The fourth meeting of the Faculty Senate for 2000-01 was convened in 25 Law Building, Minneapolis campus, on Thursday, April 19, 2001, at 2:34 p.m. Coordinate campuses were linked by telephone. Checking or signing the roll as present were 102 voting faculty/academic professional members and 6 ex officio members. President Yudof presided.

There will be a meeting of the Faculty Senate on Thursday, May 31, 2001, starting at 2:30 p.m.

MOTION:

To approve the University Senate, Faculty Senate, and Twin Cities Campus Assembly minutes, which are available on the Web at the following URLs. A simple majority is required for approval.

http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/u_senate/010222sen.html
http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/faculty_senate/010222fac.html
http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/tcca/010222tcca.html

DISCUSSION:

With no discussion, a vote was taken and the motion was approved.

Faculty Senate

Amendments to Faculty Tenure (Sections 5.3 and 11)

Approved by the:

Faculty Senate April 22, 1999 Administration July 29, 1999 Board of Regents March 9, 2001

Interpretation of Faculty Tenure (Section 15)<

Approved by the:

Faculty Senate April 22, 1999 Administration July 29, 1999 Board of Regents March 9, 2001

Amendment to the Judicial Committee Rules of Procedure (Addition to Rule 2b: Vice Chair)

Approved by the:

Faculty Senate April 22, 1999 Administration July 29, 1999 Board of Regents March 9, 2001

Amendment to the Judicial Committee Rules of Procedure (Revision of 6b: Attorney)

Approved by the:

Faculty Senate May 20, 1999 Administration June 13, 2000 Board of Regents March 9, 2001

Amendments to the Administrative Procedures for the Interim Regents Policy on Faculty Development Leaves

Approved by the:

Faculty Senate February 22, 2001 Administration March 29, 2001 Board of Regents - no action required

Declaration on Faculty Salaries

Approved by the:

Faculty Senate February 22, 2001 Administration - *See Response Board of Regents - no action required

* The Administration has publicly stated that University of Minnesota faculty salaries are not yet competitive. The administration continually voices public and private support for increased faculty salaries for the reasons stated in the resolution, among others. The President has clearly noted that it is a priority objective to increase faculty salaries on the Twin Cities campus at a rate above the level of inflation with decisions on use of funding related to salaried to be based on market and merit. This institutional commitment also extends to the coordinate campuses as appropriate. The Administration agrees that the Legislature and the Governor must be made aware that addressing the issue of competitive faculty salaried is of the utmost importance to the long-term economic health of the state, It must be noted that the need for additional state support for faculty compensation is a critical component of our biennial budget submitted to the State of Minnesota. In our effort to promote that importance of the state's support of the institutional biennial budget we have enlisted the aid of key business and community leaders, previous government officials (in particular, Governors Anderson and Carlson), alumni, and current students and employees to take our message to citizens and legislator. The faculty's strong support for the total biennial budget is needed and appreciated.

FOR INFORMATION:

In the recent election to fill vacancies on the Assembly Steering/Senate Consultative Committee, Professors Arthur Erdman, Candace Kruttschnitt, and Judith Martin were elected to three-year terms (July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2004). The Faculty Consultative Committee membership for 2001-02 will be:

Muriel Bebeau, School of Dentistry
Susan Brorson, University of Minnesota - Crookston
Arthur Erdman, Institute of Technology
Daniel Feeney, College of Veterinary Medicine
Candace Kruttschnitt, College of Liberal Arts
Judith Martin, College of Liberal Arts
Joseph Massey, College of Natural Resources
Paula Rabinowitz, College of Liberal Arts
Jeff Ratliff-Crain, University of Minnesota - Morris
Billie Wahlstrom, College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences

The following resolution, approved by the Faculty Consultative Committee (FCC) on March 22, is included for information.

STATEMENT ON THE STADIUM PROPOSAL

1. The Minnesota Vikings announced today a proposal for a joint Vikings-Gophers stadium on the University campus. Many Minnesotans, including many faculty members, would like the Vikings to stay in Minnesota. In considering its potential role in such a venture, the University should focus on its own primary mission–education.

2. Financial resources provided to us by students and taxpayers must be directed toward education. The governor and legislature are calling upon us to focus on priorities. A stadium is not currently on the list of University priorities.

3. Although the present Gopher football facilities at the Metrodome may be less than ideal, they are adequate for immediate needs. The University cannot now afford to divert resources or fund-raising activities to a new stadium.

4. In reviewing this proposal, the University should consider the relationship of this proposal to its priorities. If those priorities are met, the University should consider the following factors in evaluating the stadium proposal:

–No University direct or indirect contribution to capital or infrastructure costs.
–No increase in operating costs over present Metrodome rents.
–Stadium activities must be compatible with University operations and values.
–The University must be insulated from future liabilities and responsibilities.

5. There must be appropriate consultation with the University community. We would welcome an opportunity to review the proposal.

6. Our educational mission of teaching, research, and service must remain our primary commitment.

DISCUSSION:

Professor Fred Morrison, Chair of the Senate Consultative Committee (SCC), stated that there was publicity in March about a potential stadium being built. Since the Senate was not meeting, the Faculty Consultative Committee (FCC) considered the issue and passed this statement. The Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC) passed a similar statement at the same time.

The Regents considered this matter in April. The President made a cautious statement, warning against endorsing anything besides educational matters. The Vikings made a presentation, which was followed by presentation of the FCC and SSCC statements. Several Regents then noted that it was not appropriate to be considering building a stadium at this time.

The filing date for a stadium bill at the state has passed. There is a bill to study stadium financing, although its status is questionable.

Q: How did the FCC determine that the current facility is inadequate?

A: The opinion from the athletic department is that it serves the purpose, but that it is not what they would prefer.

MOTION:

That the Twin Cities Campus Faculty Assembly approve the following slate of nominees to fill two 2001-04 Twin Cities faculty/academic professional vacancies on the Committee on Committees. A simple majority is required for approval.

ELLEN BERSCHEID: Regents' Professor of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts. University Senate member: 1996-2000. Committee participation (past and present): All University Honors, 1991-94 (Chair: 1992-94); Committee on Committees, 1989-90; Consultative, 1985-88 (Chair: 1986-87); Faculty Affairs, 1981-84.

EDWIN FOGELMAN: Professor of Political Science, College of Liberal Arts. University Senate member: 1992-95. Committee participation (past and present): Judicial, 1994-99 (Chair: 1995-99).

RICHARD POPPELE: Professor of Physiology, Medical School. University Senate member: 1981-84, 1988-91. Committee participation (past and present): Judicial, 1980-83 (Chair: 1982-83); Research 1998-01.

SUSAN ROSE: Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, College of Education and Human Development. University Senate member: 1993-96. Committee participation (past and present): Committee on Committees, February 2001-June 2001; Disabilities Issues, 1986-89 (Chair: 1988-89); Intercollegiate Athletics, 1993-96; University College Assembly, 1995-96.

INFORMATION:

The Twin Cities Campus Assembly Bylaws specify that the Assembly shall elect by written ballot at its spring semester meeting faculty/academic professional members to fill vacancies on the Assembly Committee on Committees from a slate of candidates provided by a special nominating committee. Other candidates may be nominated by petition of 12 members of the Assembly. Petitions to nominate candidates not on the slate must be in the hands of the Clerk of the Assembly on the day before the meeting at which the election is to be conducted. The elected Twin Cities faculty/academic professional members of the committee whose term continue at least through 2001-02 are:

Carl Adams, Carlson School of Management
Catherine French, Institute of Technology
Francisco Ocampo, College of Liberal Arts

DISCUSSION:

With no discussion, a vote was taken and the motion was approved. Ballots were then distributed for voting. Regents’ Professor Ellen Berscheid and Professor Richard Poppele were elected for three-year terms.

Professor Fred Morrison, Chair of the Health Benefits Advisory Committee (HBAC), said that the HBAC is proposing plans to introduce co-pays and possibly premiums for some coverages. This is in response to the projected 15 – 18% increase in health insurance costs. In response to the RFP, eight proposals were received, of which six dealt with the general health plans and two with specific aspects of it. A selection committee is reviewing these proposals and will issue a report to the Faculty Senate on May 31. The HBAC also continues to review the option of staying with the state if SEGIP can be modified comparable to the plans through the RFP. The timetable is tight, with a decision by early June to be prepared for open enrollment in the Fall.

Q: Was self-insurance considered the only alternative?

A: Today’s paper includes a story on the state of California personnel system increasing co-pays for all public employees. This is a pattern across the country, with 56% of 30 universities like the University already being self-insured. Insurance through the state is also self-insured at this time.

A senator commented that any faculty raise will be obliterated by a health care change to co-pays and increased premiums.

Professor Morrison noted that there is a concern about the impact of this change on low-paid employees. The HBAC is considering ways to minimize this impact.

Another senator commented that there is a rumor that the Bush administration is close to establishing a national health insurance because the health system is broken and drives business prices up.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m.