Minutes of the Ninety-first Meeting

November 18, 1994

The ninety-first meeting of the Faculty Assembly of the University of North Carolina was held in the Board Room of the General Administration Building in Chapel Hill on November 18, 1994. The meeting was called to order by the Chair, William Kane at 1:10 P.M. with 40 delegates in attendance.

Kane then introduced President Spangler.

President Spangler's Report.

President Spangler announced that Vice President L. Felix Joyner will retire from the University after 26 years of distinguished service. He expressed his appreciation to Mr. Joyner for his many contributions. He also announced that Chancellor Hackley of FSU will become President of the Community Colleges of North Carolina, and that Donna Benson will be Interim Chancellor at FSU. He distributed a summary of the University's 1995-97 budget request (copy attached) and mentioned some features of the request.

Questions and Answers.

Q. M. Pearson (UNCC). Who will be the next chair of the budget in the General Assembly?

A. Spangler. That is not known yet.

Q. E. Galligan (UNCCH). Could the anticipated surplus in the state budget balance the effect of expected tax cuts?

A. Spangler. We cannot anticipate the General Assembly's actions.

Chair's Report.

Kane announced that the Assembly's April 21, 1995, meeting date has been moved to April 28.

The following items were distributed to the delegates:

1. an updated list of delegates and their addresses, and

2. a report on the disposition of Faculty Assembly resolutions (attached).

Dr. Roy Carroll gave a brief report on enrollment in the University for the fall semester.

The session was adjourned to committees at 2:45 P.M.

EVENING PLENARY SESSION

The second session was called to order at 7:08 P.M. by Chair Kane with 40 delegates in attendance.

It was noted that the September 16 minutes erred in mentioning Dr. Richard Thompson as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs instead of Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. After that correction, the minutes were approved as submitted.

The next order of business was the election of the Nominating Committee for next year's officers and committee chairs. Kane explained that he and Thad Dankel were the only persons that met the criteria of the bylaws for the two members from the Executive Committee, and three additional members from the Assembly were required. Pamela Hunter, Shirl Hoffman, and William Keech were nominated from the floor. With no further nominations, it was concluded that the Nominating Committee will consist of Thad Dankel (UNCW), Shirl Hoffman (UNCG), Pamela Hunter (NCA&T), William Kane (WCU), and William Keech (UNCCH).

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Professional Development (Harmon Watson - FSU)

The Committee discussed the teacher evaluation process. They were concerned about the variations of the evaluation processes among the campuses.

Academic Freedom and Tenure (Thad Dankel - UNCW)

The Committee met with Judith Pulley and discussed issues concerning grade distributions, centers for teaching excellence, and peer evaluation of teaching.

The Committee decided to study further the question of reimbursement for faculty who successfully appeal negative personnel actions.

The Committee will investigate privacy issues concerning computer use.

Planning and Programs (Peter Petschauer - ASU)

The Committee reported on University schedules, SAT scores, ecological issues and class sizes.

Faculty Governance (George Bailey - ECU)

The Committee will invite the various faculty senate and council chairs to the February meeting. If BOG Chair Porter is able to meet with the full Assembly at 5:30 P.M., he and the chairs will discuss what they perceive to be problems in campus grievance procedures. After presentations from the BOG Chair and faculty council chairs, the floor will be open to the Assembly. At 7:00 P.M., the usual schedule will resume. If Mr. Porter is unable to attend, the normal schedule will be followed, and the senate and council chairs will meet with the Committee in the afternoon, focusing on problems with grievance procedures and possible solutions. The Committee will postpone consideration of resolutions until hearing the senate and council chairs.

Budget (William Keech - UNCCH)

The Committee introduced Resolution (94-2) , commending Felix Joyner for his service to the University. After some revisions and discussion concerning the Assembly's overwhelming admiration for Mr. Joyner's contributions, the resolution was approved unanimously.

Keech also reported that Ken Grogan has prepared some very useful information for the Committee's studies.

Faculty Welfare (Etta Gravely - NCA&T)

The Committee asked for the Assembly's endorsement for the development of an ongoing, periodic study of faculty morale in the UNC system. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Committee should pursue the development.

On the issue of the rights and privileges of domestic partners, the Committee encourages all campuses to address the issue of nondiscrimination on sexual preferences.

On the issue of disability coverage, the Committee noted that all permanent employees have disability coverage. All persons are advised to consult their benefit officers for details of the unique programs that are offered on their campuses.

At the next meeting Kitty McCullough will answer questions regarding state policy on continuous coverage and disability for persons moving from one state unit of employment to another or from one health care provider to another.

Under new business, Vice Chair Kelly asked the heads of delegations for help in gathering information on the policies regarding sexual harassment on the campuses.

There was no further business, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Duvall, Secretary