MSU FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 22, 2003 Members Present: Gipp, Sherwood for Giroux, White, Kommers, Schlotzhauer, Metz for Linker, Taylor, Howard, Stewart, Jones, Yoo, Nehrir, Weaver, Amend, Locke, Levy, Bond, Jelinski, Pratt, Fisher, Lynes-Hayes, Prawdzienski, Kempcke, Knight. Members Absent: Young, Morrill, Engel, Anderson, Leech, Chem Engr, Conant, Lefcort, English, Bogar, Idzerda, Lynch, Hoffman. Others Present: Bandyopadhyay, Dooley, Fedock. The regularly scheduled meeting was called to order by Chair Rich Howard at 4:10 PM. A quorum was present. The minutes of the January 15, 2003, meeting were approved as distributed. Chair's report - Rich Howard. - The Board of Regents met in Helena January 16-17. - The purpose of the Board and the roll of the Commissioner of Higher Education (CHE) were discussed. - It was proposed that the Commissioner be an Executive Secretary, not an Executive Director, of the Montana University System (MUS). The Presidents of MSU and UM would take the lead, then, within the MUS. After discussion, the CEO model currently in use was affirmed. - The Governor has requested that the Regents study the role and scope of higher education within the state, in preparation for hiring a new CHE. Because it would take several years to do such a study thoroughly, the Regents declined to undertake the task at this time. - Student Regent Hur was reappointed to the Governor for an unprecedented third one-year term. - After considerable discussion, the Board voted to allow UM to take over operation of the Daly Mansion. - Expansion of the UM stadium was approved. The argument was made that increased gate revenues will cover the $2.5 million cost, although concern was expressed that if increased revenues fail to do so, money from the instructional budget may be used to cover the shortfall. - A proposed tuition policy was discussed. The most disturbing feature is that three tuition tiers will be established: MSU/UM, other 4-year schools, and 2-year schools. The argument was made that students from the larger units make more upon graduation and so can pay higher tuition. However, salaries appear to be based upon discipline rather than the state school from which students graduate. Faculty Affairs Committee report - Walter Metz. - Changes to the proposed post-tenure review policy (Faculty Handbook Sections 618, 733, 734, 463) have been made, based on input to Faculty Affairs. "Circuits" in the process have been closed, the process has been shortened, and a flowchart and timeline have been added. - As there was no further discussion, John Sherwood moved forwarding the proposal to the Staff Bulletin, giving faculty an opportunity to comment. The motion was seconded and carried. - The Provost will make sure department heads and deans are aware of the proposal, if it is approved and added to the Faculty Handbook July 1, 2003. Visit to the MSU campus by legislators. - Last Saturday, some legislators visited MSU to learn more about research taking place on campus. On Wednesday, January 29, legislators will be on campus to get a first-hand look at the instructional aspects of the university. - This morning, President Gamble met with the vice-presidents and other campus-wide administrators and leaders to discuss the statement MSU hopes to make to the legislators regarding its' purpose and direction. - VP Roloff shared various data regarding the university and a study which discusses the economic impact of MSU. - The message the President would like to get across is that Montana's institutions of higher learning will be good stewards of resources, they will continue to provide a particular level of services, but at some point additional money will be needed to do so. - According to the Provost, an intent of the rollback to FY00 budget levels by the legislature is to have entities list things they will no longer be able to do. The legislature then has the option of adding money to allow certain tasks to continue. The President's position will be that if MSU retreats to FY00 budget levels, it will also have to retreat to FY00 enrollments and still raise tuition to accommodate inflation since then. - According to the Provost, the primary goal of the visit is to give the legislators a sense of what MSU is doing. Goals are to make it clear that MSU has outstanding faculty and students doing innovative and timely things through research and this is improving the undergraduate experience; MSU is making good use of its resources; and MSU is working to improve services for students. - Various groups will meet with the legislators on Wednesday, including representatives from Faculty Council, CEPAC, and ASMSU. - During the short time available, what issues should faculty bring to the legislators' attention? As ways to improve the situation for employees, fully funding the TIAA retirement contribution and improving the health benefits package are possibilities. - It was suggested legislators be taken not only to the best labs and classes, but give them a true picture of the physical environment in which faculty and students work. - It was asked if faculty are taking a position on raises. Several years ago, an attempt was made to break the cycle of choosing between salary increases and programs. What are the implications of no raises to any progress that has been made? - According to the Provost, HB 15 does not include funding for salary increases for any state employees, although there is some for benefits. Any increases that are given will be made internally and, if there are any, they will most likely be given in specific cases, such as equity raises, MAP bonuses, and other special circumstances. - Members are encouraged to contact Rich with any thoughts regarding the legislators' visit. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM. Joann Amend, Secretary Richard Howard, Chair