EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

 

Present:          Bender, Fuller, Humes, Jackson, Latta, Miller, Siekman  

 

Absent:           Bryant, Prochaska-cue, Scheideler, Swoboda, Whitt, Zorn

 

Date:               January 17, 2001

 

1.0       Call to Order

            Secretary Jackson called the meeting to order at 3:10 pm.

 

2.0       Announcements

            2.1       Meeting with First Candidate for Dean of the Law College

Secretary Jackson reminded the committee that there is a luncheon meeting on Friday, January 19^th at 1:00 pm with the first candidate for the position of Dean of the Law College. 

 

2.2       Search for Dean of College of Fine Arts

SVCAA Edwards reported that one of the candidates for Dean of the College of Fine Arts is coming back to campus for a second interview.  He stated that it is uncertain as to whether or not the Executive Committee will need to meet with this candidate.  SVCAA Edwards stated that he would check on this.

 

3.0       Approval of 12/13/01 and 1/10/01Minutes.

Miller moved and Bender seconded approval of the minutes.  Motion approved.

 

4.0       Interim Chancellor Perlman/SVCAA Edwards

4.1       Funding for Priority Programs

SVCAA Edwards stated that all deans have submitted their priority lists and that Interim Chancellor Perlman and Associate Vice Chancellor Brinkerhoff where reviewing the list and composing a narrative to accompany it.  They hope to distribute a draft document in a few weeks.  SVCAA Edwards stated that they are identifying themes followed by a generic listing of programs.  He noted that some people are expecting to see specific programs or departments listed.  He stated that the prioritization process is not to eliminate programs but to build up potentially strong programs.  Miller pointed out that care needs to be taken in regards to the rhetoric associated with the program listing in that it might be awkward to indicate that funding will go to priority programs rather than the best programs.  He noted that it must be thoroughly explained as to why the selected programs, rather than the top programs, are receiving additional funding.  Jackson asked if the balance of the list was closer to thematic or closer to departmental listing.  SVCAA Edwards stated that the first cut is being based on themes although some specific programs will probably be named.  Latta stated that the intent of the first iteration was to be thematic and then it would be determined how department programs fit into the themes.  Jackson inquired as to how faculty will provide input on this initial draft list.  SVCAA Edwards stated that this has not been determined, but that the list it may be discussed in open forums and college meetings.  Miller suggested that the February 6^th Academic Senate meeting would be one means of obtaining faculty input.  Bender pointed out that strong programs are needed across the board in order for individual programs to succeed.  He noted that sacrificing some programs in order to strengthen others does not, in the long run, benefit the targeted programs. 

 

Jackson inquired whether funding strategies for the priority programs have been developed.  SVCAA Edwards stated that he has not been involved in this aspect of planning but he stated that possible sources of funding could be state funds, earnings from the Othmer endowment, and other unexpected funds, including faculty salary savings.  He pointed out that some areas need investment, such as student recruitment, but that the goal is to build on strong programs to bring them to national prominence.  Latta noted that while colleges may have publicly identified some programs, they more than likely have other additional programs on their agenda.  She wondered how colleges and faculty would come to support the priority list.  SVCAA Edwards stated that he believes that faculty have a wider understanding of the institutional strategy and that building other programs may raise the status of the university as a whole, thereby benefiting all departments.  Fuller pointed out that many faculty are still suspicious of the prioritization program and feel that it is just another term for reallocation.  Miller noted that some professors feel the process is not a direct attack but a cut and slash approach to slowly eliminate programs.  Humes pointed out that the prioritization process has been much more open and public than the reallocation process that have been done behind closed doors. 

 

4.2       Update on Dean of Fine Arts Search

SVCAA Edwards reported that Jack Oliva would be coming back to campus for further interviews for the position of Dean of Fine Arts.  SVCAA Edwards noted that they have had several discussions throughout the search process with Dr. Oliva.  SVCAA Edwards stated that they hope to get immediate feedback from the faculty so that they can quickly evaluate and make a hiring decision.

 

SVCAA Edwards reported that four candidates have been selected for on campus interviews for Dean of the Law College and that the first candidate will be on campus January 18-19.  He reported that the search for Vice Chancellor for Research is progressing and that they hope to bring in candidates for interviews very soon.  Jackson asked for additional clarification.  SVCAA Edwards reported that he had just received recommendations from the search committee on three candidates but that he will need to review the files before interviewing dates are scheduled.

 

4.3       Update on the Intellectual Property Policy

Interim Chancellor Perlman reported that he received another draft of the Intellectual Property Policy from Central Administration sometime ago.  He stated that the draft was acceptable but that he has not heard any additional feedback.  He indicated he will make further inquires.  Jackson asked if it was in the best interest of UNL to move forward with this policy.  Interim Chancellor Perlman pointed out that the campus does not have a choice in the matter.  He stated that one of the issues with the policy is in regards to protection for traditional forms of scholarship.  He proposed that these traditional forms remain the property rights of the faculty member.  Non-traditional forms of scholarships would remain the intellectual property of the university.  He noted that for non-traditional forms of scholarship, the university would take responsibility for processing these rights.  He stressed that it is important that everyone review the document once it becomes available. 

 

4.4       Issues on the Horizon

            4.4.1    Recruiting Efforts

SVCAA Edwards stated that he was glad to see the emphasis on recruiting out-of-state students in the Omaha World Herald articles.  He pointed out that out-of-state students have a significant impact on our budget.  He stated that if enrollment were at full capacity, there would not be a need to raise tuition rates.  He stated that a presentation on student recruitment would be given at the March Board of Regents meeting.  He noted that many people in the state are concerned with student recruiting and that there needs to be a major effort to improve this area.  He pointed out that it is very important for people on campus to be engaged in student recruiting.  Jackson stated that there are individual departments, especially those departments in popular fields with high student numbers that feel that there are not many incentives for putting additional efforts into recruiting.  He asked if the administration has any plans for developing incentives.  SVCAA Edwards stated that no discussions have been held on this yet.  Interim Chancellor Perlman noted that there are considerable recruiting costs involved that need to be considered.  SVCAA Edwards pointed out that an agreement was made with Central Administration to split the tuition revenue but that this was based on average enrollment figures from five years ago when student numbers were higher.  Miller stated that Dr. Finnell’s presentation to the Senate on student recruiting indicated that we have not been as successful in recruiting students from Omaha.  Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that this is correct but that they are slowly seeing some improvements in this area.

 

            4.4.2    Faculty Recruiting Season

SVCAA Edwards stated that the faculty recruiting season is underway and that there is concern over whether we will be as successful this year as last year in diversity hiring.  He noted that we are financially less well positioned this year as compared to last year but that we will be held to the same standards by the legislature and therefore we will need to direct our resources appropriately.  Jackson asked how successful we have been in retaining minority faculty.  SVCAA Edwards stated that generally we are doing well although we may lose one or two people this year.  He pointed out that many of these professors are heavily recruited and are offered good job opportunities elsewhere.  He noted that we were not as successful last year in retaining and recruiting women as in previous years.  Jackson asked if Interim Chancellor Perlman had any data from the correspondence he received from former faculty members indicating that women have had any specific problems that could be addressed.  Interim Chancellor Perlman pointed out that his sample size was quite small but there was some indication that a lack of opportunities for women may have been one factor for women leaving.  He stated that most responses indicated that issues were more at the local level (departmental) rather than across the boards. 

 

4.4.3    Distance Education

Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that he had received a report from Varner Hall on how the system should respond to distance education.  He noted that he had also received a report from Associate Vice Chancellor O’Hanlon on distance education at UNL, and that he needs further opportunity to compare the two reports.

 

4.4.4    Campus Response to Omaha World Herald Articles

Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that he appreciated the positive campus response to the Omaha World Herald articles.  He pointed out that there are great opportunities for the campus and that the articles helped to create a landscape for improvement.  He noted that people increasingly support those organizations and projects that are optimistic about their future.  SVCAA Edwards pointed out that the strategy of the 20/20 Report is to develop high aspirations for the campus and for units to learn to develop strategies for increasing their own revenue sources.

 

5.0       Unfinished Business

            5.1       Email Policy

Jackson reported that he is organizing a meeting of the Computational Services and Facilities Committee for them to review, among other issues, the email policy.  Latta noted that there are differences between the University policy and the UNL policy that should be examined. 

 

6.0       New Business

            6.1       Changes to the ARRC Procedures

Latta asked for a status update on the proposed changes to the Academic Rights & Responsibilities Committee Procedures.  Bender stated that the ARRC has completed the revisions. A copy of the revised procedures are being sent to the Executive Committee for review.  Latta asked if the campus faculty would have an opportunity to review the proposed changes.  Bender stated that eventually they would but that the Executive Committee will review the documents first.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 pm.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 at 3:00 pm, Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace.  Respectfully submitted, David S. Jackson.