UNCORRECTED MINUTES

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA FACULTY SENATE

November 20, 1991

Present: Bastian, Bhatnagar, Bradley, Bush, Daigle, deShazo, Downey, Evans, Fisher, Fishman, Gartman, Goodman, Holmes, Hood, Husain, Isphording, Kovaleski, Kulkarni, Lloyd, Longenecker, Moore, Morisani, Newman, Patten, Schehr, Silver, Springston, VanDevender, Vinocur, Glenn Wilson, Winkler, Wright

Excused: Jenkins, Luterman, Sikes, Wilhite, Gerald Wilson, Zimmerman

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Larry Holmes with the following remarks:

The next meeting of the Faculty Senate, one mandated by the Constitution, will be on January 15, 1991, in Room 5 of the USA Library. The agenda will include reports from Senate officers, committee chairs, and caucus leaders. An address by Senior Vice President Connell is also planned. If you have any concerns for him to comment upon, please let me know.

Please note that a meeting of the Senate's Executive Committee with President Whiddon is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, at 3 p.m.

Uncorrected minutes of the Senate's October meeting will be distributed soon. In the meantime, you have received uncorrected minutes from our meeting last week. Are they acceptable, and if so, is there a motion that they be accepted? (David Gartman so moved and the minutes were adopted by consent).

No one of you has objected, but nevertheless, perhaps I violated protocol by suggesting a resolution in the agenda for today's meeting that was mailed to you last week. My purpose was to set something before this body that would provide a focus for deliberation before we met. In addition, it was my purpose to suggest something feasible, a type of proposal that would be acceptable to SGA, BSU, many faculty, and to key members of the central administration. It is my understanding that the SGA has just adopted a resolution almost identical to the one in the agenda.

I am not wedded to this or any other proposal. It is my suggestion, nevertheless, that we move in a direction that is practical, one that is likely to gain approval, if only begrudgingly, from all elements of the university community.

Caryl Lloyd moved the adoption of the Chair's resolution. During the discussion it was noted that staff would be unable to participate in celebration activities, that many students in clinical programs would be unable to participate, and that dismissal of classes on a Monday would confuse the lab class schedule. A friendly amendment to limit class dismissals to those under the aegis of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and to stipulate that the make up day be considered a Monday was offered by Dr. Schehr and accepted by Dr. Lloyd. When asked by Dr. Holmes if this resolution would be acceptable to the BSU Michael Mitchell, President, stated that it would satisfy them. Jody Dunn, President of the SGA, read SGA Resolution 11/18/91/1 (attached). The question on having a secret ballot was defeated. The following resolution was passed by a vote of 17 in favor, 3 opposed, and 5 abstentions. (A senator who came in after this vote was taken asked to have his vote counted as in favor. The totals were not changed.)

Resolved, that the University of South Alabama dismiss all classes that come under the aegis of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on January 20, 1992, to allow students and faculty to participate in events on the holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

Be it further resolved, that in succeeding years the University of South Alabama not schedule classes that come under the aegis of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the holiday (Monday) celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday and that these classes be made up by not scheduling a dead day for day classes (from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or by extending the Winter quarter an additional day (thus, in effect, in some years pushing the Spring quarter forward into June by a day). The replacement day, regardless of which day of the week it falls on, will be considered a Monday. (SR91-5)

Bert Longenecker distributed a memorandum and a resolution (attached) for consideration by the Senate. He moved its adoption and the motion was seconded. The resolution suggests a plan that would schedule a day each quarter for the "celebration of persons and events of great significance." Quality programming would be undertaken, with funding sought to sponsor well known speakers. Dr. Lloyd stated these activities are not excluded by the previous resolution. Consensus was that the resolution is good but a feasibility study needs to done. Dr. Holmes agreed to appoint an ad hoc committee to study the options suggested by this resolution and the discussion. Dr. Schehr made a motion to table the resolution. The motion was seconded and passed with 17 in favor, 6 opposed and 3 abstentions. Dr. Holmes asked Dr. Longenecker to chair the ad hoc committee. He requested that anyone desiring to serve on the committee contact him (460-6210).

Dr. Holmes adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m.

Geneva L. Bush, Secretary


Resolution of the Faculty Senate

for

Celebration of Persons and Events of Great Significance

by

The University of South Alabama

Whereas the University of South Alabama is committed to scholarship and to the study and advancement of knowledge through the zealous activity of its faculty, students and administration; and

Whereas the University is a community sensitive to the well being of its members and is capable of demonstrating and valuing shared concerns; and

Whereas the University exists in a larger community including not only the City of Mobile, but the state of Alabama in addition to the greater union of the nation and the world; and

Whereas certain persons and or events significantly impact the entire fabric of this community; and

Whereas it is important to abstract from this significance great principles, to study such events and people, to reflect, to proclaim, and to celebrate such significance in a through and comprehensive manner, which act is within the capability of a University of great stature;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate ask the student leaders and the administration to join with them as follows to initiate Four Days of Celebration:

1. Establish a day each quarter to recognize highly significant people or events of national or international relevance;

2. The day chosen would come from that time now allocated to quarter break time, and would not alter the duration of the academic calendar;

3. That the President appoint a task force reporting to him consisting of senators (2), college faculty (1/college or division), deans (2), SGA president, other students (3), administration (2), hospital (3), at large members (2), a board member and perhaps others deemed important to plan, tp schedule, to develop funds for, and to implement activities consistent with the spirit of this resolution preamble;

4. That four days be committed on a permanent basis and scheduled in the next printing of the academic calendar which will include:

A. INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM DAY - In Celebration of the Accomplishments of Dr. Martin L. King (to be scheduled on the occurrence of Dr. King's birthday)

B. FREEDOM IN THE NATION DAY - In Celebration of the Veterans who gave us the Opportunity to Celebrate (to be scheduled on Veterans' Day)

C. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: ITS PLACE IN THE WORLD - A Challenge to Integrate Technology into Our Lives (to be scheduled as appropriate)

D. QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE: A PROCESS FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - How to Improve our Lives and our Jobs (to be scheduled at graduation time)

Topics A and B are permanent topics. Topics C and D would be replaced within five to ten years.

5. That the recommendation of the Uhlig Committee be adopted for this year's celebration of INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM DAY, and that the event be planned by the Presidential Task Force, and that detailed plans for the additional celebrations be one of the main topics of INDIVIDUAL DAY.