Roll call and quorum check by Secretary Keith Woodbury:

The meeting was called to order and began with a report from Margaret Garner on the Strategic Planning Initiative. The SPI ad hoc committee met today and reviewed the comments and recommendations from the public forums. This committee decided, with permission, to have the document typed without the strikethroughs and with the recommendations in place. This would then be put on the web and on next week’s Faculty Senate agenda for a ratification vote. The document with the strikethroughs would be available on the web for those who would like to see it. The document would then be sent to the Board of Trustees, Dr. Sorensen, Dr. Barrett and the three other Faculty Senates and University presidents and provosts for any input. The University of Alabama faculty has led in this document’s process. The importance of the preface was stressed and the concurrence of the other campuses would be needed. The document would then be brought back to the Faculty Senate in January. It was suggested that, at that time, a letter be written to the Systems Office, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Board of Trustees, President, Provost and Faculty Senates stating that we have the endorsement of this report from the Faculty Senates and we recommend that this document be adopted as the permanent SPI document and request a response. It is of utmost importance to maintain the philosophical position that the faculty of each institution is in the best position to make decisions about programs that are shared or cooperatively sponsored. A motion made to present this revision of the SPI to the Faculty Senate at the next meeting was approved with a ten-minute time limit for discussion.

The Beito/Nuckolls Resolution regarding the Privatization of the Greek System was brought forward from the Student Affairs Committee. This committee does not support the resolution for several reasons. Some of those reasons are: five drafts of the resolution have been received by the committee indicating a continuing developmental stage, the proposed punitive action is legally questionable, implementation is impractical due to budgetary constraints, the legal issue of lease agreements and the creation of new problems since the Greek system would not be in the purview of the University. Even with the Greek system off campus, the implication that they were affiliated with the University would remain and the University would not have the opportunity to be a more positive influence on the Greek system. Discussion included examples of institutions that have Greek systems off campus, questions of implementation of moving off campus, problems of locations in neighborhoods and the extent of institutional control of the system. The Faculty Senate has taken a strong stand on the elimination of institutional barriers to segregation of the Greek system. Discussion of the proper process to follow regarding this resolution brought up the points of the committee’s method of reporting, the number of times it could be on the agenda and what action the Steering Committee should take. Information has been taken directly to the students with an enticing slant to the advantages of privatization. The Chairman of the Student Affairs committee will give a non-action item report at the next Faculty Senate meeting. In their absence, the Faculty Senate President will give the report.

Dr. Sybil Todd, Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Tom Strong, Dean of Students, Dr. Kathleen Cramer, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dr. Rick Funk, Associate Dean of Students, were guests of the Faculty Senate Steering Committee. Following the unsuccessful attempt of Melody Twilley to become a member of a white sorority, the Steering Committee decided to remain low key, to make themselves available to administration in any efforts to achieve desegregation of the Greek system and to continue to make their position clear and to work with those to bring about desegregation. Remarks by Dr. Todd included the comments that the support of faculty is greatly needed, information sharing needs improvement and that the end goal is the same, but perhaps the method and timeline might not be the same. Sorority environment gives women the opportunity of leadership roles. The fraternity that initiated an African American male member is one of the best models for our students to follow. Fraternities and sororities have problems but they also have some valuable assets. Thanks were expressed to the Faculty Senate for standing with Melody in her efforts. Efforts are underway to create another sorority on campus. It was suggested that moving the Greek system off campus would drastically affect the residential status of the University. Faculty assistance was requested to help maintain the strong residential status of this campus. Efforts are underway to assist fraternities increase their membership with the fraternities themselves presenting the recommendations to accomplish this. The referral process, high school interconnectedness, and accessibility of the groups are issues to be addressed. The Faculty Senate opposed the blackball system, supported integrated rush, and acknowledged problems in the recommendation system. Integrated rush would obliterate some of the traditions in the African American sorority and fraternity systems. They require a semester’s grades and call the rush process "intake" which occurs in January. The problems of a delayed rush would include cost and accountability to the institution among other problems. There were no African Americans in the rush process other than Melody Twilley. The timeline the administration has in mind was questioned. The complexity of the issue involves the method of engaging students to admit African Americans, how to bring about a welcoming atmosphere and if mandatory housing would be an option. The sororities and fraternities need to communicate with their national organization the need for a solution. Dr. Funk stated that there is an integrated rush and it begins with the convocation of three councils, IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC. Those interested in spring rush attend and each group then continues the rush process. There was discussion of needed social changes, methods of segregation, the problems of class attitudes and racism and the lack of inclusion of African Americans among faculty. The question was asked why the University is so involved with the support of the Greek system. The administration feels that the fraternity and sororities provide a very caring support system that is a good experience for the students. The point was made that a residence hall could provide that same experience. It was suggested that administration look at the issue of legal protection for fraternity and sorority advisors. Also, there is concern about the continuing operation of those groups that have been put off campus by the University due to unacceptable behavior that still receive support from the national organization. These should not be allowed back on campus. The point was stressed that the faculty has an obligation to be a role model, to recruit more African American faculty and that will, in turn, help the students see that the faculty is very serious about making the University a welcoming institution for all.

President’s Report – (Norm Baldwin) A Resolution Commending Lambda Sigma Phi Fraternity for being the first white social fraternity to desegregate was presented by the Student Affairs Committee. It was proposed to eliminate the word "highest" and eliminate Whereas #5 which gives the impression that other campus organizations are making no efforts toward segregation. The point was made that, at this point, this fraternity is not a recognized University organization. Also, there were questions concerning the religious affiliation of members of this fraternity and if others of a different religious affiliation would be admitted. Amending the resolution and other concerns with the factual basis of this resolution was discussed. The Steering Committee passed the motion to eliminate the word "highest" and eliminate Whereas #5. The change of the word "at" The University of Alabama was amended to "on" The University of Alabama campus. The motion passed to bring this resolution to the Faculty Senate meeting next week after confirming the accuracy of the statements in the resolution.

Two members to serve on the Task Force on the Evaluation of Deans and Chairs are needed. Nominations will be taken from the floor at the next Faculty Senate meeting. It was suggested to speak with the nominee to assure that they will be willing to serve. There cannot be more than two members from the same school or college, and they cannot be members of the Faculty Senate.

A remark concerning diversity and recruiting students from a certain high school made by a member of The Board of Trustees caused some sincere concern. The Steering Committee’s decision was to take no action concerning this issue. There was also some great concern with the process followed by the Board in selecting the new Chancellor. A nation-wide search was not conducted and this limited the opportunity of qualified minorities and women to apply for this position. A letter written by Norm Baldwin to Sid McDonald, President Pro Tempore of the Board of Trustees, expresses concerns over the chancellor selection process followed by the Board of Trustees. It was suggested that the Faculty Senate pass a resolution of objection. It was decided to send the letter on Norm’s department stationary with his signature and title.

Don Desmet expressed concern about the security of posting final grades on the web. At a meeting he had someone quote him his user ID and password. These were his birth date and social security number. This is a serious problem. There are some that are not computer literate and there should be a back-up plan.

The Task Force on the Evaluation of Deans and Chairs are still talking with deans trying to gain support.

Meeting adjourned 5:45 PM