UNIVERSITY SENATE MINUTES
February 8, 1999
The University Senate met at 3:30 p.m. in Room 338 of the Memorial Union
with Dr. J. Gerst presiding and the following members present: Buckhoff,
Chihos, T. Christensen, V. Clark, R. Collins, T. Colville, Corry, Danbom,
Esslinger, A. G. Fischer, Gessel, Grafton, D. Hawley, Hellevang, Horvik,
Jackman, S. Jacobson, K. R. Johnson, C. W. Lee, Leitch, J. H. Lorenzen,
Martens, McCaul, McCourt, D. Miller, J. A. Miller, S. Morgan, Nawrot,
W. Nelson, R. O'Connor, N. A. Olson, C. D. Peterson, Pieri, Rottman,
R. C. Schnell, Srivastava, Varma, N. Waldhaus, Youngs, D. Bakken, Bernstein,
J. Greene, M. H. Hubbard, T. M. Jackson, T. Mercer, Michaelson, S. T. Rahman,
B. Streifel, and T. Topero.
Substitutes: Brand for Hageman, J. Schwarz for Khan, S. Kapaun for
A. Kostecki, Jackson for Novy, Lin for Padmanabhan, Rasmussen for Steffenson,
and J. A. Anderson for C. A. Hagen.
Previous Minutes
MOTION (T. Colville/C. W. Lee): to approve the minutes of January 11, 1999,
with the following correction under General Announcements. Ronda Schmidt,
rather than Rhonda Schauer as reported, should have been listed as one of
the students presenting testimony at the legislative committee hearings.
MOTION CARRIED.
General Announcements
1. New President
Interim President Fischer expressed thanks to the faculty, students, and
staff who served on the presidential search and screening committee. Dr.
Joseph A. Chapman's appointment as NDSU president begins June 1, 1999. His
schedule includes early visits to North Dakota in March and April.
2. Legislative Issues
Interim President Fischer announced that nothing was definite about proposed
salaries at this time. Better indications are expected after February 19
following the crossover of bills between the Senate and House.
Fischer announced that the projected increase in health insurance is included
in the state appropriations budget. Those funded through grants, however,
need to plan for the increase in their budgets.
Fischer stated that SB2431 would have a negative impact on grants because
it requires 30 days advance submission to Bismarck for review of possible
duplication of state agency applications for grants from the U.S. government
or foundations. If passed, it is hoped to exempt higher education from the
requirement.
Fischer announced that success for the animal care facility looked hopeful.
Jeremy Greene announced that the Health and Wellness Center, included in
HB1003, was getting good support right now. He also stated that students
support the increase in faculty salaries.
3. Funding Equity
Vice President R. C. Schnell announced that a recent State Board of Higher
Education funding equity study showed that UND receives $1,000 to $1,200
more per student than NDSU. NDSU will continue to pursue a better balance
in funding.
4. Possibilities Thinking Committee
Vice President Schnell announced that the Possibilities Thinking Committee
reduced a list of 20 proposals to 9 or 10. If funding becomes available,
they will be put into operation.
5. Search Activities
Schnell reviewed the status of the search process underway for three
positions: College of Business Administration Dean, Library Director, and
College of Science and Mathematics Dean.
6. Staff Senate
Nancy Olson reported that a meeting of staff senate executive committees
from across the state was being planned.
7. Intellectual Properties Policy
Presiding Officer Gerst announced that there is another draft of the
Intellectual Properties Policy, available at the following web site.
http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/zoology/draft347.htm
Comments need to be received by February 22 for Faculty Caucus consideration.
8. Call for Presiding Officer-Elect Nominations
Nominations for Presiding Officer-Elect of the University Senate need to
be received by the Executive Committee no later than March 26 to be voted
upon at the April Senate meeting. Gerst reminded Senators that nominees
were to come from the elected membership with at least two years of Senate
membership remaining at the conclusion of this academic year.
Committee Reports
ø Academic Affairs
MOTION (Horvik/D. Hawley): to approve the curricular recommendations as
shown in Attachment 1 (attachment is available by calling the Office of the
Registrar at 701-231-7988). MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Dr. Gerst pointed out that common course number (CCN) changes will not go
into effect until the Fall 2000 Semester.
Unfinished Business
ø Modem Pool
a. Report From Bonnie Neas, Information Technology Services Director
Neas reported that she has also had discussions about modem pool issues with
the President's Cabinet, University Senate Executive Committee, Student
Senate, Computer Planning and Goals Committee, and Residence Hall groups.
Neas explained that her purpose was to share modem pool facts and information,
answer questions, and acquire constructive input. The focus is on exploring
modem pool needs, upgrades, services, funding, and related issues as a basis
for making a decision about the modem pool by May 1.
Neas reviewed a handout, "NDSU Modem Pool Facts," shown in Attachment 2
(attachment is available by calling the Office of the Registrar at 701-231-7988).
The handout includes current information and projected costs without and
with growth. She reported the following user to modem ratios:
NDSU ratio = 20:1 users/modem
Business ratio = 15:1 users/modem
Avoid busy signals = 10:1 users/modem
Neas presented a second handout, "Modem Pool Funding Alternatives," shown
in Attachment 3 (attachment is available by calling the Office of the
Registrar at 701-231-7988). She explained that the alternatives are examples of the
following unmet needs:
Web development and support team
Classroom media services (for distance education, etc.)
Desktop research technical support specialist
Building network upgrades
Classroom technology options
Y2K desktop remedial software
A 30-machine student cluster
Neas stated that if the modem budget were freed up for other uses, the
alternative services would become possible.
Neas assured everyone that computer access would continue. The question
is how to access: with a modem pool (paid by NDSU) or with an Internet Service
Provider (paid by the client).
b. Report From Val Tareski, Computer Planning & Goals Committee Chair
Tareski reported that a subcommittee is being formed related to the modem
pool issues. Richard Schrader will chair the subcommittee. Current
information is available on the committee web site. All users are encouraged
to submit responses.
c. Report From Jeremy Greene, Student Body President
Greene reported that the student response is to continue support of the modem
pool with $150,000 from the ITS budget and an additional $70,000 from the
technology fee collected from students each semester. Greene also predicted
that without modem pool access, NDSU computer cluster needs would increase.
New Business
ø Fall Graduates
MOTION (M. H. Hubbard/Youngs): to approve the list of fall graduates as
shown in Attachment 4 (attachment is available by calling the Office of the
Registrar at 701-231-7988). MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Alberta M. Dobry, Ph.D.
Secretary
