MSU-BOZEMAN FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
                            April 3, 2002
                                   
PRESENT:  Young, Sherwood, White, Peed, Linker, Leech, Benham, Howard,
          Jones, Ross, Nehrir, Bradley for Lefcort, Weaver, McClure,
          Locke, Lansverk, Levy/Bandyopadhyay, Bogar, Jelinski,
          Idzerda, McKinsey for Pratt, Lynch, Fisher, Kempcke,
          Griffith.

ABSENT:   Hatfield, Morrill, Engel, Anderson, Kommers, Stewart, Chem
          Engr, Mooney, Henson, Lynes-Hayes, Butterfield, Carlstrom.

The meeting was called to order by Chair John Sherwood at 4:10 PM.  A
quorum was present.  The minutes of the April 27, 2002, meeting were
approved as distributed.

Chair's report - John Sherwood.
     - There have been some responses to the resolution regarding
     extending benefits to same-sex domestic partners.
          - In a memo to the Chair, President Gamble stated he is
          supportive of the resolution.   He attached information from
          Washington State University regarding adding same-sex
          partners to insurance coverage.
          - Commissioner Crofts responded by memo to a query by a
          faculty member which explained the Board of Regents'
          reasoning for not extending benefits when the issue came up
          in May, 2000.  According to Commissioner Crofts, the Montana
          Legislature in 1997 made it illegal to be in same-sex
          relationships.  The Regents did not extend benefits to
          people in illegal relationships, and insurance coverage for
          same-sex domestic partners was not approved.
     - Nominees for two new committees are requested.  Charges for the
     committees will be e-mailed to Faculty Council representatives.
     Faculty interested in either of the committees are encouraged to
     submit their names to Chair Sherwood.
          - The Debt Planning and Management Committee has one faculty
          position.  Craig Roloff will chair the committee.
          - The Information Technology Advisory Committee has four
          faculty positions.
     - Faculty nominations are also being accepted for a sub-committee
     of the MSU Web Advisory Committee.  This sub-committee will aid
     in the design of a new MSU web site.
     - If there are topics to be discussed by Faculty Council before
     the end of the academic year, please contact the Chair.

Faculty Affairs Committee report  - Marvin Lansverk.
     - The Ombudsman proposal was discussed at Monday's Faculty
     Affairs meeting.
          - Some concern was expressed for the proposed change in
          reporting authority from the President to the Provost.
          - Marvin will call the ombudsmans' organization to find out
          how other universities handle the issue.

UPBAC report - John Sherwood and Rich Howard.
     - Discussion at yesterday's meeting centered around Information
     Technology funding issues and a plan to work out this year's IT
     budget shortfall.
          - The committee voted not to use some of the student
          computer fees to pay for additional help in the computer
          labs.
          - ITC is to determine where it can increase costs for
          services to help cover the shortfall.
          - The larger issue is how to fund ITC in the future, since
          the demands upon the Center are increasing dramatically.
     - Other Lawful Purpose (OLP) funds were explained.  They amount
     to about $7 million/year and are generated principally by
     Auxiliary Services.
     - UPBAC members prioritized all budget amendments from 1 to 3.
     The academic side of the university was a priority for most
     committee members.  Amendments receiving high priority include
     additional class sections, increased stipends for GTA's, ITC, and
     some new faculty lines.  The faculty pay plan was ranked twelfth.
     - During brief discussion by Faculty Council concerning data
     gathered pertaining to student fees, it was asked that care be
     given to the way in which comparisons are made and that what is
     being compared is clear.  It was also suggested that MSU total
     the cost of tuition, lodging, meals, and across-the-board fees
     when the cost for a semester or year of education is being
     discussed.

Strategic Planning Committee report - Jon Wraith.
     - The committee has been meeting since late last fall.  Faculty
     members of the committee are Bill Brown, John Carlsten, Kay
     Chafey, and Jon Wraith.  Bruce Morton, Dean of the Libraries,
     chairs the committee.
     - SPC is advisory to UPBAC.  It is charged to:
          - Develop implementation strategies and timelines for
          achieving strategic priorities developed or approved by
          UPBAC.
          - Recommend to UPBAC, based on planning and analysis by SPC,
          beneficial strategic goals, priorities, or objectives.
          - Continually monitor and evaluate the strengths, weakness,
          opportunities, and threats facing MSU-Bozeman.  Recommend to
          UPBAC actions or strategies to address issues or
          opportunities that emerge.
     - The committee delivered a preliminary SWOT analysis to the
     Provost and UPBAC yesterday.  The topics will be addressed in
     greater detail during the next year.  The SWOT analysis will be
     made available to anyone interested in it.
     - The committee has met or will meet with various individuals to
     develop a common knowledge base.  These include representatives
     from Facilities Services, Enrollment Management, the College of
     Graduate Studies, and ITC.  SPC will also meet with the Provost
     and the President.  The intent is to learn as much as possible
     about MSU in order to make the best informed recommendations
     possible.
     - During discussion, it was asked what process will be used to
     determine MSU's priorities.  It was suggested possible measures
     might include efficiency measures, relevance, and competitive
     advantage.
     - Input will probably be solicited from outside MSU at some
     point.

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM.


Joann Amend, Secretary         John Sherwood, Chair