Minutes of the University Senate Meeting

February 7, 2008

1.

The February meeting of the University Senate was held at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2008 in Room 7, Gamble Hall. Tom Petros presided.

2.

The following members of the Senate were present:

Anderson, Collin

Anderson, Katherine

Anderson, Suzanne

Axtman, Benjamin

Baker, Mary

Bass, Gail

Behrmann, William

Benoit, Joseph

Berne, Jane

Boyd, Robert

Broedel, Hans

Buhr, Jordan

Campbell, Katherine

Covington, Chandice

Cripe, Haylee

DeMers, Judy

Doze, Van

Elbert, Dennis

Faruque, Saleh

Ferraro, Richard

Fisher, Jay

Ghribi, Othman

Gordon, Gregory

Gourneau, Bonni

Grandstrand, Tyrone

Grant, Emanuel

Haskins, James

Hoffarth, Janice

Hume, Wendelin

Hunter, Susan

Iiams, Michele

Iverson, Joneen

Jackson, Jon

Jackson, Margaret

Jerath, Sukhvarsh

Johnson, Gary

Khavanin, Mohammad

Kitzes, Adam

Lawrence, David

Little, Michael

Liu, Rugao

Mamaghani, Iraj

Marshall, David

Mayzer, Roni

Melland, Helen

Mertz, Tara

Moen, Jan

Murphy, Eric

Myrick, Matthew

Nelson, Susan

Perkins, Dexter

Petros, Thomas

Reza, Hassan

Rice, Daniel

Richards, Thomas

Rieke, Judy

Rosenberger, Thad

Sun, Jeffrey

Tepper, Nadine

Watson, John

Widmer, Donovan

Wittgraf, Michael

Wu, Min

3.

The following members of the Senate were absent:

Beneda, Nancy

Berwald, Olaf

Bradley, April

Drewes, Mary

Elsinga, Lillian

Gallager, Robert

Graves, Corey

Halvorson, Isaac

Jeno, Sue

Kaler, Amanda

Kupchella, Charles

LeBel, Paul

Light, Steven

Lothspeich, Jason

Mortinson, Matthew

Poochigian, Donald

Potvin, Martha

Rendahl, Stephen

Riedy, Joshua

Schnellert, Gary

Schwartz, Rhonda

Smith, Bruce

Stolt, Wilbur

Weisenstein, Greg

Wettersten, Kara

Wilson, H. David

4.

The following announcements were made:

1. Mr. Petros announced that the March Senate meeting date needed to be changed due to spring break. The date recommended was the second Thursday in March, March 13.
2. Mr. Jackson announced that the Higher Education Research Survey was sent out to campus. The information is needed for a report to the State Board of Higher Education. He encouraged completion of the survey because it is important to have responses from UND to inform the Board decisions.
3. There was a Parking report from Jason Uhlir and Tom Lee. Mr. Uhlir made opening comments indicating that parking is a stand alone auxiliary at UND, i.e., the funding for parking is only from the users. He called attention to the parking handout, which included pro forma which was not for discussion but information only. Mr. Lee then shared information on ramp parking. Ms. DeMers made a motion which was seconded by Mr. Jackson to allow anyone in attendance to ask questions and speak. The motion was approved. There were questions and discussion on the parking ramp. Mr. Lee then moved on to explain the preferred parking pilot project for the Twamley and Burtness/Chandler parking lots. There was discussion by the Senators and visitors on the preferred parking concept with many concerns and suggestions. Mr. Petros asked Mr. Uhlir and Mr. Lee to come back with a report on the pilot and other parking information. They agreed to do so.
4. Tom Steen and Lori Robison handed out information on the upcoming Essential Studies program. The program begins in Fall 2008 for new freshmen and Fall 2009 for new transfers. Mr. Steen asked for help from Senators on several items including: 1) when discussion comes up about Essential Studies, it is important to emphasize the value and importance of Essential Studies and liberal education rather than just taking courses to complete the requirements and ultimately devaluing Essential Studies; 2) it is important to find out who does not know about Essential Studies and inform them. He requested that Senators check with people in their departments; and 3)if faculty feel outside the process or if there are problems, please pass that on to the Essential Studies Task Force or General Education Requirements Committee. Mr. Steen then reminded the Senate about two workshops regarding Essential Studies on February 8 and April 11. He reminded the Senators that there will again be summer grants available through the Office of Instructional Development. Finally, departmental visits are available on the new Essential Studies program and the contact information is in the handout.

5.

The chair asked for corrections or additions to the January 10, 2008 minutes. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as distributed.

6.

Due to lengthy discussion during the announcements, the question period was omitted.

7.

A motion was made by Mr. Haskins, and seconded by Mr. Murphy, to accept and file the Senate Summer Sessions Committee annual report. The motion was approved.

8.

Gary Towne, on behalf of the Senate Honorary Degrees Committee, reported on the work of the Committee. The Committee met and reviewed three files for honorary degrees. Mr. Towne presented the three nominees requested approval by the Senate. Mr. Haskins moved that the three candidates be recommended for honorary degrees. There was a second by Mr. Buhr. The motion passed with a vote of 48 for and 2 abstentions.

9.

Chandice Covington reported on the work of the Maternity Benefit Task Force. The focus of the Task Force was maternity leave for faculty. Ms. Covington recommended the following motion for maternity leave: “A female faculty member who bears a child during the academic year is entitled to six weeks of paid maternity leave to commence immediately following the birth of her child.” Mr. Jackson moved and Mr. Perkins seconded acceptance of the motion. There was discussion of births that occur when faculty are off contract and the need to clarify the policy. Due to loss of quorum, further discussion and action on the motion was postponed until the March meeting.

10.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

Suzanne Anderson

Secretary to the Senate