USAO Faculty Association
September 4, 2001

Minutes

Signed in as Present: 
Bohannon, Brawner, Brown, Bruce, Casey, Chan, D. Hanson, Dorman, Drummond, Dudding, Ferguson,  Frankland, Hester, Holland, Howard, Huguenin, J. Mather, John Miller, Johnson, Kandeh, Kao, Knapp, Lamar, M. Mather, Magrath, McElroy, Reigh, Scott, Shafer, Shafer, Thomas, Todd, Vliet, Warden, Webb, Weber, Winn

• I.   President Brenda Brown called the meeting to order 11:05
• II.  Shafer (Casey) moved to approve the minutes from April 3, 2001.  Motion carried.
• III. Brown reported a balance of  $570.84.  Alan Todd agreed to collect $10 dues in the absence of treasurer N. Osborn.
• IV. New sociology faculty member, Dr. Steven Kandeh, was introduced.
• V.  As this was the first faculty meeting of the new academic year, no committee reports were presented from any of the standing committees:  Curriculum, Faculty Activities, Faculty Development, Faculty Handbook, Faculty Services, and Tenure/Promotion. 
• V. Old Business: none
• VI. New Business: 

• A.      Brown presented the idea of a new committee structure for discussion.  Faculty Development appears to have a larger than FA scope with Dr. Alan Todd in charge; Faculty Activities seems to be responsible for parties and could be given ad hoc status as needed; Faculty Services appears to have a nebulous/nonfunctioning charge.  After discussion Casey (Shafer) moved to delete the Activities, Development and Services committees.  Motion carried 29-2-3.

Two ad hoc committees were suggested, one to consider recommending changes to the Annual Report and one to deal with funding, equipment, benefits... Sarah Webb volunteered to chair the ad hoc committee to look at the Annual Report with Magrath, Casey and Todd  volunteering to serve on the committee.  Reigh, Howard, and Kelley either volunteered or were recommended for the committee on funding, equipment, and benefits.  They would be given the charge of defining their function (it may need to be two committees) and suggesting a name, i.e. Resources Committee. 

• B.      Lynn and Ann, from the bookstore, asked the faculty to consider several things.  They reported that packages custom-made by publishers were generally overpriced to students.  It is better to order the items separately.  It would be helpful to let the bookstore know if a book is changing editions and the instructor prefers to continue with the older edition.   Knowing makes it feasible for the bookstore to purchase books back from students so that enough are available.  Online adoption can be convenient.

Someone suggested that more forms be available online, maybe on the Faculty Association website.  I. Shafer volunteered to coordinate the website.

• C.      Several faculty had been asked by Dr. Bernard to serve on a committee to meet with OCCC.   The meeting is to be September 14.  The ensuing discussion revealed  differing perspectives concerning the purpose of the meeting.  Those involved were requested to get together prior to the meeting. 

The question has been raised by Dr. Bernard concerning the continuation of summer commencement. 

Ideas are needed for an overall event calendar.  The possibility of a Martin Luther King day holiday was raised. 

• Announcements:

Brown requested that ad hoc committees meet before the next meeting.
Holland  urged all teacher education faculty to send her evidence of any presentations or publications in which they have been involved.  They are needed in the preparation of file exhibits for the important upcoming NCATE accreditation visit.
Johnson offered his home for an October faculty picnic.
Sarah Webb issued the following virus warning:  DO NOT open any email from her dated August 31.

Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Ferguson