Minutes of the University Senate Meeting

February 1, 2007

 

1.

 

The February meeting of the University Senate was held at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2007 in Room 7, Gamble Hall. Douglas Munski presided. 

 

2.

 

The following members of the Senate were present:

 

Anderson, Cindy

Anderson, Suzanne

Bass, Gail

Berne, Jane

Buhr, Jordan

Campbell, Katherine

Covington, Chandice

Dewar, Graeme

Elsinga, Lillian

Erickson, Daniel

Ferraro, Richard

Fisher, Jay

Flom-Meland, Cynthia

Folkestad, Sara

Gallager, Robert

Haskins, James

Heitkamp, Thomasine

Hilliard, Nathaniel

Hume, Wendelin

Iiams, Michele

Iverson, Joneen

Jackson, Jon

Jackson, Margaret

Jerath, Sukhvarsh

Kitzes, Adam

Lane, Jason

LaVenture, Andrew

Lawrence, David

Light, Steven

Little, Michael

Lothspeich, Jason

Mahar, Patricia

Marasinghe, Kanishka

Martindale, Nathan

Mayzer, Roni

Munski, Douglas

Murphy, Eric

Owens, Sarah

Perry, David

Poochigian, Donald

Potvin, Martha

Rakow, Lana

Rex, Janet

Rice, Daniel

Rieke, Judy

Seddoh, Samuel

Smart, Kathy

Smith, Bruce

Stofferahn, Curtis

Stolt, Wilbur

Venhuizen, Brett

Watson, John

Wittgraf, Michael

Yurkovich, Eleanor

 

3.

 

The following members of the Senate were absent:

 

Alfonso, Peter

Baker, Mary

Behrmann, William

Benoit, Joseph

Boyd, Robert

Bradley, April

Cripe, Haylee

Drewes, Mary

Elbert, Dennis

Faruque, Saleh

Gosnold, Will

Jacobson, Rachelle

Jeno, Sue

Johnson, Stefan

Kelsch, Steven

Koeser, Brandon

Kupchella, Charles

LeBel, Paul

Mamaghani, Iraj

Moen, Jan

Myers, Bradley

Nowacki, Michael

Olsen, Glenn

Perkins, Dexter

Petros, Thomas

Picklo, Matthew

Rendahl, Stephen

Robertson, Charles

Rosenberger, Thad

Schnellert, Gary

Streibel, Kent

Weisenstein, Greg

Williams, Jim

Wilson, H. David

 

4.

 

  1. The proposed catalog wording for the honors policy effective dates was presented for information.  The wording reflects the changes passed by the resolution at the January Senate meeting.
  2. The English Coulee committee is partnering with CleanFlo International to clean up the Coulee. They are looking for persons interested in helping with the project. There will be a future forum regarding this project.
  3. The Study Abroad Fair is scheduled for February 7, 2007.
  4. There is a new ITSS Incident Response Policy which is under review.
  5. Dr. Jeffrey Powell, from the Dean of Students Office, indicated that he is soliciting and accepting changes to the Code of Student Life that may need approval by the University Senate. He indicated that the process will start next month. He also reported that there is a faculty opening for the Student Policy Committee.
  6. The Committee on Committees is soliciting nominees for various committees for the next year. Ms. Smart, chair of Committee on Committees, is accepting nominations.
  7. CCF report by Curt Stofferahn: The CCF made recommendations which included a combined salary increase for faculty and staff of 7.4%, increased health contributions, and increased retirement contributions for staff with more that 15 years of service. There was also the recommendation that 21% of the ND budget be for higher education. Mr. Stofferhan indicated that the position of the Higher Education Roundtable is that ND is not living up to their agreement of support to higher ed. They support funding at 21%; however, the Governor requested a 96% budget. His budget proposal is for a 5% salary increase plus some equity money. The current status of the budget process is not hopeful. It looks like maintaining the 5% salary increase with separate promotion funding will be difficult. Full funding of health insurance will be difficult as well.

 

Senator Jerath asked about tuition. It was explained that the proposed cap will mean that we cannot rely on tuition for increased revenue. Senator Rice stressed the need for and importance of full funding for health insurance.

 

Mr. Stofferahn closed by presenting the names and brief comments about the Chancellor candidates.

  1. Mr. Martindale commented on the ND Student Association work in Bismarck on legislation. He reported that there is not a lot of good news on the student front as well. He indicated that although capping tuition may be good, it may ultimately result in higher tuition later. He shared a concern that Montana and Minnesota bills will be acted on after the ND legislative session has been concluded which may present significant issues. Also, the ConnectND issue is not looking good. Fees will probably be raised again rather than the requested elimination. 
  2. Senator Gallagher shared that there is a strong resistance in the legislature to the 21% higher education funding and that the ConnectND fee will probably go up. 

 

5.

 

The Chair asked for corrections or additions to the January 11, 2007 minutes. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as distributed.

 

6.

 

The question period was opened and closed at 4:45 p.m.

 

7.

 

Mr. Murphy moved to accept and file the annual report of the Senate Summer Sessions Committee. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

8.

 

Mr. Hilliard moved to accept the revised Curriculum Committee report. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

 

9.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.

 

 

Suzanne Anderson

Secretary to the Senate