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Faculty Association Meet and Confer
24 February 2005
3:00 p.m., CSU 285
(Admin Chair)

NOTES


Attendance:
Faculty: Stephen Bohnenblust, Roger Severns, Paul J. Hustoles, Barbara Keating, Jim Petersen, Richard Swanson, Don Descy, Daardi Sizemore, Theresa Salerno
Management: Richard Davenport, chair, Mark Johnson, Scott Olson, Pat Swatfager-Haney, Dean Trauger, Lori Lamb, John Winkworth, recorder 
Guests: David Williams was present for parts of the meeting.

President Davenport called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.

1.    Information Items—
    a.  Reorder/Additions:  Vice President David Williams will present the agenda item on the  Internal Communication Plan at 3:45 p.m.
    b.  FA President’s Report - FA President Bohnenblust:  We are involved in the process of getting things set up for the proposed new Distance Learning Sub Meet and Confer.  This requires a change in our constitution.  MnSCU Relations:  We are concerned that the faculty are not being appreciated.  There is some sense that with the two special task forces faculty concerns are being stonewalled.  We have established an Action Committee whose focus is on the negotiation process.  IFO will be better prepared for this next round of contract negotiations.  We need to recognize that we do have some good, supportive individuals in MnSCU.  Commencement Issues:  We very much support the expanded role of the faculty in commencement.  Keep things on going.  The availability of robes is helpful.
    c.  MSU President’s Report - President Davenport:  Thanks to the FA for making a commitment to increasing involvement in commencement.  Having a large reception following each of the ceremonies in our new Union facility sounds like an idea worth pursuing.  It would be a joyous occasion with chances for informal interactions and photo opportunities for the graduates and their families.  Plans are evolving for what promises to be a wonderful event.  Again MSU, Mankato leads MnSCU in fund raising. We’re most appreciative of the generous gift from Dr. Donald Meredith and his wife Marjorie.  The $720,000 will create an endowment for scholarships to science and math students.  The 2010 Discussion held earlier today was a great activity.  MnSCU Legislative Relations:  We’re almost home-free in getting bonding support for the $56 million addition to the Trafton Science Center.  The request went through the House Ways and Means committee first which is a great step.  The joint Conference Committee will be reviewing project recommendations from both the House and the Senate.  March 14 is a big lobbying day.  We will see every legislator in the state.  We are still working to change the language in the doctoral program bill.  We’re optimistic that it will pass.  We will be meeting with President Bruininks of the University of Minnesota to discuss the subject.
    d.  VPAA’s Report - Vice President Olson:  Administrative Searches (document distributed):  The six positions items with the asterisks remain subject to possible reorganization.  Doctoral Programs Bill:  Very targeted, very specific, tied to the needs of rural Minnesota.  MSU, Mankato and St. Cloud will be the lead MnSCU institutions on this issue.  This bill has some strong support in the House.  The 2010 Discussion:  Great climate of collegiality.  Commencement:  Some practical issues remain.   Do we prefer renting or purchasing the robes?  Multiple use of the robes could be a concern.  FA Hustoles:  The rental vs. purchase issue is a quality issue.  Strategic Planning Dollars:  March 1 is the deadline for requests.  Open Forums:  Vice President Mark Johnson and the Planning Sub Meet and Confer are holding forums on the entire plan.  Campus Master Plan forums have been held as have forums on Undergraduate Excellence.  We expect the final report of the Undergraduate Excellence Task Force will be presented at the Meet and Confer on March 10.  Distance Learning open forums are being planned.  We expect their report at the April 12 Meet and Confer.  Facilities:  CSU remodeling is scheduled for completion during spring break.  The Chancellor will be in attendance for the official opening in April.

2.    Follow-Up Items (from Meet and Confer 3 February 2005)—
    a.  Academic Calendars for 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09:  FA President Bohnenblust:  What’s the status of the October no-class day that was on the Friday of the MEA (Education Minnesota) convention?  Assistant Vice President Winkworth:  At the meeting of the calendar committee, with representatives of the FA participating, the recommendation was made to move the no-class day to the Friday following to accommodate requests from staff in Student Affairs who preferred having campus high school visitors on a regular class day.  No other comments were made.
    b.  Holiday Calendar Draft for 2005-06:  FA President Bohnenblust:  No comments.
    c.  Formal Review: Intellectual Property Policy:  There were no comments.
    d.  Informal Review:  Campus Freedom of Expression Policy:  There was one comment that supported the notion that groups be encouraged and not required to submit the space reservation form.  The intention of form usage is to avoid congestion and confusion in the use of space.
    e.  Smoking Policy Update:  Human Resources Director Lamb:  We are testing the survey in anticipation of campus distribution.  We are close to having the survey ready for electronic distribution.

3.    Discussion Items—
a. MnSCU/Legislative Relations:  FA:  Some of our members attended Lobby Day.  We noted that there was a better, more encouraging atmosphere in the Legislature.
    b. Budget:  Vice President Trauger:  A great deal of budget uncertainty remains.  Four key pieces of information are unknown:  1.  The legislative appropriation; 2.  Tuition increases (0% increase or let MnSCU set the tuition rate); 3.  Enrollment (we expect an enrollment level with 2005, although this spring enrollment is down); 4.  inflation.  We are not looking for any significant changes.  President Davenport:  In the Centers of Excellence proposed by the Governor, we should get our share.  Legislators have listened to the students but there is not a lot of legislative support for a 0% tuition increase.  It’s going to be tough hanging on to the $107 million.  As for the HEAPR allocation, the House took $2.6 million off the top of MnSCU’s HEAPR allocation for Trafton planning money.  This could lead to an internal debate:  should this come off the system’s allocation of HEAPR funds or off of our HEAPR allocation?  Depending on how this goes, it could end up adversely affecting the plans to fix up Nelson Hall which is scheduled to use HEAPR funds. MnSCU needs to avoid a double standard.
    c.  Accreditation Update:  Vice President Olson:  The Campus Steering Committee is busy collecting information for use in our accreditation report.  A ten-member team is going to the annual HLC meeting in Chicago.
    d.  Student Housing Update:  Vice President Swatfager-Haney:  We have worked with MnSCU who want us to stay within the bonding program.  We will receive funding support from them for the initial phase.  Thanks to Professor Perry Wood for his tireless assistance.  The ASG group is back on campus getting us to consider some changes from the original plan.  The latest thinking is to expand the Crawford-McElroy area using the current dining facilities and create a larger student housing neighborhood.  By not using the current Gage sight, this results in greater safety for residents who won’t be required to cross Stadium Road.  Phase I in the fall 2007 will yield some 600-800 beds on a sight north of the Library.  We’re looking at about $35 million for each of two phases.  We need to take a pre-design to take to the Board.  There is a good possibility that this use will require a relocation of the current rugby pitch.  Vice President Olson:  This sighting will enhance the pedestrian nature of the campus.  FA:  Will the Standeford Observatory still move?  Vice President Olson:  Light pollution will no longer be an issue, but there is a programmatic issue to bring the two observatories closer together.  This project remains on the project list.  FA:  What is the status of Stadium Road?  We are awaiting a meeting with the City Engineer to hear about the plans of the City including lighting improvements and the creation of a median.  We want FA input in ideas for locating new footprints for academic buildings.  The Gage sight and the sunken lot are two possible sights.  The student housing project is for replacement beds.  FA:  Will there be a loss in parking spots?  Phase I will not result in any loss of parking spots.  Any parking adjustments will be with student parking and not with faculty and staff parking.
    e.  Internal Communication Plan:  Vice President Williams presented an Internal Communication Plan (copies distributed).  The plan addresses the communication needs of the President, faculty, staff, and the Advancement division.  Vice President Williams highlighted a number of the specifics contained in the plan including a quarterly campus e-newsletter from the President and a monthly e-newsletter edited by Michael Cooper focusing on more routine announcements.  These campus newsletters would be complemented by other activities including an all-staff town meeting with the President held every semester, the President’s physical presence in different parts of the University at least every other day, a monthly chat on KMSU where the President would focus on MSU activities and accomplishments, and invitations to individual legislators to visit particular programs or projects at MSU.  FA President Bohnenblust:  Have you given any thought to a monthly chat room format?  Not that I know of but this is something we could do, with Mark Johnson’s help.  FA:  What about all faculty announcements?  This activity would not affect any current FA communications.

4.    Action Items
    a.  Formal Review:  Workplace Environment Policy:  Human Resources Director Lori Lamb asked for FA comments on both the Workplace Environment and the Employee Complaint policies.  No comments.
    b.  Formal Review: Employee Complaint Policy and Procedure:  No comments.
    c.  Informal Review: Alcohol and Other Drug Use Policy (through 3 March 2005):  FA Bohnenblust:  We encourage intervention first, with punishment to follow, if necessary.
    d.  Informal Review:  Statement of Student Responsibilities (through 6 April 2005):  No comments.

5.    Other Items
    a.  President Rush Emeritus Status:  President Davenport reported that because former President Richard Rush hasn’t retired, he is not eligible for emeritus status.  A possible alternative is to designate a scholarship in his name.
b. Wind Turbine Proposal:  President Davenport reported on the wind turbine proposal.  He is impressed by the size of the structure.  The Mankato City Manager suggested we may wish to contact neighbors and ask for their reactions.  This structure will be visible all over town.
c.  SPAM (unwanted e-mail) Increase:  Vice President Johnson indicated that there are some controls currently in place to filter out unwanted e-mail.  More could be done but there is a dilemma.  Further control of the unwanted e-mail would require the establishment of a content standard.  He is not anxious to get involved in controlling e-mail by content but it could be done.
d.  Wireless Campus:  In response to a question about campus wireless coverage, Vice President Johnson reported that we have covered all common study areas, and classrooms but have not included faculty offices.  There are currently over 400 wireless devices on campus.

The Next Meet and Confer is on Thursday, 10 March 2005, at 3:00 p.m. in CSU 285.

The meeting ended at 4:36 p.m.

John M. Winkworth                    Paul J. Hustoles
_______________________________        _____________________________
John M. Winkworth                    Paul J. Hustoles
Reviewer for Management                Reviewer for Faculty
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