Appalachian State University

Faculty Senate Minutes

February 12, 2007 (Approved)

The Faculty Senate meeting was called to order by Chair Marking at 3:20 pm in the William Strickland Conference Room in I.G. Greer on Monday, February 12, 2007.  Senators Butts, Horton, and Scherlen were not in attendance.

I.            Announcements:

                          A.          Chair Marking welcomed senators and asked visitors to introduce themselves.  Visitors were Ms. Cindy Wallace (Student Development), Dr. Dave Haney (Academic Affairs), Dr. Tim Burwell (Academic Affairs), Dr. Robert Johnson (Graduate School), Dr. Harry Williams (Academic Affairs), Dr. Paul Gates (Hubbard Center), Mr. Robert White (International Education and Development), Dr. Bill Bauldry (Mathematical Sciences), Dr. Michael Moore (Retired Faculty), Ms. Sara Haynes (Student Publications), Mr. Thomas Brigman (Student Government Association), and Ms. Mang Chang (Student Government Association).     

                          B.          Chair Marking welcomed Dr. David Johnson (History) to his first Faculty Senate meeting.  He is replacing Senator Diane Mines for the Spring 2007 semester as she is taking an OCSA leave. 

II.          Visitors Reports:

A.          Ms. Cindy Wallace (Vice Chancellor for Student Development) discussed Appalachian State University’s Infectious Disease Pandemic Response Plan. 

(See Appendix A and B). 

B.          Mr. Robert White (Office of International Education and Development) discussed Guidelines for Developing International Partnerships and Agreements on behalf of Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, who was out of the country.  The Office of International Education and Development has developed these guidelines to help formalize the process of establishing international partnerships.  Mr. White stated that he would welcome feedback regarding these guidelines.  (See Appendix C).

C.          Chair Marking informed the Faculty Senate that Motion FS 06-07/01-01 needed to be rescinded because the name of the Patent and Copyright Committee had already been changed to the Technology Transfer Committee by a previous motion.   Senator McBride moved and Senator Carpenter seconded to rescind Motion FS06-07/01-01.  Motion passed (See Vote #1). 

D.          Dr. Robert Johnson, on behalf of the Intellectual Property Development Advisory Council, distributed an updated copy of proposed Section 7.5.17 of the Faculty Handbook :

              Motion FS 06-07/02-01

7.5.17 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

a. Members on Council:  9-12 – 6 faculty will be recommended by the appropriate Deans and University Librarian and will be appointed by the Provost as follows: One (1) faculty representative from each of the following University entities: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, College of Business, College of Education, School of Music, and Belk Library.  The Faculty Senate will appoint one additional voting member.  All faculty will be voting members and will serve three-year terms. One (1) representative each from Research and Graduate Studies and the Small Business and Technology Development Center will be voting members.  One representative from the University Attorney’s Office will be non-voting.  The Provost may at his/her discretion appoint up to 3 additional non-voting members, which may include non-ASU affiliated individuals.  All members should be appointed based on his/her area of expertise and commitment to furthering the intellectual property development efforts of both the faculty and University.

b. Report to: The Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor.

c. Areas of responsibility: 1) receive and review all intellectual property disclosures made by the faculty and staff of Appalachian State University; 2) recommend such measures as are necessary to assure prompt and expeditious handling, evaluation, and prosecution of intellectual property opportunities in accordance with approved University procedures (http://www.academicaffairs.appstate.edu/ resources/ IntellProp.pdf); 3) other duties consistent with the Appalachian State University Intellectual Property Transfer Policy; and 4) direct questions of intellectual property ownership to the committee charged with hearing faculty grievances.

              Dr. Johnson stated that the Advisory Council surveyed other institutions in the UNC system and found that most councils were appointed (not elected) by the Chancellor or Provost.  (See Appendix D).  This proposal indicates that all academic units, the library, Faculty Senate, and Graduate Studies can make recommendations and that the university attorney will be a non-voting member.  Furthermore, Item 2 in the section entitled “Areas of Responsibility” which stated “(2) make recommendations to resolve questions of invention and copyright ownership, and related matters that may arise between Appalachian State University and its faculty and staff members;” was deleted.  Dr. Johnson stated that there are other mechanisms already in place to review issues such as ownership and that the council should not make these decisions.  Another difference in the proposal brought by Dr. Johnson as opposed to the one distributed with the agenda is that the Small Business and Technology Development Center representative should be appointed as a voting member because of expertise, regardless of whether or not the representative holds academic rank.  Chair Marking pointed out the difference between a council and a committee.  Councils are appointed bodies and committees are overseen by Faculty Senate.  Senator McBride moved and Senator Tiller seconded to approve the proposal as outlined in the handout.  Motion passed (See Vote #2).  Senator Malloy asked if it should be assumed that the faculty representatives from each college and the library will be voting members and serve three-year terms.  Chair Marking clarified that the faculty representatives will be voting members and serve three-year terms as indicated in “a” above.

                                        Chair Marking asked for a motion to delete Section 7.3.4.12 in the Faculty Handbook since it referred to the Technology Transfer Committee which the Intellectual Property Development Advisory Council is now replacing.  Senator Huelsman moved and Senator Tiller seconded.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #3). 

III.         Minutes:

A.          Chair Marking asked for a motion to approve the January 8, 2007 Faculty Senate minutes.  Senator  McBride moved and Senator Williams seconded.  Motion was passed.  (See Vote #4).                     

IV.       Provost’s Report: 

              A.          The Provost announced that the Faculty Evaluation and Development Task Force is conducting an extensive online survey that should take approximately one hour to complete.  The Provost encouraged all faculty to participate.    

             B.          The Provost announced that the university has decided to publish the Undergraduate Bulletin online in a searchable .pdf file rather than printing hard copies.  He stated that most UNC institutions are moving in this direction and it will save ASU $100,000. 

              C.          The Provost reported that ASU is not currently conducting criminal background checks on employees.  A new federally-mandated employment verification process for newly-hired students, staff, and faculty has been implemented by ASU effective January 2007.  In the Fall 2007 semester, criminal background checks will be conducted on all newly-admitted students.  Dr. Tim Burwell stated that the Basic Pilot Program is a database system generated by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security that all state agencies must use to verify whether all newly-hired students, staff, and faculty are eligible for employment in the United States.  Information provided by newly-hired employees on their I-9 forms must be verified through the database within three days of their employment.  This verification process is not for pre-employment screening or for screening current employees.  If the information provided by the newly-hired employee results in a “denied” finding based on the employment verification database, their employment will be terminated because the employee would be deemed not eligible to work in United States.  If the information results in a “cannot make a determination” finding, the individual will be directed to the appropriate agency (SSA or Homeland Security).  Such situations could arise because an employee did not officially change his/her name on Social Security Card after marriage or the employee’s visa is not current.  ASU can incur fines if it does not comply with this federal program.

                            Concerns and questions raised by the senators included issues related to invasion of privacy, the likelihood that the employment verification database has inaccurate and/or outdated information, the presence of adequate mechanisms on campus to help faculty obtain the necessary documents that verify their legal status to work in the United States, and the existence of an appeal process for individuals to pursue should they not receive a positive confirmation.  Senator Harris noted that the Communication Disorders Graduate Program conducts criminal background checks and Senator Carpenter stated that the Lucy Brock Development Center conducts criminal background checks on anyone who works with children.  Dr. Aeschleman stated that there are other internship programs that conduct criminal background checks.

                            Dr. Harry Williams stated that criminal background checks will be conducted on all newly-admitted students effective Fall Semester 2007.  Background checks consist of checking the UNC system to see if students have been suspended from any other UNC educational institution, checking the national clearinghouse database, and checking with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  Dr. Williams added that if student applicants appropriately answer any one of six trigger questions on their ASU’s admissions application, they will automatically be directed to a campus committee composed of the registrar, representatives from the university police, housing, admissions, graduate admissions, and student conduct offices.  This committee meets once a month and makes recommendations to the Provost regarding student admission status.

              D.          Senator Arnold shared with the Senate that during a recent Faculty Assembly meeting he attended with other faculty delegates from ASU, President Erskine Bowles singled out Appalachian State University for criticism by voicing his dissatisfaction with ASU’s administration for requesting a large fee increase in lieu of a tuition increase.  Dr. Aeschleman stated that ASU received guidelines from the General Assembly which limited tuition and fee increases to a combined amount of 6.5%.  ASU requested increases in educational and technology fees which fell within those guidelines at 5.9%.  Dr. Aeschleman subsequently reported that ASU’s request had been approved by the Board of Governors. 

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)

                            No Report.

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

                           No Report.

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

In the interest of time, and with the consent of the Faculty Handbook Committee, this item was deferred to the March 19, 2007 meeting of the Faculty Senate.

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

Motion FS 06-07/02-02 to publish the Faculty Voice:  A Journal Devoted to the Viewpoints of the Appalachian State University Faculty.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #5). 

Whereas, One of the hallmarks of a University is the promulgation of discourse, and

Whereas, The faculty of Appalachian State University currently do not have a vehicle for disseminating their opinions and writings to other faculty members, and

Whereas, The Faculty Senate has in the past sponsored the journal, Faculty Voice, to provide for just such an outlet for the faculty; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Faculty Senate resurrect the Faculty Voice for purposes so stated above.  Such sponsorship shall include the following provisos:

1.           The Faculty Senate shall provide financial support, as it deems reasonable, for both paper and electronic publication, with the option to publish only electronically should costs become too great.

2.           The Faculty Voice will not represent the official views of the Faculty Senate.

3.           An Editorial Board will be created, consisting of faculty members from across the university (the exact number and constitution to be decided in consultation with the Faculty Senate Welfare and Morale Committee).  One member of the Editorial Board will serve as Editor-in-Chief for a term length to be decided by the Board.  The Editor-in-Chief will have final responsibility for acceptance of articles published.

4.           The Editorial Board will be solely responsible for writing the Bylaws and for determining editorial policy (i.e., length of submissions, suitability of topics, number of times a single author can be published in any one year, etc.).

5.           All faculty members (part-time, full time, emeriti, retired, etc.) will be allowed to publish in the Faculty Voice.  All submitted articles must be signed, but faculty members can request that their names be withheld from final publication if so desired.  Confidentiality of all authors will be protected.

6.           Initially, two issues per semester will be produced, but this may vary depending on the number of papers submitted.

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

Motion FS 06-07/12-02 to increase GPA requirements for “Degrees with Distinction”.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #6).

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); 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.

Senator Ramsey stated that this motion is not making a statement about disparities in GPA’s among colleges; the information he received from the registrar’s office indicated that increasing the GPA requirements for degrees with distinction will affect all colleges proportionately and, if any inequities exist, they will continue at the same rate but will not be exacerbated.  He also stated that this slight increase in GPA requirements will put ASU more in line with other UNC institutions.  Senator Kaenzig stated that the College of Business is very concerned about raising the GPA requirements because it might be unfair to their students.  Senator Kaenzig wanted to see data on the number of students currently graduating with honors from each college and how this proposal would affect the numbers of student graduating with honors in the future.  She suggested that each college be given the option of determining for themselves what GPA standards constitute degrees with distinction.  Senator McBride wanted to know how long the current GPA requirements have been in effect.  Dr. Aeschleman stated that the current requirements have been in effect for ten years.  Senator McBride remarked that he would like to see further investigation and discussion of this matter since time was not a factor in deciding whether or not to increase the GPA requirements.  Motion FS 06-07/12-02 to increase GPA requirements for “Degrees with Distinction” as presented above passed.

              I.            Ad Hoc Committee on the Role of the Faculty Senate (ARNOLD, Gates, Lambert, McBride, Rardin, Scherlen).  (See Appendix E).

In the interest of time, and with the consent of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Role of the Faculty Senate, this item was deferred to the March 19, 2007 meeting of the Faculty Senate.

VI.         Unfinished Business

A.          Report of the Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Faculty Retirement, Dr. Michael Moore.  (See Appendix F).

              After a preliminary review of the twenty-two recommendations submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee on Faculty Retirement, recommendations numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22 were approved.  Senator Mamlin moved and Senator Kaenzig seconded to approve these recommendations.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #7). 

              Discussion concerning Recommendation #1 included statements from various senators that emeritus status should not be automatic.  Senator Malloy moved and Senator Mamlin seconded to amend Recommendation #1 by inserting the words in bold:  “We recommend that the nomination to emeritus rank become automatic for a retiring faculty member holding the rank of Full Professor and having at least ten years of continuous service at Appalachian.  The emeritus faculty nomination should be accompanied by a letter of commendation from the Chancellor upon official notice of the faculty member’s full retirement from the University, i.e. at the end of any phased retirement service period or upon immediate, full retirement.”  Motion to amend passed.  (See Vote #8).  Senator McBride moved and Senator Malloy seconded to delete the last sentence in Recommendation #1.  Motion to amend passed.  (See Vote #9).  Senator McBride moved and Senator Malloy seconded to approve the amended Recommendation #1.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #10).  Amended Recommendation #1 states:  “We recommend that the nomination to emeritus rank become automatic for a retiring faculty member holding the rank of Full Professor and having at least ten years of continuous service at Appalachian.” 

              Senator McBride moved and Senator Mamlin seconded to approve Recommendation #2.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #11).  Senator McBride moved and Senator Malloy seconded to approve Recommendation #7.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #12).  Senator Ramsey moved and Senator McBride seconded to approve Recommendation #8.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #13).  Senator Malloy moved and Senator Smith seconded to approve Recommendation #9.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #14).  Senator Marland moved and Senator Evans seconded to amend Recommendation #10 by inserting the words in bold:  “Some emeritus faculty would like the option of working with their departments and with the University as they pursue their scholarly or creative agendas in new phases of their lives.  Indeed, in some departments this is already taking place.  Therefore, we recommend that emeritus faculty be able to negotiate with their department chair franking and other electronic services (copier, fax, etc.) and mail services provided to regular faculty by departments and be able to order business cards through their department…….Services other than those noted may be made available to emeritus faculty as a result of deliberations within departments or colleges in the University.”  Motion passed.  (See Vote #15).  Senator Ramsey moved and Senator Mamlin seconded to amend the fourth sentence of Recommendation #10 to state:  “Emeritus faculty should be allowed to negotiate for their use in retirement computers and other electronic equipment provided….”  Motion passed.  (See Vote #16).  Senator McBride moved and Senator Malloy seconded to approve the amended Recommendation #10.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #17).  Senator Marland moved and Senator Malloy seconded to approve Recommendation #11.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #18).  Senator McBride moved and Senator Malloy seconded to approve Recommendation #13.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #19).  Senator Ramsey voiced his concern regarding the statement in Recommendation #14 concerning emeritus faculty teaching courses.  Senator Ramsey preferred hiring a new person in lieu of holding a position open for a retired faculty.  Senator Tiller moved and Senator Marland seconded to delete the second sentence in Recommendation #14 which states: “The remuneration for these courses should be commensurate with the final salary of the emeritus faculty member at retirement, and the salary should be greater than that provided for employing adjunct faculty in similar roles.”  Senator Tiller called the question.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #20).  Motion to approve the amended Recommendation #14 passed.  (See Vote #21).  Senator McBride moved and Senator Marland seconded to approve Recommendation #16.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #22).  Senator Malloy moved and Senator Marland seconded to approve Recommendation #18.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #23). 

              B.          Senator Arnold stated that there are 10 open Faculty Senate seats for the 2007-2008 academic year.  He further stated that any Senator                     who will be ending their first term can run again.

              C.          Chair Marking noted that Dr. Tim Harris will replace Dr. Hugh Hindman on the Faculty Grievance Hearing Committee for Spring 2007.

VII.       New Business 

              A.          Senator Harris reported that he attended the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee meeting and will email the Senators a copy of his notes.                           (See Appendix G).       

              B.          Senator Arnold made no additional comments about the UNC Assembly meeting he attended.

             C.           Chair Marking stated that the Council of Chairs motion regarding AP&P was no longer an issue. 

D.          Chair Marking stated that there is interest in reinstating the Forum Lecture Series.

E.           Chair Marking stated that Dr. Paul Gates will replace Dr. Hugh Hindman on the Faculty Due Process Committee for Spring 2007 and Dr. Tim Silver will replace Dr. Hindman on the Ad Hoc Committee on Voting Eligibility for Spring 2007. Chair Marking added that a replacement for Dr. Hindman on the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Committee for Spring 2007 is still needed. 

F.           Chair Marking announced that this would be Senator Davison’s last Faculty Senate meeting for this semester since she is taking a class.      Dr. Jammie Price (Sociology) will be replacing Senator Davison.

G.          Chair Marking stated that the income tax deadlines have been extended to April 17 and more information can be found on the Human          Resources website.

H.          Chair Marking reported that volunteers are needed to serve on the DiversityTaskforce and the Honors Program Search Committee.

Chair Marking asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Senator Malloy moved and Senator Smith seconded.  Motion passed.  (See Vote #24).  The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 pm.

Appalachian State University

FACULTY PRESENT AND VOTING SHEET for February 12, 2007

             Y = Yes          N = No          A = Abstain

• David Johnson (History) is replacing Diane Mines for Spring 2007 as she is taking an OCSA leave.
• Jammie Price (Sociology) is replacing Dr. Beth Davison for Spring 2007.

Appalachian State University

FACULTY PRESENT AND VOTING SHEET for February 12, 2007

                                                                                     Y = Yes           N = No         A = Abstain