Minutes of the University Senate Meeting

Anderson, Ernest

Anderson, Julie

Anderson, Suzanne

Barkhouse, Wayne

Bass, Gail

Bates, Sandi

Benoit, Joseph

Berry, Colleen

Bibel, George

Blackburn, Royce

Boyd, Robert

Brekke, Alice

Bridewell, John

Broedel, Hans

Dewar, Graeme

Drewes, Mary

Elbert, Dennis

El-Rewini, Hesham

Elsinga, Lillian

Fershee, Josh

Flower, Ann

Goodwin, Janice

Grandstrand, Tyrone

Graziano, Rocky

Guy, Mark

Hartman, Joseph

Haskins, James

Heitkamp, Thomasine

Higgins, James

Hume, Wendelin

Iiams, Michele

Jeno, Sue

Kelley, Robert

Kenney, Lynda

Khavanin, Mohammad

Kitzes, Adam

Lawrence, David

LeBel, Paul

Lei, Saobo

Liepold, Loren

Light, Steven

Marasinghe, Kanishka

McBride, Rosanne

Munski, Doug

Murphy, Eric

O’Keefe, Tim

Perkins, Dexter

Petros, Thomas

Pohlman, Shelley

Poochigian, Donald

Rahn, Joshua

Rakow, Lana

Rand, Kathryn

Rice, Daniel

Schwartz, Rhonda

Seddoh, Samuel

Smart, Kathy

Smith, Bruce

Smith, Wesley

Stofferahn, Curt

Stolt, Wilbur

Tyree, Elizabeth

Ullrich, Gary

Wang, Enru

Widmer, Donovan

The following announcements were made:

a. Ms. Hume welcomed the senators to the first meeting of the year.

b. Ms. Goodwin announced that the Committee on Committees appointed replacement members for the Essential Studies, Intercollegiate Athletics, Honorary degrees, and Legislative Affairs committees.

c. Mr. Grandstrand explained to the Senate that the student senator and senate committee appointments must be approved by Student Senate. The plan is to have them approved by the next meeting and available to assume their duties.

d. Mr. Jackson gave a Council of College Faculties update. He explained that the UND representatives are Doug Munski and Tom Petros. Don Poochigian is also a UND rep and Kathy Smart serves as the CCF alternate for 2009-10. Mr. Jackson is also involved since he is the faculty representative to the Board. Mr. Jackson indicated that one additional person for CCF will be announced. He also indicated that current issues for SBHE are the nickname and mission of institutions in NDUS. SBHE meets on September 17 at UND in the River Valley room at the Memorial Union.

e. Mr. LeBel described a new entity being created, the University Academic Leadership Forum. Twice a semester the entire University academic administrative team will meet with the entire university body. The first forum will inform the agenda for the semester; the second will be a status report. Mr. LeBel emphasized that the forum will not substitute for robust faculty governance. The first forum will be on Thursday, September 17 in Gamble 7. Because the State Board is meeting at UND that day, the Board members and the chancellor have been invited to attend as observers. Mr. LeBel indicated that he expects the discussion at the first forum to include pandemic planning, especially continuity of instruction, since that planning has been ongoing.

Ms. Hume asked for corrections or additions to the minutes of the May 7, 2009 meeting. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as distributed.

The question period was opened at 4:17 p.m.

a. Mr. Petros posed a question for the Provost. When publicizing the forum, will there be topics or an open forum listed? Mr. LeBel indicated that there will be an announcement that will include known topics; however, this is intended to be an opportunity for deans and the provost to listen concerns and ideas.

b. Mr. Perkins asked about UND foodservice and advertising junk food. Ms. Brekke indicated that she will have the director of dining services come to the Senate meeting to describe the food selection process, etc. Mr. Murphy indicated that the vending machines in the Medical School describe nutritional and caloric content of items. That may be a new effort on the part of dining services.

c. Mr. Murphy indicated that there were consultants on campus last year to review the Intellectual Property Policy. He has not seen a report on the policy presented to the Senate. Mr. Kelley indicated that he reviewed a report from the committee and assigned it to the Vice President for Research. He also indicated that there is an effort to take a look at Intellectual Property across the University and there will be a report back to Senate by the end of the semester.

d. Mr. Dewar asked about the delay to get keys to new faculty and graduate assistants. Ms. Brekke indicated she is aware of the problem and that it was a staffing issue. The hope is that this is a one-time issue and is being addressed.

e. Mr. Murphy asked about an accounting services issue for reimbursement for use of alumni funds and asked if there was a change. Mr. LeBel described some restrictions with the narrow guidelines. He indicted that if issues arise they should be brought to the Provost.

f. Mr. Guy asked about senate authority regarding the logo. Mr. Kelley indicated that the SBHE has sole authority and would direct the University how to act after October 1, 2009. Mr. Guy asked about implications for communication, etc., regarding the decision and guiding the University forward after the October date. Mr. Kelley indicated that the Senate would be kept aware.

The question period closed at 4:30 p.m.

The annual report of the Senate Committee on Committees was presented. It was moved by Mr. Poochigian and seconded by Mr. Perkins to accept the report. There was no discussion and the report was approved.

The annual report of the Senate Standing Committee on Faculty Rights was presented. It was moved by Mr. Stofferahn and seconded by Mr. Bridewell to accept the report. There was no discussion and the report was approved.

The August, 2009 candidates for degrees were presented. It was moved by Mr. Haskins and seconded by Mr. Dewar to approve the candidates. The motion passed with a vote of 55 for and 1 abstention.

10.

Ms. Demers, past chair, and Ms. Combs, new chair, of the Honorary Degrees Committee presented requested changes for the Honorary Degree Committee process. The three changes are regarding: the time schedule for reviewing nominations by adding a second cycle; a change in criterion number five regarding scholarship specialization; and a change in procedure which flows from the criterion changes. Discussion ensued. Mr. Perkins moved approval. Ms. Smart seconded the motion and the changes were approved unanimously.

11.

Ms. Goodwin, chair of the Committee on Committees, conducted the election. She first thanked all the nominees for their willingness to serve. The vice chair nominees presented were Kathy Smart and Curt Stofferahn. There were no nominations from the floor. The voting occurred and Kathy Smart was elected.

12.

The Senate Executive Committee nominees presented were Gail Bass, Michele Iiams, and Rhonda Schwartz. There were no nominations from the floor. The voting occurred and Michele Iiams was elected.

13.

The Committee on Committees nominees presented were Royce Blackburn, Ann Flower, and Deborah Worley. There were no nominations from floor. Voting occurred and Royce Blackburn and Ann Flower were elected.

14.

The student representative on the Senate Executive Committee nominee was Tyrone Grandstrand. There was a motion to accept the ballot by acclamation. There was a second and Tyrone Grandstrand was approved.

15.

Since the election of Kathy Smart to the vice chair position caused an opening on the Senate Executive Committee, an additional vote took place. Nominations were solicited from the floor for the newly vacant position on SEC. The nominations were Curt Stofferahn, Gail Bass and Rhonda Schwartz. Nominations ceased, a vote was conducted and Curt Stofferahn was elected.

16.

During the election, Ms. Hume conducted the Senate orientation. The orientation described senate responsibilities and senate committee roles and procedures. The complete orientation can be viewed at: http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/registrar/senate/SenateMotions.ppt.

17.

The Curriculum Committee report was presented by Liz Tyree, Curriculum Committee chair. There was a motion by Mr. Haskins to approve and a second by Mr. Murphy. The report was approved unanimously.

18.

Bradley Myers, chair of the Conflict of Interest/Scientific Misconduct Committee, presented proposed changes to the Conflict of Interest Policy. He explained that his intent was to introduce the changes to the Senate and ask for a vote at the next meeting. After Mr. Myers presented the history of the policy and proposed changes, discussion ensued. Mr. Myers invited senators to send any suggested changes or concerns to him. He indicated he would prepare responses to the questions or concerns for the next meeting.

19.

Mr. Haskins moved to adjourn the meeting, Ms. Smart seconded the motion, and the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Suzanne Anderson

Secretary to the Senate