Alabama A&M University
Faculty Senate
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Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Faculty Senate Minutes
(DRAFT)
AAMU Faculty Senate Meeting – 23 January, 2014
The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Faculty Senate met on Thursday, January 23, 2014,
in room 322 Carter/Chambers Hall. Faculty Senate President Jeanette Jones called the meeting to order at
12:40 p.m. with the establishment of a quorum.
Senators Present: Dr. Jeanette Jones, Dr. William Stone, Dr. Joshua Herring, Dr. Halima Quershi, Dr.
Jifeng Mu, Dr. Maurice Dawson, Dr. Eric Ohene-Nyako, Dr. Emeka Dunu, Dr. Nareatha Studdard, Major
Tina Hill-Miller, Dr. Rosanna Chang, Ms. Esther Phillips-Ross, Dr. Mira Kruja, Dr. Lynne Edmondson,
Dr. Delores Price, Dr. Susan Brown, Dr. Mostafa Dokhanian, Dr. Kamala Bhat, Ms. Rhonda Lang, Mr.
Jay Gangasani, Mr. Gerald Vines
Alternate Senator Present: Dr. Adnan Ekhaldy
Guest: Ms. Yvette Clayton, Director of AAMU Career Development Services
Reading of the Agenda
Motion: To approve the agenda for January 23, 2014
Vote: Motion Carried (Sens. Herring and Phillips-Ross motioning)
Reading of the Minutes
Motion: To approve the minutes for December 12, 2013
Vote: Motion Carried (Sens. Herring and Phillips-Ross motioning)
Meditation: Chaplain Senator Delores Price
Reflections: Using time wisely
Guest Presentation: Ms. Yvette Clayton informed the body of Career Development Services for faculty
and students along with a discussion of the February 7, 2014 Career Fair. She also advised senators that
students must wear business attire or they would not be admitted.
Senator Mustafa Dokhanian presented a report for the AAMU Faculty Incentive Pay Plan Program along
with a draft for review by the senate. It was noted that the Provost would look into the matter soon.
Dr. Townsend had an emergency and could not attend this meeting. The following contains some
EXCERPTS from Senator William Stones’ notes and feedback from FS President Jeanette Jones:
The rest of the meeting consisted of the President’s report:
1.
Dr. Yvette Clayton
2.
FS President Jones expressed concerns with AAMU President Hugine about moving toward a 56% raise. President Hugine commented that $$ saved on PEEHIP insurance plan saves faculty money, in
addition to the 2% raise. FS President Jones declared that AAMU faculty had not had a raise in 6 years,
and two of those included the one-day /month furlough in pay. She would press the issue again with the
President and place it on the Board of Trustees’ agenda (BOT) at the next meeting.
3.
Six trustees’ terms have ended and will be up for resubmission. Those members may or may not
return based on decisions by Governor Robert Bentley and the Alabama Senate Legislators Confirmation
Committee.
4.
Exec meeting with Hugine:
Development of an academic calendar needed
Summer school salary (one session) 22% compensation for each class, but number of students in
the class would be a factor in full compensation.
Faculty evaluation instrument discussed. Provost will share a draft copy with the Senate soon.
1% increase in the AL state budget for higher education this year. Higher Ed day before the
legislature in Montgomery will be 2/27/14 to lobby for more support.
Also discussed by members were the following items: Faculty access to campus being limited over
Christmas break by Security. Workable policy needs to be formulated because faculty members with
legitimate work on campus need access to their offices and labs.
President Jones was directed by the Senate to prepare a letter of appreciation to President Hugine for the
2% raise. The draft is to be distributed to Senators upon completion.
The meeting adjourned at 1:50 pm.
Contributors: Dr. Thelma Townsend, Dr. William Stone, Ms. Esther Phillips Ross, and Dr. Jeanette Jones