MSU-BOZEMAN FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
February 16, 2000
PRESENT: Hatfield, Sherwood, McDermott, Burgess, Kommers, Peed, Neff,
Leech, Benham, Howard, Paul for Duncan, Larsen, Mooney,
Weaver, Amend, Locke, Levy, Bogar, Bond, Jelinski, Francis,
McKinsey, Lynch, Fisher, Prawdzienski, Butterfield, Scott.
ABSENT: Ag Econ, O'Neill, Anderson, Jost, Harkin, Nehrir, Lansverk,
Griffith, Carlstrom.
The meeting was called to order at 4:10 PM by Chair John Amend. It
was determined a quorum was present. The minutes of the February 2,
2000, meeting were approved as distributed.
Chair's report - John Amend.
- President Terry Roark was introduced. There will be
opportunity to ask him questions later in the meeting and to
visit with him informally after the meeting.
- VP for Administration and Finance Tom Stump attended UGC
Steering Committee February 10.
- There was good general discussion about budget issues.
- The point was made that during the past years, faculty
salaries have either been frozen or raises delayed to
balance budgets. Although the university's financial
problems are recognized by the faculty, some strategic
planning needs to be done so agreed-upon salary increases
are not used for balancing the budget.
- President Roark has asked that a VP attend Faculty Council
meetings this spring to provide rapid communication between
faculty and PEC. John and Ron agreed to this at this morning's
meeting with the President.
- Vice Provost David Todd will attend Steering Committee tomorrow
to discuss Banner and other IT issues.
- It has been decided by the administration that the Office of
International Programs will not charge departments for preparing
materials for hiring foreign teaching, research, and support
individuals.
- The Strategic Planning and Budget Committee will meet with PEC
and Deans' Council on Friday, February 25, at 10:00 a.m. in SUB
275. The location has been changed to allow more people to
attend.
- The Hewlett Committee, which is working on a new or alternative
core curriculum, would like a Faculty Council representative to
attend their meetings to provide communication with Faculty
Council. Please contact George Tuthill, Chair of the UGC
Nominating Committee to volunteer.
- Dorothy Bradley, Water Center Director, would like to attend
Faculty Council for 15-20 minutes this spring to talk about
statement government/university interaction. She is a candidate
for Lieutenant Governor. Steering Committee will discuss it
tomorrow.
- Notification of faculty sabbatical awards have been delayed
until mid-March, after there's been opportunity to discuss the FY
2001 budget.
Report from the President Search Committee - Ron Larsen.
- Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education Joyce Scott and
Academic Search and Consultation Services representative Allan
Ostar met with the search committee Saturday to discuss
procedures.
- Concern was expressed for interviewing candidates during the
summer.
- Although the committee seems large, Dr. Scott put a lot of
thought into keeping the group as small as possible and at the
same time giving representation to many constituencies on campus
and around the state.
Faculty Affairs Committee report - Jack Jelinski.
- Through an NSF grant, Jeff Adams and Tim Slater are working on
guidelines for in-depth assessment of teaching. There'll be more
information about it later.
Proposed Faculty Handbook Change - will be on next week's agenda.
Discussion with President Terry Roark.
- Dr. Roark summarized his background and how he came to be at
MSU.
- He stated he will not be a candidate for the permanent position
of President, but in the meantime, he will not be just a
caretaker. However, he does not plan to change the course of the
university, either, because MSU is moving in a good direction.
- The main issue now is balancing the FY 2001 budget. There are
over $2 million in expenditures that are not covered in the
coming fiscal year.
- The President will try to open up the decision-making
process to all constituencies.
- He will work with the established governance groups.
- The institution needs to move forward in a positive way.
- In addition, Dr. Roark stated the most important people on
campus are the students. Faculty are here for the students, and
administration and support staff help the faculty do their work.
- The President will look at all other areas for budget
reductions before asking employees to defer raises.
- Some of the reasons for budget deficits are:
- USDA pull-out of the new Ag/Bioscience Building. (An
additional $180,000 in operations and maintenance are
needed).
- Athletics deficit. (Bond debt may be restructured).
- Anticipated employee raises.
- Faculty sabbaticals ($230,000).
- During discussion, it was pointed out by faculty that there
currently is a freeze on filling tenure-track positions. (See
clarification in February 23 Faculty Council minutes.) The
current understanding is that they will not be reopened until
after some budget decisions are made, and then not automatically.
This can make it difficult to hire faculty for the coming year.
- Concern was expressed by faculty that there has been rapid
turn-over in the Provost's position. The President stated that
MSU's administrative salaries are low, and although good
candidates for positions can be recruited, other states find
Montana a good place for recruiting administrators because of our
low pay.
- There seemed to be agreement that it would be helpful for
college deans to provide more opportunities for interaction with
faculty in the respective colleges.
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM for
informal conversation with the President.
Joann Amend, Secretary