Minutes of the Steering Committee Meeting
May 25, 2006
3:30 p.m.
3235 Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building

Attended by: Rich Penaskovic, Roger Garrison, Ann Beth Presley, Kathryn Flynn, Bob Locy, Conner Bailey (non-voting)

The meeting convened at 3:50 p.m. 

Discussion of May 2 Senate Meeting
It was noted that because the Calendar Committee recommendations did not pass at the May 2 meeting, the Calendar and Schedule Committee Chair, Thereza Oleinick, will be on the agenda for the June 6 Senate meeting.  Rich Penaskovic stated that he had asked her to poll the committee members on the “virtual Monday” proposal prior to the June meeting.

A short discussion of the Senate survey results followed.  It was noted that the Rules Committee is the appropriate committee to consider the issue of a University Senate versus a Faculty Senate.  It was noted that the most important thing to do right now was to focus on getting people to attend the forum on the Presidential Search. 

Agenda Items for the June 6 Senate Meeting
Kathryn Flynn stated that Dr. Richardson would be out of town on June 6.  Dr. Heilman will be on the agenda. 

Rich Penaskovic then discussed the Comments he is preparing for the next meeting.  He has invited Beth Guertal from Agronomy and Soils to speak about Jim Adams, Assoc. Professor in Agronomy and Soils, who recently passed away. 

The issue of Post Tenure Review was discussed.  It was noted that some changes had been made to the information on the Senate web site pertaining to PTR.  The Committee liked the changes.  Rich Penaskovic then asked for input on the letter to John Heilman containing the Steering Committee’s recommendations on PTR.  It was agreed that the letter should state that the Steering Committee felt that a decision on this issue was better left to the incoming president.  The letter will also mention that there is information pertaining to PTR on the Senate web site.  Rich Penaskovic stated that he would draft the letter and send it to the committee for review.  Kathryn Flynn will send additional changes, proposed by David Cicci, to all members of Steering and, if approved, these changes will be posted on the web.

Rich Penaskovic stated that he had asked for $250,000 for sabbatical leaves but preferred funding on a continuous basis even if the amount was less than what he requested.  He stated that he was optimistic that some money would be provided for sabbatical leaves.

The Steering Committee then discussed the two committees (Master Plan Committee and the Design Review Committee) that have been proposed as replacements for the Campus Planning Committee.  Rich Penaskovic stated that a member of the Rules Committee had drafted a letter stating the need for faculty involvement in the planning process.  He will send the letter, after it is reviewed by Steering and Rules, to Tom Tillman and John Mouton, possibly others, before the next Senate meeting. 

It was agreed that Kathryn Flynn would send results of the survey of non-tenure track faculty to all members of the Steering Committee.  Isabelle Thompson will present an overview of the survey at the June meeting.

A discussion followed about the Ag/Alabama Initiative.  Rich agreed to draft a letter to John Heilman asking for a copy of the report he submitted to Dr. Richardson on the Alabama Initiative.

The minutes of the March 23 and April 20 meetings were approved.  The agenda for the June 6 Senate meeting was approved.