Campus Council Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, April 10, 2014, MULN 104
I. Call to Order at 3:35 p.m. – Necia Parker Gibson, Chair
II. Roll call: See Sign -In Sheet
III. Approval of Minutes from April 2013 (No minutes for Fall 2013; meeting cancelled due to weather).
Minutes of April 2013 approved.
IV. Reports
Chancellor David Gearhart - The Chancellor reported on the following:
- Glad to be here today!
- Enrollment - looks very good; we are in institution of first choice with 25,000 students certain to enroll this Fall. We are up in housing and scholarships, anticipate 4600 incoming freshmen this fall, and now have an ACT average of 26 along with a 3.6 GPA. We are now the 13th fastest growing university in the nation. We have added 6000 students in the last six years so we need to add more faculty.
- Facilities Management continues numerous activities on campus - More planting and irrigation, widening of Razorback Road, 2 athletics buildings (Basketball performance center; athletics education center, both funded by Athletics). There are also two academic buildings under construction - Champions Hall, partially funded by Athletics, across from Bell Engineering as well as the Faulkner Performing Arts Building that will reside in the old men's gym. All of these activities are to be finished by Summer 2015. The new concert hall will hold some 600 folks and almost all of the funds needed have been raised.
- Campaign Arkansas - 100 have signed on. Not yet sure of a goal but we have already raised $250,000,000.00.
- UA is in very good financial standing. Strong reserves in place but we need more money. We are currently 80 million dollars underfunded. Last year, we received 3million in new money from the state but because we are in the "B" category for funding, we may not be funded. Nevertheless, always working to find more and our growth has saved our bacon!
- Classified staff salaries/raises are set by the state. The state is talking about a 2% bonus - a small chunk of money but not to be added to the base. The UA is not satisfied with this and wish to see the raise added to the base of our classified staff employees.
- Still exploring non-classified staff and faculty raises. The hope is to offer something reasonable!
- Very proud of our students, staff, faculty and campus. There is still a lot of work to be done but we are in good shape. Strong revenue flows and reserves and a diverse community with students representing all 50 states and 120 foreign countries!
Janine Parry - Faculty Senate - Professor Parry reported on the following:
- Dr. Parry has regular visits with the Chancellor and Provost
- Training on Parliamentarian procedure provided by our Faculty Senate Parliamentarian, Bob Brady
- Good attendance in Senate this year.
- Taking a step towards adjusting our membership numbers.
- Working on ways to boost student attendance.
- Helping students by providing access to sample syllabuses in the syllabus bank.
- Cleaning up some academic policy issues.
- Trying to be engaged in the system level conversation about online degrees; concerns about how this will be funded.
Trish Watkins - Staff Senate - Ms. Watkins reported on the following:
- In October, five "Outstanding Employee of the Year" awards were given: Jessica Lang, Debbie McLeod, Stefanie Cragg, Kim Halligan and Betty Fisher.
- Part time award given to Hilola Tuychieva
- Team Award - Office of the Registrar
- Staff Scholarships - five given totaling $2500.00
ASG - Ms. Autumn Lewis reported on the following:
- Helped create an online syllabus bank for students
- Doubled courtside seating at basketball games.
- Established Razorback action group, non-partisan. Student lobbying team focused on higher education funding. Lobbied with legislators. Goal - keep the UA affordable for all Arkansans.
- Meal donation program - help feed less endowed students.
- Looking into grade forgiveness opportunities.
- Compiling registered student organizations into a database.
- See also attached report.
V. Elections for Chair and Vice Chair of Campus Council
VI. Committee Reports
AUCB/AUAIB - See attached report.
Artists and Concerts - See attached report.
Catastrophic Leave - A. J. Olson, presenter
We are asked to consider donating hours for this very beneficial program. Thirty one individuals were assisted this past year. Current balance - 74,000 for Faculty; 52,000 for Staff.
University Distinguished Lectures - Mary Skinner, presenter
Two very successful lectures this year.
- Nick Nichols, National Geographic Photographer; 10,000.00 donated to this event
- Condaleeza Rice
Faculty/Student Mentorship program; Student and faculty member of the year awards to be announced.
Fringe Benefits - See attached report.
Student Financial Aid - No report.
Student Honors, Awards and Convocations - No report.
VII. Old Business
None
VIII - New Business
None
IX. Announcements
Campus Faculty Meeting, April 16, Giffels Auditorium
X. Adjournment
Edit webpageMeeting adjourned, 4:45 p.m.