The Campus Assembly met on Tuesday, October 1 at 4:30 p.m. in the Science Auditorium.

I.  Introduction to Campus Assembly

Roland Guyotte gave a brief introduction/orientation on Campus Assembly and read the powers of assembly from the UMM Constitution:

Powers

The assembly, as the policy-making and legislative body, exercises general legislative authority and responsibility in all educational matters concerning the Morris Campus delegated to it by the University Senate and the Board of Regents.

Membership

The assembly membership includes faculty, academic, civil service and bargaining unit staff and students.

Quorum

A quorum shall normally consist of a simply majority of the membership of assembly. A current membership list shall be compiled at the beginning of each academic semester. If a member cannot attend an assembly meeting, and if advance notification of the absence is given, the member shall not be counted as part of the quorum for that meeting.

The UMM Constitution can be found in its entirety at <http://www.morris.umn.edu/committees/assembly/const.shtml>.

II.  Chancellor's Remarks
Chancellor Schuman reported on the UMM Goals for the 2002-2003 Academic Year that came out of the senior administrative retreat done this summer.

1.  Increase and strategically manage resources:

- Complete the current Capital Campaign at or above $8,000,000 level by June, 2003; celebrate Campaign success; prepare for sustained philanthropic momentum in the post-Campaign period
- Use the current year to prepare for coming University and state budgets
- Continue to seek the funds to renovate the Social Science Building
       - secure state funding if there is a bonding bill
       - seek a high place on University priority list for 2004 bonding bill
- Explore universal international experience/increased tuition model

2.  Work to improve the visibility of UMM locally, regionally and nationally:
- Assess UMM's communications
- Move toward implementing a strategic integrated marking plan
- Secure "Historic District" designation for Mall area
- [see above; universal international experience exploration]
3.  Recruit and retain top quality students, faculty and staff:
- Particular emphasis on recruiting new and transfer students
4.  Communications:
- Continue to work to enhance open and productive communication on and off campus
- During a time of leadership transition at the University and in state government, remain focused on our core mission of superior undergraduate liberal learning in a small, public setting; articulate that shared institutional vision in a clear, coherent and convincing manner.

He is eager to discuss the priorities and goals with anyone at a greater length. On a personal note, he added that since he began teaching 36 years ago, he has never had a leave. He asked for and received an administrative leave early next year. He added that if the Social Science renovation goes before the legislature at during that time, the leave would switch off. He anticipates that the day to day management will be handled by the vice chancellors with perhaps more expanded responsibilities for their areas. He reminded assembly members of the State of the University Address to be held Thursday, October 3 at 3:00 p.m.

III.  Minutes of April 25, 2002 Campus Assembly meeting were approved as presented.

IV.  Election to replace Rickey Hall on Executive Committee.

LeAnn Dean was nominated by Ruth Thielke and John Bowers. Andy Lopez moved to cease nominations, second by Mary Elizabeth Bezanson. So moved.

V.  Student Committee Assignments were approved as presented with one addition: Cendy Gonzalez added to Scholastic Committee.

VI.  Committee replacements.

Lori Koshork replaces Heather Pennie as chair of Student Services Committee
Jasmin Cyril replaces Pam Bustos on International Programs Committee
Paul Grove replaces Lori Hedlund on Minority Experience Committee
Joel Eisinger replaces Ish Haji on Faculty Development Committee
Mary Elizabeth Bezanson replaces Jim Carlson on Curriculum Committee
Wendel Cox replaces Dimitra Giannuli on Scholastic Committee

VII.  Curriculum Committee

Fritz Schwaller noted that these curricular changes come to you as seconded motions as a result of catalog changes. Roland Guyotte suggested items could be pulled out for discussion, otherwise the contents go forward as a whole.  Bert Ahern thought it would be helpful to hear why three items were voted no by Curriculum Committee members. Schwaller said regarding WSS 2402 and 2401, there was concern by a committee member that the disciplines had not been properly involved in the discussion. A student member had also expressed concern about these new courses and questioned how they fit into Liberal Arts, stating that the courses appear to be very technical. Ruth Thielke spoke about adding GER designators to English courses previously taught with no GER. This would prevent unnecessary work from going to the Scholastic Committee. Rich Heyman said he would like to hear the arguments from the Sociology and Psychology disciplines to hear how satisfied they are. Bert Ahern added this he guesses those students taking the sociology course will have already taken the sociology requirement and that these are peripheral to the field. Roland Guyotte moved to table WSS 2000 level courses for continued discussion. Bert Ahern suggested tabling the WSS 4000 level courses as well. Second by Mary Elizabeth Bezanson. All other Curriculum Committee material was moved with a show of hands. Schwaller asked for approval of GER indicators in English courses. Approved. Margaret Kuchenreuther suggested that someone from WSS be at the next assembly meeting to address the concerns and that the minutes accurately reflect what was said. She believes Craig Kissock talked about the area of emphasis, but there is nothing in the minutes.

VIII.  First Year Seminar Recommendation was approved as presented.

IX.  Senators and other University Committee Reports.

Bert Ahern reported that the Presidential Search Committee hopes to finish their work by December. The U of M has established a link to the Presidential Search that identifies characteristics that the Regents have established. He also added that the search committee is an advisory committee and they will make their recommendations to the Regents. Chancellor Schuman added that on this subject, here is a letter I wrote to William Funk:
 

I am writing in reply to your letter of September 18, informing me that I
have been formally nominated for the position of President of the
University of Minnesota. This is an important job - a major leadership
position in American higher education - and it is a touching honor to be
considered an appropriate candidate.

While I am tickled and gratified to have been suggested to the Regents for
this crucial role in the future evolution of our great University, I am not
tempted to become an active candidate, and I ask you to withdraw me from
consideration.

There are many reasons I make this choice, but the dominant one is that I
would rather by far be the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota,
Morris, than President of the University of Minnesota. And, a frank
assessment of my skills and potential suggests to me that my chances of
doing a decent job of the former are much better than the latter. In the
famous early nineteenth-century Dartmouth College law case, Daniel Webster
is reported to have said:

It is, Sir, as I have said, a small college. And yet there are those who
love it!

That is an accurate description of my feelings for my current job and for
the college I am privileged to serve.

I wish you, the Search Advisory Committee and the Regents the very best in
this vital search. It is important that we find a great President for our
University, and I very much hope that will be a person who understands and
supports the unique public liberal arts mission of the Morris campusÖand an
individual who is kind enough to permit me to stay here and finish the work
which we have begun during the past eight years.

X.  Old Business.

None

XI.  New Business.

None
 
 

Adjourned at 5:30 p.m.