Site Index

Ziegler welcomed everyone to the 1995-96 academic year. She then recognized Past-President Paul Phillips with the presentation of a framed resolution expressing appreciation for his many accomplishments. She also presented him with a plaque and gavel for his service as President of the Faculty Senate last year. She next announced that a joint activity involving the Student Government Association and the Faculty Senate would occur later fall term and that chairpersons of Faculty Senate committees would be asked to report on committee activities at least once each term. She next reviewed a survey (distributed at meeting) of issues the Faculty Senate should address this year and a survey of computer communication available to faculty. Ziegler noted that efforts will continue to improve the flow of information to and from the Faculty Senate. In addition, the committee structure of the Faculty Senate will be studied this year. B. Blass will chair a joint Faculty Senate/Chancellor Committee on Computing; its charge is still being developed.

Snyder reviewed a draft document (distributed at meeting) on which he is working. It is titled, "REPORT TO THE UTK FACULTY, STUDENTS, STAFF, FRIENDS: WHERE ARE WE AS AN INSTITUTION? WHERE DO WE ASPIRE TO BE?" He noted that he views the document as the start of a discussion, not the last word. Snyder encouraged everyone to send him comments for consideration.

Peters reported that this year's freshman class appears to be the best for many years, perhaps ever. There are 3,508 freshmen this year. The class's average ACT score of 23.6 is up from 23.3 and the diversity of the entering class is greater than that of previous classes. Graduate enrollment is down this year to about 6,500 but total enrollment is down only about 100 students. Peters also noted the following new administrators: Mike Devine, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, John Riley, Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and Joan Creasia, Dean of Nursing. He also exhibited the newly edited "Faculty Handbook" and a new booklet listing all tenured and tenure-track faculty. He reported that merging the Evening School and Summer Session had eliminated one administrative line and that searches for deans in Arts and Sciences and in Social Work will occur this year.

Minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of May 1, 1995, the Faculty Senate Executive Council meeting of May 31, 1995, and the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting of August 28, 1995, were approved unanimously.

Budget Committee (M. Peterson)

Peterson called attention to the agenda for the committee meeting (distributed with agenda) and asked for suggestions of other agenda items. She hopes to be able to provide information on committee activities to be distributed with each Faculty Senate meeting agenda.

Athletics (Carl Asp, Joan Cronan)

(Ziegler noted that Doug Dickey, who was to be present, had been called out of town but would be asked to come to another meeting.) Asp described his academic position in the university and his work as the institution's faculty representative to the NCAA. He reported on the recent unconditional certification of UTK by the NCAA as operating "its athletic program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by Division I membership." He noted that UTK is the first SEC school to be so certified. Asp currently is working on a document describing further improvements in athletics programs.

Cronan emphasized the significance of receiving certification. She noted that UTK is one of only five schools in the nation that operate separate men's and women's athletics programs and then gave an overview of the women's athletics program. She also noted that the programs' students had an average GPA of 2.92 last year and that its graduation percentage is 98.7. Soccer, softball and crew are three sports recently added to the program.

New Conflict of Interests Policy (Homer Fisher, Francis Gross)

Fisher briefly discussed the new policy which was recently mailed to faculty. It is a revision of the 1992 policy and necessitated by changes in federal guidelines governing conflict of interest. A draft version was circulated in May. The current version will go before the Board of Trustees this month.

Gross called attention to the new format of the policy, changes due to the new federal guidelines, and amplifications added to the text. There were no questions.

D. Dobbs, Parliamentarian, encouraged Senators to read page five of the Bylaws (distributed at meeting) and noted that (1) during discussions of contentions issues an attempt will be made to call alternately upon those for and against the matter, (2) a policy of five-minutes per person/one speech per person per topic will be invoked on occasion, and (3) if the word "call", is heard, then a second will be sought and, if it is received, then a vote will be held on the motion to call the question.

D. Birdwell asked how the new Conflict of Interests policy differs form the draft version considered by the Faculty Senate Executive Council in May. Ziegler said she would see that he received a copy of the new policy and then described actions by G. Graber, P. Phillips and others to see that the earlier version did not go to the Board of Trustees in June and to improve the earlier document. She believes changes may be made until December 1.

Ziegler announced the agenda would be re-ordered because of several speakers' schedules. She then reported that the Board of Trustees has approved the new policy on conflict of interest. She next briefly discussed the results of the survey of items for the Faculty Senate to address (distributed with agenda). She asked for any information concerning an earlier Faculty Senate report/discussion on sabbaticals. She noted that none of the suggested items would be ignored.

Athletics (D. Dickey)

Dickey provided an overview of the Athletics Department and read a recent revision of the department's mission statement. He emphasized that the program operates without tax money and discussed a variety of problems with which the program must deal.

Chancellor's Report

Snyder reported on the October 5 budget hearing with staff of THEC. He was asked for his priorities for the UTK campus, what UTK is doing about accountability, and how THEC could be a positive force. He named faculty salaries as the top priority and requested the flexibility to adjust salaries based on merit. Capital improvements were next; a staff member who had toured the campus agreed with this need. The third priority was equipment and resources to expand networking.

Snyder indicated that it is not clear what "accountability" means to THEC, but indicated that he listed several activities which he views as efforts to be accountable. He suggested that THEC could help by pushing for full funding of a (revised) formula. He noted that UTK's recent performance rating would cost the institution $1.5 million next year. THEC indicated it would push for full performance funding.

Snyder next noted that a committee is being formed to identify a permanent Vice Chancellor for Information Infrastructure.

Academic Vice Chancellor's Report

Peters discussed the reporting that the administration must perform for various bodies. He has told deans that every unit should have a workload policy, every faculty member's performance should be reviewed annually, and adjustments must be made to reflect information acquired in the reviews. These actions represent the fundamental effort for being accountable.

Peters next introduced Joan Creasia, who is the new Dean of the College of Nursing. He than expressed his disappointment with the 81-out-of-100 rating UTK received on performance funding. He also announced that a search committee has been established to seek a new Dean of Social Work.

In response to a question from N. Cohen about UTK's low rating, Peters noted that students in four departments failed their field tests and that the results of a student survey were quite poor.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (L. Maxson)

Maxson reported that a newly edited Faculty Handbook is being produced. Senators may obtain copies by contacting her office. The "old" green edition still is the approved version. She asked how much of the current material on the Faculty Senate might be eliminated. Sections on travel and development also might be reduced or deleted. She also asked for Faculty Senate advice on the number of outside letters of evaluation obtained in promotion and tenure decisions and on the idea of including a section on ethics.

Minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of September 18, 1995, and minutes of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting of October 2, 1995, were approved unanimously.

Information Infrastructure (J. M. Griffiths)

Griffiths quickly reviewed goals concerning information infrastructure. Change with no new funding and no new positions is proving stressful. A proposal to expand and enhance the campus network is being finalized. Purchasing policies on portable computers are being reviewed. Leasing also is being explored. Computer labs on campus also are being studied. Instructional technology is receiving considerable attention, too. Classrooms with appropriate equipment and training of faculty are other matters being studied. Funding and costing strategies have been looked at and several options will be presented later this term.

F. Grimm asked whether anyone is serving in the academic position on the current organizational chart. Griffiths noted that no one is in that position now and that no funding is currently available in her budget.

Research Council (B. Blass)

Blass reported that the Research Council has met. He noted that the chancellor and the co-chairs of the Teaching Council spoke at the meeting. He reminded everyone of the Exhibits, Performance and Publication Fund. He reviewed the standing committees, special panels, and ad hoc committees of the Research Council. Next, Blass noted that changing the title of the office of M. Devine from Associate Vice Chancellor for Research to Vice Chancellor for Research is being discussed. The Research Council supports the change.

Research (M. Devine)

Devine reviewed his background. He then made a few comments on research at UTK. He believes UTK's current position is good and has a lot of potential. Underfunding is a problem, but the public seems to have a positive image of the institution. He noted that research funding has enjoyed phenomenal growth for forty years and that it is unreasonable to expect that rate of growth to continue. Funding to continue to compete will have to come, in part, from new sources. He identified several goals: (1) increasing seed funding, (2) improving administrative processes to free faculty and staff from unnecessary tasks, (3) working harder on the commercialization of ideas, (4) expanding UTK's contributions to solving social problems, (5) expanding cooperation and collaboration with business and industry, (6) informing the public of faculty advances, (7) improving the equipment situation, (8) improving services of the research administration, (9) expanding contacts with Lockheed-Martin at Oak Ridge.

In response to a question, Devine expressed the opinion that going after large grants and contracts will remain important and that reducing the red tape associated with small grants is a worthy goal.

Review of Administrators (L. McIntyre)

McIntyre reported on the current status of reviews. Forty administrators are now in some stage of review. He encouraged Faculty Senators to serve on review committees when they are asked to do so.

President's Report

Ziegler called attention to the committee reports distributed with the agenda. She also noted the Communication Systems Information Survey results and reminded everyone that the survey involved only a small sample. She also asked that comments on the Faculty Handbook be sent to Betsy Brewer in 401J Student Services Building.

Ziegler asked G. Graber to present the three resolutions distributed with the agenda. The first deals with "adequate due process measures to protect faculty and staff from capricious and arbitrary dismissals." The second supports the fight of faculty, staff and students to speak out about matters affecting the campus. The third encourages and support formation of a staff organization to represent their views. D. Dobbs proposed rewording the first resolution to say "capricious or arbitrary dismissals." The proposal was approved and then the first resolution was approved unanimously. The second and third resolution subsequently were approved unanimously.

Ziegler next announced that P. Phillips has arranged for Mr. Roger Dickson, trustee and chair of the Faculty and Staff Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, to be on campus for discussions with faculty and staff on Wednesday, November 29 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Chancellor's Report

Snyder reaffirmed his ultimate responsibility to see that things work right and to embody in his behavior the principles of the institution. He next turned to lessons learned in the recent difficulties with the Office of Human Resources Management. He declared that appointing an executive director of the office without a search several years ago was wrong. He also noted the necessity to appoint individuals who have the necessary skills to do their new jobs. He reminded everyone that the three assistant directors who had been terminated have been reappointed, the executive director has been reassigned to a time-limited position, J. Fornes has been placed in charge on an interim basis, and a national search will be held to find a new director.

Academic Vice Chancellor's Report

J. Peters yielded to L. Maxson. She reported that in order to have a new Faculty Handbook by next fall, revisions must be approved by the Trustees' June 1996, meeting. She called attention to the proposal to link tenure with promotion and that only tenured faculty should be involved in tenure and promotion decisions, and at the departmental level only those of higher rank than a candidate for promotion should be involved in the promotion considerations. She also discussed another issue that a minimum of three external letters of review in tenure and promotion cases and for a requirement that all letters received be sent forward with the tenure/promotion material. And, finally, she discussed a proposal for deciding on the appropriate rank of non tenure-track faculty. She also reported that an attempt is being made to compose a statement on consensual relationships. She encouraged comments on all these matters. In response to a question from D. Dobbs, Maxson said that it is not intended to prohibit promotion before tenure. M. Kaplan noted that the first proposal would be in conflict with AAUP guidelines. L. Ratner noted that several years ago the then provost required the proposed linkage of tenure and promotion. M. Miller encouraged the Faculty Senate to look closely at the new edition because he had found many significant changes, including adding certain administrators to the Faculty Senate. In response to a question, Maxson said that there are practical difficulties in identifying all the changes in the Faculty Handbook. G. Graber and P. Phillips noted that the differences are supposed to be only those changes approved by the Faculty Senate and other appropriate bodies since the current edition was adopted. Maxson also noted that she is not trying to push through the new edition; if it is not possible to have the new edition approved by next fall, then so be it. M. Kaplan remarked that the new Faculty Handbook should be a priority for all since the handbook is the faculty's legal agreement with the institution. B. Creel encouraged Maxson to contact R. Norman in hopes of learning where the changes occur. B. English suggested that the Faculty Senate might consider a specific portion of the new edition in each of the next few meetings. P. Gordon suggested that smaller groups might report at each meeting on specific parts of the new edition. Maxson and Ziegler agreed to address the matter.

Minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of October 16, 1995, were approved unanimously. With the correction that A. Grady was present, the minutes of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting of November 6, 1995, were approved unanimously.

Educational Policy Committee (A. Grady)

Grady asked that senators who detect problems with materials or actions associated with the committee please inform her so that she can be certain they are considered. She then briefly reviewed her committee's activities. Her report was approved unanimously.

SGA Representative ( Mamar Gelaye)

Gelaye expressed the SGA's interest in diversity and encouraged those present to be advocates for diversity. She also read the SGA vision statement. It addresses academics, student life, values and beliefs, campus safety, university services, equality, diversity and other topics.

Performance Funding (Marian Moffett)

Moffett offered to answer questions about performance funding. She noted that the scoring system is flawed, but the institution agreed to the system at the start of the current five-year cycle. She also noted that UTK did not qualify for $1.3 million which it might have received with better scores. Peters noted that the procedures have been applied uniformly to all the post-secondary institutions. In response to a question from D. Dobbs, Moffett said that faculty could encourage seniors to do well on their tests, institute departmental teaching programs, and apply for research support. Greater care will be taken with this year's alumni survey.

CTEP Report (Glenn Graber, Jo Parker, Nancy McGlasson) Parker asked everyone to refer to the materials distributed with the agenda. She noted that it is expected that reports on this semester's evaluations will be available by February 14, 1996. She reviewed other items in the material and asked that comments on the materials and the process be provided to the committee.

Attention was called to item 4 in the report (distributed with agenda) of the Benefits Committee.

Ziegler first called everyone's attention to the list (distributed with agenda) of sections of the Faculty Handbook being reviewed by various committees. She postponed the deadline for committees to report to her from February 23 to February 29. Ziegler next reported that she and L. Taylor had met with J. Peters to present him with a petition encouraging the administration to attempt to improve the status of the library's financial situation. More than 300 faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences signed the petition.

Snyder discussed the governor's budget recommendation to the state legislature. He noted the governor's interest in multi- year programs to improve higher education. The governor is recommending $128 million in capital projects, including renovation of Claxton and construction of the Biotechnology Research Building in the Institute of Agriculture. Snyder noted that the current UTK state appropriation is $147.5 million, THEC recommended full-formula funding at $150.8 million, and the governor recommended continuation budget. THEC then recommended a reallocation under a continuation budget; the result for UTK would have been a reduction of $4.1 million but after negotiations the reduction for UTK was reduced to $1.8 million. Since the governor's proposed 3% salary increase is to be composed of 2% from the state and 1% from current budgets, UTK's non-salary state budget for FY 97 will be approximately $3.2 million less than that for FY 96 (an increase in fees would reduce this decrease). Snyder reported that no decisions have been made about how to deal with the reduction; however, not filling some open positions is a possibility. He also reported that state higher education institutions receive 88% to 98% of the amounts they would receive under full-formula funding; UTK receives 96.9% of its full-formula funding amount.

In response to a question from M. Kaplan, Snyder reported that L. Dodge has an office in Claxton and is working on the development of a disabilities handbook for the campus. This assignment is for a six-month period.

In response to a question from D. Birdwell, Snyder said that the new Science and Engineering Research Building is to be completed by borrowing $2 million from the state bond authority.

Peters noted his confidence in the ability of the campus to deal with financial problems. Total revenue for the state is up 6%, but higher education is not the top priority. Peter's also noted soon after arriving at UTK that he had increased, on a recurring basis, the library's budget. Shortly after doing so, the library budget already was $80,000 short. Increasing costs eventually pushed the periodicals shortfall to approximately $400,000. One-time funding this year avoided immediate cuts. Library priorities will have to be balanced against other priorities, both academic and non-academic. In response to a question from R. Foresta, Peters said he believes the current cuts being suggested by departments do actually "cut into the bone." He also noted that it appears that journals published in languages other than English are being suggested for cutting more severely than those published in English. D. Ziegler asked whether the Athletics Department might not make an annual contribution the way the department at the University of Florida does.

Ziegler read the following statement that A. Grady asked be inserted in the minutes of the November 20, 1995, Senate meeting: Grady reported the following minutes as approved by the Educational Policy Committee: the Undergraduate Council minutes of September 14, 1995 and the Graduate Council minutes of June 29, 1995, September 14, 1995 and October 19, 1995. The statement is to be inserted before the last sentence in the Educational Policy Committee Report.

With this addition the minutes were approved unanimously. The minutes of the Faculty Senate Executive committee meeting of January 22, 1996, also were approved unanimously.

Faculty Fellows Program -- Wendy Kirby

Wendy Kirby reported on this program to bring faculty into the residence halls to interact with students outside of the classroom and faculty offices. Each residence hall determines its own activities in the program. Students nominated faculty to be asked to participate. Kirby distributed information and encouraged interested faculty to volunteer to participate.

Election of New Senators -- M. Alligood

M. Alligood reminded everyone that elections must occur soon. She called attention to the guidelines for elections (distributed with agenda) and noted that they call for election results to be forwarded to the Senate secretary by March 1. Ziegler and Alligood noted that March 15 will suffice this year. D. Dobbs noted that the bylaws require a secret ballot so electronic voting may not be valid. The list of names of caucus leaders will be posted on the World Wide Web Senate Page.

Inner City Church -- Charles Reynolds

C. Reynolds announced that there will be a Convocation Against Racism and Bigotry tomorrow, February 13, at which time a check will be presented to Reverend Upton whose Inner City Church recently was burned.

Ziegler reported that she and P. Phillips attended the recent Board of Trustees meeting. She noted that the UTK campus received the biggest budget "hit" and that President Johnson said his staff would be looking at cuts in the system budget.

Ziegler next reported that she has received most of the reports on the Faculty Handbook, but that the Executive Committee has not yet approved the section on tenure and promotion. All suggested changes will be compiled and distributed to Faculty Senate members. An AAUP proposed statement on consensual relationships also will be distributed.

Ziegler also reported that a resolution from the Library Committee is being revised and will be on the agenda of the next Faculty Senate meeting.

Snyder reported that UTK will get through FY95 without being in the red; however, it has been necessary to dip into reserves. He made a distinction between a budget reduction and a budget shortfall. A reduction is a decrease in funding; this matter is what he talked about at the last Faculty Senate meeting. The shortfall is the difference between obligations and revenue and amounts to approximately $8 million for next year. Any increase in student fees will decrease the shortfall only modestly. The Chancellor's staff has looked at reducing obligations in non- academic areas. About $2.4 million in cuts were identified. Academics will have to absorb some cuts. Reduction scenarios for 3% and 5% cuts have been requested from deans.

Snyder next noted that the budget problems will extend to several years. Establishing priorities and reallocating funds to them will be necessary. He believes that in several years the university will be doing fewer things, but doing them better. This year vice chancellors have identified 4% to 9 1/2% of their budgets that could be returned.

In response to a question from W. Morgan, Snyder said he asks about each budget item whether it is central to the education mission, about each service whether it would be available elsewhere if it were reduced or deleted, and about every unit whether it is contributing. In response to a question from B. Blass, Snyder noted that obligations exceed by $1 million the amount that would have been received had there been full funding of the formula and the proposed salary increase.

Peters emphasized the need to look ahead for the next several years. He mentioned several potential problems, including enrollments and federal funding. tie wants the campus to focus on what it can do best and noted that many major land-grant institutions have suffered for worse budget reductions. He called attention to the data on sources and uses of funds included in the Special Report from the Faculty Senate Budget Committee (distributed at meeting). He then described actions already taken. These include budget cuts, termination of three dean searches, and asking deans to prepare 3% and 5% budget reduction plans. He noted that such reductions essentially require termination of faculty searches. He also noted that he has asked deans to take actions to address the declining graduate enrollments and to maximize our performance funding score. lie also hopes to identify savings that could be accomplished in the current budget.

B. Blass noted that not having permanent deans in three colleges for up to three years would put those colleges at a disadvantage. Peters agreed and said he expects the delay in filling the positions to be only one year. In response to another question, Peters said that he has been arguing for "early-retirement packages," but that the state will have to approve any such policy. In response to another question Peters noted that he already has asked for nominations for interim deans and that lie expects to interact with department heads in making appointments, but he feels the need to move quickly.

D. Kelley noted that operating cuts and other cuts over the years have had a role in the fact that salaries are now about 90% of the budget and asked whether anyone has looked at the impact of these cuts on students, Peters agreed with the observation regarding the salary budget and said that the administration has looked at the impact on students, but he believes good graduates are still being produced. B. Blass then cautioned against thinking of academic programs as employment agencies; people should be encouraged to improve themselves through education without so much emphasis on ultimate job prospects. Peters agreed, but said it is necessary to think long and hard about our graduate programs. F. Davis suggested that there are many small businesses which would like to take advantage of university resources, but are hindered by "red tape," he asked whether the possibility of streamlining the process for attracting such external funding has been considered. Peters noted that such funding probably will never exceed 9% to 10% of eternal funding.

Minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of February 12, 1996, and of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting of February 19, 1996, were approved unanimously.

Ziegler then noted that in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting it is reported correctly that some members stated that university lawyers were recommending changes to Board-approved policies in the Faculty Handbook; however, subsequent investigation has not found that the policies in question had been approved by the Board of Trustees.

President-Elect Nominations (Ziegler for M. Katz and D. Jackson)

Ziegler reported that David Johnson of Architecture and Planning and Bill Blass of Physics are recommended by the Nominating Committee as the slate for the position of President-Elect. There were no nominations from the floor. The report was then approved unanimously.

Budget Committee (M. Peterson)

Peterson reported that the Budget Committee met for two hours with Snyder, Peters and Hamilton on February 29 and called attention to the packet of information distributed at the meeting. She also noted that budget information is available in the reserve room in the Library. She encouraged Faculty Senators to disseminate the information in the packet to all members of their units. That information also will be available on the Faculty Senate Home Page. The report was approved unanimously.

Educational Policy Committee (A. Grady)

Grady reported that the EPC approved the Graduate Council minutes of January 25, 1996, and the Undergraduate Council minutes of January 18, 1996. She called attention to the summaries of the minutes distributed at the meeting. The report was approved unanimously.

Summer School Report (Peters, Maxson)

Peters noted that summer program decisions are made mostly at the departmental level. He also reported that planning is difficult because summer school is funded from two fiscal-year budgets. He noted the need for a good distribution of courses, the belief that pay for summer teaching should be related to one's academic-year salary, and the need for incentives for efficiency in summer school. Roughly .40 to .50 cents of each dollar of summer school revenue must be used to pay for facilities and utilities.

Maxson reported that central administration cannot pay for faculty direction of theses and dissertations or for administrative costs. Other recommendations are that summer instruction should be of the same quality as academic-year instruction and faculty compensation should not exceed 1/9 of academic-year salary for a three-credit course. It is hoped that each unit can be given a dollar figure that will be available for summer school. She noted that colleges with sufficient funding may decide to pay for faculty direction of theses and dissertations.

Diversity Resources and Educational Services (C. Hazeur)

Hazeur reported that UTK in the last year has lost ground on minority hiring and gained ground on hiring women. Much remains to be done, but budget freezes greatly hamper progress. DRES remains willing to assist anyone or any unit with questions related to diversity.

Ziegler asked for and received permission to insert into the Committee Reports a report of the Senate/Chancellor Committee on 21st Century Communications. She then announced that Bill Blass has been selected president-elect. Ziegler next introduced a resolution (distributed with agenda) from the Executive Committee on involvement of the Senate in matters of reallocation of resources and restructuring. M. Alligood moved that the resolution be approved. The motion was seconded and then approved unanimously. Ziegler next thanked everyone who reviewed the Faculty Handbook and reminded everyone of the Chancellor's Convocation on Finances to be held April 4, 1996.

Snyder indicated that the Chancellor's office will provide within five days after the budget is known a report "on all types, amounts and percents of cuts made to meet the $8,000,000 projected shortfall...." He then indicated briefly what he plans to talk about at the Chancellor's Convocation on Finances on April 4, 1996. C. Thompson asked whether rumors about raises to be given soon to three administrators were correct. Snyder said no such raises would occur for his staff and he has no knowledge of such raises for system administrators. In response to another question from Thompson, Snyder said the search for a new director for Human Resources is continuing because of the pledges made earlier to fill the position as promptly as feasible.

Peters reported that a freshman class of about 3,600 is expected fall term, 1996. This number represents an increase over fall term, 1995. Graduate applications are about 1.8% behind last year's number at this point. He also reported that he expects to name a task force on graduate education soon. He currently is accepting nominations for the interim dean positions and is meeting with groups from the various colleges involved. In response to a question, Peters noted that having a college election to select an interim dean probably would not violate any rule or policy, but that he would not do it.

Ziegler noted that the Educational Policy Committee report in the minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of the Graduate Council was held January 25, not January 26 as reported. With this correction the minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of March 4, 1996, were approved unanimously. The minutes of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting of March 11, 1996, also were approved unanimously.

Budget Committee (M. Peterson)

Peterson reviewed the resolution (distributed with agenda) of the Budget Committee. It concerns a full report from the Chancellor on all types, amounts, and percents of cuts made to meet the $8,000,000 projected shortfall ..." and spells out the level of detail desired and invites the Chancellor to provide additional details. The words "and signed by the Governor" were added by Peterson at the end of the last sentence of the distributed resolution. Peterson noted that there will be no budget hearings this year. Snyder explained that hearings would not serve a relevant purpose this year since the budget is essentially known already. In response to a question from B. Blass, Snyder said that if significant unexpected funding became available, modified hearings to decide what should be restored would be held. The resolution was moved, seconded and then approved unanimously. Peterson said that the report would be delivered in a meeting of the Budget Committee and then made available to the campus.

Bylaws Committee (M. Alligood)

Alligood called attention to the committee's memorandum (Annual Report and Proposed Revisions to the Current Bylaws) included with the agenda. She reviewed the proposed revisions and reminded everyone that no voting on them would occur at this meeting. B. Blass noted that faculty are elected to the Senate for three years, but faculty are to be elected for two-year terms on the Budget Committee. He felt that three-year terms on the committee would make better use of expertise faculty development.

Library Committee (S. Riggsby)

Riggsby called attention to the resolution (distributed with agenda) from the Library Committee. It urges budget priority for the library. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Senate/Chancellor Committee on 21st Century Communications (B. Blass)

Blass reported that there has been discussion among many groups about instituting a "technology service fee" and then listed various technology needs on campus. Many groups and committees, including student groups, already have recommended such a fee. R. Popp asked at what point special fees for students would end and noted that faculty, as well as students, would benefit. Blass noted that the proposed fee, if instituted, would not last long if the students do not perceive real benefits coming from it. L. Ratner noted that students get a very good and inexpensive education and said that, if there is a demonstrated need for a service, then preventing student expenses from increasing does students no real good. Ziegler noted that both the SGA and GSA support the idea of a technology fee. D. Birdwell appealed for greater application of real expertise to the technology infrastructure problems on campus and suggested including technology costs in indirect costs associated with grants and contracts. Ziegler next asked whether the Faculty Senate wants her to endorse in principle the concept of a technology services fee. The idea was approved with one objection. She indicated that she would compose a carefully worded letter on the matter.

Faculty Handbook (D. Ziegler)

Ziegler opened discussion on the proposed changes. In response to a question from D. Birdwell, Ziegler noted that the word "other" should be deleted from the last sentence of the insertion proposed by the Executive Committee. M. Kaplan asked whether the proposed changes have been reviewed by lawyers representing the Faculty Senate and indicated his belief that the Faculty Senate should have lawyers to do so. After limited additional discussion, acceptance of the recommendations was moved, seconded and then unanimously approved.

Committee on Committees (M. Alligood)

Alligood asked senators to indicate their votes on the ballot (distributed at meeting) for the Committee on Committees.

Home Page Demonstration ( M. Van Patten and E. Ward)

Van Patten and Ward presented a demonstration of the new Faculty Senate Home Page on the World Wide Web. The address is http://www.admin.utk.edu/fac-senate. The Home Page also may be accessed through the UTK Home Page.

Ziegler announced that Snyder could not be present and that J. Johnson would speak in his place. She requested and received approval for the report of the Athletics Committee to be deleted, for M. Alligood to give the report of the Committee on Committees, and for the report on Administrative Review to be deleted. Ziegler next called attention to the draft statement (distributed at meeting) titled, "Post-Retirement Service Program for Tenured Faculty," and to the draft statement (distributed at meeting) titled, "Plan for Reduction in Force." She then introduced a resolution expressing appreciation to Coach Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols basketball program for its successes, including the 1996 NCAA National Championship, and methods of operation. The resolution was accepted with general approval.

Johnson encouraged everyone to remember the positive aspects of UTK. Among these he mentioned the quality of its most recent freshman class, the employment success of its graduates, the quality of its faculty, the capital outlay and maintenance items in its next budget, the state-funded portion (2%) of the mandated 3% raise, private fund-raising, and research funding. He noted that state funding per student varies from campus to campus in recognition of differing functions. He noted several financial needs including funding to improve a number of campus buildings.

Johnson also discussed challenges. Among these he mentioned the budget shortfall, the need for an increase in base funding, and technology needs.

Johnson briefly discussed whether too much funding is devoted to administration. He described part of the reallocation efforts as an attempt to get more funding into the academic and research efforts. He also reminded everyone that the governor has talked with higher education officials about a significant increase in higher education funding in 1998-99.

Ziegler asked about budget cuts and any reduction in force at the system level. Johnson said there would be no reduction in force at the system level or on any campus other than UTK. The system is having to find one-third of the mandated 3% pay raise.

At the request of Snyder, Peters thanked Ziegler for her work as President of the Faculty Senate. He announced that L. Lester in Arts and Sciences, G. Rowell in Education and C. Glisson in Social Work will serve as interim deans. He reported that the Athletic Department is providing about three-quarters of a million dollars which will be used for a new library-on-line system, library acquisitions, and scholarships. He announced that a total of 3,278 students will graduate this term. About 1,500 are professional or graduate students, the largest number ever. The enrollment picture for next year is looking somewhat brighter. Finally, Peters reported that Snyder asked him to call attention to the Plan for Reduction in Force. May 31 has been set as the date by which any reductions will be announced. He also called attention to the proposed "phased retirement" program. (Documents on these two matters were distributed at the meeting.)

The minutes of the April 1, 1996, meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved with the change that M. Kaplan voted against acceptance of the recommendations concerning the Faculty Handbook. Minutes of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting of April 22, 1996, and its emergency meeting of May 1, 1996, were approved unanimously.

Budget Committee (M. Peterson)

Peterson reviewed the recommendations in the committee's report (distributed at meeting). The report was approved.

Bylaws Committee and Committee on Committees (M. Alligood)

Alligood reminded everyone that the Bylaws Committee report was made at the April 1, 1996, meeting. The proposed changes were approved unanimously. Alligood then called attention to the report of the Committee on Committees (distributed at meeting) which is a list of the new committee memberships for 1996-97. With the understanding that some adjustments will have to be made, the meeting approved the report.

Development and Alumni Affairs Committee (J. Askew)

Askew said he would provide a copy of the recommendations of the Deans' Committee on Public Relations which is referenced in the committee report. He then reviewed the recommendations made in the committee report (distributed with agenda). The report was approved.

Educational Policy Committee (A. Grady)

Grady reported that the Committee has approved minutes of the Graduate Council meetings of March 17 and April 18, 1996, and of the Undergraduate Council meeting of April 18, 1996. The report was approved.

Information/Infrastructure (J-M Griffiths)

Griffiths reported that the Division of Information/Infrastructure is facing a significant reduction. Central funds have been covering several million dollars of annual under-recovery. The bottom line is a 40% budget reduction (about $5 million out of $13 million). A lack of funding in academic units to serve as a source for recoveries makes it necessary to eliminate approximately 40 regular staff and 15 term staff and not to fill approximately 15 open positions. A student technology fee will be proposed to the Board of Trustees at its October, 1996, meeting. Also, there has been a reallocation of funding from the administrative side to the academic side.