Approved Minutes
21 July, 1999

1. & 2.Call to Order and of Roll

Present:

Evans, Spector, Thurston, Vetrosky, Allison, Arata, Bowers, Brown, Chryslee, Cohen, Disaver, Jones, Labbe, Payne, Rogers, Zhang, Bracken, Hsu, Kennett, McGinnis, Langan, Ryder, Davidson-Shivers, Frederick, McIntosh, Strange, Van Haneghan, Olsen, Norman, Ballard, Brandon, Foster, Kayes, Teplick, Townsley, Tuck-Muller, Wesenberg, DeWitt, Swint, Weitzel, Murray.

Absent (Excused):

Engebretson, Ledoux, Ryder, Wilson, Weston, Morris, Hamid

Absent (Unexcused):

Caldwell, Haywick, Hitt, McAfee, Miller, Trufant, Parker, Cepeda, Cox, Honkanen, Nelson, Sternberg, Stevens.

3. Approval of Minutes:

Minutes from the June meeting were approved. Minutes from the April meeting will be reviewed for approval at the next meeting.

4. Report from the Chair:

Dr. Labbe reported that the Senate Executive Board continues to attend meetingswith President Moulton, the USA Board of Directors ,the Foundation and Dr. Whiddon. The events which have transpired including the law suit brought against the Foundation by two of its board members will be addressed during the discussion of the faculty senate resolution which was tabled during the June meeting so that input from all sources could be reviewed. The Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the reports from the Foundation and the University community and has prepared a resolution for the faculty senate=s review. Dr Strange will present the resolution.

Football at USA was again discussed. The scores for establishing a football program at USA was presented and the following data was presented:

Scale = 1 very poor - 5 excellent

1997 faculty survey score = 1.92

1998 faculty survey score = 1.85

1999 faculty survey score = 1.70

As can be appreciated, support for a football program at USA by the faculty remains at the Avery poor@ level. Dr. Shearer will give a further report later in the meeting.

The sick leave policy has been presented to the administration, and so far, seems to be well received. Calculations on how many sick days should be given per year and how many sick days should be given to faculty members with longevity still need to be calculated. It is hoped that by the next senate meeting these items will be resolved and the new sick leave policy will be approved by the USA Board of Trustees.

5. Reports from Standing Committees:

There were no formal reports from the standing committees.

6. Reports from Caucus Leaders:

There were no formal reports from the Caucus Leaders.

7. Communications from the University President:

President Moulton attended the faculty senate meeting and presented four points regarding the Foundation. They are as follows:

1) Why does the University feel so strongly about the Foundation=s assets? President Moulton explained that this foundation was not created as most university foundations are created. Traditionally, foundations raise monies for the university. This foundation started with initial assets being transferred from the university to the foundation, thus there is a strong sense of ownership of the foundation=s assets.

2) One of the purposes of a foundation is to manage, protect and invest the university=s assets. There is great concern that the USA Foundation has lost 40 million dollars this past year, with no explanation as to how or why.

3) The foundation exists to make timely and wise grants to the university. To date, the USA Foundation has given less than 2% of its total assets, not the reported 5%. In addition, part of the reported 5% is in the form of a land deed which has many restrictions on it as to make this Agrant@ useless to the University.

4) The priorities of the University=s mission, as well as the Foundation=s mission should be to set realistic and timely goals for the growth and development of the University community. There remains a lack of University representation on the USA Foundation in the form of the President of the University of South Alabama. The university needs a voice, especially as to the appropriate use and disbursement of Foundation funds for the University of South Alabama.

President Moulton entertained many questions regarding the Foundation, the University, and Prime Health.


8. Old Business:

The resolution for the USA faculty senate to support a proposed property tax bill for support of local schools was presented by Dr. Itaya, Dr. Harold Dodge, and Mr. Thomas. The information was greatly appreciated and the resolution was passed unanimously.

 

The Ad Hoc Committee presented its report on the Foundation. A four part resolution outlining the faculty=s desires for the Foundation was presented. Each section was reviewed, amended, and voted on. Following lengthy discussion a revised resolution was unanimously passed. A resolution to send each Board of Trustees member and Foundation Board member a copy in a separate mailing was presented and passed.

Dr . Bob Shearer presented more information regarding the proposed football program at USA. He stated that though many discussions have occurred, no timetable or decisions have been made to date. President Moulton stated that there are currently no funds presently available to establish a football program. Both President Moulton and Dr. Shearer stated that a decision to establish a football program must be made with the best interests of the University in mind.

Dr. Labbe announced that the faculty senate Web Masters are Mohan Menon and Sally Murray. The senate thanks them for their generosity and expertise. Dr. Labbe also expressed thanks to President Moulton and Dr. Shearer for sharing their time and information with the senate.

9. New Business:

None

10. Adjournment:

Elise Labbe adjourned the meeting at 5:05 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by:

D. Vetrosky, Secretary



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