Minutes
Faculty Senate Meeting
*** The complete Recording for this meeting can be December 3, 2014
Found at http://www.american.edu./facultysenate/agendas-minutes.cfm
Present: Professors: Lacey Wootton, Larry Engel, Candy Nelson, Tony Ahrens, Sheila Bedford,
John Douglass, Maria Gomez, Alex Hodges, Billie Jo Kaufman, Despina Kakoudaki, Joshua
Lansky, Christine Lawrence, Gwanhoo Lee, Jonathan Loesberg, Jun Lu, Mary Mintz, Glenn
Moomau, John Nolan, Arturo Porzecanski, Andrea Pearson, Steve Silvia, Chris Simpson,
Provost Scott Bass and Interim DAA Mary L. Clark
Professor Wootton called the meeting to order at 2:35 PM
Chair’s Report – Lacey Wootton
Professor Lacey Wootton thanked everyone for attending the meeting. She stated that she would
like to bring it to the Senators’ attention that several faculty spoke with her about treatment of
visitors while presenting at the November meeting. She asked the Senators to keep in mind the
respect they hold for each other and visitors.
Professor Wootton also stated that she had attended President Kerwin’s University Council
meeting and a couple of things that were mentioned she wanted to share;
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Term Faculty Proposal, which he recognized was a priority
Budget procedure and timeline were not as clear as they could be and could there be a
procedural document put together by his office
How faculty could better foster discussion on the issues of Ferguson and sexual assault
and how to create a safe place to discuss these issues with students.
Approval of the November 5, 2014 Minutes
Professor Wootton asked the Senate if there was any discussion or changes to the November 5,
2014 minutes. There was no discussion or changes so the Senate VOTED and the minutes were
passed 25-0-1 in favor.
Provost’s Report – Scott Bass
Provost Bass reported several items to the Senate;
 At the November Board of Trustees meeting there was a decision made to not divest from
fossil-fuel-related companies. It would have too much of a financial impact to the
university. He also stated that he expects that students will most likely continue to protest
for action to be taken in favor of divestment.
 Over the Thanksgiving break a deep-rooted historical issue in Ferguson, Missouri,
occurred, which has deep emotional ties to the student population. There is considerable
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pain and worry among the minority population. Recently, the issue of sexual assault at
UVA has also become a very important topic of discussion. These are difficult subjects
and Provost Bass asked that faculty to speak with students about these issues using all the
resources that are available. Even though this semester is ending, he encouraged more
discussion to happen in the spring, letting the students know that we are supportive.
The topic of grade inflation will be coming to the Senate soon. To have an issue like this
happen at such a great public institution as Chapel Hill is a violation of ethics in our
business. This will be addressed in the spring.
The budget committee met and is looking at enrollement numbers. Discussion will also
include a tuition increase.
The University Marketing Task Force chaired by Sharon Alston and Fanta Aw will begin
their work on developing support services for the student population.
DAA Search Committee – Candy Nelson
Professor Nelson informed the Senate that Dean Phyllis Peres has gone on long-term disability
and the Provost has asked Professor Nelson to chair an internal search for a new DAA. The
committee will comprise senators with representation from all units. The Provost will send out
the call and the committee will begin review of the applications in January.
Professor Simpson raised concerns about comments about the fossil-fuels committee made
by Vice Provost for Graduate Studies Tubman in an administrative meeting.
Provost Bass stated for the minutes that the Board of Trustees (BOT) never charged the
Provost’s office to do any work on this particular subject nor has he asked anyone to do anything
on this subject. There was a committee created by the BOT that involved faculty and students.
Undergraduate Regulations – Andrea Tschemplik and Lyn Stallings
Gen Ed Study Abroad Policy
Professor Tschemplik stated that Sarah Dumount had come to the General Education committee
to request that a policy change be made to allow students studying abroad to take some general
education courses abroad. The committee agreed to allow students to take 6 credits of Gen Ed
courses abroad after approval by the Gen Ed committee. The Senate VOTED, 22-0-0 in support
of this change.
Final Exams
Professor Stallings presented the revised Final Exam policy with the edits that were requested
from the senators in the November meeting. The academic advisors agreed to process the few
students that might have conflicting exam schedules. The requested changes were implemented
to include, in the following order:
 Attempt to resolve the issue with professors
 Administrator in the dean’s office will contact all concerned to resolve the conflict
 Exam from the lowest enrollment will be rescheduled
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The Senate VOTED, 21-0-0 in favor.
Academic Budget and Benefits Committee Budget Update – John Douglass
Professor Douglass stated that the tuition increase for next year will be between 2.5% and 4.5%.
After reviewing all the budget summaries from all the units, budget recommendations will be
made to the BOT. He stated that he will be sending a copy of the market comparisons for tuition
to show where AU falls, which is near the bottom. He also stated that term faculty salary was
noted and will be looked at.
Proefessor Nolan asked if there was going to be the traditional town hall meeting to discuss the
budget.
The Provost stated that due to lack of attendance it was decided not to have the town hall
meeting.
Professor Moomau stated that he appreciated the challenges that the Provost faces in balancing
the budget and making sure the university operates well. He stated that at last month’s meeting
the Senate in their advisory role passed a resolution to make term faculty salaries a priority and
that 367 both term and tenure faculty signed a petition in support of term faculty salaries being a
strategic budget prority. He asked if Provost Bass considered the issue a strategic budget prority
as well.
Provost Bass replied for the record that every year for the past four years he has added funds to
the term faculty base budget to improve the salaries on the bottom end. He stated that it is a long
way from where the university would like to be and he didn’t need a petition from the faculty to
make any difference in terms of his support of this issue and he will continue to make this a
priority. He appreciates the dedication and voice from faculty.
Faculty Manual Revisions – Candy Nelson
Professor Nelson stated that she was presenting four of the most substanative changes. Most of
the remaining changes are more editorial and for clarity and will be presented at the January
meeting. The following changes were presented:
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Pg. 20, Section 7, a. Professional obligations of Tenure-Line Faculty- Editorial changes.
The Senate VOTED 20-0-0 in favor.
Pg. 30, section 9, i. Delay of Tenure – changed 90-day window to submit to 6 months.
The Senate VOTED and passed 20-0-0 in favor.
Pg. 35, section c, i. Service to the Univeristy – editorial changes. The Senate VOTED 180-2 in favor.
Pg. 40, section g. Dean of Academic Affairs and Provost Review – Clarify language to
reflect the Provost’s responsibilities. The Senate VOTED 20-0-0 in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 PM
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