USAO FACULTY ASSOCIATION MEETING

AUSTIN HALL 206

MARCH 5, 2002

MINUTES

A.  Call to order:  The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m. by President Brenda Brown.  President Brown introduced Carla Reid from the Academic Resource Center.  Ms. Reid gave the faculty information about the PLATO software available in ARC.  She also answered questions.

B.  Approval of minutes from February 2, 2002 meeting:  Minutes were approved.

C.  Treasurer's Report:  President Elect/Treasurer Nancy Osborn reported a balance of $833.84 in the Faculty Association Account.

D.  Committee Reports:  

Curriculum:  Alan Todd, Chairman, explained that there would be two curriculum changes to present to at the April Meeting.  He presented an addition to the cover page of the curriculum change that would be used for next years submissions.  Also, a suggestion from the faculty was to not duplicate the changes, but just make a summary for the overhead or a handout.  

Faculty Handbook:  Peter Thomas, Chairman, announced a meeting of the committee and said that the committee would have some recommendations for the April meeting.  Also the committee will serve as the nominating committee for the FA officers to be elected at the April meeting.

Faculty Tenure & Promotion:  No report.

E.  Ad Hoc Committee Reports:

Annual Report:  A new form has been developed.  It will be available on the Faculty Association Web Page.  And, President Brown will email a copy to the faculty.

Faculty Association Resources:  Hollis Howard gave the report.  The Faculty Web page is back on the USAO home page.  Discussion on teaching faculty to set up his/her own page was held.  Dr. Todd said he would organize two courses to be held this summer and fall.  Hollis then presented a "definition of the Faculty Association Resources Committee".  Alan Todd (Nancy Warden) moved to approve the definition and make the Resources Committee a permanent committee.  Motion approved  37 yes, 0 No.  

Discussion of how to select faculty for the summer trimester.  Several ideas proposed but none were accepted.  Consensus was to keep the selection of faculty in the divisions.   Suggestions included (I) staffing the necessary courses, then giving priority to faculty who are close to retirement, (ii)  staffing the necessary courses, then giving priority to the faculty who have the lowest salaries.

It was proposed to have monthly faculty get-togethers, the goal of which is to keep communication between divisions on-going.  Discussion followed, but no decision.

It was also reported that the Vice President of Administrative Affairs is willing to look at some other insurance possibilities.  If you have suggestions, talk to Mr. Winn or give him names.

F.  Regents Report:  Report is on the web.

G.  Old Business:  None discussed.  Appreciation was extended to Dr. Ingrid Shafer for her addition to the USAO web site—the on-line tour of USAO.

H.  New Business:  

New Dorms:  No report.

Academic Honesty:  Concerns of the faculty were expressed about students' cheating and thinking that it is okay to do so.  There are web sites available to check for "plagiarized" research papers.  Mark Vargus will check on services available to faculty on the web.  

Webpage:  Discussed during the resource committee report.

PLATO:  Carla Reid was introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

I.  Announcements:

April 4, 2002 is the Scholastic Meet (and DroverStock)

April 7, 2002 is a reception at Dr. Nancy Osborn's home.

March 5, 2002 (today)  Dana Tiger is in Gary Hall lounge from 3-5 p.m.

May 18, 2002, (in Tulsa, OK), Dr. Ingrid Shafer will be recognize for "Excellence in Teaching" by the Oklahoma Foundation.  

March 29, 2002, BFA Art show and reception 7-9 p.m. in Davis Hall.  Also, Spring Art Show.

March 13, 2002, IDS meeting.  The IDS committee will be the following individuals for new academic year:  Magrath, Dorman, Franklin, Scott, Business & Social Sci. Chairman, and Tina Winn, Jeanne Mather, Shafer, Kandeh, and Reigh.

April 1, 2002, Hypatia Luncheon and Initiation.  

Junior Academy of Science was held last week at USAO.  All presentations are going to state level.

T-shirts for the Monmontre Chalk art available.  Contact Hollis Howard if interested.

Superior Teaching Nominations are currently being solicited.  (until March 15)

Graciously Submitted by,

Nancy Warden at request of

Secretary V. Ferguson