(Audio file of the meeting)

Members present: Bednarski, Bertocci, Berven (D), Berven (K), Cole, Connery, Doman, Eis, Free, Gilson, Graetz, Grimm, Grossman, Guessous, Hightower, Jackson, Jhashi, Keane, Kim, Kruk, Latcha, Leibert, Lemarbe, Marks, Medaugh, Meehan, Mili, Mitton, Moudgil, Osborn, Pedroni, Penprase, Piskulich, Riley-Doucet, Russell, Schweitzer, Schartman, Southward, Spagnuolo, Sudol, Tardella, Tracy, Walters, Wells, Williams

Members absent: Awbrey, Chen, English, Folberg, Frick, Giblin, Izraeli, Mabee, Miller, Moran, Polis, Switzer, Tanniru, Thompson, Voelck

Summary of Actions:
1.   Informational Items:
		Appointment of Senate Parliamentarian: Jerry Grossman
		Appointment of Senate Secretary: Tamara Jhashi
		Appointment of Senate Elections Committee: Lynne Williams (chair), Pete Bertocci, Ken Mitton
		Provost Update—Mr. Moudgil
2.	Approval of minutes of April 16, May 1. Ms. Eis, Mr. Berven. Approved.
3.	Election of Steering Committee—Elections Committee.
4.	Motion to staff Senate standing committees. Ms. Cole, Mr. Latcha. Approved.

Mr. Moudgil welcomed Senators to the first meeting of the 2009-2010 session. He began with the appointments of Senate parliamentarian and Senate secretary, Mr. Grossman and Ms. Jhashi, and noted that Ms. Williams has agreed to serve as chair of the Senate Elections Committee. Before continuing with the agenda, Mr. Moudgil recognized the difficulties experienced on our campus in the last month, noting that a complex mix of emotions surfaced during bargaining. He asserted that as an active faculty member at OU for twenty-five years, he is sensitive to faculty needs and aspirations and continues to mentor both undergraduate and graduate students. He emphasized his work on the behalf of faculty, and asserted that he goes to bat for faculty on a daily basis in his administrative role. He continued that as provost he has worked closely with Joel Russell, current president of AAUP, as well as with Kevin Grimm and Jim Cipielewski. Mr. Moudgil voiced his respect for faculty and expressed his expectation that all faculty work with professionalism. He expects Senate members to be role models to students as exemplary mentors, and demonstrate civility as representatives serving on the highest body of university governance. Mr. Moudgil conveyed gratitude for the support received from colleagues and expressed his desire to work together on issues facing the campus.

Mr. Russell then took the opportunity to echo Mr. Moudgil’s thoughts on civility and professionalism, and expressed gratitude to the provost for his help in the past several months. He noted that the Office of Academic Affairs was never disrespectful toward faculty (unlike other sources), and added his personal thanks for the provost’s efforts in overturning the pay docking.

The secretary proceeded with the roll call. A motion to approve the minutes from April 16 and May 1 was made by Ms. Eis, and duly seconded by Mr. Berven. The Senators voted to approve.

Noting that the item of old business, the second reading of the Library Constitution, is postponed for a month, Mr. Moudgil then turned to the new business of the election of the steering committee. Ms. Williams was joined by her colleagues on the Elections Committee, Mr. Bertocci and Mr. Mitton, and took nominations from the floor. Seven individuals were nominated: Mr. Tracy, Ms. Switzer, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Polis, Ms. Miller, Mr. Grimm, and Ms. Eis. Mr. Latcha moved to close the nominations, Ms. Riley-Doucet provided a second, and the Senate indicated its approval. The Elections committee tabulated the results; the first six listed above were elected.

Referring to the Senate action last May to approve the merging of the Senate Budget Review and Planning Review committees, Mr. Russell proposed that the Senate retain the Budget Review and Planning Review committees as separate bodies. Asserting that the type of budget review provided by the former SBRC will serve a critical role as we move forward, he noted the types of initiatives that could benefit from such review, namely, the No-Loan tuition policy that was implemented without discussion, as well as the budget for the School of Medicine. Mr. Grossman observed that a motion to that effect may be out of order, but that the issue could be directed to the Steering committee for discussion. Ms. Jackson then clarified the requirements for motions to reconsider and to rescind according to Robert’s Rules.

The Secretary updated the list of current vacancies on the standing committees. A motion to accept the faculty members appointed to the following committees was made by Ms. Cole, seconded by Mr. Latcha and approved.

MOVED that the persons listed below be appointed to the committees designated:

Assessment Committee
Bob Vantil (at-large) – 2009-2012
Anne Mitchell (at-large) – 2009-2012

University Research Committee
Laila Guessous (SECS) – 2009-2010 Chair
Derek Hastings (CAS) – 2009-2010

Senate Planning and Budget Review Committee
Gautam Singh (SECS) – 2007-2010
Shravan Chintala (at-large) – 2007-2010
Gwendolyn McMillon (SEHS) – 2007-2010
Frances Jackson (SON) – 2008-2011
George Stoffan (CAS) – 2008-2011

Student Academic Support Committee
John Corso (CAS) – 2009-2012

Mr. Grossman returned to the issue of rescinding the motion that Mr. Russell referred to. He clarified that it would be possible to pass a motion to rescind at this time with a two-thirds majority of those voting or a simple majority of the entire membership of the Senate; otherwise the motion to rescind could come before the Senate by action of the Steering Committee in the normal manner. Mr. Russell voiced his agreement that the matter should be taken up by the Steering Committee to determine further action.

Mr. Moudgil then turned to the Good and Welfare. Ms. Jackson noted that the 40th anniversary celebration for the School of Business Administration is approaching, and that other schools and units that interface with the SBA have been invited to participate in the celebration. In that spirit, the School of Nursing is presenting a program, “Nursing as a Business,” on October 8 in Elliot Hall. A presentation on national health care plans is included in the program and she invited all to attend.

Ms. Gilroy addressed an issue raised by Ms. Berven at the May meeting regarding enhancement of reporting mid-semester grades for 100- and 200-level courses. She reports that while a solution involving system changes has not materialized, the Registrar proposes that faculty add an “S” grade for the first name on the class list, therefore signaling that the instructor has looked at the list and has no at-risk students to report. She indicated that SAIL will be available between October 12-25 to report mid-term grades. She also urged instructors to insert “O” attend hours for students who have not appeared in class.

Mr. Russell then spoke about state appropriations to higher education, pointing out that the Michigan “Promise Scholarship” is now under consideration by lawmakers and urged colleagues to support the measure by contacting representatives in the House and Senate. To make that process easier, the AAUP website has links to names and numbers of House members and Senators. Mr. Moudgil voiced his support for these efforts to assist our students.

Mr. Tracy moved to adjourn at 3:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Tamara Machmut-Jhashi
Secretary to the University Senate

posted 10/13/09