NUMBER 4

MINUTES

Faculty Senate Meeting

January 24, 2002

 

1. The regular meeting of the Faculty Senate was called to order at 3:10 p.m. in room 113 White Hall, Chairperson Peters presiding.

All members were present except Senators Arakelian, Bide, Felner, Frohlich, Ibrahim, Karow, Lee, Morin, Paton, Pegueros, Riebe, Specker, Wichelns and Wood; Vice Presidents Beagle and Stark; Vice Provost Rhodes; Deans Farmer, Kim, Letendre, Mazze and McKinney (the Dean of the Feinstein College of Continuing Education was represented by his designee); Mr. Amidon and Mr. Jordan.

2. A motion was made to approve the Minutes of Faculty Senate Meeting #3, December 13, 2001.

Chairperson Peters asked if there were any additions or corrections to or questions about the Minutes. There were none.

The motion to approve the Minutes of Meeting #3 carried.

3. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. Chairperson Peters announced that two new Senators were joining the Senate for the spring 2002 semester: Senator Louis Kirschenbaum who is replacing Senator Norbert Mundorf and Senator Rosa Maria Pegueros who is replacing Senator Fritz Wenisch.

Chairperson Peters reported that Mary Gray, President of the University Club, had asked him to remind the members of the Senate that the University Club will be open this afternoon following the meeting.

B. Vice Chairperson Goldsmith said that the minutes of Executive Committee Meetings #11 and #12 appeared on pages 3-7 of the Agenda. She corrected the first line at the top of page 7 by inserting "They noted that" before "there would always...." She then asked if there were any questions. There were none.

C. Vice Chairperson moved approval of the following recommendation of the Executive Committee:

That the Faculty Senate establish an ad hoc committee to review Admissions Policy and to make recommendations for any changes in policy and/or the UNIVERSITY MANUAL to the Faculty Senate by April 18, 2002. (Proposed charge and membership are on pages 8-9 of the Agenda.)

The motion carried.

4. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

A. President Carothers announced, as indicated on the Agenda, he had approved Senate Bills #01-02--6 and #01-02--7 and had supported Resolution #01-02--2. He explained that he had allowed Bill #01-02--8 to go into effect after three weeks without his signature.

B. President Carothers thanked everyone for the successful beginning of the spring term, especially in light of the technology problems that plagued the semester's opening. He gave special thanks to Acting Registrar McMahon for her extraordinary efforts during this difficult period.

The President reported on the searches underway for Deans of the College of Engineering and Human Science and Services and said that candidates for both positions were on campus that week.

President Carothers noted that the budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year did not look as seriously affected by the economy as it had earlier. He announced that some of the money held in escrow because of the potential cut has been released. He said that the released funds should be spent on self contained items, such as equipment and supplies, and not used for anything that would obligate the University to spend additional funds in the future. He also noted that the switch by state government from a cash to an accrual accounting system would allow the university a one-time-only opportunity to write down long-standing debts between divisions of the University in this fiscal year.

President Carothers said that since the events of September 11th there had been efforts around the country to "blacklist" faculty at other institutions for expressing ideas contrary to those of the majority of citizens. He said that the University remains committed to the principles of academic freedom and the free and open exchange of ideas. He urged that anyone who hears criticism of members of the academic community based on the premise that they should not say or believe in unpopular ideas contact his office so he can ensure that the University's position with regard to academic freedom is clear and consistent.

The President asked if there were any questions. There were none.

5. REPORTS OF STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A. Vice Provost Trubatch presented Curricular Report No. 2001-02-4 from the Graduate Council to the Faculty Senate, which appeared on pages 10-11 of the Agenda. She said that the entire report required confirmation by the Faculty Senate and moved approval.

The motion carried.

B. Vice Provost Trubatch presented Curricular Report No. 2001-02-4A from the Graduate Council to the Faculty Senate: Proposed Certificate Program in Thanatology, which appeared on pages 12-16 of the Agenda. She moved approval of the proposed certificate program at the Class A level.

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion, Senator Leo moved to amend the motion by replacing "Class A" with "Class C."

After discussion, the amendment carried.

The motion as amended carried.

C. Vice Provost Trubatch presented Curricular Report No. 2001-02-4B from the Graduate Council to the Faculty Senate: Proposed Certificate Programs in Labor Relations and Human Resources, which appeared on pages 17-20 of the Agenda. She moved approval of the proposed certificate program at the Class A level.

Senator Rose moved to amend the motion by replacing "Class A" with "Class C." The amendment carried.

The motion as amended carried.

D. Professor Swift presented the report of the Athletics Advisory Board on Athletics and Academics, which appeared on pages 21-33 of the printed agenda. (The report and appendices are on the web at http://www.uri.edu/facsen/AAB_Academics.html.)

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion, Senator Feldman moved that the Faculty Senate direct the Executive Committee to return to the Faculty Senate on February 28, 2002 with a plan to examine recommendations regarding priority registration for athletes and sections 8.51.30-31 of the UNIVERSITY MANUAL.

Discussion ensued.

After discussion, the motion carried.

Chairperson Peters thanked Professor Swift; the members of the Athletics Advisory Board and the athletics administrators, coaches, advisors and students who took the time to attend the Faculty Senate meeting and participate in the discussions.

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Chairperson Peters reminded the Senate that the Faculty Senate had voted to postpone definitely until the January 24 meeting the discussion recommended in the Constitution By-Laws and University Manual Committee Report #2001-02-1.

Senator Hickox moved approval of the following motion:

That the Faculty Senate authorize a referendum of the general faculty on the following issues with regard to ex officio members of the Faculty Senate and the Constitution of the Faculty Senate:

Each item will be a separate referendum allowing for the possibility that some changes will be approved and others disapproved.

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion, the motion carried.

Senator Leo moved that the Faculty Senate direct the Executive Committee to write to the President and the Provost to express the Senate's displeasure over unilateral administrative actions that affect matters under the purview of the Faculty Senate.

Discussion ensued.

After discussion, Senator Leo moved to terminate debate. The motion to terminate debate carried.

The main motion carried.

7. NEW BUSINESS

Chairperson Peters asked if there was any new business. There was none.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sheila Black Grubman

for MARJORIE MCMAHON,

Secretary