FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
FOR AUGUST 31, 1999
(Vol. xxix, No. 2)

I. Call to order by Bonnie Irwin at 2:05 p.m. (2504 Buzzard Building)
Present: J. Allison, R. Benedict, J. Best, J. Coons, C. Eberly, P. Fewell, B. Fischer, G. Foster, B. Irwin, G. Lockart, N. Marlow, J. Tidwell, M. Toosi, L. Walker, B. Young. Guests: T. Abebe, W. Hine, H. Lasky, J. Maholy, M. McMahon, D. Radavich, M. Schneider.

II. Approval of the minutes of August 24, 1999
Motion (Foster/Fewell) to approve the minutes of August 24, 1999.
Corrections: In Section V.A.5, Ikenberry is speaking October 27. Section IV.B.4. should read Faculty/Staff Relations Committee.
Yes: Allison, Benedict, Best, Coons, Eberly, Fewell, Fischer, Foster, Irwin, Lockart, Marlow, Tidwell, Toosi, Walker, Young.

III. Communications (Communications received after Monday noon on the day preceding the Faculty Senate meeting will be included in the following week's communications.)

A. E-mail from Newton Key requesting Senate appointment to Library Advisory Board; Dr. Key would like a senator to attend as an ex officio member.

B. E-mail from David Carpenter thanking the Senate for appointing him to the VPBA Search Committee. He'll be glad to report to the Senate on the progress of the search.

C. E-mail from Kevin Lasley, Physical Education concerning McAfee. P.E. faculty are working in offices that are not private. Construction work that was promised to happen over the summer has only recently started. Faculty concerns have not been heeded in this matter.

D. E-mail from Sha Woodyard asking whom the Senate appointed to the Apportionment Board.

Motion (Allison/Fewell) to suspend the agenda to allow visitor reports at this time.
Yes: Allison, Benedict, Best, Coons, Eberly, Fewell, Fischer, Foster, Irwin, Lockart, Marlow, Tidwell, Toosi, Walker, Young.

IV. New Business

A. Report on Honors Program by Dr. Herb Lasky. The program is continuing to grow. The "show" rate of students is much higher than before, and the ACT composite continues to climb (above 28). There are also continuing increases in the support budget. Of particular interest is the amount of scholarship money available; it has continued to increase at a substantial rate. For fall 1999 220 students were accepted into the program and 141 enrolled. This was a show rate of 64.1%. This data is for the University honors program; there are actually two honors programs. The second is in the departments. There are about 700 honors students in total on campus. The Honors Office does a final review to make sure that those in the program are in good standing by meeting the requirements for the minimum GPA, continuous enrollment in the program, and other program rules. The Honors Program has undertaken a number of new initiatives. Among these is the enhancement of the Study Abroad program with its focus on archeology. Currently, there is one site in Belgium. They plan to expand the number of sites and will include both English and non-English locations. Honors students are currently in three residence halls. The Association of Honor Students is large and flourishing, and the students are active in student life. However, what really makes the program function is the superb faculty. During the question/answer and discussion period, the following points were made.

The funding for the archeology program is structured for a reserve fund to allow the exploration for other sites. The fee structure is set for students to take 8 semester hours of credit.

Things that could be done to enhance the Honors Program include additional scholarship money and additional funds to allow the co-sponsorship of speakers on campus.

The recruiting process has changed over the past 5-6 years. The Program still competes with other state schools, but now many students are choosing between Eastern and such schools as Princeton and Brown. We are now in competition with a number of private institutions. Students know about Eastern but not about the faculty. Dr. Lasky points out the faculty degrees and diversity of background to potential students. He succeeds in recruiting about 40% of the students he sees.

Honors students who are trained and very responsive to calls operate the office.

The program is also growing by word of mouth and developing some interesting cohorts-Muslim women, for example. Families talk to other families; Dr. Butt has been very helpful in talking with families of this particular group.

Departments who are interested in the Honors Program have really committed themselves to the program.

The average ACT score for all 700 students in the program is 27.8. The freshman class continues to be above that average.

There are currently 30 female honors students in Pemberton Hall. They are moving forward with renovations to the building. A new safety alarm system was installed this summer. With Housing and Physical Plant they are discussing the possibility of replacing the windows. They company with which they have been talking has a national reputation for rehabilitation of historical structures. They hope to begin the work in the public areas on the ground floor. This will take some time as the money becomes available. They have also filed a request with the Historical Commission for the right to replace the windows. They would also like to restore other historical aspects of the building.

VPSA Hencken has suggested bringing to the campus scholarship awardees so they can meet the faculty.

There is no academic consequence for leaving the program. It is designed for easy exit. They help students who are leaving the program work out their non-honors schedules.

72% of those in the program are female.

Many of the honors students work-many at two jobs. This is not necessarily a negative thing. They are interested in talented students; sometimes they take chances on students who do not fit the standard configuration for honors students. They would like more scholarship money so that students would not find it necessary to work as much as they do.

He has anecdotal information on students' successes after graduation. They tend to move upward very rapidly.

He likes to make clear to incoming freshmen that the Honors Program is a four-year program-not 5 or 6.

There are 700 students enrolled. The goal is 1000; this is an institutional goal as well.

There are three full-time staff members for the Honors Program, including Dr. Lasky.
They could use another full-time person to deal with transcripts and certification for graduation.

B. Report on Lake Land Accord by VPAA Abebe. The Accord reads as follows:

"As east-central Illinois' public institutions of higher education, Eastern Illinois University and Lake Land College share a common mission to serve the needs of the individuals and communities in our shared region. This agreement celebrates the commitment of both institutions to accomplish this educational objective through a partnership. This partnership will include such areas as providing joint professional and personal development opportunities for faculty, staff, and students; facilitating the seamless transition of students between the institutions; exploring a shared student financial aid agreement; developing academic programs of mutual interest and benefit; cooperating in international programming and activities; and sponsoring lecture series. The Illinois Commitment developed by the Illinois Board of Higher Education includes goals to help business and industry sustain strong economic growth, improve teaching and learning at all levels, increase the number and diversity of citizens completing training and education programs, facilitate student transfer from institution to institution, and improve productivity and cost-effectiveness. This Eastern Illinois University-Lake Land College Accord reaffirms our resolve to actualize these mutual goals in partnership as we serve the citizens of Illinois."

Presidents Surles and Luther signed the Accord on July 12, 1999. The idea for the Accord came from VPAA Abebe's office. The motive is very simple. It is in the interest of EIU to eliminate the antagonisms that exist between Eastern and community colleges. Abebe has written letters to the presidents of community colleges and received favorable feedback, but we need to go beyond writing letters and initiate an accord. We need to make sure that we continue to safeguard the well being of EIU by shoring up relationships with the community colleges. The spirit was not to establish programs and initiatives that will undermine faculty and the institution but to support EIU's long-term objectives. This Accord is in Eastern's best interests. It should eliminate the antagonisms and let the community know we are working together to serve the needs of the region. As a result of this Accord working teams have been established with members of EIU and Lakeland College. The working teams and their EIU members are:

Steering Committee--Teshome Abebe, Lou Hencken, Jeff Cross
Professional and Personal Development--Garret DeRuiter, Bill Gibbs, David Onestak, Chuck Phillips
Seamless Transition of Students between Institutions--Mary Herrington-Perry, Rita Pearson, Shirley Stewart, Liz Hitch, Dana Ringuette, Bill Addison
Shared Student Financial Aid--Jone Zieren
Development of Academic Programs of Mutual Interest--Mary Herrington-Perry, Will Hine, Bob Whittenbarger, Marilyn DeRuiter
International Programming and Activities--Bob Augustine, Carolyn Cooper, Mahmood Butt
Lecture and Performance Series--Student Representative TBA, C. C. Brinker, Chair, University Board, Jim Johnson, Herman Taylor, Jill Nilsen
Athletics--Deborah Polca

During the question/answer and discussion period the following points were made:

Why wasn't the Faculty Senate informed more fully about the intentions to begin with? Was there some fear that broaching the Faculty Senate was unwise? Will recommendations that are being considered by the Steering Committee be brought to the Faculty Senate so we can participate in the shared governance of the University? It is essential that we work with the community colleges. The Faculty Senate agenda does not allow for the Provost to make a regular report to the faculty. Abebe would like to see that changed. The advice of the Senate has prevented many missteps. Abebe will certainly share with the Senate those things that pertain to the Senate's charge as he has done during the past year.

EIU is more than a community college. It is regional-even national. There are other community colleges in this area as well. We are continuing to work with each of them individually; we are not leaving anyone out.

What implications are there for graduate education? Is there an opportunity to develop external graduate assistantships? There are a number of possibilities. These have to be done within the resources available to us and without subordinating the interests of EIU faculty. We are not sure how far we can go. What has been identified here is a full plate so far.

On matters as important as this there needs to be more expressed reporting to the Senate. A scheduled report from the VPAA is not necessary for something as important as this. A regular spot on the agenda would be appropriate for regular matters, but this is not a regular matter. It is expected that recommendations will be brought before the Senate.

Are there specific plans to have additional faculty appointments to the working teams? The Senate has been ignored on these working teams. The Eastern paradox is that on one hand we have faculty that would like to participate. On the other there are faculty concerned about increasing the workload of faculty. We need to be cognizant of these competing kinds of input. This occurred over the summer. The University must continue to work in spite of the fact that some people are away. Anyone who wants to serve in any way on these work teams, please let VPAA Abebe know.

The general goals are fine. There has to be recognition in the business community that we go far beyond this area. We hope we are not going back on the decision we made about the kind of students and education we are providing here.

It is essential to listen to the public. That is where we get our funding.

There are huge generalities in the agreement. As programs are developed, they must go through an infrastructure already established. We will get a say in the programs because of this infrastructure.

If the recommendations brought from the Steering Committee come before the Senate and if the Senate's recommendations are listened to, then we will rejoice.

In spirit, the Accord is a good thing. Whenever things like this come up the Senate welcomes Abebe's input whether he is on the agenda or not. Some of the problems, however, boil down to communication. Some of us are seeing top-down decisions. It is not that we do not agree with what is happening, but communication beforehand could improve it.

Is faculty participation on the work teams important? There is little faculty participation on the teams. This sets up a perception that faculty involvement is not important. Without faculty involvement and commitment this Accord goes nowhere.

What are the sources of the antagonisms? There is no one source; they are in a variety of areas. It depends on the institution and the individual. One person indicated that it was attitudinal.

EIU needs an office of service learning. There needs to be training in customer service not only for the faculty but for civil service as well. That is the attitude problem referred to.

The antagonism was partially created by the changed admission requirements. The cut-off date also creates difficulty. This was in response to our own success. If that is the difficulty, this is where we should intervene. Solving the problem through this Accord could create other problems.

C. Appointment to Student Conduct Code Review Committee. This needs to be a person skilled in detail work. The recommendations from this group will come to the Senate.
Motion (Allison/Tidwell) to nominate Ann Brownson (Library).
Yes: Allison, Benedict, Best, Coons, Eberly, Fewell, Fischer, Foster, Irwin, Lockart, Marlow, Tidwell, Toosi, Walker, Young.

V. Old Business

A. Committee Reports

1. Search Committee for Graduate Dean. Ron Gholson will continue to serve on this, but Bonnie Irwin is no longer able to.
Motion (Fewell/Foster) to appoint Reed Benedict to this committee.
Yes: Allison, Benedict, Best, Coons, Eberly, Fewell, Fischer, Foster, Irwin, Lockart, Marlow, Tidwell, Toosi, Walker, Young.

2. Nominations Committee. The Committee reported that there were vacancies for the following University committees beginning fall 1999:

Apportionment Board (meets weekly on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.) needs two members. One term would expire August 2000; the other August 2002.

The Environmental Health & Safety Committee needs a replacement to serve for one year.

The IBHE Faculty Advisory Committee needs an alternate for a one-year term.

The Intercollegiate Athletic Board needs two full members.

The Parking Advisory Committee needs one member.

The Publications Board needs one member for a three-year term.

Faculty interested in any of the above positions should contact Lankford Walker (Business) by Friday, September 17.

The Nominations Committee also reported that Newton Key (alternate to the Library Advisory Board) will become a full member to fill R. Buck's position (3-year term). In addition the Textbook Rental Services Advisory Committee needs a Faculty Senate representative.
Motion (Fewell/Eberly) to accept the report of the Nominations Committee.
Yes: Allison, Benedict, Best, Coons, Eberly, Fewell, Fischer, Foster, Irwin, Lockart, Marlow, Marlow, Tidwell, Toosi, Walker, Young.

B. Resolution regarding reappointment of Trustees: "Whereas Nate Anderson, Carl Koerner, and Tom Johnson have served on the Board of Trustees of eastern Illinois University with integrity and distinction, whereas they have demonstrated by their words and deeds a dedication to continuing Eastern's tradition of academic excellence, whereas they have demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of the administration, faculty, staff, and students of Eastern Illinois University, whereas they have actively sought qualified and energetic leaders for the university, whereas they have sought to protect the public investment in the buildings and grounds of Eastern Illinois University, be it resolved that the Eastern Illinois University Faculty Senate urges Governor George Ryan to reappointment Nate Anderson, Carl Koerner, and Tom Johnson to new terms on the Board of Trustees of eastern Illinois University. Be it further resolved that the Faculty Senate commends Susan Gilpin for her meritorious service as a member of the Eastern Illinois Board of Trustees from January 1996 until her resignation in 1999."
The resolution will be on the agenda for next week's meeting.

VI. Adjourn at 4:00 (Walker)

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy D. Marlow, Recorder

Future Agenda Items: Survey Results, President Surles-October 12 (Senators should consider issues for the President to address.), Faculty Fall Forum-November 9, 1999, Charleston-Mattoon Room

Opportunities for University Service:

Work Teams for the EIU-Lake Land Accord (see IV.B. in the minutes). Contact VPAA Abebe with your interests.

Apportionment Board (2 positions). Contact Lankford Walker, School of Business

Environment Health & Safety Committee (1 position). Contact Lankford Walker, School of Business

IBHE Faculty Advisory Committee Alternate (1 position). Contact Lankford Walker, School of Business

Intercollegiate Athletic Board (2 positions). Contact Lankford Walker, School of Business

Parking Advisory Committee (1 position). Contact Lankford Walker, School of Business

Publications Board (1 position). Contact Lankford Walker, School of Business.

Contact Lankford Walker no later than September 17, 1999.