Site Index

The minutes of the meeting on April 17, 2000, were approved as posted on the Senate web site.

Glenn asked each committee chair to summarize the objectives for his or her committee. M. Miller suggested that committee materials for the Board of Trustees should go to the faculty member of the Board. It also was noted that communications intended for committees of the Tennessee House or Senate should be sent to the Executive Committee. Miller suggested that "With approval of the Executive Committee," be inserted at the beginning of item 6 in the first part of the memorandum on objectives. B. Lyons suggested that the faculty member of the Board be asked to keep the Executive Committee informed of Board activities.

B. Lyons reviewed last year's activities of the Budget Committee and the objectives for this year. R. Hamilton then distributed copies of three documents. One was a memo to Executive Vice President Emerson Fly concerning the Knoxville campus salary distribution plan. Another was the 1999-00 Faculty Salary Survey by Discipline. The third was a table titled "September 1, 2000 Faculty Pool Distribution." Hamilton noted that funding for salary increases associated with cumulative reviews came from the new salary pool. Concern about the inclusion of Distinguished Scientists' salaries in departmental averages also was expressed. The Budget Committee charge was not changed.

K. Greenberg reviewed the charge for the Bylaws Committee. She noted that a draft revision of the Bylaws should be available by the end of the year, but it is expected that changes will be made next year. Miller noted that the Senate has informal relationships that one would not want to damage in proposing revisions.

F. Weber reviewed the objectives for the Educational Policy Committee. B. Blass said he would like to see a stronger statement on the Senate's interaction with the administration on New College. Glenn suggested delaying that discussion until another committee's objectives are discussed.

N. Cook described the objectives of the Faculty Affairs Committee. Glenn reminded everyone that the objectives listed in the memo are in addition to the duties given in the Bylaws. Blass encouraged taking a close look at current policies concerning grievances, which seem to say that one has a grievance only if the administration agrees. J. Trahern noted that there should be at least as much discussion about taking something out of the Faculty Handbook as there was about putting it in.

R. Yoder reviewed the objectives for the Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee. There were no comments.

T. Galligan described the charge for the Legislative Committee. B. Robinson noted that reports from committees intended for the Tennessee legislature should be useful to the Legislative Committee.

B. Robinson reviewed the objectives for the Library Committee and noted that the new Dean of Libraries is now on campus. Blass noted that the Library Committee has been a useful tool for previous deans.

J. Trahern summarized the charge of the Nominating Committee in one sentence. There were no comments.

B. Postow described the charge to the Professional Development Committee and noted that the committee has decided that it should continue. Glenn said he would work with Postow to reword the items in the memo and he said that the item about continuation of the committee would be deleted.

Blass reviewed the objectives for the Research Council. He observed that the Associate Vice President for Research should be added to the list of administrators in the first item. There were no comments.

G. McCutchen reviewed last year's activities of the Student Affairs Committee and this year's objectives. Only some grammatical changes were suggested.

J. Mount described the charge for the Teaching Council. There were no comments.

J. Trahern presented the charge for the Ad Hoc Committee on Honorary Degrees and described some of the difficulties the committee is considering.

M. Peterson reviewed the objectives for the Ad Hoc Committee on Technologically-Enhanced Instruction. She also read part of a memo from President Gilley to the Board of Trustees in which New College is discussed and some actions concerning New College are described. N. Cook observed that under the Board-approved Bylaws the Senate is to have a voice in the selection of certain administrators. Miller moved that the Executive Committee reaffirm its support of the principles approved by the Senate last spring concerning technologically-enhanced instruction and the faculty's role therein. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Glenn next distributed a draft memo proposing a task force on contingent workers. Miller moved the establishment of such a task force. The motion was seconded. Cook suggested using "contingent employment" rather than "contingent workers"; Glenn agreed. The Ad Hoc Committee on Technologically-Enhanced Instruction was added to a list of committees included in the memo. The motion was approved.

Miller reported on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Graduate School, of which he is a member. He also reported that the Advisory Search Committee for Provost has been formed and will meet soon. Miller, Blass and Papke are on the committee along with several more faculty. The goal is to hire a new provost by the end of spring semester.

Glenn reported that there still is an on-going negotiation with the General Counsel's Office concerning a new Faculty Handbook. He invited everyone to attend a session for new senators on September 11 and reminded everyone that the first Senate meeting is September 18.

The minutes of the meeting on August 28, 2000, were approved as posted on the Senate web site and as distributed with the agenda for the last Senate meeting.

Glenn read the names of the members of the Task Force on Contingent Employment. The members are Sam Wallace, Chair, Mark Hedrick, Roland Roberts, Fred Weber, Susan M. Smith, Jon Coddington and Marla Peterson.

He also announced that Glenn Graber will serve on the Classroom Upgrade Committee. He also reminded everyone that the AAUP State Conference meeting will occur in the University Center this Saturday.

Athletics Committee (B. English)
English said the next meeting will be held October 18 and then he identified who will serve on various committees established to deal with the different charges of the Athletics Committee.

Committee on Oversight of Student Athlete Academic Support Programs (A. Mayhew)
Mayhew distributed copies of a report from the committee and briefly discussed it. She stressed that this report is the first of a series. She also noted that a proposal that the Oversight Committee meet monthly with tutors for discussion of issues and concerns of the tutors now seems overly ambitious. In addition to tutoring, the report addresses issues concerning the satellite of the English Writing Center in the Thornton Student Life Facility, grade changes, academic advising and progression to majors, learning disability and at risk students, and benefits provided by the Office of Student Life and the Athletic Departments to some academic departments and to some faculty. The committee plans to suggest changes to the Student-Athlete Procedure Manual.

B. English commented that the Athletic Committee is not an investigative committee and asked whether the committee's charge from last spring should continue in force. The full Senate will have to answer his question.

Budget Committee (B. Glenn for B. Lyons)
Glenn read a report from Lyons which was e-mailed to the committee today.

Bylaws Committee (K. Greenberg)
Greenberg reported that the committee will meet October 9 with past presidents and will survey committee chairs about the usefulness of their committees' responsibilities.

Educational Policy Committee (F. Weber)
Weber said the committee approved minutes of two meetings of the Graduate Council. The committee plans to begin discussing the nationalization of classrooms.

Faculty Affairs Committee (N. Cook and L. Sammataro)
Cook described two subcommittees and their charges and also reported that the committee is discussing the matter of faculty titles.

Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee (R. Yoder)
Yoder reported that the committee has not met yet, but will soon. Cashability of retirement funds is a concern again this year. Tennessee is believed to be the only TIAA-CREF client state that does not allow 100% cashability. A state official has indicated willingness to write a bill to allow 50% cashability, provided state faculty agree not to raise the matter again in the near future. There was general agreement to support the 50% cashability proposal, but to agree not to raise the matter again in the near future only if the bill passes. Yoder also briefly described a possible difficulty with the transition from monthly pay to biweekly pay; faculty will not be paid for eight days of work near the transition date until they retire.

International Education Committee (K. Greenberg)
Greenberg reported that the committee is screening applications for international scholarships.

Legislative Committee (B. Glenn for T. Galligan)
There will be a legislative forum October 9 in the UC Auditorium. Questions are to be submitted before the forum.

Library Committee (B. Robinson)
Robinson said that the new dean of libraries has met with the committee. Dean Dewey said she believes the library must become a top 25 library if the university is to become a top 25 public school. She noted that Hodges Library is full and expressed concern about how to handle future storage. She raised questions about whether the library here should become the library for the new multi-campus University of Tennessee and whether it will be the library for students in New College.

Nominating Committee (B. Glenn for J. Trahern)
Glenn said that Trahern told him that the committee will report at the November Senate meeting.

Professional Development Committee (B. Postow)
Postow said A. Mayhew reported to the committee that there is less money available this year for professional development. The committee is preparing a survey of deans concerning mentoring of new faculty. She distributed copies of a draft memo on the topic of a faculty development program and copies of data on what other schools do about sabbaticals. Glenn reported that President Gilley has encouraged the Senate to complete its study and to pass a resolution in support of a professional development program. B. Robinson suggested that the memo be changed to say that applications for the faculty development program must describe how the time spent will enhance one's teaching as well as research.

Student Affairs Committee (G. McCutchen)
McCutchen reported that a meeting has been scheduled and a statement on mental health services available for students is being prepared. Privacy of student records, tutoring programs throughout the university, decorum and civility in the classroom, faculty knowledge of its responsibilities in cases of academic integrity violations, and international student travel are topics to be considered.

Teaching Council (J. Mount)
Mount briefly described what the committee is doing to carry out its charges.

Ad Hoc Committee on Technologically-Enhanced Instruction (M. Peterson)
Peterson noted that The Beacon ran an article and an editorial on New College. She expressed concern that faculty will not be allowed much input on the development of New College. She again called attention to how much already is going on here in the arena of distance education.

Revision of Faculty Handbook
Glenn distributed copies of two memos concerning revision of the Faculty Handbook. He asked that everyone send him information on the parts of the Faculty Handbook that need to be revised; he will tabulate a list and submit it to President Gilley by November 1.

University E-Mail Policy (N. Cook)
Cook recalled that a policy statement was distributed with paychecks. That version may differ from what the university has posted on the web. Cook distributed copies of House Bill No. 1328. She noted that faculty were not involved in formulating the policy. She asked whether any committee is looking into the matter of all faculty e-mail being public. There was general agreement that both the Legislative Committee and the Faculty Affairs Committee should pursue the matter. Various privacy concerns were raised.

Intellectual Property Statement (M. Miller)
Miller reported that he asked Dr. Levy about implementation of a policy on intellectual property and mediated course materials. Levy responded that Acting Provost Woods is coordinating input from the Knoxville campus and it would be appropriate for the Senate to advise Woods on the matter.

The minutes of the meeting of October 2, 2000, were approved as posted on the Senate web site and as distributed with the agenda for the last Senate meeting.

Glenn announced that on November 14, 2000, there will be an AAUP meeting with guest, Dr. Richard Moser, AAUP National Field Representative, who will speak on "The New Academic Labor System, Corporatization and the Renewal of Academic Citizenship."

Athletics Committee (B. English)
Galligan reported for English that the comparison of the academic performance of athletes to that of the student body as a whole will be a year-long project.

Budget Committee (B. Lyons)
Lyons reported that the committee will consider the living-wage matter.

Bylaws Committee (K. Greenberg)
Greenberg reported that the committee will propose a change in the membership of the Executive Committee; the proposal is to make the chief academic officer of the university an ex-officio member.

Educational Policy Committee (F. Weber)
Weber noted that the Graduate School policy of approvals for teaching 600-level courses will be replaced and colleges and departments will take on the approval function. He expressed concern over the apparent lack of an approval process for distance-learning degree programs. A. Mayhew noted that a process has been proposed.

Faculty Affairs Committee (N. Cook)
Cook reported that a subcommittee has been established to study the new UT policy concerning the privacy of e-mail.

Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee (R. Yoder)
Yoder distributed copies of a draft resolution for increased cash withdrawal at retirement. It supports an increase from the current level of 10% to a level of 50%.

International Education Committee (K. Greenberg)
Greenberg said she would like to make a brief report at the next Senate meeting.

Legislative Committee (T. Galligan)
Galligan reported that there will be a dutch-treat lunch session with Tom Ballard. Everyone is invited to attend.

Library Committee (B. Robinson)
There was nothing to add to the posted minutes.

Nominating Committee (J. Trahern)
Trahern said that members of the Executive Committee (and others) are invited to submit nominations for President-Elect. Trahern distributed a memo containing the criteria for the position.

Professional Development Committee (B. Postow)
Postow said that material on what other schools do about sabbaticals has been collected. It was suggested that the material be posted on the web. Postow will provide a proposal for distribution with the agenda for the next Senate meeting.

Research Council (B. Blass)
Glenn reported for Blass that the Research Council is inviting senior administrators to speak to the Council.

Student Affairs Committee (G. McCutchen)
McCutchen noted that student representatives are being included on subcommittees, since the student government is looking at the same questions as the Senate committee.

Teaching Council (M. Davis and J. Mount)
There was no report.

Ad Hoc Committee on Technologically-Enhanced Instruction (M. Peterson)
Peterson noted that K. High is chairing a committee to think through what is next for New College. Peterson will serve on the committee as will her counterpart at Memphis. Eduprise is to help with the creation of a business plan for New College. Peterson asked for input. B. Lyons noted that the committee's minutes include the possibility of the committee become a standing committee. Greenberg said that the Bylaws Committee is considering how the committee might best fit into the committee structure. Kurth suggested that it should be a component of the Educational Policy Committee. Greenberg expressed the view that decisions should wait for a new provost.

Honorary Degrees Committee (J. Trahern)
There was no report.

Contingent Employment Committee (S. Wallace)
There was no report.

Task Force on Faculty Titles (A. Mayhew)
Mayhew said the task force has looked seriously at the comments it received in response to its draft report. Confusion about the use of titles led to the creation of the task force. Some titles are needed for competitive reasons; some titles are out-of-date. The task force believes there should be some degree of consistency in the use of titles across unit lines; it now believes "faculty" should refer to tenured or tenure-track employees with obligations in teaching, research and service and to some other teachers and researchers. Mayhew briefly discussed the major concerns and noted that current employees with titles to be phased out will be grandfathered in. Copies of the final revised draft were not available, but Mayhew read extensively from an almost-final version. Cook expressed her hope that the Faculty Affairs Committee would have a chance to consider the revised document before it goes to the full Senate.

Commencement Committee (A. Mayhew)
Mayhew said the charge was to make commencement shorter, less noisy and more dignified. The committee's report calls for all commencements to occur on Saturdays. A separate hooding of Ph.D. students would occur the preceding evening. Students no longer would walk across the stage, although colleges could hold ceremonies in which students might walk across a stage. Summer commencement would not occur. Altering robes or caps and bringing "extra" items would be prohibited.

The minutes of the November 6, 2000, meeting were approved with the following change: end the only sentence for the Budget Committee report after the word "matter."

Glenn announced that the interview of Ruth Darling for the position of Academic Director of Thornton Center will include an open meeting at 1:00 p.m. on January 25 in McClung 1210-11.

Classroom Upgrade Report (G. Graber)
Graber briefly reviewed the committee's report which is available on the web. Recommendations for the priorities for 2001 include supplying technology at an enhanced level for three large classrooms in Alumni Memorial Hall, supplying technology at the standard level for one smaller classroom there, equipping two large classrooms at the standard level, one at the enhanced level and twelve at the basic level in HSS. Six more classrooms in HSS which were refurbished last year also will receive basic technology. The committee will discuss this semester how to spend next year's funds.

Environmental Policy Report (J. Barkenbus)
Barkenbus reported that M. English actually drafted the policy statement with input from faculty, staff and students. He requested that there be some discussion on campus of the matter. He noted that the institution has a significant impact on the community and has an opportunity to be a leader in this area. The policy includes general principles and principles of conservation, waste reduction, procurement and design. It was noted that ORNL has a tremendous amount of expertise concerning environmental matters. In response to a question from N. Cook, Barkenbus and English said that human physical safety as it relates to design is not part of their committee's charge.

Interim Vice President and Provost's Report (C. Woods)
Woods announced that another one-third of the faculty will receive computer upgrades this year and the proposals for revamping commencements will be implemented.

Ad Hoc Committee on Technologically-Enhanced Instruction (M. Peterson)
Peterson reported that President Gilley appointed a committee to rethink the mission and structure of New College; she is one of the eleven members. It appears that the name "New College" will be retained and the new mission will focus more on marketing of distance education courses/degrees/programs, with developing and staffing remaining in the hands of academic departments and colleges. The organizational structure and the reporting lines for New College staff are under consideration. C. Woods reported that New College will be part of the Department of Distance Education and Independent Study.

Peterson also reported that a subcommittee is examining issues related to use of part-time faculty for teaching distance education courses, and that the committee plans to look at the following matters: "nationalizing" of ports in classrooms, issues related to release time to develop courses, and scheduling of technologically-enhanced classrooms. Finally, Peterson reported that the committee recommends that the ad hoc committee become a standing committee of the Faculty Senate and that a proposed statement for the Bylaws is contained in the report. Glenn asked the Bylaws Committee to consider this proposal. B. Blass spoke in favor having such a committee, separate from the Educational Policy Committee.

Athletics Committee (B. English)
Glenn first recalled that at the last Senate meeting the Athletics Committee was relieved of charges to investigate further allegations about academic matters and athletics. Glenn asked for comments on the idea of devoting a substantial portion of the February 5 Senate meeting to a discussion of the allegations and the responses of various entities to them. English then reported that it appears the administration has responded well to the recommendations made by the Athletics Committee. He suggested that he might make a very brief report, A. Mayhew would like to make a much longer report and L. Bensel-Meyers also would like to speak. Glenn noted that he could alert Senators tomorrow that the meeting might last two hours. He then described a way to deal with the meeting. B. Lyons asked whether individuals not in the Senate might be invited to submit written statements for distribution to the Senators. Glenn noted that Senators might be encouraged to use the Senate list-serve for a pre-meeting discussion. He also said that the meeting could provide information and offer a public forum for those who feel there has not been sufficient public discussion of the matter; in addition, he said there should be a clear range of topics to be discussed by Mayhew and Bensel-Meyers and an understanding of issues not to be discussed. Blass spoke in favor of a deliberative meeting as opposed to a political one. J. Trahern expressed concern that attendees might want to discuss the Drake Report, which is to be made shortly before the next Senate meeting, rather than the oversight role of faculty in academic/athletics matters. There also was concern that moving the proposed discussion would suggest that the Senate is afraid of the topic. English suggested having the Mayhew report with a question/answer session and then a statement by Bensel-Meyers with another discussion. It was decided that Glenn and English would try to work out a format with Mayhew and Bensel-Meyers for the next Senate meeting.

Budget Committee (B. Lyons)
Lyons reported that the committee has posted on the web information on what constitutes a living wage in Knoxville and results of a cost analysis for implementing a new minimum wage on campus (without dealing with the resulting compression problem). He also discussed the committee's proposed resolution that the first 1 million dollars of discretionary, recurring salary funds be allocated to increasing the minimum wage for full, part-time and term employees. K. Greenberg moved that the Budget Committee be instructed to provide some rationale for the resolution. F. Weber expressed concern that the resolution does not explicitly deal with students who also are employees. It was decided that the committee should revise/expand the resolution.

Bylaws Committee (K. Greenberg)
Greenberg said that by next year it will be necessary to look at our bylaws in relation to those at Memphis and Tullahoma. Thus, it is important to have ours in good shape. Her committee will be asking other committees to consider their respective sections of the Bylaws.

Educational Policy Committee (F. Weber)
Weber reported that minutes of the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils have been approved. The committee is concerned that the faculty is not being informed about the reorganization of the Graduate School. It also would like to know why departments that regularly receive extra section money do not have that money in their budgets. Woods said that one reason for not putting the money in departmental budgets is the variation in need for the funds from term to term. He also noted that last year some funds were put in college or departmental budgets for three years to facilitate planning.

Faculty Affairs Committee (N. Cook)
Cook reported that good progress is being made on the matters of faculty titles, cumulative review of faculty, the policy on student privacy, and email privacy.

Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee (R. Yoder)
Glenn reported for Yoder that Mr. Hennessee of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System will not work to pass legislation to allow a 50% withdrawal of retirement funds, because the Senate resolution on the matter indicated an intention to continue to seek the right to withdraw 100% of one's funds.

Professional Development Committee (B. Postow)
Postow reported that the committee has revised the draft policy on professional leave. The Research Council has not yet acted on the revised version. A. Kramer of the Research Council was involved in the revision process and the Council is expected to approve the revision. Postow also reported that the committee is collecting information on faculty mentoring.

The minutes of the January 22, 2001, meeting were approved without change.

Glenn handed out governance surveys which he asked each person to complete and mail to him. He also asked for five volunteers to spend a short amount of time this Thursday on a related project. Both activities are pilot tests of survey instruments.

Nominations for Committee on Committees
Glenn reminded everyone of the Executive Committee's responsibility to nominate individuals for the Committee on Committees and distributed membership lists for voting.

Nominations for Secretary
Glenn invited nominations. Sam Jordan was the only one nominated.

Educational Policy Committee (F. Weber)
Weber reported that the committee reviewed and approved minutes of the November 9, 2000 and January 18, 2001, meetings of the Undergraduate Council. The minutes of the December 7, 2000, meeting of the Graduate Council also were reviewed and approved. Weber noted that the committee is concerned about the lack of policy on distance education.

Ad Hoc Committee on Technologically-Enhanced Instruction (M. Peterson)
Peterson reported that the committee has spent a great deal of time on New College and with the Classroom Committee. It hopes to focus on policy matters related to distance learning. Peterson noted that the consultant's report on New College has been delivered; it recommends making good use of existing resources and that New College not be a "free-standing" unit of the institution, but be placed within the existing administrative structure. The proposed budget in the report includes little funding for course development. T. Galligan asked about accreditation of distance learning programs. A. Mayhew said that, so far as she knows, overall accrediting agencies such as SACS have not commented, although some accrediting agencies for certain disciplines are commenting. Glenn suggested that Weber find out when the next SACS meeting will be and try to have a faculty representative there to speak about distance learning policies. In response to a question from Glenn, Weber reported that the Educational Policy Committee is considering the five recommendations proposed by L. Bensel-Meyers at the last meeting of the Faculty Senate. After some discussion Weber suggested that the Faculty Senate web site include a FAQ section to provide links to policies covering various difficulties which faculty and others may face. Glenn asked Weber and B. English to report to the Executive Committee on Bensel-Meyers' first four recommendations; the fifth seems to be covered by existing policy. After further discussion Glenn asked Weber to report to the Executive Committee his committee's recommendations regarding Bensel-Meyers' recommendations.

Athletics Committee (T. Galligan, Jr.)
Galligan reported that the committee has been meeting regularly and working hard. It has talked about educating new faculty and GTA's about dealing with academic fraud and other problems with students. In response to a question from N. Cook, C. Woods and A. Mayhew noted that new lecturers and part-time teachers have not been included in orientations, but should be.

Faculty Affairs Committee (N. Cook)
Cook reported that the committee is continuing to work on its previously reported projects. Its subcommittee on e-mail privacy will meet with the Legislative Committee.

Professional Development Committee (B. Postow)
Glenn reported for Postow that E. Aversa is surveying deans to determine what faculty mentoring programs are in place.

Bylaws Committee (K. Greenberg)
Glenn reported for Greenberg that recommendations concerning committees will be ready for the April meeting. He distributed recommendations on other matters and asked how to proceed with the document. It was decided to include in the next Faculty Senate meeting agenda packet an "alert" that the recommendations will be distributed at the meeting. This approach will allow time to "clean up" the current document.

Budget Committee (B. Lyons)
Lyons reported that the committee has not met recently but will meet soon. He distributed copies of a revised version of an earlier resolution on a living wage and an alternate resolution from the Living Wage Campaign. He asked for comments to guide the committee. A final proposed resolution and more data will be ready for distribution with the next agenda packet.

Resolution Concerning Athletics Gratuities
Glenn distributed a resolution from Senator MacMorran. It calls for the Faculty Senate to endorse a 1995 policy statement of the American Association of University Professors. M. Miller noted that there are positive aspects to some of the activities in which faculty, administrators and members of governing boards are invited to participate. J. Trahern noted that the 1991 resolution of the Faculty Senate eliminated faculty input in some cases. S. Kurth noted that the proposed resolution encourages certain behavior, but does not demand it. Mayhew suggested that the resolution would be improved by including a reaffirmation of the 1991 resolution and deletion of the 1995 AAUP statement. Mayhew suggested that it would be helpful for the Faculty Senate, or some of its committees, to inform relevant journalists about some of the faculty activities related to athletics in hopes of getting out a more accurate picture of the university.

Provost's Report (C. Woods)
Woods noted that budget hearings with colleges will occur March 8-29, and the faculty computer upgrade program will continue this year with emphasis on laptops.

The minutes of the February 19, 2001, meeting were approved without change.

Glenn read a list of questions that had been generated at an earlier meeting. Bayer noted that we no longer have "automatic" admission standards. There are no separate UT standards for athletes. The NCAA has a set of "clearinghouse" standards which must be met by athletes. Exceptions are made for all students, including athletes, especially in connection with the January 15 admission deadline. Athletic coaches play no role in the process. Bayer also said that the admission process does abide by the recently passed Faculty Senate resolution on academic requirements for admission, retention and graduation.

A. Mayhew noted that many athletes cannot afford to pay application fees at several places and, therefore, wait to apply until after they decide where to play; however, their records are considered earlier to determine whether they qualify. She said she believes the correct question is whether the scores of athletes are concentrated near the bottom of the scores of all those admitted. For football and men's basketball players the scores are so concentrated. The data to compare athletes with such scores to non-athletes with similar characteristics and scores is not easily available.

In response to a question from M. Miller, Bayer said that admissions officers are aware that an applicant is a potential scholarship athlete. He also noted that one of the two essays each applicant writes allows the student to describe extenuating circumstances in his or her background. T. Galligan asked how being an athlete in the admission process rates in relation to other talents. Mayhew noted that an athlete can go to junior college, but must complete a certain percent of degree requirements before transferring to a four-year institution. She also said that there is not a clear "football" major and that athletes who apply and have certified learning disabilities are re-certified.

Contingent Employment (S. Wallace)
Wallace presented data from fall term, 1990, and fall term, 2000. During that period the number of undergraduate student credit hours increased significantly, the percentage taught by tenured and tenure-track faculty decreased from 67% to 42%, that taught by contingent faculty increased from 11% to 25% and that taught by GTAs increased from 22% to 33%.

Athletics Committee (B. English)
English said reports on the academic status of athletes and on faculty fitness opportunities are nearing completion. P. Pierce is being recommended to chair the committee next year. The Thornton Center will be open for visits on April 21.

Budget Committee (B. Lyons)
Glenn read a message from Lyons. The committee has received faculty salary data and is "crunching the numbers" in hopes of reporting in early April.

Bylaws Committee (K. Greenberg)
Greenberg distributed copies of the committee's recommendations for changes in the Bylaws concerning committees. She asked for reactions and for comments on the Committee on Committees. She also needs information from committee chairs on staggered memberships.

Educational Policy Committee (F. Weber)
Weber reported that the committee met on March 4 and considered minutes from a Graduate Council meeting. Permission to teach 600-level courses now rest in departments and colleges. The minutes were approved. The committee also discussed proposed changes in the Bylaws that concern the committee and the five recommendations of L. Bensel-Meyers.

Faculty Affairs Committee (N. Cook and L. Sammataro)
Cook said that the committee has a report on cumulative reviews. She distributed two recommendations. One asks for annual reports from the administration on the status of tenure and tenure-track faculty lines. The other asks for annual reports from the administration on the status of changes in non-tenure-track teaching faculty; information on the specific type of data desired is included.

Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee (R. Yoder)
Yoder said the 50% cashability bill seems to be alive in the state legislature. The committee also is collecting examples of travel costs offered by the sole travel agency versus costs available elsewhere.

Legislative Committee (T. Galligan, Jr.)
Some of the committee members will go to Nashville later in the current legislative session. He noted that complaints about the current e-mail policy concern the university's implementation rather than the legislation passed by the legislature.

Library Committee (B. Robinson)
Glenn said he would e-mail Robinson's written report to the committee.

Student Affairs Committee (G. McCutchen)
McCutchen said the committee will meet tomorrow and report later.

Provost's Report (C. Woods)
Woods reported that budget hearings for the colleges have begun. He also noted that the number of graduate students is declining. A committee to study the matter has reported and he will report later. Woods also has appointed a committee to study the honors program; it is expected to report soon.

The minutes of the March 12 meeting were approved with the following change requested by A. Mayhew: under Admissions and the Student Athlete delete "and a set of partial qualifying standards" in the fourth sentence of the first paragraph and "who is a partial qualifier" in the fourth sentence of the third paragraph.

Combs distributed a preliminary production schedule for the Faculty Senate Newsletter for 2001-2002. He plans four issues of probably six pages each. He would like to have an editorial advisory committee and would like to distribute the publication widely. Glenn cautioned that the schedule has the first two issues coming out rather close to one another and suggested distributing the first issue about September 1. Others agreed.

Glenn asked committee chairs to provide him with printed copies of the committee reports or to bring copies to the meeting. He also asked to be informed of needs to speak at the meeting and estimates of the time that might be required. He also would like to be informed of items that might be delayed until next year. He invited suggestions for handling the large volume of business to be considered. It was suggested that the proposed bylaws changes and synopses of them be distributed prior to the meeting and insist that those with concerns indicate those concerns before the meeting. N. Cook noted that substantive changes must be announced before the meeting. J. Trahern suggested advancing all action items to the beginning of the agenda.

Faculty Affairs Committee (N. Cook)
Cook noted that the issue of the privacy of student records will be studied further next year. The issue of e-mail privacy also will be deferred because there has not yet been a response to an inquiry sent to University Counsel. She next discussed recommended changes in the Manual for Faculty Evaluation. These changes concern membership on the review team and treatment of faculty receiving an evaluation of unsatisfactory performance. Cook also described a recommended change to the general appeals procedures in the Faculty Handbook and a recommendation that the President of the Faculty Senate should be able to contact every faculty member by e-mail directly. She concluded by describing a court action concerning the matter of a school official changing grades; it essentially suggests that school officials can unilaterally change a student's grade without notifying the instructor. A Tennessee legislator may introduce a proposed law to create for the faculty member a statutory interest in the assignment of grades and to identify a mechanism for changing grades to correct errors. Glenn asked whether the matter should be included in the agenda for the next meeting. It was decided to place the matter under New Business.

Library Committee (B. Robinson)
On behalf of Robinson, Glenn presented a resolution concerning increased funding for the University Libraries. B. Postow noted that the use of peer institutions for comparison might be inappropriate. J. Trahern and F. Weber expressed concern with the part about distance education and suggested having two resolutions. Glenn will confer with Robinson about these matters.

Budget Committee (B. Lyons)
On behalf of Lyons, Glenn presented a resolution concerning the possible privatization of housekeeping services in the UT dormitories. It calls for a thorough assessment of the cost-benefits of privatization. B. English noted that some outsourcing saves money without hurting university units. After further discussion, it was decided to insert "with Service Solutions" between "contracts" and "for" in the first "Resolved" statement.

Contingent Employment Committee (S. Wallace)
Wallace reported that the task force is convinced that the issue of contingent faculty is fundamental to the nature of the institution. The entire committee is asking that its term of office be extended another year.

Educational Policy Committee (F. Weber)
Weber reported that the committee approved the minutes of the Graduate Council meeting of March 8, 2001.

Athletics Committee (B. English)
English distributed copies of several items. These include "A Report on Student Athlete Academic Performance" and the first five pages of "Physical Fitness Opportunities for Faculty and Staff at the University of Tennessee." He had no action items. The material will be posted on the web.

Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee (R. Yoder)
Yoder reported that the Tennessee Senate has passed a bill to allow withdrawal of up to 50% of one's retirement funds.

Student Affairs Committee (G. McCutchen)
McCutchen reported that A. Mayhew's office probably will take responsibility for updating information on tutoring programs. A subcommittee has proposed a document to inform faculty of their responsibilities in academic dishonesty cases. McCutchen is hoping to receive copies of guidelines on study-abroad programs.

Teaching Council (M. Davis)
Davis reported that there were few complaints about the new forms used for teaching evaluations. She also reported that there is a need to advertise better the faculty teaching awards.

Glenn announced that he would use e-mail to configure the Executive Council to serve this summer.

N. Cook reported that efforts are still being made to determine whether any faculty evaluations of academic administrators have been held this year. There is a report that the program has been suspended. The matter will be on the agenda for the next Faculty Senate meeting.

Glenn thanked those remaining for their contributions during the year.

M. Miller reported earlier for Woods, who had to leave, that Woods hopes everyone will comment on the proposed master plan for the campus.