As a heads up, let me remind you of the previously scheduled Faculty
Meeting at 3:15 on January 22 (the fourth Thursday as suggested by the
Faculty Handbook). Also mark your calendars for Reading Day, April 20th, at
10:15.

After consultation, I have decided to return the meetings to Grote 129
given the awkward size and acoustic problems in the Benwood Room.
Apparently faculty on one side could not hear comments on the other, and
the tendency to sit in the rear of this large hall made it difficult to see
and hear who was speaking at the back.

I will post the agenda soon, but it will include two important elections:
the President of the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Secretary. There will
also be some important issues to be discussed, including a salary
presentation by the Faculty Federation.

Since we did not have a quorum last time, the minutes of September 9 and 11
have not been approved. Since it was not an official meeting, I will post
the "minutes" of November 12 as an information item only, but will correct
any errors of fact. This time, if we do not have a quorum, I will call
another meeting as soon as possible instead of proceeding as a non-faculty
meeting.

It may be that many of you have not attended this year as a way of
expressing displeasure over UTC. Morale is low given current and future
budget cuts and spending priorities, but please consider your appearance
this time as an expression of concern and your right to faculty governance.

If you do not have a class or other professional conflict, please plan to
attend this time. We need 182 faculty for a quorum. As an additional
incentive, there will be a drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Mia
Cucina, located on Market Street two blocks north of the bridge. You can
use it for products or one of their popular cooking classes. You must be
present to win this prize.

Richard Rice
Faculty Secretary