MSU FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 20, 2002 PRESENT: Young, Morrill, Sherwood, McDermott for Engel, Kommers, Mast for Peed, Linker, Leech, Benham, Howard, Stewart, Nehrir, Mooney, Weaver, McClure, Locke, Lansverk, Levy/Bandyopadhyay, Bogar, Jelinski, Idzerda, McKinsey for Pratt, Lynch, Swinford for Fisher, Butterfield, Kempcke. ABSENT: Hatfield, White, Anderson, Chem Engr, Jones, Ross, Lefcort, Henson, Lynes-Hayes, Griffith, Carlstrom. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Chair John Sherwood. A quorum was present. The minutes of the March 6, 2002, meeting were approved as distributed. Chair's report - John Sherwood. - A Learning Service Seminar is scheduled for March 25. - A Policy on Policies has been distributed to university employees via the university listserv. [The policy is published at the web site http://www.montana.edu/legalcounsel/.] - There is a link on the web page to a policy on faculty compensation. UGC Steering Committee will look at the policy at it's meeting tomorrow to see if it's a topic for Faculty Council to discuss. - It was announced at yesterday's UPBAC meeting that the number of student applications for enrollment indicate there will be an increase in students next fall. Faculty pay plan proposal (attached for members absent). - UGC Steering Committee approved the proposal immediately before spring break because it was to be submitted to UPBAC on or before March 19. The proposal asks for a budget amendment that would provide, in addition to the average 4% salary increases for faculty approved by the legislature, an additional 1 % for across-the-university raises at promotion, increases in salary floors, and to address other salary equity issues. - The salary floor for assistant professors is to be raised to 80% of the average assistant professor salary at MSU (an 11.5% increase over the previous floor), and associate and full professor floors are raised 11.5%. - Representatives from the College of Arts and Architecture presented two alternative proposals. - The first alternative would raise all floors to 80% of the average of that rank at MSU. Less money would then be used to address other salary equity issues. - The second alternative would raise all floors to 80% of the average of that rank at MSU. Money available for other salary equity issues would equal the amount in the Steering Committee proposal, so the total budget amendment would be an increase of 1.5%, not 1.0%. - Chair Sherwood stated that the 1.0% increase has already been negotiated with the administration. - After discussion of the proposals, Jack Jelinski moved acceptance of the Steering Committee proposal. The motion was seconded and carried. Resolutions regarding equal rights and opportunities for university employees. - Two resolutions were attached to the March 6 Faculty Council agenda. UGC Steering Committee's rationale for two resolutions is that there may be a difference between supporting equal rights in general and in supporting equal rights for domestic partners in the area of health benefits. - If the resolutions are approved, they will be sent to the Commissioner of Higher Education, Regents, and MSU President Gamble. - It was suggested that if the two resolutions are approved, the first one be issued as a press release and the second resolution be sent to the Commissioner of Higher Education and President Gamble. - Billy Smith was present to explain a petition he has distributed to some faculty via e-mail. He stated that 260 of more than 500 'Fortune 500' companies provide insurance for domestic partners and that 66 of the top 90 universities provide this coverage. The petition will be sent to President Gamble and Commissioner Crofts. Anyone interested in signing the petition may do so. - In response to a question about discussion at a previous Board of Regents meeting where the issue of insurance coverage for domestic partners was the topic, Chair Sherwood reported that it was stated then that the implications of approving the proposal would be minor, financially, although there may be political implications. The definition of "domestic partners" has already been determined by insurers. - Bill Locke moved approval of Resolution Two. The motion was seconded and carried by a wide majority. - Peter Kommers moved approval of Resolution One. It was recommended the resolution be sent as a press release. The motion was seconded and carried. - An electronic copy of the petition will be sent to Faculty Council members to circulate among people in their departments. Vehicle Use Agreement Discussion. - The discussion will be on the agenda next Wednesday. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM. Joann Amend, Secretary John Sherwood, Chair