UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Faculty Senate
________________________________________________________________
March23,2016–Facultyclub-3:00pm
ApprovedMinutes
Attending:Brooks,Pohlmann,Kennedy,Morgan,Carr,Culler,Freed,Harrington,Kozelsky,Lindeman,
Marshall,Moore,NiChadhain,Poston,Reichert,Schulze,Stustman,Bourrie,Campbell,McDonald,
Whiston,Broach,Davidson-Shivers,Norrell,West,Clanton,Wilson,Bauer,Bennett-Baldwin,Cioffi,
Gillespie,Omar,Ponnambalam,Richter,Gillis,Noland,Woodford,Buckner,Dolan,Huey,Minchew,
Riley,Palle,Piazza
Absent:D.Smith,Fisher,Marin,Mata,P.Smith,Gecewicz,Fregeau,Glover,Phan,Yazdani,Audia,
Bolton,Chinkers,Falkos,Rachek,Rich,Richards,Tyalor,Grant,Vandawaa,Scalici
Calltoorder3:05withquorum
Approvalofminutes: Februarymeeting-motionmade;2d;approved
Approvalofagenda–motiontoapproveagendaasrevised;made2d;approved
Guest:NicoleCarr–FirstGenInitiative
Accessisoneofourpriorities.WehavelotsofFirstGenerationstudentsoncampus.Wearenotsureof
howmany,butthebestguessisbetween40-50%ofthestudentbody.We’velearnedthatalotofour
facultyandstaffwerethemselvesfirstgenerationcollegestudents;thatis,astudentwhoseparentsdid
notcompletecollege.Itisalotdifferentforstudentswhoseparentswenttocollegethanforthosewho
didnot.Thefirstgenerationstudentsdonothavethesametypeofadviceavailabletothemasstudents
whoseparentswenttocollege.
Butourstudentsdonotknowthattherearefacultymemberswhoarelikethem.Soweareaskingfor
facultytoself-identifyasfirstgenerationstudentssothatthesestudentscouldcomeseethesefaculty
memberstoaskquestions.Nicole’sofficeislookingforawaytoidentifythesefacultymembers.
SoNicolehascometotheSenatetoaskiftherewouldbeinterest.Generalfeedbackwasyes.
Ifyouareafirstgenerationstudentoramemberofyourcaucusisafirstgenerationstudentwhois
willingtobeidentifiedassuchforstudents,contactK.Westwhowillcompilealist.
Kevinaskedifthesamecouldbedoneforfacultymemberswhoarevetstoprovideaplaceforvetsto
goforassistance;Nicoleagreedthatwouldalsobeagoodidea.
Questionsraisedaboutpromotion–tofacultytobeidentifiedandtostudentswhoarelookingforhelp.
Suggestionsincluded:adirectory,somethingondoor/nameplate,infreshmanexperienceclasses;
initiativeoftheFirstGenstudentclub.
President’sReport
1.
Midtermgrades
K.WestwantstothankNicoleforworkingongettingfacultyaccesstomid-termgradesthroughthe
StudentSuccessCollaborative.Hastherebeenanytroublewithmid-termgradesthistime?
BriefdiscussionofStudentSuccessCollaborative’snewfeatures.Beonthelookoutfortraining
opportunities.
2.
Branding
ShowednewUSABrandpage.Brandwasunveiledtoday–“WeAreSouth!”Newlogo.
Southalabama.edu/Brandhaslotsofnewtoys–powerplatetemplates;logos(nobox);letterhead;email
signature;memo;agenda.Thebrandingefforthadalotoffacultyinput.
MikeHaskinshasbeenaskedrepeatedlyaboutbillboards.IfyoudrivearoundMobile,yousee
billboardsforallofourcompetitors.Hisanswer:ouraudiencedoesnotlookatbillboards.Insteadthey
areusingtargetedon-lineadsonSpotify,Pandora,andsimilarsites.Facultyarenotlikelytoseethe
targetedads.
3.
ProvostFacultyFellowProgram–seeattachedannouncement
WasinitiatedbyPresidentWaldrop.Ideaistobringfacultymembersintoprovostofficeforayearwith
acoursereleasesothefacultymembersgetanideaofhowadministrationworksandforfaculty
memberstoseeiftheywanttobeadministrators.Each“fellow”willhaveaproject.PresidentWaldrop
gaveexampleofUCF’sfullyon-linepromotionandtenureprocessthatwasledbyafacultyfellow.This
yeartheyarelookingfor2forAcademicAffairs.ItmayexpandtothePresident’sOffice.Pres.Waldrop
broughtthistotheFacultySenateExecutiveCommitteeseveralmonthsagoforinput.
4.
ExpressScripts
WehavebeengettingcontinuedfeedbackandarecontinuingtoworkwithGeraldGattis.Susan
Gordon-Hickeyhadsuggestedtoaskforalongergrandfatheredtimefornon-coveredmedications
becauseofthelatenoticeandproblemswithcoverage;weweresuccessfullyinadvocatingforthat
change.ThedeadlineforgrandfatheredmedicationsisnowJune1insteadofApril1.Youshouldnotbe
deniedaprescriptionuntilJune1.
SenatoraskedifeveryonehadseenthenewsaboutAnthem’slawsuitagainstExpressScripts.
AnotherSenatorbroughtupthatWalgreensandothersarethreateningtodropExpressScriptsbecause
ofthewayExpressScriptsreimbursesthepharmacies.
Alsoconcernsraisedwithnotsupportingthelocalpharmacists,manyofwhomwereeducatedatUSA.
TerryGrantisthenewChairofSalary&BenefitsandhasbeenpushingtheissuesrelatedtotheExpress
Scripttransition.OfficerswillalsoraisethequestionswithScottWeldon.
5.
P&TReviewCommitteeRecommendations
Universitycreatedanadhoccommitteetolookatpromotionandtenure.PhilCarrwastheSenate
representative.Lookedattheoverallprocessandplacesitcouldbeimproved.Theadhoccommittee
wasformedwhenTonyaskedaboutauniversity-levelP&Treview.Julierecommendedlookingatthe
wholeprocess.
Theadhoccommitteemaderecommendationsattheendof2015thatwenttoDean’sCouncil.Dean’s
madesomechanges.Officersjustreceivedtherecommendationsyesterday.K.Westwillsendthe
proposedP&TdocumenttotheHandbookCommitteeforreview,thenwewillsendthatdocumentout
forAprilmeetingtostartdiscussionsonit.Mainthingchangingisafeedbackmechanismatthe
departmentallevel–abilitytorebutdepartmentrecommendations.
Questionsaboutfeedback/transparencytothosedeniedtenure–feedbacksotheyknowwhatthey
shouldhavedonebetter.K.West–donotknowbutthedepartmentallevelresponsemechanism
shouldbewherewebuildintransparency.
P.Carr–committeegavepros/consonauniversity-levelcommittee.Thosepros/conswenttothe
Dean’swhodidnotincludeauniversity-levelcommittee.
Questionsonprocess.K.West–thiswouldbeachangetothefacultyhandbooksowecanpropose
changes.Butifwewantmajorchanges,weneedtoopenadiscussionwiththedeansfirst.
Announcements
1.
Honor’sCollege–DougMarshall
AskedtogetfeedbackontheproposaltochangetheHonorsProgramtoanHonorsCollege.Muchto
oursurprise,Dr.JohnsonproposedmakingtheHonorsCollegewithamulti-trackhonorsprogram.
CurrentlyhavetheWhiddonHonorsScholarsthatwillmaininplace.Willaddseveralotherpieces–put
togethertheDepartmentalHonorProgramstodeterminebestpracticesandwaystoincorporate
transfersandotherexcellingstudents;trackonGlobalLeadership;andaHealthProfessionshonors
track.
Thereareanumberofreasonsforit.Alothastodowithretention.TheUniversitywantsthereally
goodstudentswhodonotgetintotheWhiddonprogramtohaveanoptionforanhonorsprogram
thoughnot“the”honorsprogram.Inadditionthehonorsstudentsgenerallygraduatein4yearsand
thereisadesiretospreadthosepracticetogetmorestudentsoutinfouryears.Wewillgetadedicated
honorsadvisor,butotherwisetherewillbefewresourcescommittedtothenewcollege.
D.MarshallindicatedM.DoranwillmovefromDirectortoaDean.
D.Marshallopenedforfeedback.
QuestiononjobsearchforaDean?A:atsomepointinthefuturebutnotrightnowduringtransition.
K.WestsaidDJohnsonsaidtherewouldbeanationalsearchoncetheCollegewasupandrunning.
K.WestalsoraisedconcernsaboutaCollegefor2%ofourstudents.D.Johnsonsaidgoalis4-8%who
areinanhonorstrackofsomesort.D.Johnsonalsohasnotedthatheistryingtoputintoplacethe
infrastructurebeforetheUniversitytriestogrowtheprogram.
QuestionraisedaboutdoingthisnowafterthelastExCommwithAdminmeeting’sdiscussionof
resourcelimitationsandallocations.
Anotherconcernwasthelackoffacultytoteachsmallhonorssections.D.Marshallacknowledgedthat
thehonorsprogramlivesoffwhatdepartmentsarewillingtogiveus.Thefocusontracks,asopposedto
expandingWhiddonprogram,willnotrequirecreationofnewclassesbecausethedepartmenthonors
programalreadyutilizesexistingclasses.
2.
Elections/Nominations–KellyWoodford
Thisisthelastmeetingforthosewhosetermsexpirein2016.Ifyoudon’tknowyourtermdate,please
lookatthesigninsheetortherosteronFacultySenatewebsite.Caucusleaderspleaseseemefor
electioninformationforyourcaucus.
Ifyouareinterestedinservicingasofficerorcommitteechiarpleasesendself-nominationtoK.
Woodford
3.
FSbanquet–BillGillis
April22@6:00aftertheAprilmeeting.Ralph&KakoosontheCauseway.TheFacultySenatewillhave
thewholedownstairs.Openbarlimit.Menu:friedfish,jambalya,coleslaw.Lookingfornon-fish
option.
Theeventisfor2015-2016Senatorsaswellas2016-2017Senators.
4.
VeteransProgram–BillGillis
Basedonself-identification,itislikelythateveryclasshasatleast1vet.Sentunderseparatecoverwas
atrainingprogramforfacultyondealingwithvetsissues.Thecommitteeislookingtogetfundingfor
theprogramfromStudentAffairs.Wehaveaveterans-friendlycampusdesignationandthiswould
strengthenourcredentials.Demoisavailableforthosewhoareinterested.
5.
MentoringPicnic–E.Buckner
TheAcademicDevelopmentandMentoringCommitteewillhostaFamilyPicnicforFacultyMentorsand
NewFacultyMenteesonSaturday,April23rdfrom11:00to2:00atthePavilionontheIntramuralField
Area.
Maindishprovided,pleasebringasidedishordesserttoshare.Bringrecipetoshare.
Pleaseencouragethoseinyourdepartmentswhoareparticipatingintheprogramtoattend.
Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingamentorfor2016-2017,pleaseletE.Bucknerknow.
6.
FacultySenateSurvey–L.Moore
TheEvaluationCommitteehascirculatedquestionsforfeedbackfromthecommitteemembersand
ExecutiveCommitteemembers.TherevisedlistofquestionswillnowgotoSamFisherforformatting
intotheFacultySurveyformat.TheSurveyshouldgooutnolaterthanApril1,withinvitationstothe
Caucusleaderstoencouragefacultyintheirunittorespond.
Thecommitteewillbetrackingtrends.
7.
SearchUpdates
VPMedicalAffairs–interviewlastmonth;FacultySenateparticipated;3candidateswere
interviewed.
VPAlliedHealth–haveadeanselected.Comesfromaschoolthathasdeantenurelimitsandhe
couldnolongerbedean.
ExecutiveDirectorILC–meetingscheduledforFridaytoreviewapplications
DeanoftheGraduateSchool–KeithHarrisonisretiring.Committeeisbeingputtogether.
Searchwillstartatbeginningofsummer.Hopeforinterviewsatbeginningoffallsemester.Q:willit
continuetobepart-timeposition.A:DeanofGraduate&Assoc.VPforAcademicAffairs(highimpact
practices);soitwillbeapart-timedeanwithadditionaladministrativefunctionstomakeitafull-time
position.
OldBusiness
RevisedGrievancePolicy–update–waitingforresponsefromadministration
CivilCampusPolicy–seeattacheddocument
MaratalkedabouttheCivilCampusPolicyatthelastmeeting.ThepolicywasrequestedbyDr.Maes,
theUniversity’sOmbudsperson.Waitedforthegrievancepolicytogotoapprovalbeforeputtingfortha
CivilCampusPolicy.Withtherevisedgrievancepolicy,aviolationofthecivilcampuspolicywould
becomegrievable.
AFacultySenatecommitteeinthefuturecouldtakeastrongerapproach,butthiswouldbeagoodfirst
stepwhencoupledwithgrievancepolicy.
Motiontoendorserecommendationmade;2d;approved
NewBusiness
SummerTeachingPolicyRevisions
Currenthandbooksaysyoucannotteachmorethan2yearsinarow.Giventhatmanyofusteachevery
summer,thepolicydoesnotmakesense.Administrationhasaskedustocorrectthepolicyandasked
forrevisiontoallowprorationofpay(insteadofcancelingtheclass).Also,afterdiscussionswith
administration,weareproposingachangetothesummerpaytimelines:payforMaymesteronJune1;
firsttermpaid,July1;secondterm,paidonAugust1;fullsummer,paid½July1and½onAugust1.
Adjourned–4:15
CaucusReports
MitchellCollegeofBusiness–T.Noland
JonathanL.HurshasocialentrepreneurandUSAalumspoketoMitchellCollegeofBusinessStudentson
TuesdayMarch8th.Mr.HurshwasrecognizedastheSchwabFoundationSocialEntrepreneurofthe
YearattheWorldEconomicForuminDavos.
TheMitchellCollegeofBusinessDBAprogamhaditsfirstdissertationdefenseonFridayMarch
11th.AlanWhaleydefendedhisdissertation,"ExecutivePerspectivesonLeadershipDevelopmentof
theirMiddleManagers".
ThefirstthreedissertationdefensesinthenewDBAprogram-ScottCohen,AlanWhaley,andJaco
Keyser–wererecentlycompleted.Allthreesuccessfullydefended.
Arts&Sciences–S.NiChadhain
MembersoftheA&ScaucusmetwithDr.WierzbickionMarch3rd.Themajorityofthediscussionwas
focusedonfinancialmatterswiththedeantakingsometimetoexplainhowtheuniversitybudgetworks
andthattheCollegeisstilloperatingundersignificantfundingconstraintsandthatit’sunlikelythatwe’ll
seeincreasedtravelfunds,libraryallocationsetc.inthenearfuture.Abriefsummaryofthetopics
discussedispresentedbelow.
Paymentforsummerthesisanddirectedstudieshours:Thecaucusrequestedthatapolicybe
implementedsimilartothatinthecollegeofengineeringwherethefacultyearntheamountoftuition
thatisreturnedtothecollege.Thedeanwasreceptivetothisproposalbutexpressedconcernthat
facultymaybeincentivizedtoshiftthesisanddirectedstudieshourstothesummerratherthanoffer
themduringfallandspringwhichwouldbetothedetrimentofstudents.Onesolutiontothis(not
broughtupatthemeeting)wouldbetopayfacultyyearroundforthesis/directedstudieshours.The
caucuswillfollowuponthisissuetoseeifpaymentforsummerthesis&directedstudieshourscanbe
implementedforSummer2017.
Revisionstosummerpaypolicy:Thesenatepresidentandvicepresidenthavebeenworkingon
revisionstothesummerteachingpolicy,specificallypushingformoresummertuitiontoreturntothe
collegesandtoclarifythecurrentpolicyofproratingsummerpayforlowenrollmentclasses(a“policy”
whichdoesnotfollowcurrentfacultyhandbookpolicy).Whilesenateispushingforamore“holistic”
approach,forexamplelookingatalltheclassesafacultymemberteachesinthesummertojudge
whethertopaythefullrateperclass,itappearsthatthedeanisstillcommittedtolookingatindividual
classessothatifyoutaughtamoneymakerandamoneyloserbutwereanetmoneymakeronlythe
moneymakingcoursewouldbeapprovedatfullpay.
Summerteachingbyfacultywhoplanonattendingaconferenceduringthesummer:Afaculty
memberreportedthattheVPAAwasdenyingapprovalofsummerteachingtofacultywhoplannedto
gotoaconferenceduringthesummer,eventhoughthefacultyhadcolleagueswillingtoteachtheir
classeswhiletheywereaway.DeanWierzbickiwasemphaticthatthiswasnotthepolicy–faculty
shouldbeapprovedforsummerteachingeveniftheyplantoattendaconference(althoughgoingaway
fortwoweeksofafourweekcoursewouldn’tbeadvisable!).FeelfreetocontactthedeanortheA&S
caucusleader(SinéadNíChadhain,snichadhain@southalabama.edu)ifyouhavebeendeniedsummer
teachingbecauseyouareplanningtoattendaconference.
DepartmentChairModel:Thecaucusinquiredaboutthepossibilityofmovingtoarotatingchairmodel.
Thedeanseemedunreceptive,talkingabouthowlongittakesthechairtolearnthejob,thefactthat
theregenerallyaren’tmanycandidatesforthejobandhowthepositionsarehardtofill.Wefollowed
upwithasuggestionformoreformalized,rigorous,andtransparentevaluationofchairs,something
similartothenewdeanevaluationmodel.Thedeanpointedoutthatthereisacurrentevaluation
systeminplace.Thecaucusexpressedourfeelingthatthecurrentsystemisinadequate.
Communication/Transparency:Asenatorbroughtuptheideaofhavingacaucusmemberattendchairs
meetingsasthereisasensethatcommunicationbetweenthedean’sofficeandthefacultyislacking.
Thedeanexpressedtheopinionthatthechairsaresupposedtodisseminateinformationtothefaculty.
Analternativetohavingacaucusmemberatthechairsmeetingswouldbetopublishtheminutesfrom
themeetingwheretheywouldbeavailabletothefaculty.Thiswasbroughtupattheendofthe
meetingandnotdiscussedatgreatlength.
FacultySenateCommitteeReports
Evaluation–L.Moore
TheEvaluationCommitteehascirculatedquestionsforfeedbackfromthecommitteemembersand
ExecutiveCommitteemembers.TherevisedlistofquestionswillnowgotoSamFisherforformatting
intotheFacultySurveyformat.TheSurveyshouldgooutnolaterthanApril1,withinvitationstothe
Caucusleaderstoencouragefacultyintheirunittorespond.
CivilCampusPolicy
TheUniversityofSouthAlabamaCommunityisdedicatedtocreatinganenvironmentwhereeach
individualisvaluedandcansucceed.Ourinstitutionalethiccompelsustofosterthebestpossible
environmentfordoingourworkaseducators,learners,andsupportersoftheeducationalprocess.
Whenourmembersarepreventedfromdoingtheirbest,theentirecommunityisdiminished.
Ourcommitmenttobeadiverseandinclusivecampusreliesonallcommunitymemberstodotheir
part.Whilenosetofrulesorpoliciescanwhollygovernhumanconduct,civilityrequiresrespectanda
thoughtfulandcarefulbalancingofdifferentpointsofview.
Values
Arespectfulcampusexhibitsandpromotesthefollowingvalues:
• Displayingpersonalintegrityandprofessionalism
• Practicingfairnessandunderstanding
• Exhibitingrespectforindividualrightsanddifferences
• Demonstratingharmonyintheworkingandeducationalenvironment
• Respectingdiversityanddifference
• Beingaccountableforone’sactions
• Emphasizingcommunicationandcollaborativeresolutionofproblemsandconflicts
• Developingandmaintainingconfidentialityandtrust
• Achievingaccountabilityatalllevels
CornerstonesofaCivilandRespectfulCampus
Thecommitmenttoacivilandrespectfulcampuscallsforpromotionofanenvironmentwherethe
followingareupheld:
• Allindividualshaveimportantcontributionstomaketowardtheoverallsuccessofthe
university’smission.
• UniversityofSouthAlabama’smissionisbestcarriedoutinanatmospherewhereindividualsat
alllevelsandinallunitsvalueeachotherandtreateachotherwithrespect.
• Individualsinpositionsofauthorityserveasrolemodelsinthepromotionofarespectful
campus.Promotingcourtesy,civility,andrespectfulcommunicationisconsistentwiththe
responsibilityofleadership.
• Individualsatalllevelsareallowedtodiscussissuesofconcerninanopenandhonestmanner,
withoutfearofreprisalorretaliationfromindividualsaboveorbelowthemintheuniversity’s
hierarchy.Atthesametime,therighttoaddressissuesofconcerndoesnotgrantindividuals
licensetomakeuntrueallegations,undulyinflammatorystatementsorundulypersonalattacks,
ortoharassothers,toviolateconfidentialityrequirements,orengageinotherconductthat
violatesthelaworuniversitypolicy.
PROVOSTFACULTYFELLOWSPROGRAM
2016-17
TheProvostFacultyFellowProgramprovidesfacultymemberstheopportunityto:
• LearnmoreabouttheoverallworkoftheUniversityacrossunits
• Developleadershipandadministrativeskills
• BementoredbyamemberofUSAadministration
Eachfellowwill:
• WorkintheofficeoftheProvost,usuallyforoneacademicyear,half-timeassignedtime;the
remainderofthefellow’stimewillbeassignedtohisorherhomedepartment.TheUniversity
willcoverthecostsforpart-timefacultyreplacementsinthefellow’shomedepartment.
• AttendselectedmeetingswithintheofficeofthePresidentorProvostandhavetheopportunity
toshadowadministrators
• Undertakeprojectsunderthesupervisionofsenioradministration
Allfull-timefacultymembersandfull-timefacultylibrariansareeligibletoapplyforaProvostFaculty
Fellowship.Facultymembersshouldhaveachievedtherankofassociateprofessororprofessor.
Facultylibrariansshouldhaveachievedtherankofassociateoruniversitylibrarian.
Applicationswillbeevaluatedbasedupon:
• Interestinuniversity-wideaffairs
• PastandcurrentacademicrecordatUSAorotherinstitutions
• Goalsforthefellowshipyear,includingareasofinterestwithintheOfficeoftheProvost
• Excellenceincommunicationskills
• Personalinterview
ApplicationsshouldbesentordeliveredtotheOfficeofAcademicAffairs(AD300)by5:00pmon
Monday,April18,2016,andshouldincludethefollowing:
• Letterofapplicationfromeachcandidatethatdescribesthebasisofhisorherinterestina
fellowshipandgoalsforthefellowshipperiodandbeyond
• Currentvita
• Lettersofsponsorshipfromthecandidate’schairanddean
Weanticipatethatoneortwofellowswillbeselectedfor2016-17.
DRAFT
PROPOSALFORCREATIONOFHONORSCOLLEGEATUSA
Currently,USAoffersoneHonorsprogram(WhiddonScholars)aswellasdepartmentalHonorsthrough
selectedmajors.WeproposeestablishinganHonorsCollegeatUSAtoincludethesetwoprograms,and
creatingadditionalHonorstracksforacademicallystrongstudentsapplyingortransferringtoUSA.
StudentscompletinganyofthesetrackswillberecognizedasHonorsgraduatesatcommencementand
ontheirtranscripts.ExamplesofstudentstobeinvitedintoselectedHonorsprogramsinclude:
• AllstudentswithaminimumACTscoreof28orhigherandhighschoolGPAsof3.5orhigher.
AllincomingfreshmenwhomeetthesecriteriawillbeadmittedintotheHonorsCollegeandwill
beeligibletoapplyforspecifichonorstracks.
• FirsttimefreshmanstudentswhowereadmittedtoUSAwithlowerhighschoolGPAandACTif
theymaintainaGPAof3.5orhigheraftercompleting30credithoursatUSA.
• StudentstransferringtoUSAfromanHonorsprogramatanotherinstitutionwillbeallowedto
applytojointheHonorstrackoftheirchoice.
WeexpectthatthecreationofnewHonorstrackswillhelprecruitandretainacademicallygifted
students.Inaddition,beingpartofanHonorstrackmayhelpstudentsremainfocusedduringtheir
undergraduatecareeratUSA,allowingthemtograduateontime.
AnHonorsCollegewillbecreatedtoprovideadministrativesupporttoalltheseHonorstracks.Most
honorstrackswillrequireminimumof12credithoursofhonorscourses,someofwhichwillbecreated
asneededthroughH-contractversionsofupperdivisioncourses.TograduatewithUniversityHonors,
studentswillneedtocompletetherequirementsofoneoftheHonorsTracks,andearna3.25
cumulativeGPAatUSA.
EXAMPLESOFNEWHONORSTRACKS
ThefollowingareexamplesoftheproposedtracksforHonors:
Ø WhiddonHonorsProgram(CurrentlydescribedintheUSABulletinasUniversityofSouth
AlabamaHonorsProgram):
Thisprogramwillremainascurrentlystructured.Studentsaretypicallyadmittedintothisprogramas
enteringfreshmen,althoughcurrentUSAstudentsandtransfersmaybeadmitted,onaspaceavailable
basis,afterenrollingatUSAiftheyhavenotyetcompleted48credithoursandhaveobtaineda3.5or
highercollegeGPA.
Ø GlobalLeadership
Studentsparticipatinginthistrackwillfocusoninternationalissues,andtheircurriculumwillinclude:3
hour,pre-studyabroad,honorscourseaboutthecountry,worldregion,orstudythemechosenfor
studyabroad;6ormorehoursofstudyabroadcourses;additionalcourserequirements(about9hours)
neededtocompletea“globalcertificate;”andcompletionofacapstonereflectiveessayonaspecific
topicofinternationalrelevance(3hours).Ideally,thereflectiveessaywillberelatedtothestudy
abroadexperience.
DRAFTPAGE2
Ø Pre-HealthHonors(includingstudentsparticipatingintheEarlyAcceptancePrograminthe
COM,EarlyacceptanceprogramforDPT,EarlyacceptanceprogramforNursing,andotherprehealthstudents).
StudentsparticipatinginthistrackwilltakeaFYEtailoredtoHealthdisciplines(2-3hours),participatein
atleast3shadowingexperiencesinclinicalsettings(6hours),participateinaninterdisciplinarycourse
onEthicsintheHealthProfessions(3hours,tobedeveloped),andwriteacapstoneself-reflectiveessay
onaspecifictopicofclinicalrelevance.Aresearchexperience(3-6hours)couldbeincludedinthe
program.
Ø DepartmentalHonors
Thistrackisalreadyinplace.StudentsindepartmentalhonorsmustcompleteanHonorsSeniorProject
(typicallyaresearchproject)andmustfulfillanyotherspecifichonorsrequirementssetbythemajor
department.
Ø InterdisciplinaryCreativeArts
Thistrackwillbeopentostudentsinterestedinsomecombinationofthefollowingdisciplines:Drama,
Music,VisualArts,andCreativeWriting
Thesestudentsmaychoosetotakehonorscoursesintwoormoreofthesedisciplines,theartsoverseas
through“studyabroad”(6credits),developaportfoliointheirdisciplines,andwriteaself-reflective
paperanalyzingtheconnectionsbetweentwoormoreartisticdisciplines.
Ø Engineering-ComputerSciencesandTechnology
InadditiontoH-contractcourses(6hours),thesestudentswillberequiredtoparticipateinaco-opor
internshipexperience(6-9hours)inalocalcompanyandwillalsowriteaself-reflectivepaperonthe
experience.Someofthelocalcompaniesprovidinginternshipexperienceswillbeapproachedtoseeif
theyareinterestedinfundingthesehonorsprograms.WeproposetonamespecificHonorstracksafter
thecompaniesfundingthisendeavor.
Otherpossibletracksmayinclude:
Ø Pre-LawHonors
Ø MitchellScholars(MCOB)
Ø Leadership
Newtracksshouldincludeacapstoneexperiencefocusedonanacademicdisciplineandalso
incorporatecoursesdesignedtomeetlearningoutcomesbeyondtheexpectationsofthestandard
curriculum.
INITIALCOSTS
• CreationofthepositionofDeanoftheHonorsCollege(atleastinitially,weimaginethatthis
positionwillbecombinedwiththatofDirectoroftheWhiddonHonorsProgram)
• HiringaFirstyearadvisorforHonorsCollege
DRAFTPAGE3
•
•
RecruitingafacultymemberinInternationalStudies(probablyLatinAmericanStudies)whowill
alsodirectGlobalLeadershipHonorsTrack
Subsequentyears:Recruitadditionalfacultymembersasneededtosupportthedemandsfrom
studentsintheHonorsCollege
Current
Proposed
3.9SummerSchoolTeaching
Assignments
3.9SummerSchoolTeaching
Assignments
ItisUniversitypolicythatnoacademicyear(9month)facultyisguaranteedsummerschool
teaching.Thefollowingisdesignedtoserveasa
guidelinefortheselectionofsummerschool
faculty.
Nofacultymemberwillreceiveasummerschool
assignmentformorethantwoconsecutive
summers,unlessitisinthebestinterestofthe
Universitytodoso.Forexample,circumstances
maynecessitatethatapersonteachmorethan
twoconsecutivesummerschoolsessions,ora
personmaypossessaparticularexpertiseandbe
theonlyfacultymemberavailableforteaching.
However,inallinstances,summerschool
assignmentswillbemadeinthebestinterestof
theUniversity.Therefore,thedeanofeach
collegeorschool,alongwiththerespective
departmentchair,willmakethedetermination
aboutsummerschoolassignments.Moreover,
eachdepartment,withinthepolicyframework,
willdevelopandrefineapolicyfortheselection
offacultyforthesummersessions.Suchpolicy
mustbeapprovedbythedeanofthecollegeor
school.
ItisUniversitypolicythatnoacademicyear(9month)facultyisguaranteedsummerschool
teaching.Thefollowingisdesignedtoserveasa
guidelinefortheselectionofsummerschool
faculty.
Thedeanofeachcollegeorschool,alongwith
therespectivedepartmentchair,willmakethe
determinationaboutsummerschool
assignments.Moreover,eachdepartment,within
thepolicyframework,willdevelopandrefinea
policyfortheselectionoffacultyforthesummer
sessions.Suchpolicymustbeapprovedbythe
deanofthecollegeorschool.
5.1.6SummerPayScheduleandCompensation
Rate
Summerpaywillbeissuedinthreeinstallments
onthefirstnormalworkingdayinJuly,August
andSeptember.
Compensationforinstructioninasemester
summerschoolformatwillbeatarateof3.125%
ofthenine-monthbasesalarypersemester
credithourtaught.
Facultyworkingonexternallyfundedsponsored
activitiesduringSummerSemestermayearnup
toamaximumofone-thirdoftheirnine-month
basesalaryforworkingthree(3)calendar
months.
5.1.6SummerPayScheduleandCompensation
Rate
Fulltermsummerpaywillbeissuedintwo
installmentsonthefirstnormalworkingdayin
JulyandAugust.Summerpayforfirstterm
courseswillbeissuedinoneinstallmentonthe
firstnormalworkingdayofJuly.Summerpayfor
secondtermcourseswillbeissuedinone
installmentonthefirstnormalworkingdayin
August.SummerpayforMaymestercourseswill
beissuedinoneinstallmentonthefirstnormal
workingdayinJune.
Compensationforinstructioninasemester
summerschoolformatwillbeatarateof3.125%
ofthenine-monthbasesalarypersemester
credithourtaught.
AtthediscretionoftheDean,andsubjectto
acceptancebythefacultymember,coursesfor
whichthereisinsufficientenrollmenttojustify
fullfacultypayasspecifiedabovemaybeoffered
atapercentageoffullpayproportionateto
courseenrollment.
Facultyteachingrequiredundergraduateor
graduatecoursesthatareonlyofferedoncea
yearaspartofafixedprogramaregenerally
expectedtobecompensatedatthefullrate
regardlessoftheenrollment.
Forfacultyteachingmorethanonecourse,the
combinedenrollmentofthecourseswillbe
consideredwhendeterminingtotalfaculty
compensation.ItisthediscretionofTheDeanto
decidewhetherofferingtheunder-enrolled
course(s)isinthebestinterestofthestudents
andCollegeevenifthecombinedenrollmentis
revenuepositiveorneutral.
Facultycompensationfordirectedstudies
coursesandthesishoursisatthediscretionof
theDean.Awrittensummerdirected
studies/thesishourscompensationpolicyforthe
collegewillbedistributedtocollegefaculty
members.
Facultyworkingonexternallyfundedsponsored
activitiesduringSummerSemestermayearnup
toamaximumofone-thirdoftheirnine-month
basesalaryforworkingthree(3)calendar
months.