Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda
The Steering Committee has agreed to the following actions with respect to student and faculty diversity issues:
The Student Affairs Committee will prepare a resolution that states the Faculty Senate position with respect to student organizations and encourages action to change the status of those organizations that currently are segregated.
The Planning and Operations Committee will prepare a resolution that states the Faculty Senate position with respect to the need for faculty to become more aware of and involved in faculty diversity issues and to take a stand on these issues.
Both resolutions should be available for discussion at the March meeting.
Pat Bauch and I will select an ad hoc committee to identify ways that faculty, and the Faculty Senate in particular, will help create a more comfortable environment for new and minority faculty and that will provide means for faculty to continue to discuss and address diversity issues. The committee should develop a specific plan that can be implemented by the beginning of the fall 2000 term.
Proposed addition to the Faculty Handbook, to be added as Chapter 1. V. D. (page 12).
D. Faculty Referenda
Faculty are responsible for establishing and modifying academic policies and for providing recommendations to the administration on matters of faculty concern. Recommendations concerning issues affecting a broad cross-section of faculty and academic units are made by the Faculty Senate. Those matters the Faculty Senate or University Administration deem to be especially important are referred to the faculty for a faculty-wide vote. Such matters include modifications to the University general education requirements and other curriculum matters that are not specific to individual academic divisions; faculty status, rights, and working conditions; and similar matters of concern to the general faculty.
The wording of such referenda will be determined by the Faculty Senate after consultation with the Provost and other University officials or committees, as appropriate. Voting will be administered by the Office of Academic Affairs and generally will commence within six weeks following a decision by the Faculty Senate that a referendum is required. The Office of Academic Affairs will print, distribute, receive and count ballots. Faculty will have a minimum of two weeks to submit ballots after they have been distributed. The Office of Academic Affairs should provide a written statement of voting results within two weeks after the deadline for submission of ballots. The voting process normally should be completed within ten weeks following a decision by the Faculty Senate that a referendum is required.
Except as governed by other sections of the Faculty Handbook, for purposes of voting on referenda, "faculty" is defined to include all permanent and temporary full-time faculty with the rank of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, or equivalent and whose administrative appointments do not exceed fifty percent of their total appointments. Visiting and emeriti faculty are not included in this definition. The Faculty Senate may elect, by a majority vote of the Senate, to modify the list of faculty eligible to vote on a particular referendum.
Except as governed by other sections of the Faculty Handbook, a question on a referendum will pass if it is approved (1) by a majority of the faculty who vote in the referendum and (2) by a majority of colleges and equivalent academic divisions (determined by a majority of their voting faculty) that participate in the referendum. The Faculty Senate may modify these rules as necessary in cases of referenda asking the faculty to choose between more than two options.
Faculty are entitled to vote only in the division in which they hold their primary appointment. In cases of joint appointment, faculty must choose an academic unit in which to vote.
Matters specific to individual colleges or equivalent academic units and not affecting a broad-cross section of faculty outside of those academic units are not governed by these policies.
Resolution Supporting the Julie Laible Memorial Lecture Series
Be it resolved that the University Faculty Senate gives its enthusiastic endorsement to the establishment of an endowed memorial lecture series entitled the Julie Laible Memorial Lecture Series on Anti-Racist Scholarship, Education, and Social Activism as described below. It is the opinion of the Senate that such a lecture series will contribute positively to the UA community and to UA's local and national prestige.
The Julie Laible Memorial Fund
Dr. Julie Laible was an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Alabama from 1995-1999. During this brief period her work was dedicated to promoting anti-racist individual and institutional practices. This was a commitment she enacted in her personal life, her community life (especially her church), and her scholarship. Her example inspired many who knew her to share this commitment to anti-racism, to social justice, and to leading a morally engaged life.
Following her untimely and tragic death in March of last year, a memorial fund was established in Dr. Laible’s name. The fund has been established to build an endowment for the Julie Laible Memorial Lecture Series on Anti-Racist Scholarship, Education, and Social Activism. This lecture series, as currently conceptualized, will annually bring an internationally recognized scholar and/or activist known for their anti-racist work to deliver three lectures. One of these lectures will be held at the University of Alabama, one will be held at Stillman College, and one will be held at a local church (that is currently a member of the Local Anti-racist Covenant Group, co-founded by Dr. Laible.) These lectures will be compiled and published as a book every year following the event.
Recognizing Dr. Priscilla Hancock, UA Chief Information Officer, and her Staff in the Office of Information Services for Technological Leadership
Whereas information technology infrastructure is a crucial element of the modern university as it strives to meet its teaching, research and service goals,
And Whereas Dr. Priscilla Hancock, UA Chief Information Officer, and her staff in the Office of Information Services have provide crucial leadership toward providing The University of Alabama with state-of-the-art technological infrastructure through:
Be it therefore resolved, the Faculty Senate expresses deep appreciation to Dr. Priscilla Hancock, UA Chief Information Officer, and her staff in the Office of Information Services for their outstanding leadership and support of this University through the improvement of the information technology infrastructure, which now enables the faculty, staff, administration, and students to pursue confidently teaching, research and service activities into the 21st Century.