University of Minnesota, Morris
Campus Assembly Minutes
April 13, 1998

The Campus Assembly met on Monday, April 13, 1998 at 4 pm in the Science 
Auditorium.

I.  Vice Chair Margaret Kuchenreuther chaired the meeting in David 
JohnsonÕs absence.  She reported on his behalf that the Morris Science 
Project/Regional Fitness Center bonding bill passed the House and Senate.

II.  The minutes of the 1/26/98 Assembly meeting were approved as 
distributed.

III.  The Assembly discussed the motion to amend the by-laws concerning 
the make-up of the Faculty Development Committee.  Michael Risku made a 
motion to amend the amendment to indicate that the Coordinator for 
Faculty Development would be a non-voting, ex-officio member of the FDC 
since the FDC regularly gives assignments to the Coordinator.  Todd 
Neuharth seconded.  John Bowers asked how the change would impact voting 
numbers and Roland Guyotte noted that the committee is older than the 
Coordinator position, necessitating the refinement of membership.  The 
amendment passed vocally and James Flaten echoed BowersÕ concerns about a 
chance in voting membership leading to split votes.  Bert Ahern said such 
conflicts were not historically a problem with the committee.  The 
following amendment passed vocally.

Amendment to By-law Article II Section 3 A. 1. a to now read:  
Membership.  The Faculty Development Committee consists of seven members, 
including four faculty members with representation from each division, 
plus the coordinator of faculty development who will serve ex-officio 
non-voting, and two students.

IV.  The Curriculum Committee recommended the discontinuation of two of 
its adjunct committees, Honors and General Education (Gen. Ed.).  Sam 
Schuman noted that the parent committee was supporting the recommendation 
of the adjunct committees and that Honors would become an informal 
interest group convened by the Director of the Honors Program.

Bert Ahern asked who will deal with the policy issues previously 
addressed by Gen. Ed.  Schuman responded that the Curriculum Committee 
already duplicates the approval process of all Gen. Ed. actions.  Eric 
Klinger affirmed the idea of reducing the number of levels of approval 
involved in the process and noted that the new general education program 
course designations should decrease Gen. Ed.'s workload.  Ahern then 
asked about Honors and Dwight Purdy noted that attendance at committee 
meetings has been abysmal, members are not engaged in the subject.  Ahern 
wondered how disinterest in the program would be addressed and Margaret 
Kuchenreuther suggested using a better mechanism than a committee.

Brent Heeringa suggested a lack of student interest reflected a 
poorly-run program and Jeff Ratliff-Crain insisted that, if 
committee-like work is to continue, then the committee designation should 
continue.  Jason Anderson protested the dearth of classes fitting 
requirements. 

Bettina Blake explained that the committees were created to provide a 
constituency for addressing circular concerns separate from the primary 
activities of the divisions.  Ahern asked about the recommendations in 
the last external review.  Schuman remembered that there have been two 
external reviews and the question arose whether the committee structure 
serves Honors well.  Schuman reminded the Assembly that of all the 
adjunct committees, these are the only two that have been recommended for 
elimination in response to the Consultative Committees mandate to explore 
committee reduction.  Ted Underwood added that Gen. Ed. was created for 
implementation, not perpetuity.  But Greg Thorson suggested that a 
program's place at an institution is linked to its structural status.

Kuchenreuther reminded the Assembly that there is a director for the 
Honors Program and Purdy added that a student advisory group also 
exists.  Jack Imholte suggested that Gen. Ed. was intended to dissolve 
but not Honors.  Sean Lazenby asked which students serve on the advisory 
group and was referred to Andrea Wojtanowicz.  The Executive Committee 
will revisit the issue, which will come for action at a later meeting.

V.  The following elections were held.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (1-year terms, no limitations on terms)
Vice Chair:  Margaret Kuchenreuther
Secretary:  Edith Borchardt
Faculty/P&A #1:  Jon Anderson
Faculty/P&A #2:  Bart Finzel

USA representative and student elections are pending.

PARLIAMENTARIAN (1-year terms, no limitations on terms)
Roland Guyotte (who notes he will be on leave WQ 99)

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (2-year terms, 3 consec. terms max)
Susan Bernardin (1st term 98-2000)
Pieranna Garavaso (2nd term 98-2000)

There was some discussion of the term "academic" as used in the 
constitution to delineate membership of the Consultative Committee 
["There is a Campus Consultative Committee consisting of four faculty 
members (including academic staff)."].  Bert Ahern suggested that the use 
of the term "academic staff" was never intended to result in making all 
P&A staff eligible for the Consultative Committee and asked that this 
issue be addressed in the future.  

VI.  The Assembly discussed potential meeting times after semester 
conversion.  Margaret Kuchenreuther noted that Monday 4 pm meeting slots 
conflict with many labs in the Science and Math Division.  Julie 
Patterson-Pratt noted that the suggested times of 6:30 pm Mondays or 4 pm 
Fridays conflict with obligations of the theatre faculty.  Bert Ahern 
asked if it was possible at this point to select a time and avoid all 
scheduling during that slot.  Sam Schuman replied that course offerings 
will require class scheduling from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.  
Fred Farrell suggested a variable meeting time.  Jeff Ratliff-Crain 
endorsed the idea, adding that 6:30 meeting times are appallingly 
anti-family and anti-staff.  Kuchenreuther mentioned that the Executive 
Committee's first goal in considering times was to seek out the fewest 
class conflicts.  

Jim Cotter pointed out the increasing number of hours a day that 
community members are expected to be at work.  Roland Guyotte countered 
that many semester schools have evening classes and encouraged 8 am 
meetings as "brisk."  Edith Borchardt explained that there will be a 
great many 8 am classes under semesters.  Jeri Mullin added that the 
suggested times were based on quarter data; semester data are 
incomplete.  

At this point the meeting was extended beyond 5:30.

Jason Anderson protested that Assembly meets infrequently and is 
extremely significant and is therefore a justifiable priority over other 
concerns.  Barbara Burke requested more consultation by the Executive 
Committee and Sam Schuman suggested a specific time slot on varying 
days.  

VII.  Senator Tom Johnson reported on the upcoming Senate meeting on 
4/16/98.  Policies under consideration include degrees with distinction 
and/or honors.  

VIII.  Under old business, Bert Ahern asked for an update on the 
Chancellor search and was informed by Andy Lopez that word is expected 
from President Yudof shortly.  Eric Klinger noted changes being 
implemented in the research process where grant applications are becoming 
more computerized, reducing administrative error.
   
Rebecca Webb