UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

FACULTY SENATE

2002 – 2003

Approved Minutes

July 17, 2002

Humanities Bldg., Rm. 150

3:00 p.m.

 

 

 

1.  Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 3:05 pm.

 

2.  Roll Call

 

Present:  Aldes, Aronson, Barik, Boggs, Bowers, I. Brown, R. Brown, Cohen, Dickens, Ellis, Gamble, Gray, Hanks, Hill, Jefferson, Kwiatkowski, Longenecker, Matheson, Moreau-Johnson, Peters, Pettyjohn, Pillen, Rodning, Sanders, Slagle, Sylvester, Tate, Wheeler.

 

Absent (Excused):  Bailey, Broughton, Dagenais, Figarola, Foster, Garmon, Gifford, Hermanson, Kimball, Morris, Perkins, Robertson, Teplick.

 

Absent (Unexcused):  Broome, Donovan, El-Saba, McNair, Mozur, Painter, Rowe, Temple, Vest, Wilson.

 

3.  Approval of Minutes

 

Quorum was not met until later in the meeting.  At that time, the agenda for the meeting was formally approved by a voice vote.  April and June minutes were approved with minor corrections. 

 

4.  Report from the Chair

 

     Faculty Senate Chair Brown reported about the meeting with President Moulton about the clearing of the green space near the area of the proposed Research Park.  The clear-cut area was for a firewall between the wooded area on the University property and the nearby subdivision (Forest Park).  It was requested by the Mobile Fire Marshal, and was done by a local contractor and not by the University.  The University administration shares the concern that the area around the Research Park continues to have green space.  Also, a committee is being formed with representatives from various backgrounds, to help oversee how the Research Park is being developed.  The committee has been initially outlined, but I. Brown will suggest additional names to the University administration.  It was suggested to Pres. Moulton that the University Administration do some public relations with the neighborhood north of the university to allay fears of over-development.

     The Committee of Environmental Compliance needs another member.  Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Senate Chair Brown.

     Several representatives of the university administration would like the opportunity to address the Faculty Senate.  For September, it was suggested that we have Nicole Baute, Director of the Office of Technology Development, to talk about the Research Park.  Other possible speakers could be Wayne Davis, Vice-President for Financial Affairs, and Dr. Joseph Busta, Vice-President for Development and Alumni Affairs.

     The results of the Faculty Survey were not yet finished for distribution on the web.  Target date is Aug. 1st.  Faculty Chair Brown will be summarizing the written comments, conveying the intent but without any personal attacks.

 

5.  Reports from Standing Committees

a.  Evaluation—The Faculty Survey in its raw form is available from the Chairs of the individual committees.  The Committee is also looking for suggestions for additional ideas to explore in future surveys

b.  Policy & Handbook—No report.

c.  Planning & Development—No report.

d.  Salary & Fringe Benefits—The Committee met to review the raw data of the survey, and are looking at specific health-related questions that should be added to the next survey. 

 

6.  Report from Caucus Leaders

 

Engineering—Reported that there is a new Interim Dean for the College of Engineering—Dr. Keith Harrison.

 

MCOB—Senator Dickens reported about his meeting with the Dean.  He stated that he was asked about the possibility of not counting the summer term when tabulating incomplete grades.  The issue was deferred to the Policy and Handbook Committee.

 

Nursing—The College of Nursing is opening a branch at the USA campus in Fairhope.

 

7.  Old Business

     Since there was a quorum, the resolutions that were presented at the June meeting were voted upon.

a. Resolution in Memory in Dr. Frederick P. Whiddon

     Vote was 25 votes in support, 0 vote opposed, and 1 vote abstained.

b. Resolution in Favor of the Employment of Dr. Joseph Busta

     Vote was 26 votes in support, none in opposition.

 

8.  New Business

 

     Dr. J. Boggs presented a report concerning the recruitment and retention of clinical faculty at the College of Medicine.  The report provided data on the level of attrition since 1999 in many departments in the Medical College.  The lack of available doctors to support the USA Medical College teaching programs may mean that some programs are in danger of not fulfilling the requirements for their students.  The report was presented as an informational report and no action was taken.

 

9.  Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by:

V. Tate, Secretary