Vicki L. Tate
USA Faculty Senate Chair’s Report
For April 16, 2008 Faculty Senate Meeting

USA Safety & Environmental Committee, (reported by Mike Doran)
The WARN system was tested and had a few problems that are being worked on.  In most cases only about 1/4 of messages got delivered to email and to cell phones.  They think this was due to the load and going from external site and getting hit by filters and delays.  They will try again and will continue to do so on regular basis.  The WARN system did work well for regular university phones.  Over 200 building phones were contacted for about 100%.  Related to this is the siren system, which is still being looked into and more details to come.  Several items are going out to bid for alarm systems across campus.  Questions came up regarding how the hospitals and research park will be included or excluded as needed.

Construction is the other big issues discussed with so many projects in various stages of work or being planned for the future.  All appears well so far and special mention was made regarding planning for the new Recreation Center, the football field house, Crest II (Grove) apartments and the proposed Engineering/Computer Science building. 

There was lots of discussion of training, and inspecting--more CPR training and AED's around campus.  Also, there have been recent PC thefts and auto break-ins. We need to keep an eye out and lock up labs and cars.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee, April 2, 2008
The 2008/09 Faculty Survey results are in.  The final information will be posted on our web site and a copy of the complete survey results with comments will be presented to President Moulton after the completion of some break-out data.

The Executive Committee approved the latest version of the “Chang Humanitarian Award for the USA Faculty”.  It is intended to recognize one faculty member each year who bests represents the highest quality and the most progressive spirit of the USA faculty.  Final selection will be made by the faculty senate executive committee.  The first award will probably not be made until the 2009/2010 term.

The committee discussed potential nominees for the slate of officers for the 2008/2009 term.

Meeting with President Moulton, April 15, 2008
Dr. Pat Covey’s official retirement date is June 1st.  A search committee will be formed over the summer and will start the process of finding a new Senior Vice-President of Academic Affairs in the fall semester.  The details on the type of search that will be conducted have not been determined.  In the meantime, Dr. Carl Moore, Dean of Mitchell College of Business, will serve as interim Sr. VPAA; he will not be a candidate for the permanent position.  As for Covey’s retirement, there will be a reception on campus in the weeks after commencement.

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