UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

SENATE

 

Minutes of March 11, 2003 Meeting

 

  1. WELCOME BY THE CHAIR

The meeting began at 11:06 a.m.  The Chair, Dr. Leon Coursey, greeted the senators and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

  1. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY, 2003

The minutes of February, 2003 were amended to indicate that the responsibility for student advising was to be shared equitably in every department.  Thereafter, the minutes were approved unanimously.

 

  1. INTRODUCTION OF DR. RONNIE HOLDEN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS

The Chair, Dr. Leon Coursey, formally invited Dr. Ronnie Holden, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, to address the assembly.  Whereupon, Dr. Holden informed Senate that on account of the drastic reduction of the funds allocated to the University, the Administration had decided that rather than downsize the UMES family, it would furlough all faculty and staff as follows:

 

 

Annual Earnings

Furlough Days Required

Administrative Leave Granted

≤ $ 27,000

2 ( 3/27,5/32)

1 ( 3/28)

    $ 27,001 – 50,000

3 ( 3/27, 28 & 5/23)

0

> $50,001

4 ( 3/27,28 & 5/23 and floating day)

0

 

In conclusion, Dr. Holden informed Senate that the deductions for the furlough days would be spread over the remaining days of the contract period for this academic session.

 

  1. BLACK FATHERS AND SONS MANUSCRIPT PROJECT

The editor of the Black Fathers and Sons Manuscript Project, Dr. Clement Okafor, explained the rationale of the endeavor.  He also informed Senate that the deadline for the submission of nominations for this community project had been extended to March 31, 2003.  Thereafter, he distributed the nomination forms to those present and urged them to complete the forms as soon as possible.  Finally, he suggested that those who wished to submit their nominations electronically could do so by visiting the project website: http:www.umes.edu/black fathers/

 

 

 

 

 

  1. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

a)      Academic Affairs

Due to the absence of the Chair, Ms. Michel Demanche, Ms.Theresa Dadson--a member of the committee--reported that some Rehabilitation, Mathematics and Computer Science proposals had been circulated to the members, who were expected to submit their comments electronically to the Chair.  Ms. Dadson reported that the proposals did not have any major blemish.  However, on account of the indisposition of the Chair, the committee had not met to consider the submissions.

 

b)      Diversity

The Chair, Ms. Harting, reported that her committee had met, as planned, on Tuesday, February 25, 2003.  She also reported that the committee’s primary objective was to create a vision and mission statement in addition to a plan of work that would not duplicate the effort of other committees on the campus.  Furthermore, she invited those interested in joining the committee to contact her at kharting@mail.umes.edu or 410 651. 6084 or 2133 Richard Henson Center.  Finally, she announced that the committee’s next meeting would take place on Tuesday, April 22 in the Library.

 

c)      Athletics

The Chair, Dr. Robert Walter, began his report by announcing that the Lady Hawks had been victorious the night before.  Thereafter, he proposed that greater effort should be made in the future to ensure that other campus events did not clash with athletic competitions, as was the case this year when the Gala took place at the same time as the MEAC athletics meeting.  The proposal was approved unanimously.

 

d)      Safety

The Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Ronnie Holden, reported that there were no major safety issues on the campus.  He also reported that there was a plan for the Chair of the committee, Ms. Hermetta Hudson, to have consultations with various state agencies that dealt with safety matters.  Finally, he promised to look into the possibility of constructing a sidewalk from the new dorm to other facilities.

 

e)      CUSF

The CUSF representative, Dr. Brigid Noonan, reported that their last two meetings had been snowed out; hence, the anticipated meeting with the Governor did not take place. However, the Governor had been invited again to the next CUSF meeting in Baltimore.

 

 

 

 

 

Old Business

 

i.                     New Promotion and Tenure Document

Senate was informed that certain issues contained in the new document were being investigated and at the appropriate time the document would be made available to the campus community.

 

New Business

 

i.                     Senate’s Concern About The Current Financial Difficulties

It was decided that Senate and CUSF should write jointly to the state legislators.  The proposed letter was to urge the law makers to ensure that the current financial burden was shared equitably by all state employees.

 

ii.                   The University of Maryland Women’s Forum Faculty Research Award Announcement of 2003 Grant Competition

The UMES representative to the University System of Maryland Women’s Forum, Dr. Joan Fobbs, invited application for this year’s award and reminded intending applicants that the deadline for the submission of applications was April 7, 2003.

 

Announcements

 

i.                     The Tom Joyner Foundation Scholarship – deadline: March 14, 2003

ii.                   The Tom Joyner Sky Show:            April 25, 2003 in Washington, D.C.

iii.                  UMES Health Week

iv.                 Presidential Luncheon:        TBA

v.                   Passing of Professor Spencer:         Senate observed one minute silence in his honor

 

Adjournment

12:10 p.m.

 

 

Submitted by

 

Dr. Clement A. Okafor

Secretary, UMES SENATE