The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Dr. Anne O. Kilpatrick at 7:45 AM on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 in Room 107 Admin/Library Building. A quorum was present.

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

College of Medicine, Basic Sciences:

          Present: Philippe Arnaud, Lucille London, Sally Self, Eberhard Voit (Executive 
          Committee member)
          Absent: Debra J. Hazen-Martin

College of Medicine, Clinical Sciences:

Present: Susan Ackerman, Connie Best, DeAnna Cheek, Paul Gold, George M. Johnson, Shailendra B. Patel, Benjamin Saunders, Thomas Steele, Michael Zile (Executive Committee member)
Absent: Arthur J. Crumbley, Timothy W. Garvey, Gary Gilkeson, Mark Green, Barry Hainer, Dana King (excused), Subbi P. Mathur (resigned), P.R. Rajagopalan (alternate), Alberto B. Santos (alternate), Dean Schuyler, Renan Uflacker, Aljoeson Walker

College of Dental Medicine

Present: Richard J. Albenesius, Peter Kobes, Stephen Malley
Absent: Carlos Salinas (Executive Committee member) - excused

College of Health Professions:

Present: Libby Dismuke (Alternate), Jennifer Horner, Anne Osborne Kilpatrick (Executive Committee member)
Absent: Jack K. Thomas (excused), Andrea White

Library Sciences and Informatics:

Present: Mary P. Mauldin (Executive Committee member), Nancy McKeehan, Joann Sullivan
Absent: Geoffrey Freeman, Edward S. Hazard (alternate)

College of Nursing:

Present: Elaine Amella, John M. Welton (alternate) 
Absent: Julia Ball (excused), Elizabeth Erkel, Tara Hulsey (Executive Committee member) (excused)

College of Pharmacy:

Present: Katherine Chessman (Executive Committee member), Joli Fermo, Marc Lapointe
Absent: John Bosso (alternate), Kristi L. Lenz

The meeting minutes of March 4, 2003 were approved with minor changes.  These were made to the minutes posted on the web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS: 

I.  Chair's Report - State of the Senate

    A.    Role of Senators

Dr. Osborne Kilpatrick reminded Senators that their role on the Senate is twofold:  (1) Education of fellow College or unit faculty members (not just departmental colleagues).  Senators should talk to fellow faculty members about current issues and communicate the activities of the Senate to them; and, (2) Participation on the Senate's committees to facilitate the important work that the Senate is doing whether on tasks of its origin or those assigned to it by others.

     B.  Executive Committee changes

Dr. Osborne Kilpatrick has asked Elaine Amella and Paul Gold, Chairs of the Governance Committee and Academic Affairs Committee, respectively, to serve on the Executive Committee to facilitate communication back to the group.

II.  Standing Committee Reports

GOVERNANCE - Elaine Amella, Chair

The Committee is trying to better define the roles and responsibilities of Senators and alternates as well as the Senate officers.  They have considered a process by which the nominations for officers would come from the Governance Committee rather than from the Executive Committee.  Also, creating the position of Chair-Elect rather than Vice-Chair is being considered.  This would provide more continuity and opportunities for on-the-job training.  It would, however, be asking for a more long-term commitment from a faculty member.  Term limits are also under consideration.  The current term of two years is felt to hinder continuity.  A potential three-year term would provide more continuity, but again, would be asking for a longer term commitment.

The Committee is also looking at the current Standing Committee structure.  It appears that there is a great deal of redundancy in the charges to the current committees.  The Governance Committee is hoping to realign duties of the committees.

The Senate's Constitution and Bylaws are currently intermingled.  The Committee is planning to separate the two and then future changes would be amendments to the Constitution.  The process of ratifying the Constitution also must be defined.

Comments from the Senate floor:
1)  Vice Chair position vs. Chair-Elect:  Locking someone in early who may not know what they are getting into may be problematic.
2) Consider no term limits.  What is the purpose of term limits since elections are held each year?  COM, CS currently votes at a rate of only about 20% so is it true representation?
3) First year Senators probably should not be in Senate leadership positions.
4) Continuity is very important for the Senate.  Continuity on the Executive Committee may be more important than in the Senate.  One option is to have the Immediate Past Chair serve on the Executive Committee.
5) A job description is needed for all offices.

Dr. Osborne Kilpatrick reviewed the current responsibilities of the Chair.  These include:  setting the agenda and presiding over the Senate's monthly and called meetings and the Executive Committee meetings; representing the Senate at the weekly President's Council (voting member) and monthly Dean's Council meeting (non-voting); serving on the Commencement Planning Committee; serving as ex-officio member of all Senate committees; and, serving on the following ad hoc committees:  Hospital Replacement Committee, University Strategic Planning Committee, and Provost Search Committee.  The Chair also presides at the annual Faculty Convocation, writes monthly notes for the Catalyst, and coordinates the review of proposed policy changes in the Faculty Handbook.  The Secretary will assume responsibility for the Catalyst article in May.

Additional comments should be e-mailed to Elaine Amella.

III.  Attendance at Senate meetings 

Dr. Osborne Kilpatrick asked Dr. Chessman to provide the Senate with a status report on Senator attendance at monthly Senate meetings.  Dr. Chessman reported that for the first half (six months) of this Senate's year, the following attendance rates were noted:  Dental - 75%; Pharmacy - 54%; Health Professions - 83.3%; Nursing - 87.5%; Library - 83%; College of Medicine, Basic Sciences - 75%; and, College of Medicine, Clinical Science - 42%.  The five Senators (all from the College of Medicine, Clinical Sciences) who have not attended any meetings in the last six months will receive a letter from the Chair. 

It was noted that a mechanism needs to exist to be able to mark an absence as excused on the web site.  Mary Mauldin will investigate this.

IV.  Standing Committee assignments - Dr. Osborne Kilpatrick

Dr. Osborne Kilpatrick charged the following committees: 

Faculty Affairs:  Look at the role or job description of adjunct faculty.  The idea is to have a consistent description University wide.  Committee to report next month.

Academic Affairs:  Bring closure to the substance abuse policy.  Be prepared to vote at May's meeting.

University Affairs:  Look at Senate orientation.

IV.  Announcements

The College of Medicine UMA data has been give to Tara Hulsey.  Report from the Gender Equity Committee is expected soon. 

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned to committees at 8:35 AM. 

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, May 6, 2003, Administration/Library Building Room 107 

Respectfully Submitted by: 
Kathy Chessman 
Secretary to the Faculty Senate