Whereas, the quality of The University of Alabama's football program is a source of pride and pleasure for its students, alumni, and staff, and for the citizens of the State of Alabama, and

Whereas, recent findings of abuse of NCAA recruiting regulations and the publicity and penalties resulting from the NCAA's investigation of those claims have damaged the reputation of the University and the quality of the football program, and

Whereas, any allegation or penalty from the NCAA concerning academic fraud would be of serious concern to the faculty, and

Whereas, Compliance Director Marie Robbins's efforts were especially crucial in preventing further damage that could have resulted from the University's being dealt any allegation of, much less any penalty for, academic fraud possibly connected with the recent NCAA investigation, thanks to her quick and sure insight and hard work, and

Whereas, addressing the NCAA allegations has been a daunting task protracted over a two-year period, requiring hours of thorough investigation, careful preparation, cooperation with and negotiation with NCAA officials, and lengthy argument before that body, and

Whereas the scrupulous, fair, and excellent work of Marie Robbins and Faculty Athletic Representative Gene Marsh in their respective positions has kept the NCAA from being able to bring against the University the serious charges of lack of institutional control and

failure properly to monitor our athletic programs, and has prevented imposition of the most serious NCAA penalty, the "death penalty,"

Therefore be it resolved that the Faculty Senate of The University of Alabama expresses its deep appreciation to Marie Robbins and Gene Marsh for their tireless efforts, keen judgment, and unparalleled dedication to the University in the performance of their duties over the past two years.

Whereas the Student Government Association (SGA) has proposed a two-day fall study days during early to mid-October, and

Whereas 71% of students voted in favor of a fall break during the 2001 homecoming elections, and

Whereas a 1997 study of admissions to the student health center showed peak admissions during the month of October, suggesting that students are becoming run down and losing their defenses around early to mid-October, and

Whereas six of the 12 SEC schools currently schedule a fall break (Vanderbilt, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina), and

Whereas the University of Arkansas is investigating whether to implement a fall break, and

Whereas two of the SEC schools without a fall break have four days off at Thanksgiving (Auburn and Mississippi), and

Whereas students could profitably use the time-off during Fall Study Days to catch up on assignments and/or rest before for the second half of the semester commences, and

Whereas starting classes two days earlier in August (on Monday rather than Wednesday) could salvage the first week of classes, which now have spotty attendance because some students are of the opinion that not much happens during a class that meets only once during the first week (many students often view the first week of classes as syllabus week), and

Whereas starting classes two days earlier in August (on Monday rather than Wednesday) would ensure that two study days on a Monday and Tuesday in October would not cause classes that meet one day a week to lose a week of classes, and

Whereas faculty and staff would not have the study days off and, as such, Fall Study Days would not lead to an increased number of paid holidays, and

Whereas faculty and staff could use the study days to catch up on grading exams and papers, committee meetings, research, and various administrative tasks.

Therefore be it resolved that the Faculty Senate proposes a Monday-Tuesday Fall Study Days during early to mid-October, beginning with the Fall 2003 semester.

M E M O R A N D U M

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 Steering 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 (also see below the text in italics inserted into Article II of our bylaws).

"FACULTY HOLDING REGULAR APPOINTMENTS

A faculty member holding a regular appointment is someone who is tenured, tenure earning, or a temporary full- or part-time instructor at The University of Alabama. Temporary full- or part-time instructors are individuals who have been teaching six hours or more per term on a continuing basis (three or more consecutive academic-year terms) who do not hold tenure or are tenure earning at another institution of higher education."

February 15, 2002

This proposal is submitted with the understanding that details not specified in this draft will be completed in committee when and if the Senate approves the basic structure outlined below.

Following is an outline of a procedure for the selection of University Ombudspersons:

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 9. 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 ombudsperson, 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.