M E M O R A N D U M

The University of Alabama

1.11.02

To: J. Norman Baldwin, President, Faculty Senate

From: Senate Operations Committee: Members Holt, Miller, and Price

Re: Adding language to the Faculty Senate By-laws

The Senate Operations Committee recommends the following additions and changes to the UA Faculty Senate By-laws:

Make Article II, Section 8 to be Section 9, and in its place insert the following new paragraph describing the term "regular" faculty member.

"FACULTY HOLDING REGULAR APPOINTMENTS

A faculty member holding a regular appointment is someone who is tenured, tenure earning or a permanent part-time instructor at The University of Alabama. Permanent part-time instructors are individuals who teach half-time (two courses) or more on a continuing basis who do not hold tenure or are tenure earning at another institution of higher education.

Article I. Senate Officers

In all elections of Senate Officers-President, Vice President, and Secretary-elections will be by the vote of the majority of the senators voting, in a meeting at which a quorum of the Senate is present. Nominations and election of the Senate President will be completed before the floor is opened for nominations for Vice President, who will also serve as the faculty ombudsperson, and the election of the Vice President will be made before nominations are received for the Office of Secretary. Any senator interested in serving in one or more of these offices may submit a written statement of intention, with any supporting argument, not to exceed one page in length, to the Secretary of the Senate by March 14 of the year in which he or she hopes to commence office. The Secretary will distribute each such statement and supporting argument with the agenda for the March meeting of the Senate. Persons may also be nominated for these offices from the floor at the March meeting. A motion to close nominations, or the equivalent, is out of order. Each candidate will have an opportunity to speak to the Senate about his or her candidacy, and the Senate will have an opportunity to ask questions of each candidate.

Note: I’m skipping the first three sections of Article II on Senate orientation, steering committee, and standing committees in order to save space. The new language is in italics in section 9.

Article II. Organization

Section 4. Special Committees.

Special committees may be created by the Senate as needed. Unless the Senate directs otherwise, special committee members and chairpersons shall be designated by the same methods as for standing committees. Persons eligible to vote in Senate elections who are not members of the Senate may be appointed by special committees as their consultants.

Section 5. Subcommittees.

Standing and special committees may establish such standing or special subcommittees as they deem useful. Persons eligible to vote in Senate elections who are not members of the Senate may be appointed by subcommittees as their consultants.

Section 6. Parliamentarian.

The Senate President will nominate a parliamentarian, subject to Senate confirmation, to serve as recommended in the most recent revision of Robert's Rules of Order except where these Rules are contravened by a rule adopted by the Senate. This person will be a member of the Faculty, as defined in the Constitution, who is not a senator; or a member of the retired faculty. It shall be the duty of the Parliamentarian to attend all meetings of the Senate and of the Steering Committee.

Section 7. Webmaster.

The Senate President will nominate a webmaster, subject to Senate confirmation, to serve as the producer and coordinator of the Senate's web site. This person will be a member of the faculty, who may be but need not be a senator.

Section 8. Offices.

The Senate shall maintain offices, in a room or rooms in the University assigned by the President of the University. The Senate offices shall be the location of the files of the Senate.

The Vice President will serve as the faculty ombudsperson--an impartial and confidential resource to assist faculty in resolving problems, complaints, conflicts, or other issues. As the ombudspersons, he/she will assist faculty in finding just and timely resolutions to problems. In so doing, the Vice President will act as a neutral resource rather than taking sides on issues.

January 15, 2001

John Stewart Rabon, President

Lambda Sigma Phi

Dear John Stewart and Members of Lambda Sigma Phi:

On behalf of the Faculty Senate of the University of Alabama, I would like to extend our admiration, appreciation, and commendation to the brothers of Lambda Sigma Phi for the racial desegregation that you achieved during fall semester of 2001. Your actions establish Lambda Sigma Phi as the first white social fraternity in the history of the University of Alabama to heed the call to become racially desegregated—a call that was first issued in the mid 1970s. The fact that you are a new fraternity that has chosen to become racially diverse speaks especially highly of Lambda Sigma Phi. You chose to become racially diverse without years of admonishment from the University.

In becoming the first white social fraternity to desegregate, Lambda Sigma Phi captures a rare, profound, and historic opportunity to help turn the page on our racially divided past and to write a new chapter in the racial history of our Greek system and university. Helping minorities exercise social choices not previously available at The University of Alabama, the efforts of Lambda Sigma Phi are an important step in allowing diverse groups to realize their common humanity, mutual respect, and shared delight.

Thank you realizing a racial diversity that has not existed in the white fraternities system at The University of Alabama. The actions of Lambda Sigma Phi are a model of inspiration for organizations throughout the University.

Sincerely,

J. Norman Baldwin, President

Faculty Senate

January , 2001

Sidney McDonald, President Pro Tempore

University of Alabama System Board of Trustees

Dear Sidney,

I am writing to share with you the concerns of the officers and committee chairs of the Faculty Senate at The University of Alabama over the process by which the Board of Trustees determined that Mack Portera would become our new Chancellor. We are particularly concerned that a nationwide search was not conducted, thus limiting the field of qualified candidates, especially qualified women and minorities candidates.

Undoubtedly, informal networks can generate excellent job candidates, Mack Portera being one of them. Unfortunately, highly qualified women and minorities are most frequently excluded from these important networks. Given the demands on public institutions for officials that are both highly qualified and reflecting the diversity in the citizenry, we believe that nationwide searches and job announcements that include media outlets frequented by women and minorities are essential. Such selection practices are common in academia, politically mainstream, and generally insulated from criticism.

Please know that we recognize that Dr. Portera is extremely qualified for the position of Chancellor and that we will work conscientiously and professionally with him. Also know that our concerns over the selection of a new chancellor are accompanied by an enormous admiration and appreciation for your service on the Board of Trustees and in the Alabama Legislature.

Best wishes,

J. Norman Baldwin, President

Faculty Senate

Cc: Cleo Thomas

Whereas Cornelius Carter was recently recognized as United States Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and by the Carnegie Foundation, and

Whereas this award was based on Professors Carter’s dedication to undergraduate teaching, scholarship, contributions to The University of Alabama and community, and support for current and former undergraduates, and

Whereas Professor Carter was the recipient of this award for research and doctoral institutions from a group of 384 candidates representing 272 research and doctoral, master’s, baccalaureate, and community college institutions, and

Whereas the Professor of the Year Award is recognized as one of the nation’s most prestigious awards honoring professors, and

Whereas Professor Carter also received a University of Alabama National Alumni Association Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award in 2001, and

Whereas Professor Carter has choreographed 52 dances since 1988, 28 of which have been produced and performed by professional or university companies including Harvard’s University, Tulane University, the American Dance Festival, American Ballet Theatre, and Bates College, and

Whereas Professor Carter has taught master classes and set new dance works with dance companies and festivals in Moscow, London, Copenhagen, France, Austria, Lithuania, and Iceland, and

Whereas Professor Carter’s students have received scholarships to Harvard Summer Dance Program, Jacob’s Pillow, and The Julliard School and have received internships with professional dance companies including Liz Lerman, the Dayton Contemporary Company, and the Cleo Parker Robinson Company, and

Whereas Professor Carter is widely known for maintaining high standards of performance while making dance classes fun and for going the extra mile to help students in their academic, professional, and personal life, and

Whereas Professor Carter infectious energy and spirit for his art that has been an inspiration to students, colleagues, and members of the community,

Therefore be it resolved that the Faculty Senate of The University of Alabama recognizes Cornelius Carter for his extraordinary gifts as a teacher, scholar, and campus and community citizen. Be it further resolved that the Faculty Senate commends Professor Carter for his academic accomplishments, for his devotion to his profession, for his commitment to his students, and for the recognition that he brings to The University of Alabama and the Department of Theatre and Dance.