Minutes from Faculty Assembly Special Meeting

November 16, 2006

Meeting called to order at 3:10 by Jim Van Speybrock. 83 individuals attended the meeting.

A motion was made to approve minutes of the Oct. 19, 2006 Special Faculty Assembly Meeting (Andy Swift, 2^nd Michael Hustedde). Motion passed.

There was a motion to approve the 2^nd reading of the Harassment Section of the Faculty Handbook (Jon Stauff, 2^nd Ann Preston). Motion passed.

There was a motion to approve the revised section V of the Faculty Handbook (Jon Stauff, 2^nd Corrine Winter).

Jon Stauff clarified the history of the revisions. Paul Koch stated the Deans had received concerns about the Handbook policies not being maintain. The Deans examined Section V and attempted to clarify language. Some institutions differentiate between conflict of commitment and conflict of interest.

There was discussion about Section 5.1.6.1. “Written approval of the VPAA is required for compensated activities outside the University. No approval is needed for compensated activities that occur outside of normal university operating hours and are less than eight hours per week. Faculty are discouraged from teaching for other Universities and Colleges.”

Several individuals stated this is a faculty body that needs to establish guidelines. It was suggested several times that a task force be appointed to explore the issue of outside employment. This is an opportunity for faculty to determine what is meant by conflict of interest and conflict of commitment. It was questioned if this would also apply to volunteer hours.

Motion (Andy Swift, 2^nd Robin Anderson) for amendment was made to retain the current language in the handbook regarding outside employment (section 5.1.6.1).

Ken Grenier called the question. The vote was split: 20 individuals in favor, 27 individuals opposed. The motion to amend did not pass.

There was considerable discussion about office hours spread over four days and during normal operating hours. Several individuals questioned how normal operating hours were defined. Allison Ambrose clarified the intent of office hours is to service the needs of the students and that will be different in different programs. She used the example of the nontraditional MBA programs. Several individual questioned the need for a spread over four days.

There was a motion to strike distributed across four days and normal operating hours (Marge Legg, 2^nd Andy Swift). There was more discussion. Karl Hickerson called the question. The motion to amend passed.

There was discussion on limiting teaching hours to 24 hours. Joe DeFrancisco questioned if there was any data to support only teaching 24 hours.

There was a motion to strike 5.1.8.4 concerning the expectation for participation at faculty assembly (Andy Swift, 2^nd Christine Urish). There was more discussion about the expectation. Lew Sanborne called the question. Motion was denied.

There was a motion to add 5.1.8.6 that faculty are expected to attend all Presidential Assemblies (Marge Legg, 2^nd Andy Swift). There was some discussion on using the AAUP guidelines. Karl Hickerson called the question. Motion failed.

There was a motion to strike from 5.2.2.6 that D, F, I, or X grades of students beyond the first year to be reported. (Marge Legg, 2^nd Ann Preston). Mike Opar called the question. Motion carried.

The motion carried to pass section V with amendments. Motion passed.

There was a motion to adjourn (Marge Legg, 2^nd Judy Correa Kaiser). The motion was withdrawn.

There was a motion to lay additional items on the table (Marge Legg, 2^nd Judy Correa Kaiser). Motion passed.

Motion to adjourn (Jim Van Speybrock, 2^nd Christine Urish). Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Terry Schlabach