Present: Dale Blahna, John Kras, Bruce Miller, Rob Morrison, Shawn Olsen, David Luthy, Giberto Urroz, Kevin Doyle, Larry Smith (for Brent Miller), Noelle Cockett, Janis Boettinger, Derek Mason
Excused: Stan Albrecht, Brent Miller
Presenters: Sydney Peterson, Jeff Johnson, Norm Jones, Al Lambert, Adam Christensen, Joyce Kinkead
Guests: Elizabeth York, Jeffery Walters, Steve Allan, Todd Moon, Caryn Beck-Dudley, Terry Peak

Janis Boettinger called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm.

Bruce Miller moved to accept the March 21, 2005 minutes as written. The motion seconded by Shaun Olsen, passed unanimously.

University Business
Noelle Cockett presented the university business. The cost of living and salary adjustment are being finalized across the university. The cost of living adjustment will include all salaries and vacant positions of 2.5 percent. Anything greater than 4 percent on merit increase will be approved through the Provost Office and the Vice President for Business and Finance Office. These adjustments will go into the 2005-2006 budget process.

There is new money coming to the university from the Board of Regents for the Retention Block Grant. The money will be available 2005-2006. The Provost will be working with the Deans on strategizing on how to present the requests. They will also be looking at the Oklahoma State Salary Study.

There is money coming from the legislator to Utah State and the University of Utah for the Economic Development Plan or Star Economic Initiative. There will be $1.6 million ongoing and $395,000 planning money. Brent Miller and Ann Aust are developing the program, Microbial Transformation.

The Banner Student Registration went live April 11, and is going better than expected. The students in general say it is going well. The registrar’s office has been very open to listening to problems and suggestions.

Information Items for Consent Agenda
EPC Business
Joyce Kinkead presented the EPC business. Marriage and Family Therapy program requested that we allow transcripts to be posted to allow students to gain employment.

College of Education is cleaning up their dual majors and composite majors. These were listed as composite majors but were actually dual majors.

Request from College of Business to take the “general” business degree and offer it through continuing education only and stop offering this degree on campus.

David Luthy moved that the EPC business be placed on the consent agenda. The motion, seconded by John Krass, passed.

Calendar Committee
Sydney Peterson presented the proposed changes to the calendar. Because they will not be awarding the actual diplomas to students at graduation, they are proposing to build the instruction days back into the schedule for Spring 06 and 07. Derek Mason moved to place the calendar committee report on the consent agenda. The motion, seconded by Kevin Doyle, passed.

Key Issues and Action Items
Lost and Found Website
Al Lambert presented the Lost and Found Website. The website will be maintained by ASUSU and will be linked off of the main index page. The website will allow students, faculty and staff to access the lost and found drop offs via the website. John Kras moved that the Lost and Found Website be placed as an information item on the May Faculty Senate meeting agenda. The motion, seconded by Bruce Miller, passed.

Al Lambert and Adam Christensen presented the proposed changes to the Walk Way Policy. ASUSU and the Vice Presidents approved these changes. 1) There are no longer pedestrian zones on campus, whole campus 2) There are a few definitions changes 3) There are no longer permits required to have a bike on campus 4) Strike out the “peak times” policy. The Police Department is very supportive of the new policy, which benefits both the pedestrians and bikers. Kevin Doyle moved to make a resolution to support the Walkway Policy and include this as an information item on the agenda. The motion, seconded by Rob Morrison, passed.

Promotion Advisory Committee Proposal
The Promotion Advisory Committee Proposal was passed at the last Faculty Senate meeting; however, the Provost Office made non-substantive changes. Ronda Callister walked the committee through these changes. Shawn Olsen moved that the non-substantive changes to the Promotion Advisory Committee Proposal be placed as in information item on the agenda. The motion, seconded by John Kras, passed.

Advance Update
Ronda Callister presented the Advance Update. Kim Sullivan and Mary Feng have been involved in gathering retention numbers for the passed 5 years and comparing them to other universities. Our turnover rate is comparable to other universities. Advance is working with the four science and engineering colleges. The departments will have the opportunity to apply for the Departmental Transformation Program and work with consultants to look at their department in depth. Applications will be available. John Kras moved that the Advance Update be placed as an information item on the agenda. The motion, seconded by Bruce Miller, passed.

Accommodation Policy: University of Utah
Norm Jones talked briefly about the University of Utah’s Accommodation Policy. This is a state-wide issue. Derek Mason moved to work with the President to form an adhoc committee and involve FS representatives and AFT members to work with administration and students in developing an accommodation policy at Utah State University. The motion, seconded by David Luthy, passed.

Committee on Committees
Committee selection forms have been distributed to senators. Kevin Doyle moved that the Committee on Committees report be placed as an action item as a place saver. The motion, seconded by Derek, passed.

Domestic Partners Benefits
Derek Mason moved that the Domestic Partners Benefits Proposal be placed as an action item. Kevin Doyle seconded the motion. There was an intense, multifaceted discussion including a number of guests invited to express their viewpoints. After much discussion, the committee went into Executive Session. The motion to place the Domestic Partners Benefit proposal as an action item failed (9 to 4 vote).

As there was no new business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.