Minutes of March 12, 2002 Meeting

1. WELCOME BY THE CHAIR

The meeting started at approximately 11:05 am. The Senate Chair, Dr. Ali Eydgahi, greeted senators and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY MEETING

The minutes of the February 2002 meeting were approved.

3. CHAIR’S REMARKS

Dr. Eydgahi began his remarks with a call for nominations for the upcoming 2002-2003 officers. The Chair asked that you send nominations for Chair, Vice Chair, Parliamentarian and Secretary to him for elections to take place at the May 2002 meeting. The Chair stated that the Senate needs to continue the strong governing structure that is in place.

The Promotion and Tenure Committee report will be ready for review by April.

There is a mandatory convocation taking place on March 21, 2002 on news of the budget crisis in the state of Maryland.

The Presidential Search Committee is continuing.

4. COMMITTEE REPORT’S

(a) Academic Affairs Committee – no report

Dr. Boyd raised a concern about a submission to request a change of title in some of the courses in the School of Business and Technology. The change pertains to the Fall Catalog, and in particular, it relates to accreditation that is taking place for one of the Departments. There were questions and concerns about the length of time that it takes for the program approval process. Specifically, why does the approval process go from the Senate Academic Affairs Committee to the Faculty Assembly for approval, then back to the Senate before moving forward?

A motion was approved for the Senate Chair to meet with the Academic Affairs Committee to take the program change requested by the School of Business and Technology and make the recommendation for the change.

(b) Student Concerns Committee

Mr. Medley reported that the Committee met March 7^th. A number of issues were discussed as follows:

1. Food Service Committee – an initiative that needs to be formed (a sub-committee) including faculty, staff and students to meet and discuss issues with Dining Services and Dr. Thomas. Faculty and Staff interested, please contact Mr. Medley.

2. Process of Hearing Students – within the next 2 weeks students who would like their issues heard will need to contact the SGA. Advertisements about this process are being sent out by the SGA.

3. Residence Life – Discussion began about the inspections taking place in the residence dorms and the process of billing students. A motion passed that all room inspection bills will be reviewed by the student’s Residence Assistance and then sent forward to the Area Director for signature. If justified, the Area Director will sign and the bill will be sent forward to the student’s account.

5. SENATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Currently, there are no constituencies from the students and staff on the Executive Council

6. STANDING COMMITTEES

Chairs need to be elected for the following standing committees:

¨ Athletics

¨ Physical Plant – Mr. Norman Billie

¨ Academic Affairs

¨ Admissions

¨ Faculty Grievance

¨ Library

¨ Student Concerns – Mr. Ken Medley

¨ Information Technology

This is tabled until the April meetings

7. OLD BUSINESS

Promotion and Tenure for Administrative Rank – Discussion surrounded why this policy was being reviewed by the Academic Affairs Committee. The policy is one that was adopted by USM. A motion passed that the Chair would get the recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee concerning this policy and report the recommendation to the VPAA.

Intellectual Property – Mr. Harrington reported that the latest version of this policy was sent to the Senate and Faculty Assembly. A motion carried for acceptance of the Intellectual Property document.

Code of Conduct – tabled until next meeting

The meeting adjourned at 12:25 pm.

Submitted by:

Dr. Brigid Noonan, Secretary