As a service to those who could not attend the meeting, and an invitation
for corrections, I submit an unoffical draft of today's Faculty Meeting:
DRAFT.......................DRAFT..................DRAFT..........DRAFT
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Faculty Minutes
April 23, 2002
Prof. Marvin Ernst, President of the Faculty Council, called to order at
10:24 A.M. the fourth regular meeting of the 2001-2002 academic year.
Prof. Bill Wright moved and Professor Craig Barrow seconded approval of the
minutes of January 24, 2002. Approved.
Third item was election of At-Large Faculty Council Members for 2002-2003.
Since Prof. Jim Hiestand withdrew his candidacy, and no nominations came
from the floor, Professor Bill Harmon was elected as Full Professor at
Large. For Associate Professor at Large Professors Gail Meyer, Victoria
Steinberg, and Claire McCollough were nominated and Prof. Meyer was
elected. For Assistant Professor at Large Professors Aaron Althouse, Rob
Bailey, Laurie Hyder, and Terri LeMoyne were nominated and Prof. Hyers was
elected.
Fourth item was approval of graduation candidates for May & August 2002.
Sandy Zitkus explained that a computer error resulted in problems, but she
brought corrected copies to the meeting, explaining also that the list of
candidates meeting requirements is a moving target right up to graduation.
Prof. Gene Ezell moved approval of the list and Prof. Nick Honerkamp
seconded. The faculty approved the list as it stands.
Fifth item was an atypically dismal report from the Chancellor. He began on
a positive note, noting the list handed out of this year's Lupton
Renaissance funding. Materials were handed out prior to the meeting
[attached to archival copy in the library]. Reading through the plan of
action for higher education, Chancellor Stacy spoke about the assumptions
of some legislators that the state does not need improvement in numbers of
college graduates. Tennessee needs to keep up with other states. Admission
standards are already high at UTC. Deficiency limits will close college off
to many deserving students simply because their high schools could not meet
standards. THEC will be coming to campuses to assess graduate programs.
Athletics are assumed to be an auxiliary enterprise. Revision of the
funding formal will be down, although we have not been funded at the
recommended level since the mid-1980s in any case.
THEC will take $4 million away from UTC if no new revenues are forthcoming;
previous cuts were already painful. We need to think about the unthinkable;
education at all levels is under threat. On April 30, the UTC budget
committee will have to plan contingencies for the worst-case scenario if we
do lose $4 million.
A list of the first round of funded Lupton proposals was handed out. The
next round will favor cooperative proposals submitted by several faculty
members.
The Chancellor then mentioned that some misunderstandings have arisen about
UTC salaries and peer groups and national averages. According to a chart
that was handed out at the meeting, UTC compensation following the January
raise is as follows:
Assistant Professor $46,148 96.5% peer average
Associate Professor $53,028 94.2% peer average
Full Professor $65,373 95.3% peer average
The above was based on AAUP Annual Salary Study reported in The Chronicle
of Higher Education, April 19, 2002.
Sixth item was a brief report from Provost John Trimpey. SACS remediation
is close to being finished. Most of the remaining issues are simple and
will be done. Evaluation across units will take some time.
Seventh item was a short report from Faculty Council President Marvin
Ernst. The Council dealt with a number of SACS compliance issues this last
year, most having been resolved. The council asked the administration for
more input on budget concerns, and also on faculty salary issues. These
actions have been reported in the Council minutes. President Ernst
commended Professors Verbie Prevost, Susan Davidson, Preble-Niemi, and
Deborah McCallister, as well as the various Committee Chairs for their work
this past year.
There was no other business.
University Librarian Sheila Delacroix announced that a talk on book culture
would be held tonight in the University Center.
Professor Ernst also thanked Professors John Trimpey and Dan Quarles for
their
service this year.
Finally, Prof. Barbara Walton won the Barnes and Noble Book Certificate
Drawing. [the secretary wishes to thank Rene Long, Director of the Campus
Bookstore, for her generous support for meetings this year].
Adjournment was announced by Prof. Ernst at 10:55 A.M.
Faculty Council Divisional Elections followed the meeting
________________________________________________________________
The next regular faculty meeting will be September 10 (T) 2002 at 3:15 p.m. in
Grote 129.
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