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Minutes of Meeting of Tuesday, February 9, 1999

Minutes of Meeting of Tuesday, February 9, 1999, 2:00 p.m., Octavia I

PRESENT:

    Michelle Andrews
    Bill Cahill
    Jay Calamia
    Catherine Comiskey
    Dave Huffman
    Debbie LaMarca
    Robert Reed
    Sarah Smith
    Jay Sonier
    Arthur Stern

ABSENT:

    Pat Bailey
    Kathy Gros
    Bob Gross
    Charlotte Harris
    Michele Ray
    Germayne Turner

PROXIES:

    Nathalie Simon for Bob Gross
    Donna Goforth for Charlotte Harris
    Mickie Hawkshead for Michele Ray
    Tom Bourgeois for Germayne Turner

I. Arthur Stern called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

II. Approval and/or correction of minutes of the January 12, 1999 meeting

    MOTION was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the January 12, 1999 meeting. MOTION passed.

III. OLD BUSINESS

    A. Senate Recommendations for Fr. Knoth RE: Ongoing Institutional Objective #5: Staff Responsibility

      Mr. Stern again asked for suggestions for prioritizing the list of recommendations due by February 26th. Discussion followed on the recommendation for effective staff and its integration. There are three options: leaving the representation as it currently stands (only Administrative Senate), creating a combination of both staff groups, or having separate staff groups. The outcome of the vote was to remain as we currently are. Concerning staff and faculty integration, Dr. Gregson suggested a social meeting at the end of the year as a starting point for the two groups to interact.

    B. Web site and minutes/agenda

      Feedback and comments - It was agreed that the minutes will be published on the web site after approval. Agendae will also be placed on the site, as well as the Constitution and By-Laws.

    C. Meeting room update

      Greenville Parlour is still booked for the July 13th meeting as no meeting room on the main campus is available.

    D. University (faculty) Senate joint gathering update

      We are waiting on feedback from University (faculty) Senate.

    E. Other - Michelle Andrews had an update on the Whelan Children's Center 10th anniversary celebration. The date has been moved to Sunday, April 11. Call Kim Hebert at x2273 for more information.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

    A. Committee Reports:

      1. Fringe Benefits - Next meeting is scheduled for February 18th.

      2. Parking - Robert Reed reported that the meetings have been focused on appeals. He explained the new policy concerning stop sign tickets on campus. The officer will now pull the car over and write the ticket at the site, rather than sending it in the mail. There is still no response from Dr. Eiseman concerning suggestions sent to him earlier in the year.

      3. Catholic & Jesuit Identity - will meet this month. There will be a presentation from Pat O'Brien of the Business School.

      4. Rec Sports & Athletics - At the last meeting, the members were working on their response to Fr. Knoth's White Paper.

      5. UPT - Mr. Stern reported that at the meeting in January, reports were given on objectives 1, 2, and 3 from Debbie Stieffel, Dean Makdisi, and Marcel Dumestre. There were also reports from all of the Deans. Retention was mentioned and will de discussed later.

    B. Mr. Stern met with Fr. Knoth at the end of January. Fr. Knoth asked about getting the minutes from our group. After each meeting, the approved minutes will be sent to him. Mr. Stern also brought up representation on committees. He feels our body is underrepresented. Fr. Knoth said that all the Vice Presidents and Sr. Annie attend the Board of Trustee meetings. Mr. Stern will readdress this concern in the report to him.

    C. Mr. Stern passed around two letters; one written by Elizabeth Kordahl with questions and suggestions for the Senate, and Mr. Stern's response to her. If there are any comments, please send them to Mr. Stern via e-mail.

    D. It is time for the Election Committee to begin their work. The first meeting will be held at the beginning of March.

V. GUEST SPEAKERS

    A. Joseph Mansfield - The Vice President for Institutional Advancement passed around two handouts on the Thresholds campaign. He explained that it was a five year campaign for the new Library and for faculty support and financial aid for students. The goal was to raise $50,000,000. At the close of the campaign, December 31, 1998, pledges totaled over $51,000,000. The amount received to date is $24,600,000. Outstanding pledges should be paid in five to ten years. He said a positive aspect of campaign was that Institutional Advancement learned more about our alumni. He feels the alumni have been ignored for many years. But, lately, there have been more reunions and homecomings. During the five year Thresholds campaign, the Annual Fund was also kept going. That appeal raised $8,800,000 for the operating budget. Questions - on continuing to ask for donations for the Library and for the new residence hall; next stage of fundraising should not be called a campaign, but will be for specific targets, i.e. converting the old library to house Drama and Visual Arts programs.

    B. Craig Bogar - The Director of Recreational Sports and Intercollegiate Athletics spoke on the future of athletics. Fr. Knoth has amended his timetable and will present his final draft to the full Board in May. He has chosen a consultant who will be on campus at the end of February. She is the Athletic Director at the University of Seattle, a Jesuit university. The White Paper should help make the athletic program more competitive. Fr. Knoth's recommendation of eliminating Men's tennis and Women's cross-country teams may not be done. In the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in which we play, a certain number of teams is needed- 3 Men's and 3 Women's to compete in the conference.

VI. OPEN FORUM

    A. Mr. Stern asked if everyone received their invitations to the Library opening and benefactors' tribute.

    B. Regarding the letter from Ms. Kordahl, Mr. Stern reminded the members to send responses and comments to him. Jay Calamia replied that he thought Mr. Stern's answer was very well written. His additional response would be for Ms. Kordahl to consider running for senator herself, or to urge her to communicate her thoughts to Academic Affairs senators for their consideration. Sarah Smith agreed that Mr. Stern wrote a good response and that healthy input was shared.

VII. The meeting was adjourned at 3:57 p.m.