FACULTY SENATE MEETING
OCTOBER 9, 1998

MEMBERS PRESENT: G. Avent, P. Bagley, E. Bateman, R. Byram, P. Collins, J. Emerson, M. Fenger, P. Fox, S. Garcia, E. Henderson, C. Hyslop, L. Hyslop, P. Josey, R. Kampf, J. King, K. Martin, M. McFarlane, R. McNally, B. Murphy, E. Nickel, P. Normandie, L. Owens, M. Ports, L. Reber, J. Rice, K. Schwandt, J. Shaw, G. Smith, J. Smith, P. Smith, J. Stringfield, M. Swetich, G. Tenney, M. Van de Ven, P. Warren, J. Williams

1. ATTENDANCE: Silent roll was taken. Chair Jack Smith declared a quorum present.
2. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m.
3. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS : Chair Jack Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Charles Holt.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the August 8, 1998, meeting were approved with the following changes:
   
   1. Add John Rice to serve on the Campus Enhancement Committee.
   2. Item V.C.2. should read "Value the GBC AS degree."
5. SENATE CHAIR REPORT: Chair Jack Smith reported the following:
   1. Board of Regents -
      1. UNLV Dental School - Approved. Arguments in favor of the school point to the poor insurance coverage for substantive care, the large transitory population of the state, the demographics of the population, and the severe under-representation in dental schools of students from Nevada (out-of-state costs must be assumed by students and limited enrollment is available). The 10-12 dental schools in the United States which have closed over the recent years have been private schools usually associated with a medical school where, due to the unusually high costs of maintaining a dental school, a choice was made to emphasize quality standards in medical academics.
         1. This approval will directly diminish the funding for the other institutions in the system.
         2. The Dental Board of Nevada requires that dental students be sponsored by a licensed dentist in the state and boasts of its quality standards of a 85% pass rate on the state required testing and acceptance.
      2. CCSN Athletic Program - Approved. The argument in favor indicated the sizable increase in enrollment , a feasibility study showing 89% support from the campus, and promised a self-supporting athletic program. The proponents did not disclose the eventual cost to the state of upgraded athletic facilities and travel costs. Regents Gallagher, Rosenberg,and Phillips were opposed to the measure citing funding. CCSN was authorized an initial $200,000 for the program; the college will use the facilities of the school district for training in the immediate future.
      3. Executive Salaries - Approved. The issue comes under certain scrutiny due to the generous sums which are earned by the Chancellor and system Presidents. A study provided by Regent Howard Rosenberg compared these salaries to other states and proceeded to propose a salary cap. Senate Chairs opposed the measure due to possible limiting effect on faculty salaries and Regents Rosenberg's proposition was defeated.
   2. Council of Senate Chairs -
      1. Movement into Column 4 Salary Scale - Current policy has been interpreted as a Masters Degree + 30 when policy states it as a Bachelors Degree + 60. Lawsuits are currently pending in the system. Senate Chairs proposed the handbook be rewritten to read Bachelors Degree plus 60 acceptable credit hours with the inclusion of a Masters Degree. If accepted by the Chancellor's office, contract changes will take place July 1 for those individuals involved.
   3. Committee Service Compensation - Prior meeting proposed compensation in terms of credit reduction for the chairs of Senate committees. Vice President Betty Elliott is not prepared to sanction this at present.
   4. Computing Resources Policy - Criticisms and comments should be directed to Jane Nichols at the system office.
   5. Composition of Senate - Specific Non-teaching faculty members would like the opportunity to have proper representation with Administration outside of Senate since most items discussed at Senate do not pertain to their job functions. A suggestion was made that a committee be formed. This is a viable request since certain items of Senate business are not carried out in an effective manner if non-teaching faculty have no official representation. Chair Jack Smith will call a meeting of non-teaching faculty to determine how to proceed.
   6. Confirmation of Academic Title - Those faculty who have reached tenure status may use the title of Community College Professor as they wish.
   7. Appointment of Non-Senate Member as Committee Chair - After discussion, Dr. Charles Holt was voted in15:8 as Chair of the Articulation and Curriculum Chair for the 1998-1999 academic year. This action comes as a result of the pursuit of the four-year degree programs. Cliff Ferry and Lynn Mahlberg will serve as ex-officio members. Dr. Charles Holt showed concern for the vote but was reassured by Senate members that it did not reflect any personal animosity.
   8. Approval of Senate Committees - The Senate committees for the 1998-1999 academic year were unanimously approved.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
   1. Academic Standards: None
   2. Compensation and Benefits: Written report submitted;
      1. New travel request form and guidelines for the approval/disapproval for advancement and enrichment activities requests were distributed.
      2. UICI Administrators were on campus outlining the changes to the current health care policy. Changes include premium increases, deductible increases, and co-pay increases. The system Compensation and Benefits Committee will meet to look at the changes and voice their disapproval of the measures although little may be accomplished since this system is used statewide and the changes were decided and notification given publically in the Reno newspaper.
   3. Facilities: No written report submitted;
      1. A handicap ramp is being added to the JOIN office trailer in the back of the campus.
      2. A summary of progress from the Campus Enhancement Committee was given:
         1. The creek running through the center of campus will be redeveloped. Drainage water will actually be piped under the constructed water flow. The bed will be designed with concrete boulders developed with molds and stains and natural boulders from the Lamoille area. The flow of water will proceed to a pond. All this water will be filtered and re-circulated.
         2. The ampitheatre will be a "theatre in the round" type of design with tiered stepping (chairs will be brought in for performances) using alternative paving materials. The elevations will blend into the surrounding area so that there is not a structure blocking the view of the campus. The area will be designed to have a functional use when not utilized by productions. The seating will open to a plaza area extending to the portico of the College Community Center.
         3. The solarium will connect the College Community Center, Theatre, and the Fitness Center. It will be a glass structure which will actually come into the foyer of the CCC by removing a portion of the CCC wall and entrance. Furnishings include features such as a fireplace and a fountain designed as a wall of water.
         4. The clock tower will be located towards the center of campus fully visible between Lundberg and McMullen halls. Four clock faces will be present and designed using the natural boulder designs and glass.
   4. Personnel: None
      1. Glenn Tenney reminded Senate that applications for sabbatical are being accepted.
   5. Student Relations: Written report submitted; The focus of the committee was discussed. The ASB will be present at each meeting. The committee will act as support to the ASB from Senate. Faculty will be asked to participate and assist with functions throughout the year.
   6. Budget: None
   7. Curriculum and Articulation: None
   8. Faculty and Administration Evaluations: None
   9. Scholarships and Awards: No written report submitted; unclaimed scholarships will be re-awarded. Applications are welcome through October 16.
   10. Distance Learning: No written report submitted; a copy of the Intellectual Property Rights form was distributed in the agenda. At this point, implementation is in limbo. Faculty members who are affected by this measure have been compensated as outlined.
7. OLD BUSINESS: No old business was brought forward.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
   1. Outstanding Administration, Faculty and Staff - No nominations were brought forward.
   2. Division Chairs - A list of duties was submitted at the last meeting by the Vice President of Academic Affairs which were not approved by the group. It is felt that the Division Chairs no longer address the purpose for which it was formed and should therefore be disbanded. Administrative and clerical duties as well as items which should be decided upon as a representative Senate are being expected. It was decided last year that Senate would look at the structure and reevaluate its purpose. Adequate support is now in place with the hiring of VP Elliott and Assistant VP Charles Holt and a suggestion was made to change to departments, with smaller departments being formed out of single-teacher disciplines. Department heads will not receive the release time currently offered to Division Chairs. A motion was made and unanimously passed that Division Chairs continue until the end of the current semester at which time it will be abolished.
   3. Chair Jack Smith and the Facilities Committee were asked to research the development of a motion passed last academic year which gave the use of the Construction Trades building to the diesel program to hold auto body classes. The building is currently being utilized by the Speech and Theatre and Music departments.
   4. The technical trades building planned for the campus may lose its position for funding with the Board of Regents due to the acceptance of the Dental School for UNLV. It is still on the first tier for consideration.
9. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:02 p.m. Next meeting will be held November 13, 1:00 p.m.