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Jack Reese, in accord with the positive Faculty Senate vote, indicated that he has recommended to President Boling and the Board of Trustees the adoption of a semester calendar for UTK. A committee from the Board of Trustees will be appointed to study the issue carefully before the Board takes action on the recommendation. Full details of the Reese rationale for a semester calendar will be published in the first fall quarter issue of Context. Reese will also address the full Senate on this matter at the 1 October meeting.

Jack Reese is in the process of appointing a committee to search for a replacement for Howard Aldmon, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, who died this summer. The Executive Committee agreed that Bruce Wheeler, chair of the Senate Student Affairs Committee, would be an appropriate faculty member to serve on the committee. It was also agreed that a member of the Senate Executive Committee should serve on the search committee. Fred Venditti, after consultation with members of the Executive Committee, will submit to the Chancellor the name of the person selected to represent the Executive Committee.

The final item which Jack Reese discussed with the Executive Committee had to do with a proposal from the Undergraduate Council dealing with course requirements for UTK admission. This policy had been presented -to the Senate last year, but. action was delayed at -that tine to allow for further study. The Chancellor at today's meeting requested that the Senate act on the proposal at the 1 October meeting. The Executive Committee agreed to this request and instructed the secretary to distribute appropriate information to all Senators prior to the meeting. New Senators will receive additional information regarding the proposal at their orientation meeting on 18 September.

Homer Fisher reported that THEC had approved in principle changing the formula by which state allocations are made to UTK. Instead of the historical enrollment driven formula, the new approach will recognize the mission differential of institutions of higher education within Tennessee. UTK will be compared with peer institutions across the country instead of sister institutions within the state. The University of South Carolina model has also been proposed as an alternative means of determining student/faculty cost ratios. Fisher distributed charts to illustrate the concepts ant agreed to present the information to the full Senate at the 1 October meeting.

Fred Venditti, who was in attendance at the recent Dean's retreat, reported that a great deal of discussion centered on a faculty workload policy which was being developed at the request of the Provost's Office. George Wheeler explained that the policy was necessary because state auditors had questioned the lack of one and that some sort of flexible policy is necessary for good management. Wheeler indicated that as soon as a workable policy has been developed, it will be presented to the Senate Executive Committee for appropriate disposition.

The following members of the Senate Executive Committee agreed to attend luncheons for the three candidates being interviewed for the Vice Provost for Research position: Frandsen, Goslee, Hess, Hilty, Kennedy, Lay, Schaefer, Venditti. Dates are October 3, 8, 11 at 12:10 P.M. in room 218 of the University Center. Hugh Welch agreed to attend on October 8 and 11.

Henry Frandsen, co-chair of the Joint Ad Hoc Senate/Provost's Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Procedures, presented the preliminary draft of the nine page report to the Executive Committee. He explained the 18 recommendations in detail, but stressed that revisions in the draft were being made as a result of discussions at the Dean's retreat and that members of the Executive Committee are welcome to offer modifications. Senate action will ultimately be required before revised procedures in appointment, promotion and tenure are incorporated in the Faculty Handbook.

Bernie Silverstein distributed the second draft of a proposed revised inclement weather policy. The Executive Committee was requested consider the policy and give suggestions to Silverstein. Following consideration at the next Executive Committee meeting on 15 October, the proposal will be presented to the full Senate at the 29 October meeting.

Fred Venditti informed the group that he, Marian Moffett and Henry Fribourg had met with Emerson Fly to discuss the decision to make American Express cards available to the faculty at university expense. Fly indicated that the decision was made to alleviate the necessity of allocating travel advances, but that he would inform the faculty by memorandum that advances could still be considered on an individual basis. Fly also mentioned that graduate students could still be reimbursed in advance.

Fred Venditti, on behalf of the Senate, expressed outrage to the, Chancellor's Office over recent acts of anti-Semitism which were reported in the local press. The spokesperson for the Chancellor was also outraged, but had reason to believe the act may well have been the work of one disgruntled student and did not reflect widespread prejudice on the campus. Acts of this type, however, will not be tolerated and every effort will be made to apprehend those responsible.

1. Jack Reese has invited the Executive Committee to lunch at noon on Thursday, 1 November in the University Center. Room assignment was not announced.

2. Fred Venditti had an opportunity to meet with Lt. Governor Wilder when Wilder was on campus recently. Venditti took the opportunity to mention higher education funding needs.

3. Comments by members of the Executive Committee who met candidates for the Vice Provost for Research position have been given to George Wheeler by Fred Venditti.

4. Venditti welcomed Michelle Walker, chairperson of the Undergraduate Academic Council, to the Executive Committee.

George Wheeler expressed appreciation to the faculty for their participation in the interview process of the three candidates for the Vice Provost for Research position. Wheeler stated that he has received a thoughtful analysis of each candidate from several different faculty groups, but there has not been consensus on a particular candidate. The decision should be made next week; an official announcement will follow immediately.

Wheeler indicated that the new Vice Provost for Research would attempt to increase the stature of the Research Council so that there would be stronger faculty involvement in research efforts on the campus.

Wheeler reported that the Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure continues to give careful consideration to these important faculty concerns and that faculty will be kept apprised of the deliberations. Henry Frandsen is co-chair of the committee.

On another matter of great faculty interest, the faculty workload policy, Wheeler informed the group that this matter had been considered by the Provost's staff and the deans and is now under consideration by department heads. As soon as there is a policy in draft form, the Senate Executive Committee will be asked for reactions. Full Senate approval will be necessary for a faculty workload policy to be implemented by the UTK administration.

Alex Van Hook, chair of the Research Council, reported that the faculty patent and copyright policy would be presented to the Board of Trustees at the 19 October Board meeting. A lengthy discussion followed which focused on the process by which the policy had been developed. Several members of the Executive Committee expressed concern, not necessarily with the substance of the policy, but with the fact that the Faculty Senate had not been asked to approve it officially. Van Hook assured the group that he would explain the process to the full Senate at the 29 October meeting.

As a result of the patent and copyright discussion, Fred Venditti appointed a committee (LeRoy Graf, chair; Bernie Silverstein and Hugh Welch) to draft a statement which would express concerns to the UT system administration regarding the lack of faculty approval in this particular instance as well as concerns relative to the implementation of any policy with faculty consequences which has not been approved by the faculty through the Senate.

It was also suggested that this issue be raised at the counselor's meeting with the President which is to be held in Memphis in November.

Bernie Silverstein presented a revision of the inclement weather policy. The Executive Committee approved the revised policy and asked Silverstein to present it to the full Senate at the 29 October meeting.

Bernie Silverstein, chair, reported that the committee, along with the Senate Budget Committee, had met with Bill Fox, Research Assistant Professor with the Center for Business and Economic Research, and Joe Johnson, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Development. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss political and economic considerations related to tax reform. Johnson encouraged those present at the meeting to make their positions known to the Governor and other members of the State Legislature.

The Senate Legislative Committee will be meeting with the Knox County Legislative Delegation shortly after the election.

On another legislative matter, it was suggested that John Bragg be invited to give his slide presentation on tax reform to the Senate on 26 November which is reserved for a called Senate meeting. Silverstein will extend the invitation to Bragg, and if there is no need for other Senate business, this date could be used for an open faculty meeting provided Bragg is able to attend. Appropriate announcements will be made as the situation dictates.

Marian Moffett, chair, reported that the committee had met and was considering various options regarding administrative membership in the Senate. However, there are some issues being considered by the Educational Policy Committee related to this particular aspect of the bylaws which would make it difficult to make immediate recommendations on this matter. Nonetheless, the Bylaws Committee will present a recommendation to the Senate on administrative membership sometime during this academic year.

Henry Frandsen, Nancy Lay, Marian Moffett and Fred Venditti, who attended the recent faculty counselor's meeting in Memphis with President Boling, gave their perceptions of the meeting. They indicated that in their views such meetings were beneficial, since they give faculty from within the UT system an opportunity to interact with each other and with Boling and his staff on a somewhat informal basis. They also related that the faculty counselors determine the agenda by submitting topics in advance of the meeting and that President Boling is candid in his response to the agenda items. Another impression was that the system administration does not dictate policy to UT system schools. For example, items on the agenda included such things as uniform policies in terms of faculty salaries, evaluations, and student admissions. In a discussion of these topics Boling indicated that the formulation of policies of this nature would remain the prerogative of each campus.

Venditti reported that he did not have an opportunity at the meeting to express the Senate's concern about the process involved in the adoption of the new patent and copyright policy by the UT administration. Venditti has, however, scheduled a meeting with Boling to discuss the matter.

Bernie Silverstein, chair of the Legislative Committee, announced that State Representative John Bragg will give a slide presentation on tax reform in Tennessee on Wednesday, November 28, 1984 at 3:15 P.M. in the Shiloh Room of the University Center.

Since the meeting will replace the Senate meeting scheduled for November 26, Venditti indicated that he would write individual letters to Senators urging them to attend. In addition to Senators, all faculty, staff and students are to be invited as well as the Knox County Legislative Delegation.

Fred Venditti reported that he had been asked to investigate a decision made by the Fulbright Screening Committee (a subcommittee of the International Education Committee) regarding low ratings which that committee had assigned two student proposals. Venditti related that in the course of acting on this request he had consulted with Provost George Wheeler and the Chairman of the Faculty Affairs Committee, Henry Frandsen, and had talked with the Chairman of the International Education Committee, David Harrison, and the Director of the Division of International Education, David Larsen. After hearing Venditti's review of the situation, the Executive Committee readily agreed that it should not sit in judgment of another senate committee and had no wish to do so. The members agreed further that, with regard to the case reported by Venditti, the available information suggested that the Fulbright screening had been done carefully. Finally, there was consensus that the Executive Committee might properly explore with the help of the International Education Committee (IEC) the adequacy with which Senate Bylaws spell out the procedures to be followed by the IEC in meeting its scholarship screening responsibilities. Accordingly, Venditti was instructed to request in writing from the IEC the procedures it follows in doing its screening work and the criteria which determine what the committee "looks at" when evaluating scholarship applicants. If this information could be obtained, it was felt Venditti could then appoint an ad hoc group from the Executive Committee to study it and make appropriate recommendations.

Henry Frandsen, co-chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, reported that it had come to his attention that some definite policies are needed regarding the rights and privileges of faculty and students working in the Graduate School of Biomedical Science located in Oak Ridge. After some discussion, the Executive Committee instructed Frandsen to meet with Provost Wheeler and to suggest the possibility that Wheeler assign the new Vice Provost for Research the responsibility for studying the matter; the general consensus was that this might be a top priority responsibility for the new Vice Provost.

In response to the concern about administrative chairs of the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils, Venditti indicated that the Educational Policy Committee is studying this, and that he will contact Lee Humphreys, chair of the committee, to inquire about the status of the study.

Henry Frandsen related that the committee studying promotion and tenure policies will have a draft for the Executive Committee in January. It was suggested that this draft proposal be distributed widely (perhaps published in Context) so that all faculty will have an opportunity to discuss it before Senate action is ultimately requested.

At the request of Jack Reese, Fred Venditti called today's special meeting of the Executive Committee. The primary purpose of the meeting was for Reese to inform the Committee of an impending announcement by Governor Alexander concerning the establishment of a venture capital firm of private investors who will enter into some kind of arrangement with the University Research Corporation. As Reese explained, details of the arrangement are still being discussed, but the Chancellor wanted to provide some information to representatives of the Faculty Senate before the announcement appears in the media. more information will be provided as the situation develops.

Bernie Silverstein expressed concern about whether the interests of individual faculty members would be well represented in the venture capital arrangement. In response to this concern, Reese suggested that a meeting be scheduled with John Prados, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, so that this concern could be expressed directly. Alex Van Hook, Fred Venditti, and Bernie Silverstein agreed to meet with Jack Reese and Prados provided the Chancellor could schedule such a meeting.

Fred Venditti distributed a copy of an article entitled "Athletic Event Becomes Needless Religious Forum" by Eric Selbo, sports writer for the Daily Beacon, which was published on 19 November in the Daily Beacon. Selbo's article was critical of a halftime event which consisted of witnessing by one of the players from the Spirit Express, a team which is composed of Christian athletes who have graduated from college and who travel around the country playing basketball and proselytizing Christianity.

In a discussion of this matter, the Executive Committee agreed that witnessing at athletic events is inappropriate at UTK since it violates the principle of separation of church and state. Based on this principle, the Executive Committee suggested the following: a) a letter be sent from the Executive Committee to Bob Woodruff, Men's Athletic Director, which expresses concern about the inappropriateness of religious witnessing at athletic events and request that Woodruff reply by mid-January giving assurance that the Athletic Department will not allow such religious activities to occur in the future (Anne Mayhew agreed to draft such a letter.); and b) Fred Venditti should express, by phone, appreciation to Selbo for the Beacon article.

Fred Venditti reported that he had met with President Boling to inform Boling that the Senate was generally of the opinion that the new patent policy should have received Senate approval before it was adopted by the University. Boling responded that John Prados had developed the policy with faculty consultation and had received substantial faculty reaction to the proposal before adoption. Boling also indicated that the Board of Trustees has certain prerogatives, the patent policy being one, which do not require Senate action. Boling expressed complete willingness to appear before the Senate to discuss the issue of Senate/Board of Trustees authority, if such a discussion is requested.

Venditti announced that he and Henry Fribourg, chair of the Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee, had met with Eli Fly concerning a phased retirement policy. Fly indicated that such a policy was being developed and may be available in about eighteen months.

Venditti distributed a memo which he had sent to David Harrison, chair of the International Education Committee. In the memo, Venditti suggested specific information which Harrison could share with the Executive Committee concerning screening procedures for international scholarships including Fulbrights. Harrison has agreed to meet with the Executive Committee on 7 January 1985 to provide the information requested and discuss in detail the entire matter of screening procedures.

Henry Frandsen, co-chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, related that he and Fred Venditti had met with Provost Wheeler to discuss problems associated with the School of Biomedical Science located at Oak Ridge. According to Frandsen, Wheeler is very much aware of these problems, but indicated that it might take two or three years to improve the situation significantly. In the meantime, Wheeler will assign the School of Biomedical Science to the new Vice Provost for Research as a top priority item.

Bernie Silverstein, chair, announced that the John Bragg meeting on tax reform scheduled for 28 November had been postponed. Bragg was unable to attend at that time, but Silverstein will attempt to schedule another meeting sometime during winter quarter.

Silverstein informed the group that the Legislative Committee would host a luncheon meeting with the Knox County Legislative Delegation on 4 December 1984 at the University Center.

A meeting of a small group of representatives from higher education scheduled for 21 January (the Murfreesboro meeting explained in the Senate minutes of 14 January 1985, page three, number two) was postponed and rescheduled for some time in February in Murfreesboro. Venditti will inform the Senate about the results of this meeting as well as efforts to establish a state-wide organization of faculty governance bodies from institutions of higher education.

The Hesler Teaching Award will be presented at the 11 February Senate meeting. Senators are invited to a reception in the Graduate Lounge in the university Center to honor the recipient following the Senate meeting.

The Board of Trustees has approved the new UTK entrance requirements which had been approved by the Senate in October 1984. There was one modification in the requirements as approved by the Board: students who come from high schools which do not offer a foreign language will be allowed to take the language at UTK for elective credit.

There was some discussion of this modification, but the Executive Committee generally agreed that it was a reasonable compromiser and that in terms of elective credit, individual colleges would need to determine whether this meant free elective or humanities elective.

George Wheeler observed that in a recent study completed by his staff, it was revealed that only 5 per cent of current UTK students graduated from high schools which did not offer foreign language.

This topic was on the agenda for President Boling's Faculty Counselor's meeting scheduled for 28 January. However, due to the weather, the meeting was postponed. It will be rescheduled, and this topic will be considered at that time.

Bernard Silverstein, chair, reported that his committee would be meeting next week with Chancellor Reese and other members of the administrative staff. A major topic for discussion will be tax reform.

Henry Frandsen, co-chair, indicated that this committee would be meeting on 4 February to consider revisions in the grievance process.

Henry Frandsen discussed the proposed revisions in the Faculty Handbook which deal with promotion and tenure. He stated that 15 department heads had responded in writing to the proposed revisions and raised concerns about four of the 14 items listed in the proposal: 1) requirement of departmental bylaws; 2) suggestion for outside reviewers; 3) providing written reasons, upon request, when tenure is denied; and 4) college level review committees.

Several members of the Executive Committee expressed concern about an item dealing with yearly review of probationary faculty members. They felt this section should be clarified so that the department bead would be required to consult with faculty in the yearly review process. Frandsen and Anne Mayhew, co-chairs of the Faculty Affairs Committee, agreed that this clarification was needed. The adjustment will be made before the full Senate receives the proposal.

Hugh Welch moved that the Executive Committee accept in principle the proposed revisions in the promotion/tenure policies.

The motion passed.

The Senate will receive the proposal at the 11 February meeting and will consider it at the 11 March meeting.

George Wheeler had sent a copy of the proposed faculty workload policy to Venditti, but it had not been circulated to other members of the Executive Committee. Venditti will circulate it so that it can be considered at the 25 February Executive Committee meeting.

Anne Mayhew will distribute to the Executive Committee, for consideration at the 25 February meeting, a proposal which deals with procedures for faculty involvement in UT system administrative appointments. The intent is to eventually gain Senate approval of the procedures at all UT system institutions.

George Wheeler informed the group that the Student Undergraduate Academic Council had written to Wheeler requesting that he recommend a Faculty Senate Committee be appointed to study ways to develop and implement required evaluations of faculty and courses. Wheeler gave the letter to Venditti.

Bernard Silverstein indicated that he had received complaints from students about the lack of extended library hours during examination periods. Silverstein will pursue this complaint with Wheeler and the Senate Library Committee.

Lee Humphreys, chair, distributed a draft copy of five proposals which the Educational Policy Committee will eventually recommend to the full Senate. The proposals deal with the composition of the Educational Policy Committee, the manner in which curricular materials are presented to the Senate, and the chairs of the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils. The Executive committee voted to endorse the proposals, and instructed Humphreys to present them, providing time permits, at the 11 March Senate meeting. A vote on the proposals will be taken at the 8 April Senate meeting.

Anne Mayhew had distributed, prior to today's meeting, a one-page document entitled "A Statement of Procedures for Administrative Appointments". After some discussion, Mayhew agreed to some minor modifications in the statement and to present the revised procedures at the 25 March Executive Committee meeting. The intent is for the Senate to take action on the proposal at the 8 April meeting.

George Wheeler discussed briefly the faculty workload policy which had been distributed earlier to members of the Executive Committee. The committee suggested one change in the policy; adding public service and advising to the reasons given for reducing teaching load. Wheeler agreed to the change and will incorporate it into the policy before presenting it for final review at the 25 March Executive Committee meeting.

Marian Moffett moved that the Executive Committee endorse the faculty workload policy. The motion passed. The policy will be presented to the Senate at the 8 April meeting.

In a matter related to faculty workload, Wheeler mentioned that he would appoint, in the near future, a joint Provost-Senate Committee to work on a UT systemwide statement of professional responsibilities which will encompass such matters as extra service compensation for faculty.

George Wheeler reported that the recent hearings on the change from quarters to semesters had gone smoothly. The subcommittee from the Board of Trustees, which is responsible for studying the question, will hold similar hearings at UT Martin on 28 February. Subsequent to the Martin meeting, the subcommittee will meet with Jack Reese and Wheeler. A decision by the Board of Trustees is expected in June.

Henry Frandsen, co-chair, informed the group that a subcommittee of the Faculty Affairs Committee is being appointed to study and recommend changes in the faculty grievance procedure.

After some discussion on the appointment, promotion and tenure policies, it was agreed that the policies had already been approved in principle by the Executive Committee and that further discussion should be postponed until the 11 March Senate meeting.

LeRoy Graf, chair of the ad hoc committee charged with making recommendations to improve the functioning of the International Education Committee, reported that his committee had met and will present a report to the Executive Committee at the 25 March meeting.

Anne Mayhew presented the following proposal which was approved by the Executive Committee.

A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

In the selection of administrative officers whose duties will affect the faculty or the academic affairs of the university,

(1) The search committee will include members of the faculty in whom the faculty has expressed confidence.

(2) Members of the faculty will have ample opportunity to study the candidates and make their opinions known to the committee.

(3) Administrative officers responsible for recommending and making the appointment will recommend or appoint only those who have the confidence of the faculty.

Administrative officers responsible for recommending and making the appointment have the right to reject those recommended by the search committee and to charge it with finding alternative candidates.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE UTK FACULTY SENATE RECOMMENDS THAT THESE PRINCIPLES BE ENDORSED BY THE SEVERAL FACULTY SENATES, THE CHANCELLORS, THE PRESIDENT, AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

In an effort to have these principles approved at all UT system schools, they will be distributed to Faculty Senates or equivalents at those institutions.

LeRoy Graf, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, distributed a three page draft Memorandum regarding the Faculty Senate International Education Committee. The memorandum outlined suggested procedures for the Committee on Committees and the International Education Committee to follow in performing their respective functions. Since, according to Graf, most of the procedures are currently being observed, the purpose of the memorandum was to establish an agreed upon set of guidelines for the future.

Insofar as the Committee on Committees procedures are concerned, there was one change: the appointments to the International Education Committee would be made at the same time as other Senate committee appointments, but members of this committee would serve for a calendar year rather than an academic year. Graf moved that this change be submitted to the Bylaws Committee. The motion passed.

There was also one change in the procedures for the International Education Committee: an appeals process has been provided for candidates seeking foreign fellowships who are dissatisfied with the screening results. Graf agreed to assist in incorporating this procedure into the Senate Bylaws.

Fred Venditti distributed a revision of the Faculty Workload Policy which had been prepared by the Provost's Office. Bernard Silverstein suggested that certain aspects of the policy should be reworded; he presented his suggested revisions to the group. After some discussion, Marian Moffett moved that Silverstein and Fred Venditti meet with George Wheeler to discuss the Silverstein revisions. The motion passed. The workload policy will be presented to the full Senate at the 6 May meeting.

Anne Mayhew reported that she, Venditti, Henry Frandsen and Patrick Hardin had met with George Wheeler to discuss the procedures used to consider faculty appeals. In an attempt to improve the procedures, a subcommittee, chaired by Hardin, has been appointed to study and make recommendations regarding the entire appeals process.

The following resolution, presented by Bernard Silverstein, was approved by the Executive Committee.

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE FACULTY SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION
OPPOSING TUITION EQUALIZATION GRANT PROGRAM LEGISLATION

WHEREAS, proposed legislation (SB648/HB442) has been introduced in the State legislature which would allow the legislature to appropriate to private institutions $500.00 for each undergraduate student who is a resident of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, additional. legislation (SB784/HB851) has been introduced which would permit the State to appropriate to students in private higher education institutions an amount equal to the appropriation for students in public institutions; and

WHEREAS, the passage of either of these bills would require the appropriation of millions of dollars of State funds; and

WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee has had difficulty in recent years providing adequate funds to support the needs of public higher education; and

WHEREAS, providing funds for private institutions of higher education would drain funds needed for public higher education and other State supported activities; and

WHEREAS, funding of private higher education may lead eventually to the State funding of private elementary and secondary education;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the UTK Faculty Senate Executive Committee express its strong opposition to the proposed State funding of private higher education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTK Faculty Senate Executive Committee express to the Governor and the members of the legislature its opposition to the proposed legislation; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the UTK Faculty Senate Executive Committee solicit support for its position with the Faculty Senates of other public institutions of higher education, and the faculty, staff, students, and alumni. of those institutions which are likely to be adversely affected.

March 25, 1985
Date Approved

Nancy E. Lay, Secretary

Fred Venditti, President

Silverstein agreed to send the resolution to schools of higher education in Tennessee, to members of the legislature, and to the Governor. It was also agreed, time permitting, that the resolution will be presented to the entire Senate for possible endorsement.

Nancy Goslee agreed to prepare a statement or resolution regarding the spirit of affirmative action which she will present at the next Executive Committee meeting, 22 April.

Bernard Silverstein distributed a slightly revised Faculty Workload Policy. The original policy had been developed by the Provost's Office and had been approved, in principle, by the Executive Committee. The policy, as revised according to specific suggestions from the Executive Committee, will be presented to the full Senate at the 6 May meeting.

Fred Venditti reminded the Executive Committee that the Educational Policy Committee would be presenting proposals to the full Senate at the 6 May meeting. The Executive Committee has also approved these proposals in principle.

Lee Humphreys, chair of the committee, will distribute the proposals, along with a cover letter, to all Senators prior to the meeting.

Marian Moffett mentioned that the Senate Bylaws Committee would have several substantive changes to make if the Educational Policy Committee's proposals are approved by the Senate. In a discussion of suggested bylaws changes, LeRoy Graf moved that the Bylaws Committee explore the possibility of placing certain Senate committee chairpersons, such as the Educational Policy, Legislative and Budget, on the Executive Committee. Amy Hess seconded the motion. It passed.

Henry Frandsen, co-chair, reported that the Faculty Affairs Committee will be meeting with the Provost on 29 April to discuss policy questions involved with promotion and tenure. The subcommittee, which has been appointed to study the grievance procedures, continues its work and will report sometime next year, according to Frandsen.

Fred Venditti reported that the Research Council has been active this year in an effort to enhance the research component at UTK. One activity of the Council has been to send faculty representatives to a number of selected institutions to study how they handle their research operations. Another endeavor has been to develop long- range plans for the Council. In order to work on specifics of the long-range plans, the Research Council will meet in a day-long retreat at Club LeConte on 19 April.

Fred Venditti announced that he had been contacted by the March of Dimes organization and asked to encourage faculty participation in the ten mile March of Dimes walkathon to be held on 27 April. After a brief discussion, Bernard Silverstein suggested that Venditti advertise the event in the Daily Beacon and request that interested faculty contact Venditti for details. The Executive Committee agreed to this suggestion.

Fred Venditti reported that on 13 April he attended, in Murfreesboro, a meeting of higher education representatives from all public institutions in Tennessee. This was the third meeting of this type, and the purpose was to approve bylaws which would establish a representative body of higher education faculty from across the state. The bylaws were approved, and a new organization, The Tennessee Higher Education Assembly, has come into being. The purposes of the organization are to: (1) provide a mechanism for higher education institutions to communicate with each other; (2) provide a means of channeling the informed opinions and views of higher education faculty to the appropriate individuals, authorities and groups (these views may be divergent; two-year institutions may differ from four-year and the Board of Regent's institutions may differ from UT); and (3) report consensus recommendations to appropriate individuals, authorities and groups.

Venditti, when he receives them, will share the bylaws of the new organization with the Executive Committee and the Senate.

Bernard Silverstein suggested that an ad hoc committee of faculty be appointed to study the summer school issue if the Board of Trustees approves the semester calendar at the 27 April Board meeting. George Wheeler indicated that the Semester Transition Committee will consider summer school, but perhaps it would also be appropriate to have a special faculty committee to investigate the matter.

The Executive Committee agreed unanimously to have the following statement on prayer read at the Board of Trustees meeting on 21 June. Since Fred Venditti will not be able to attend, the president-elect, Marian Moffett, will present the statement.

A UTK FACULTY SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STATEMENT TO THE UT BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGARDING PRAYERS AND PROSELYTZING ACTIVITIES AT UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC EVENTS

The uniqueness of the United States lies in its extraordinary diversity of peoples. It has long been called "A Nation of Nations" in admiration of its capacity for allowing all kinds of minority groups to thrive and flourish in a culture which has been enriched by its remarkable heterogeneity.

Our whole political system under the Constitution has been designed to protect minorities from what the Founding Fathers called "the tyranny of majorities." Of all minorities, those who differed in matters of religion were accorded special protection in the First Amendment to the Constitution. The Framers believed that religion was too private a matter to warrant the intrusion of the arm of civil society in its practice. As a matter between individuals and their Creator, religion, in their view, should be left to the individual conscience as to how such duty and devotion should be exercised. As for religious minorities, it was precisely because they were small and helpless that the Constitution sought to protect them from the intrusion of governmental power. Majorities needed no such protection; their numbers gave them this assurance.

The line which permissibly separates the lawful and unlawful employment of governmental authority in the interest of religion has never been clearly determined, and we do not presume here to offer new constitutional opinions. Nor do we hazard to suggest that public prayers of a ceremonial nature may never be proper in a secular setting, in this University or elsewhere. But we are persuaded that denominational public prayers at University athletic events and proselytizing religious activities at such functions are inappropriate, offensive to the sensibilities of adherents of some religious groups, and inconsistent with the spirit of our constitutional system.

Public athletic events are intended to provide enjoyment and pleasure. If they in any way offend the religious sensibilities and trouble the spiritual consciences of even a minority of those who attend, they tarnish the occasion and diminish the happiness of some of those present. A great university, like a great nation, does not require the public profession of its religious convictions to insure its spiritual felicity.

We urge you in the spirit of tolerance and good will to end the practice of public prayers in settings such as athletic events and to prohibit public religious ceremonies in connection with such events, because they are unnecessary, inappropriate, and offensive to many members of the University community.

After a brief discussion, James Hilty moved approval of the Constitution and Bylaws for the proposed Tennessee Higher Education Assembly. LeRoy Graf seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Fred Venditti will present the material to the full Senate at the 15 July meeting.

Marian Moffett, chair, announced that the Committee on Committees would meet on 24 May and the Bylaws Committee on 3 June.

Marian Moffett asked for suggestions for Senate secretary and several names were submitted. Moffett will attempt to have a person to recommend at the next Executive Committee meeting.

After some discussion on the Statement of Principles Regarding Administrative Appointments, the Executive Committee agreed that the next step would be to send the statement to all four chancellors of UT system schools simultaneously. This will be in the Fall since the spring term on the Martin and Memphis campuses ended before the Senates at those schools had an opportunity to take action on the proposal. UTK and UTC have already approved the principles.

The next Executive Committee meeting will be 1 July; the next Senate meeting is scheduled for 15 July.

Fred Venditti distributed to the Executive Committee copies of the remarks which he read to the Board of Trustees at their June meeting. Although the prayer statement (which appears in the 22 May minutes of the Senate Executive Committee) was included in these remarks, the Board reaffirmed their original policy of requiring prayer at football. games.

Fred Venditti announced that the Chancellor is planning a retreat for the Senate Executive Committee and members of the UTK administrative staff. Tentative dates are 16 and 17 September.

Joe Johnson has been invited to provide an arena update for the Senate. Since he is not available for the 15 July meeting, he will be asked to report at the first Senate meeting in the Fall.

Marian Moffett introduced Wayne Waller, Associate Professor and Associate Head of Electrical Engineering, who has agreed to serve as the Senate secretary beginning in the 1985-86 academic year.

Marian Moffett asked for suggestions of faculty members to serve on the semester transition committee. In addition to names submitted by the Executive Committee, it was suggested that Moffett announce to the Senate at the 15 July meeting the need for three additional faculty representatives on the committee and that interested faculty could volunteer. Moffett agreed to this suggestion.

Bernard Silverstein initiated a discussion of the revised honors policy which appears in the 23 May Undergraduate Council minutes (p. 6278). He expressed concern about the restrictiveness of the categories, particularly the 3.9 required for highest honors. Based on this concern, Silverstein moved that the Executive Committee suggest to the Undergraduate Council the following categories: Honors 3.50-3.64 (as opposed to 3.50-3.69); High Honors 3.65-3.79 (opposed to 3.70-3.89); and Highest Honors 3.80+ (opposed to 3.90+).

Nancy Goslee seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

A brief discussion, also initiated by Silverstein, was concerned with whether the Senate had been wise in voting to give priority at one Senate meeting per quarter to curricular matters. The general consensus was that since the Senate has acted on this, it should be implemented. If it proves to be ineffective, it may then be changed.