 2007   semester.       

Vote #3:            To approve Motion FS 06-07/12-01 to add Section 6.5.4 The Departmental Assistant Chair to the Faculty Handbook.       

Vote #4:            Motion to table Motion FS 06-07/12-02 to increase GPA requirements for “Degrees with Distinction”.

Vote #5:            Motion FS 06-07/12-04 to refer the Ad Hoc Committee Resolution on Assistant Chairs recommendations back to the committee.       

Vote #6:            Motion FS 06-07/12-03 to approve Proposal for Event Parking.              

Vote #7:            Motion to adjourn the meeting.

Appendix A

6.5.4 THE DEPARTMENTAL ASSISTANT CHAIR

If a department has an assistant chair, that person will receive an initial three-year appointment made by the departmental chair in accordance with the Departmental Assistant Chair policy.  Subsequent terms may be approved in accordance with the departmental assistant chair policy.  Review of the assistant chair will follow the departmental assistant chair policy.  The assistant chair must have tenure as a faculty member.

Every department with an assistant chair must develop a departmental assistant chair policy, approved by the department (see Article II Section 2 of the Faculty Constitution).

It is the general responsibility of the assistant chair to work with the department chair to guide the department toward its goals.

It is the specific responsibility of the assistant chair to:

Represent the departmental chair in the chair’s absence.

Sign routine forms such as, student course overrides, independent study contracts, special course forms, course substitutions, minor contracts, and transfer credits.

Assist with orientation of new departmental faculty.

Serve as the departmental representative on University Committees as needed.

Provide faculty with another level of administrative communication.

Communicate with the departmental chair concerning departmental business and the assistant chair’s responsibilities.

The departmental chair, as determined by the departmental assistant chair policy, may assign other duties.

Appendix B

GPA REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREES WITH DISTINCTION

Appendix C

Proposal for Event Parking

December 2006

Forrest Gilliam, Student Government Association President

Charlie Wallin, Staff Council President

Martha Marking, Faculty Senate Chair

History:

              It has been the long-standing policy in the State of North Carolina to not provide any state appropriation for the construction or maintenance of any parking structures or for the administration of parking regulations on the campuses of The University of North Carolina.  Each campus is responsible for maintaining a self-supporting parking and traffic department.  The main source of funding for the Appalachian State University Parking and Traffic Department comes from the rental of parking spaces to faculty, staff, and students.  The Parking and Traffic budget was traditionally augmented by money brought in from the enforcement of campus parking regulations.

A North Carolina Supreme Court ruling in July of 2005 officially ended the long-standing practice of the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina of keeping all revenue obtained through parking and traffic fines on their campuses.  The practice at Appalachian State University had been to use the revenue for the maintenance of existing parking lots and possible expansion of the total number of parking spaces on campus.  The court ruling forced Appalachian to give up $1.2 million in fine money that had been collected, beginning in 2001 as a result of a lower court injunction in relation to the same case and to turn over all future fine money to the state to be distributed to local school systems. 

              The University Parking and Traffic Department had been planning to use the fine money saved in escrow for much needed repairs in some of the surface lots on campus; especially Stadium, Justice, and Legends.  While it is now apparent that the $1.2 million would not have been enough to completely resurface the Stadium lot, it would have covered close to half of the estimated cost of construction.  As a result of the original court injunction in 2001 that forced all fine money to be placed in escrow, parking permit rates were increased significantly to make up for the loss in revenue.

              Before the court injunction of 2001, all parking permits were $100.  Surface permit prices were increased to $110, and permits for the new Rivers Street Parking Deck were sold for $500 for the 2002-2003 academic year.  The money from the parking deck spaces, as well as part of the surface lot proceeds, went toward the debt service of the parking deck construction.  As a result of the injunction on fine monies, permit prices were increased to $204 for surface permits and $504 for the parking deck.  These rates have been in place since the 2003-2004 academic year.

              The ASU Parking and Traffic committee recommended in February of 2006 that “a percentage of all ticket sales for campus events be designated for ongoing maintenance of campus parking facilities and traffic control capabilities”.  The committee recommended that 5% of the price of each ticket go toward parking services.  The recommendation was forwarded to Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Jane P. Helm, who discussed the resolution with her fellow Vice Chancellor’s and the Chancellor, after which she decided not to support the resolution.  Official notification from Vice Chancellor Helm to the Parking and Traffic Committee was conveyed on May 2, 2006.

              At the end of the 2005-2006 school year, South Lot, a student surface lot that held approximately 550 cars, was closed to make way for the construction of a new baseball and soccer complex as part of the Athletic Enhancement Campaign.  The loss of these spaces translates to approximately a $100,000 annual loss in revenue for the Parking and Traffic Department. 

              In September of 2006 the ASU Board of Trustees revised deck permit pricing to reflect the anticipated opening of the new Library Parking Deck in the spring of 2007.  Faculty and staff deck rates were set at $360 in both the Library and Rivers Street decks.  Students will not be sold permits in the Library Deck, and will continue to pay $504 per year in the Rivers Street Deck.

              The ruling by the state Supreme Court, coupled with the loss of South Lot, has placed a funding burden on the ASU Parking and Traffic Department, which still has the same operating costs, and additional capital costs to those of 2001.  The method of making up for the loss in fine money, increasing permit prices, places the majority of the funding burden on ASU parking permit holders.