Senators present:   B. Atkinson, P. Blanchard, S. Chew, J. Dohoney, S. Epley, G. Frost, J. Hiles, M. Ponder, D. Sandley, D. Shipley, J. Boockholdht, F. Hendon,  K. Matthews, D. Little, R. King, A. Brewer, R. Richardson, J. Bourrand, G. McDaniel, R. Warr, K. Benner, R. DeHart, C. Steil, B. Hutto

Committee chairs present: E. Marshall, D. Dedo

Senators absent with notification: B. Raabe, T. Berg, S. Willis

Senators absent without notification: L. Drummond, A. Bolla, D. Young, T. Tibbs, R. Lander, E. Wells

Visitor: J. Lewis

Becky Hutto opened the meeting with prayer.

1.  Committee on University Curriculum  --  No report.

2. Committee on Business Affairs and Faculty Welfare  --  No report.  The committee will meet on Thursday.

3.  Committee on University Learning Resources  --  No report.

4.  Committee on Elections  --  No report.

5.  Committee on Athletics  --  No report.

6.     Committee on Students Affairs, Religious Life, and University Relations

Elaine Marshall reported on the removal of MTV and BET from campus cable.  Dean Franklin reported that he received both criticism and praise for removing the two channels.  Many students felt that they were not involved in the process, and some faculty also were disappointed in how the decision was made.  Phil Kimrey of Admissions was asked by the committee to comment on recruitment of minority students.  Phil told the committee that there is a perception that Samford is not a viable option for college-bound minority students.  He asked all faculty members to help by actively recruiting minority students while in high school.  The committee also is in the process of compiling a list of campus organizations and their classifications (e.g., service, honor, academic).  Finally, the committee is waiting on a report from athletics on the effect of Thursday night football games on academics.  The committee hopes to address any problems with Thursday night games before next fall.  The committee will meet on January 18.

7.  Committee on University Writing

David Dedo reported that the committee has been electronically discussing proposals for writing intensive courses and will meet to make final decisions on Thursday.  He also reported that 119 took the most recent writing proficiency exam and 99 passed.  There is one additional test for seniors who wish to graduate in December.

A question was raised about the timing of writing class approval its and designation on the computer for registration.   David replied that the committee assumed that classes scheduled for the spring would retain their ‘W’ designation and would be listed as such in the computer.

8. Committee on Academic Affairs

Steven Epley reported that the committee received and reviewed  26 faculty development grants and notified the administration of their funding requests.  The committee also heard specific student requests for academic action.  The committee continued its discussion of its academic integrity document.  Bill Ellison is currently attempting to weave the committee’s recommendations into the existing Student Affairs and Values Council procedures.

The Senate briefly discussed a mechanism for requesting administration response to motions or resolutions.  Chair Floyd said that a letter from the chair with the exact wording of resolutions and/or motions passed by the Senate will be sent to the appropriate administrators.

Chair Floyd also reported that the Executive Council met with Dr. Lewis on gender issues and developed a plan for acquiring statistics on women’s hiring, promotion, tenure, and salaries at Samford.

Chair Floyd reported that he and representatives of the ad hoc committee on family leave met with Dr. Lewis and that the administration is acting on the resolution passed by the Faculty Senate in November.

1.     Resolution on bookstore

A resolution was proposed asking that space in the bookstore be dedicated to books of serious merit when the bookstore is renovated and expanded.  The resolution also requested that a faculty committee be established to guide in the acquisition of these books.  A question was raised as to whether this function might be assumed by the Faculty Committee on Learning Resources.  A motion to refer the proposal to that committee was made and seconded.  The motion passed unanimously with a request that they report to the Senate in February.

2.     Governance issues

An ad hoc committee chaired by Bill Raabe has been appointed by Chair Floyd to discuss governance issues related to Faculty Handbook.  There was a question as to whether this committee is being formed due to specific circumstances or whether it should be appointed annually.  Chair Floyd said that the appointment this year was due to concern about succession of officers and also whether the Handbook should be made more precise, with distinctions between policies and procedure.  The committee will solicit responses from the Senate, and they hope to have some action to submit to Board of Trustees before the end of the academic year.

3.     Acting Provost Lewis reported on most recent Trustees meeting.  In addition to approving the graduation of seniors for December, the Trustees also commissioned an advisory board for Hellenic scholars.  This action came as a request from the Greek community in Birmingham to take over their library materials.   Under the agreement, Samford will dedicate library space for the collection, and the advisory committee will approve additional donations.  This collection is believed to be one of the largest of its type in the United States. 

     The Trustees also approved tuition exchange program (endorsed by the Faculty Senate in November), and Dr. Lewis signed the agreement.  A committee will be appointed to administer the program, and Samford faculty should be able to participate by next fall.  Dr. Lewis also reported that the Trustees recognized the School of Education as one of the top four schools in the teaching of elementary reading and math.  The Trustees also heard a report on some of the land across  Lakeshore Drive from Campus.  The Daniel Corporation has an option on development of the land but is not likely to exercise its option.  Samford must now decide whether to use the land or not; Dr. Lewis reported that Samford is unlikely to take any action on it soon.