Minutes of the University Senate Meeting

Anderson, Collin

Anderson, Katherine

Anderson, Suzanne

Axtman, Benjamin

Baker, Mary

Bass, Gail

Beneda, Nancy

Benoit, Joseph

Berne, Jane

Berwald, Olaf

Bradley, April

Broedel, Hans

Buhr, Jordan

Cripe, Haylee

DeMers, Judy

Doze, Van

Faruque, Saleh

Ferraro, Richard

Fisher, Jay

Ghribi, Othman

Gordon, Gregory

Grandstrand, Tyrone

Grant, Emanuel

Haskins, James

Hoffarth, Janice

Hume, Wendelin

Hunter, Susan

Iiams, Michele

Iverson, Joneen

Jackson, Jon

Jackson, Margaret

Jeno, Sue

Jerath, Sukhvarsh

Johnson, Gary

Kaler, Amanda

Khavanin, Mohammad

Kitzes, Adam

Kupchella, Charles

Lawrence, David

LeBel, Paul

Light, Steven

Liu, Rugao

Lothspeich, Jason

Mamaghani, Iraj

Marshall, David

Mayzer, Roni

Melland, Helen

Moen, Jan

Mortinson, Matthew

Murphy, Eric

Myrick, Matthew

Nelson, Susan

Perkins, Dexter

Petros, Thomas

Poochigian, Donald

Potvin, Martha

Rendahl, Stephen

Reza, Hassan

Rice, Daniel

Richards, Thomas

Riedy, Joshua

Rieke, Judy

Rosenberger, Thad

Schwartz, Rhonda

Stolt, Wilbur

Sun, Jeffrey

Tepper, Nadine

Watson, John

Weisenstein, Greg

Wettersten, Kara

Wittgraf, Michael

Wu, Min

The following announcements were made:

Doug Munski, as the last act in his term of chair of the University Senate, turned the gavel over to Tom Petros, chair of University Senate for 2007-2008.
Mr. Petros welcomed the senators to a new year.
President Kupchella announced that the Tobacco Free Policy was sent out electronically and has been put on the web. The goal is for the policy to be effective October 5. Comments and suggestions are to be directed to Phil Harmeson. There were questions and comments regarding several issues including an alcohol free campus, and a smokeless versus tobacco free campus. Senators were requested to send suggestions to Mr. Harmeson.
Paul LeBel, chair of the UND Presidential Search Committee, gave an update on the Presidential search. He reported that the Committee was named in May, met in June, and decided to slow the process down to allow an expected six-month search process during the academic year. The Committee is currently at the stage of assembling a profile document to be used in the search. There is a draft of the document posted on the search website. The Committee is holding forum sessions in Grand Forks, both on and off campus, Fargo, Minot and Bismarck to discuss the profile with various constituents to obtain feedback. Mr. LeBel strongly encouraged engagement. The next step for the committee is to approve the profile, which will be submitted to the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) for their September 20 meeting. After that, the position will be advertised for 4-5 weeks. At the end of October, there will be a preliminary screening and move to reference checks. In early November, the Committee will meet and start reference checks, including any possible late applicants. The Committee will select a group of 10-12 candidates for screening interviews in Minneapolis the week after Thanksgiving. They will then decide who will come to campus in January, and expect to extend 5-6 invitations for two-day visits. After the campus visits, the Committee will recommend three unranked candidates to the SBHE. There was discussion of pool size and a question regarding search consultant cost.
Alice Brekke explained the new policy effective July 1, 2007 for the F & A (Facilities and Administration) Distribution Model. For research and other sponsored activity, a fixed percentage goes back to the college and the college must have on file a distribution process. Instruction projects are now included in this new model. EPSCOR projects are also included and the percentage will go to the research VP for research projects. The new percentages will be implemented with a year time-lag, keeping the time-lag model in the previous policy. Discussion occurred regarding impact on faculty, why the policy was changed, and a comment of appreciation to the President and Alice Brekke for listening to faculty concern.
Gary Johnson reported on the search for the Vice President for Research. The position was advertised, applicants reviewed, and candidates invited to campus. He reminded the senators of announced times and sessions for the candidate campus visits that have already been sent out to the campus. He indicated that the committee charge is to pass 2-4 unranked names to the President.
Mr. Weisenstein introduced two distinguished visitors from Russia, Vladimir Lapteva, Vice Rector for the Alexander I Herzen University, St. Petersburg, Russia. He is also responsible for overseeing all advanced degree programs for that country. Mr. Weisenstein also introduced Mr. Lapteva’s wife, Leeka Lapteva. She is an educator at the public school level and principal for three schools. They are here looking for collaborative opportunities with UND.
Mr. Weisenstein announced that UND moved up 52 places in the Washington Monthly ranking, moving past many prestigious universities. The overall rank is 117 and number 69 for public institutions. This ranking is more meaningful than some because it measures the value of the institution.
Ms. Iiams announced action by the Committee on Committees. She showed the committee replacements that have occurred over the summer for the academic year 2007-2008. There is still an opening for the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee for a term ending in 2010.

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

Senator Perkins asked about the financial plan for the move to DI, a question about financial plan for parking, and if there is an equivalent investment in academics. President Kupchella responded that there is a pro forma (budget) for the move to Division I that was approved in the summer. Since that time, work is being done on a more detailed plan. He understands the need for transparency and is willing to provide the information if requested. The Senate Executive Committee will discuss how to distribute the information. It was also suggested that Mr. Harmeson and Ms. Brekke be at the next meeting for questions. The President also indicated that the parking structures have a business plan. They will be used for special events, but they are not an athletic structure and they will only be used by athletics like other special events. As for expenditures for academics, the fraction for instruction is one of the highest when compared to peers. The President has made that report at University Council and offered the information to Mr. Perkins.
Mr. Murphy asked a question about faculty seed grants. The President indicated that faculty seed grants have always been ad hoc decisions, if money is available. There was money last year and he hopes the same is true this year; however, any decision is premature at this time. President Kupchella expressed the value of this kind of grant and indicated there will soon be an announcement of a research dollar milestone.

The question period closed at 4:55 p.m.

The chair asked for corrections or additions to the May 3, 2007 minutes. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as distributed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the Senate Continuing Education Committee annual report. The motion was approved.

The election for vice chair/chair elect of Senate was opened. Jon Jackson was presented as a nominee. There was a call for nominations from the floor and David Marshall was nominated. The Senate voted and Jon Jackson was elected.

The Senate orientation occurred between elections. Mr. Petros reviewed Senate duties and encouraged each senator to read the UND Constitution to understand their role as university senators. He highlighted committee opportunities and responsibilities, reviewed the standing rules of University Senate, and the rules regarding motions and amendments. Mr. Petros indicated that the slide presentation of the Senate orientation is posted on the Senate website.

10.

The election of a faculty representative for a two-year term on the Senate Executive Committee was opened. Sukhvarsh Jerath was presented as a nominee. There was a call for nominations from the floor and Thad Rosenberger and Dexter Perkins were nominated. The Senate voted and Dexter Perkins was elected.

11.

The election of two members for Committee on Committees was opened. Olaf Berwald and Judy DeMers were presented as nominees. It was moved that nominations be closed and the ballot be accepted by acclamation. The motion passed unanimously.

12.

The election of the student representative for Senate Executive Committee was opened. Jay Fisher was presented as the nominee. There was a motion to close nominations and accept the ballot by acclamation. The motion passed.

13.

Ms. Anderson presented the candidates for degrees and certificates for August, 2007. The candidates for degrees and certificates for August, 2007, were approved with a vote of 53 for and 1 abstention.

14.

An amendment to the University Senate Bylaws regarding senate attendance was presented. Mr. Jackson moved, and Mr. Buhr seconded, to accept the amendment. There was a friendly amendment by Mr. Jerath to add the wording “during year.” There was no objection so the suggestion was accepted. Discussion then centered on whether the policy applied only to elected, or all senators. It was stated that the intent was for all senators. Discussion occurred regarding business absences required for University business. Because there were several unresolved issues, it was moved to table the amendment so the Senate Executive Committee could resolve those issues. The motion passed unanimously.

15.

A resolution for posthumous recognition of students was presented. There was a motion for approval by Ms. Potvin and a second by Mr. Wittgraf. The motion passed unanimously.

16.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the Curriculum Committee report. The motion passed unanimously.

17.

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

Suzanne Anderson

Secretary to the Senate