Call to Order
Janis Boettinger called the meeting to order at 3:03 pm.

Minutes
Jan Alm (formerly Anderson) moved to approve the minutes of December 6, 2004. The motion, seconded by Christopher Terry, passed.

University Business
Provost Stan Albrecht talked about the various searches underway. The search for Dean of the College of Education has a strong pool and will hopefully be bringing in finalists the end of January. The search for the Dean of the School of Graduate studies is in progress and Noelle Cackett is the chair of that committee. The search for Dean of the College of Natural Resources committee will be chaired by Caryn Beck-Dudley with a new dean in place by the summer. Ron Godfrey has accepted a mission call from his church and will be leaving the university in June, so we will need to replace the VP of Business and Finance.

Provost Albrecht is more optimistic about the budget. The salary compensation in Governor Walker’s budget was a little over 3% and he hopes that it holds. The budget also includes O&M costs which will likely cover the increase in Fuel and Power, but will not cover the deficit. The Engineering Initiative and Nursing Program will most likely be supported with both one-time and on-going funding. The message bill for student fees is losing force and the message bill requiring legislative approval for building student housing will go through the 1st week of the semester.

The replacement of Merrill Library with a new Agriculture building is ranked 4th on the Capital and Facilities building requests. This is great position for Utah State to be in. By next year we hope to be in the top 3 priorities.

Utah State and the University of Utah are collaborating on an economic development initiative promoting the economic benefits that research provides to the state of Utah. There is a major meeting with key leaders of both the Cache and Salt Lake chamber and business communities.

Provost Albrecht commented briefly on President Hall’s new appointment. This is a great opportunity for President Hall. Higher Education in Utah is significantly better from Hall’s tenure. President Hall has chosen to go away “quietly”. For the time being, there will not be a State of University Address. Provost Albrecht reminded faculty that President Hall individually chose to forgo the formal inauguration by setting up a fund which is now close to $1 million. Provost Albrecht encouraged faculty that if they wanted to do something for President Hall, they should contribute to the Inaugural Scholarship Fund.

Announcements
Janis Boettinger announced that there will be a campus-wide “Tsunami Relief” effort. More information will be forthcoming.

Information Item
Faculty Library Endowment Janis Boettinger encouraged faculty to contribute to the Faculty Library Endowment. Faculty will be receiving a letter and a payroll deduction form in the near future.

Network Data Port Fee Kim Marshall talked briefly of the Network Data Port Fee. The fee was approved last year by the President’s Executive Committee and Dean’s Council. Because machines were being compromised, they needed to make people aware of the situation. This policy has been implemented since last July. If you have any questions regarding the fee, contact Kim Marshall at 797-2413.

Scholarships, Grants, and Waivers AJ Rounds presented the resolution for posting of information on Scholarships, Grants, and Waivers passed by the students. He encouraged faculty to contact their colleagues for feedback about a senate resolution of support for the February Faculty Senate meeting.

PRPC Business Jeff Johnson presented the proposed changes policy 7.2 (Additional Events During the Year in which a Tenure Decision is to be Made) sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 (see proposal changes linked to the January 10 agenda).

Jeff Johnson presented the proposed language in policy 360.1 (Special Development Leave) to include lecturers. Gilberto Urroz motioned that PRPC check the code to verify if instructors are in the code. The motion 2nd by Kim Openshaw passed.

Jeff Johnson presented the proposed changes to policy 8.3 (Procedures for Promotion) section 4. The purpose of this change is for policy consistency with Tenure and Promotion processes.

Consent Agenda
Stephen Bialkowski moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion, seconded by Kathy Piercy, passed unanimously.

Key Issue and Action Items
Dr. Jared Bleak will be on campus on January 26-27 to facilitate a Faculty Senate Leadership workshop. Please RSVP to Christina Palmer (Christina.palmer@usu.edu or 797-0945) if you are planning to attend. If you have ideas or questions regarding this workshop, direct them to Derek Mason at dmason@cc.usu.edu.

New Business
Janis Boettinger opened the discussion on the current Utah State University president situation. She explained the urgency and need of the letter that was sent to Board of Regents Chairman Nolan Karras, and Higher Education Commissioner Rich Kendall from Janis Boettinger, Derek Mason, and Kevin Kesler indicating faculty support for Stan Albrecht as the next USU President. Although she agreed with the letter, Pat Lambert voiced her concern that it was out-of-line for the Faculty Senate leadership to send the letter without proper feedback from faculty. Other concerns were voiced, including the Regents policy and matters of principle, equality, and fairness for requiring a national search for President. Craig Simper, University Counsel, stated that it is not Regents’ code that a national search is required for a university president position. Darwin Sorenson proposed a resolution supporting a national search for president. The motion was seconded by Steve Aust. Dallas Holmes moved a substitute the motion that the sense of the letter be adopted by the Faculty Senate. The motion, seconded by Ronda Callister, passed. Continuing discussion generally acknowledged that the current situation was clearly exceptional; there was confidence in Stan Albrecht to lead USU as the next President; Stan Albrecht was a finalist in the previous national search for USU president; and faculty had a rare opportunity for input into Board of Regents decision-making process. Straw poll assessing the confidence in Stan Albrecht to lead USU as its next president; there was a show of hands indicating a large majority of support. Senators then began offering compromise language for a new resolution. Dallas Holmes withdrew his substitute motion, Ronda Callister removed her second. Darwin Sorenson withdrew his original motion, and the seconded was withdrawn by Steve Aust. “The USU Faculty Senate supports a national search for President of USU as a matter of principle. However, in the current exceptional circumstances, the Faculty Senate has complete confidence that Stan Albrecht, having gone through a national search for President of USU, is fully qualified to assume the position of President and has strong support from the Faculty Senate.” Shawn Olsen moved that the Faculty Senate approve the resolution as written. The motion, seconded by Jeff Banks, passed unanimously.