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