At the May meeting of the Senate of the Faculty, the following actions were taken:
1) The Senate discussed the Football game on Thursday, November 6 with the following
comments:
a. Is it possible to consult faculty before such decisions are made? If we had a
choice between a Thursday-televised game and a Saturday-non-televised game, why
did we pick Thursday? The AD should not be overriding the academic function.
b. Staff probably need to be out of here to avoid being blocked in - this is at "full
pay" for these individuals, particularly hourly employees, is it not?
c. Ensure that the AD is informing donors NOW that this game will be different for
them - consider running shuttles for the donors as opposed to disrupting campus
d. Ensure that UPD and/or security works to prevent cars with hang tags from being
blocked in by fans.
2) The Senate passed the first 2 motions concerning changes to the Standing University
Committees. In essence, the Senate agreed that an "umbrella" structure may increase
flexibility, reduce the number of faculty involved, and retain faculty voice in governance.
Further, the Senate approved the 7 operational guidelines for the Standing University
Committees and agreed to break into groups during the June meeting of the Senate to put
some specific suggestions with each of the umbrella units.
3) The Senate passed the Policy on Extraordinary Teaching Assignments and added the
following comment:
Distance learning should be considered as an extraordinary teaching assignment,
particularly in the evening. Continuing studies has control, how does the Senate interact
with Continuing Studies?
4) The Senate passed the Policy on Class Enrollment by Members of the Instructor's
Immediate Family with the following "friendly amendment" suggested changes.
1st line, may consider adding, "or analogous relationships."
Remove the phrase, "such as requiring that the student be graded on a pass-fail basis."
from the last sentence. Pass/fail would create a disparity for the A,B,C,D,F students and
actually make it easier on the relative than the rest of the students. Since, "...the
department chairperson or dean may impose special conditions." seems to cover the
intent, the suggestion was to shorten that sentence.
The University of Mississippi
TO: Academic Deans and Chair of the Senate of the Faculty
FROM: Gerald W. Walton
DATE: April 21, 1997
SUBJECT: Football Game on November 6
As some of you are no doubt aware, the University of Mississippi will host a football game on this campus on the evening of Thursday, November 6. Remembering reaction to the Thursday-evening game in Memphis last fall, I immediately reacted by inquiring why we agreed to a Thursday game. The response was that we do not really have a choice: we belong to the Southeastern Conference, and that association is bound by contracts negotiated by the television stations.
I think it would be good to get reactions and do some planning before the end of the current semester. Obviously there will be a good deal of traffic on the campus and a great deal of activity in such places as the Grove. I have categorically ruled out the possibility of dismissing classes, even though I suspect that a number of students will cut classes on Thursday afternoon and possibly on Friday. Should we, however, consider dismissing staff members at noon in order to free up some parking spaces and cut down on the traffic? There are, I am sure, a number of similar matters we might discuss.
If you have thoughts about this matter before we have any formal discussion, I will appreciate your memos, e-mail messages, or phone calls.
Thank you very much.
Gerald W. Walton
Attachment B: Phase I of Standing University Committee Revisions
Revisions to the Standing Committees are complicated and will require input from several sources. The Senate intends to begin the revision process, paying particular attention to the need for flexibility in topics considered by committees as well as representation. Specific motions to be considered in May are shown on the reverse side of this form.
Advisory Standing Committees
1. Student Affairs Committee
1. Scholastic Competition
2. University Judicial Council**
3. Student Housing
4. Student Organizations
5. Student Publications
6. Student Financial Aid
7. Academic Discipline
8. Admiss/Orient/Reg/Advise
9 Refunds
2. Faculty Affairs Committee
1. Academic Freedom & Faculty
Responsibility
2. Outstanding Teacher Award (as
established)
3. Commencement
4. Honors Day
5. Junior College Liaison
6. International Programs
7. Tenure and Promotion Appeals
(tenured & associate+ only)
8. Tenure & Promotion Review
(tenured & associate + only)
9. Summer Session
10. Faculty Club **Potential new**
3. Staff/Faculty Benefits Committee
1. Retirement & Insurance
2. Housing of Faculty & Staff
4. Cultural Events
1. Artist Series
2. Museums
3. University Lecture Series
5. Library/Special Collections
Development
6. Technology Enhancement
1. Computer Center
2. TeleProductions Resource Center
7. Environmental Safety
1. Biological Safety
2. Chemical Safety
3. Occupational Safety
4. Radiation Safety
8. University Affairs Committee
1. Recreational Facilities/Turner
Center
2. Campus Improvements
3. Campus-wide petitions
4. Maintenance & Upkeep**
Potential New **
5. Traffic Safety
Policy Committees
Academic Council
Undergraduate Council
Graduate Council
University Research Board
University Planning Council
Proposed Motions (at this time):
1. The proposed structure for the Advisory Standing Committees relies on "umbrella"
committees that would then coordinate the work of the sub-committees listed on the
reverse side of this page. [The intention is that any ad hoc committee needed may be
fulfilled by an "umbrella" unit that would then create an ad hoc committee, if necessary,
for that topic area.]
2. Proposed Operational Guidelines for the Advisory Standing Committees
1. Subcommittees meet when needed/called by the Umbrella Committee
2. Annual reports are sent to the Chancellor, Provost and the Senate of the Faculty
3. All Umbrella Committees shall meet at least biannually and shall convene within
the first 21 days of the semester to determine sub-committee assignments.
4. The Chancellor and/or the Provost shall assign tasks to the appropriate Umbrella
Committee that will then make assignments to subcommittees.
5. Individuals should not Lead, or Chair, committees that have direct responsibility
for his/her area of work. These individuals should be ex officio members only.
6. All ad hoc committees currently in operation should be re-assigned to Standing
Umbrella Committees, if at all feasible.
7. Administration may add staff, student, or additional faculty representation to
standing committees where appropriate.
The Senate of the Faculty should (will?) use Summer Sessions of the Senate to form eight
work teams to revise descriptions of the Umbrella and subcommittees; provide
suggestions as to the number and source of faculty for Umbrella Committees; initial
suggestions as to the number of staff and student representatives, and suggestions as to
the composition and responsibilities of each of the subcommittees in that unit.
4. Issues identified which seem to need Senate consideration may include (but are not
limited to):
a. 2 or 3-year appointments to the Standing Committees, with alternates available to
replace those who resign or who leave the University (as opposed to annual
replacement currently)
b. Staggered terms in key committees for continuity
c. Appointments of faculty senate representatives to these committees (if reports do
in fact come to the Senate from the Umbrellas, can we relax the need for a Faculty
Senate Rep assigned to each; select critical areas for Senate representation...)
d. New cornmittee suggestions (i.e. Maintenance and Upkeep; Faculty Club;
University Judicial Council) and ad hoc requests - organized and implemented by
the Umbrellas?
e. Other issues identified in the Senate Meeting, May 2, 1997
The University of Mississippi has experienced significant enrollment growth at off-campus centers located in Southaven, Tupelo, and Jackson. Other off-campus sites may be designated in the future. In addition, various academic departments and programs offer classes on the Oxford campus during the evenings (classes beginning after 5:00 p.m.) and on weekends. This policy addresses the terms and conditions that guide the making of the teaching assignments required to staff the courses offered at these extraordinary times and locations.
It is the policy of the University that extraordinary teaching assignments be made on a voluntary basis only. To that end, the University shall regularly make available within each department or school a list of the courses it seeks to offer at extraordinary times and places. Department chairs and deans may also advertise extraordinary teaching opportunities and they may canvas faculty as to their interest in teaching such courses.
Inasmuch as the teaching of courses offered off-campus or after-hours frequently imposes an added burden relative to a faculty member's normal teaching responsibilities on the Oxford campus, it is the policy of the University to provide appropriate compensation to those who agree to accept extraordinary teaching assignments. This special compensation, which will be in addition to any reimbursement due the faculty member for expenses related to travel, meals, and lodging, may be in the form of a salary enhancement, a teaching load reduction, or other such consideration as mutually agreed to by the faculty member and department chairperson at the time the assignment is made.
Committee on Academic Freedom and Faculty Responsibility
10 April 1997
Because of the appearance of a potential conflict of interest, spouses, parents, children, and siblings of faculty members at the University of Mississippi are discouraged from enrolling in courses taught by that faculty member. Situations may nevertheless arise where, in order to complete the requirements for a degree or to fulfill some other valid educational purpose, immediate family members may wish to enroll in a course taught by a faculty member.
Whenever an immediate family member of an instructor seeks to enroll in a course taught by that faculty member, the instructor must obtain prior and explicit approval for such enrollment from the department chairperson or appropriate academic dean. In granting special permission for an immediate family member to enroll in the instructor's course, the department chairperson or dean may impose special conditions such as requiring that the student be graded on a pass-fail basis.
Committee on Academic Freedom and Faculty Responsibility 10 April 1997
5) New officers were elected for the 1997-98 Senate. They are Karen Green, Chair; Ed Sisson, Vice Chair; and Mark Tew. Secretary/Treasurer.
6) Sheila Skemp was elected to serve as faculty senate representative to the University Planning Council.
7) After the meeting, new senators elected the following committee chairs:
General Academic Affairs-Conrad Cunningham
Academic Support-Laura Harper
University Services-Billy Barrios
Finance-Lewis Smith
Faculty Governance-T.J. Ray