Executive Committee Report  given at the Oct 30, 2006 University Senate Meeting

Steering Committee of the University Senate and Faculty Advisory to the University President

Members President Leland, Vice President Gormly, Kendra Russell (SoHS), Cheryl Reynolds (SoE)

Officers: Secretary: Tanya Goette (SoB), Vice-Chair: Karynne Kleine (SoE), Chair: Craig Turner (SoLAS)

Prepared by Craig Turner  (craig.turner@gcsu.edu, 478.445.0973)

1.                  ORP “cut”:  A collaboration among faculty from university system schools is in progress to identify and articulate concerns about the ORP system.  The focus of this ad hoc Council of Councils is to share information and propose actions that would make the TRS and ORP systems more equitable.  Among the set of recommendations (1) establish a floor of 10.8% for employer contribution to the ORP and have the annual rate adjustments informed by consultants with actuarial expertise (2) designate the year after tenure is awarded as a window allowing the opportunity to reconsider the retirement option selected at the time of appointment (i.e. shift from ORP to TRS or from TRS to ORP) and make such a window open to all faculty that are presently tenured (3) set the plan year of ORP to be the fiscal year rather than calendar year (4) offer more options of carriers in ORP (5) extend the accumulated sick time benefit presently enjoyed by individuals in the TRS plan to individuals in ORP.  This proposed recipient list includes Chancellor Davis, University System Presidents, Board of Regents, University System University Senates and possibly Governor Perdue.

2.                  The Executive Committee met October 10, 2006 and jointly with Standing Committee Chairs (SCC) on October 24, 2006 to share information and agenda. In each case the following three items (items 3, 4, and 5) were discussed.

3.                  University Senate is the institution’s policy-making assembly with no formal definition of policy. Definition of policy (Drafted by ECUS faculty Oct 3, Reviewed by ECUS Oct 10, Shared with SCC Oct 24)

A policy is a statement that governs the conduct of the University Community or a general principle that guides University affairs.

4.                  University Senate Bylaws and Governing Concepts Committee (USBGCC) is proposing revisions to the current committee structure of the University Senate.  The most current draft of the proposal (Committee Scopes AND Committee Memberships) and being shared as an information item.  The USBGCC welcomes all input and hopes to finalize its draft in November for Senate consideration at either the Nov 06 or Jan 07 meeting for possible implementation in 2007-2008.  Share your feedback with any member of the committee USBGCC Membership:  J.W. Good (chair), Betty Block, Cheryl Reynolds, Ken Farr, Lee Gillis, Mike Whitfield, Jude Hirsch, Craig Turner, Tanya Goette, Karynne Kleine, Kendra Russell, VP Gormly, Neil Jones, Gina Peavy.

5.                  The 2007-2008 Governance Calendar in which MWF 12:30-1:45 common meeting blocks are designated for meetings of departments, schools, school committees, University Senate and University Senate committees is in preparation.  This calendar has been reviewed by ECUS on Oct 10, shared with SCC on Oct 24, and will undergo further review by Deans, Department Chairs, and Standing Committee Chairs and ECUS with anticipated completion November 2006.

6.                  On October 10, 2006, we recommended to President Leland that proposed policy revisions that would bring us into compliance with federal law or guidelines in the areas of ADA, conflict resolution, and affirmative action be considered by the University Services Committee.

7.                  Election Calendar for Faculty Senators Representing Schools 

·        School/Library election process developed by faculty due to ECUS no later than December 1

·        School/Library election results due to ECUS no later than February 1

·        This calendar became effective with bylaws revisions adopted by University Senate in Aug 2006. 

·    Informational Note: The prior deadlines for both were no later than March 1.The rationale for the change is to allow the Committee on Nominations more time to prepare a slate of nominees for university senate committees

8.                  The 2007 Governance Retreat Planning Committee is chaired by Karynne Kleine (ECUS) with membership Craig Turner (ECUS & Past Planner), Margie Johnson (Outgoing Senator), Roger Noel (Outgoing Senator), Paige Campbell (Incoming Senator), Ginger Carter Miller (Senator & Volunteer), Vickie Folendore (Senator Staff Council).  This committee is an administrative committee reporting to President Leland and has a two-fold mission: (1) review 2006 retreat feedback with an eye toward refinements and improvements, and (2) plan the next governance retreat (May 2007).  Karynne Kleine will provide a report from this committee.