Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting
December 9, 1998
Absent: Brady, Wright
Minutes of the Previous Meeting:
Upon proper motion and second, the minutes of the November meeting were approved.
Upon proper motion and second,
the order of the agenda was changed.
New Business:
Senator Gilbride moved and Zivin seconded motion 99-05:
To refer, for review and consideration, the December 1998 report from the Information Resource Policies and Issues Committee (IRPI) to a) the Faculty Senate Budget & Business Affairs Committee b) University Strategic Planning Council (USPC), and c) the President and his Cabinet
Robert Wood, Chair of the Information Resource Policies and Issues Committee (IRPI) was introduced. Mr. Wood reviewed the process his committee had used to develop this report indicating that the dollar figures used in the report were estimates only. Senator Strentz desired a stronger relationship in the motion to the upcoming budget year. The motion was altered, with consent, to include the words for fiscal year 2000 budget.Senator Stratton asked if the Deans Council should be added to the list, as they are a stakeholder in this issue. Although there was not objection to adding this body, the composition of IRPI does include a Dean and this allows for communication with that council it was decided. Senator Winebrenner asked if there was a timetable for action by the Budget & Business Affairs Committee. Senator Gilbride noted that a date was discussed but specifically left out of the motion.
The motion as amended passed.
Report from President Ray:
- Michael Cheney has taken on the leadership role concerning the Year 2000 issue and will be making a report to the Board of Governors in late January.
- The Administrative Council is bringing to closure a number of items first discussed at the July retreat including the process in which the budget is created.
- Admissions reports a 13% increase in direct from high school applications for the Fall 1999 semester.
- Later in December, a proposal to move the Des Moines Police Traffic Operation to the former Pizza Hut location on Forest Ave will be presented to the City Council. Don Adams is working on this proposal with the Drake Area Improvement Task Force and the Police Department. The building will be remodeled to accommodate a 24-hour operation involving approximately 34 squad cars and police personnel.
- President Ray offered his thanks to Jim Romig for taking on the new position as Director of the Drake Curriculum. He also recognized two recent quality faculty and student productions; the madrigal and the play Jake's Women. These are just two of the many positive activities this semester on this campus, he said.
- December 13th, beginning at 1:30 p.m., in Levitt Hall will be the Reception for the December graduates. Please come and celebrate their achievement.
- Senator Spencer asked if the police really want to be that close to 34th street? President Ray replied that the location offered the units good access to many parts of the city.
Report from Interim Provost Hoag:
- Jim Romig has been named the Director of the Drake Curriculum. Phil Houle has been named the Assistant Provost for Information Technology. There was a recent announcement of organizational changes in the Information Technology area that will more effectively use the existing resources.
- The Deans Council has reviewed the graduation rate of athletes and in the Dean's Council's opinion the rate as printed in the paper is not acceptable.
- Provost Hoag indicated that $100,000 in being budgeted for advising, mentoring and instructional support. There are no details to report at this time.
- Other items at the Deans Council include:
program review; University web page editing and improvement, the budget development process, a draft proposal for an Institute on Aging, proposed curriculum enhancements, and a Real Education proposal
- Senator Strentz asked who is the person or position monitoring the University's compliance with the sweeping changes in the Higher Education Act now in Congress. Provost Hoag responded that there have been some discussions at the cabinet level. Others involved at this point are Jerry Price, Hans Hanson, John Parker and the legal counsel. Perhaps a report to the Senate on this issue would be appropriate in the future.
- Senator Sisk asked how the upcoming closing of the Dial Center Computer Store would be handled. Provost Hoag indicated the issue is not closed and with Phil Houle's assistance and direction there may be more known on this situation during the Spring semester.
Executive Committee Report:
- President Allen announced that there would be faculty and student representation on seven committees and subcommittees of the Board of Governors. These include: Business and Finance, Investments, Institutional Advancement, Enrollment Growth, Building and Grounds and Academic Affairs. The appointments will be completed soon.
- There will be an Open Faculty Forum today at the close of the Senate meeting.
On proper motion and second the meeting closed at 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by, Nancy Geiger, Secretary