THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE AT CHATTANOGA
Exempt Staff Council Meeting
Lupton Library, Room 208
Members Attending: Debra Anderson, Debbie Bell, Allison Cardwell, Carter
Cardwell, Jean Dake, Tom Ellis, Ellen
Neufeldt, Tonya Pace, Mike Royster, Charles Scott, and Cynthia Wood. Maria
Derrick represented Lindsay Pardue, who was unable to attend.
Others in attendance: Dan Webb, Director, Personnel Services; Melanie
Sadler, Administrative Secretary, Personnel Services.
Call to Order: Ms. Anderson called the meeting to order.
Guest Speaker: Dr. John Friedl, Provost and Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs
Academic programs at UTC
consist of five Colleges, the Graduate School, and “Metro College.” Bachelor’s
degrees are offered in 45 subjects and the Graduate School offers 19 Master’s
degrees in 54 areas of concentration. There are currently 8,500 students (7100
undergraduate and 1400 graduate) with a growth target of 10,000 by 2005-06. If
the attrition problem of sophomores and juniors can be addressed successfully,
a growth target of 12,500 by 2010-11 is possible. Dr. Friedl presented the
“Goals for Academic Affairs for 2002-2003” and how it relates to UTC’s mission
as an “engaged metropolitan university.”
1. Strategic Planning – A committee has been convened to identify goals and
objectives, define strategies, identify sources of funding, and define means of
evaluation and assessment.
2. Instructional
Technology – Technology needs are not
only computers, projectors, and lab equipment but also includes kilns, potter’s
wheels, easels, musical instruments, etc.
3. Develop Doctoral Programs
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Computational
Engineering (Ph. D.) in research and academic instruction.
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Physical Therapy
(D.P.T.) is being presented to the Board of Trustees next month and if approved
will be forwarded to THEC for approval.
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Educational Leadership
(Ed. D.) a non-research degree.
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Requests for additional
Doctoral Degrees, from Arts & Sciences and College of Business, will be
reviewed by UTC administrators.
4. Educational Concerns
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SACS Accreditation –
SACS will visit October 21-23 for a re-evaluation and UTC cannot receive any
federal funds without SACS accreditation.
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Continued review of
existing programs.
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Upgrade physical
facilities used in instruction and research.
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Compression issues for
faculty and staff – Dr. Friedl is developing a faculty task force to review
salary compression, merit, gender and ethnicity issues.
THEC wants to create a
greater differentiation between four-year and two-year colleges with remedial
courses only being taught at two-year institutions. THEC believes courses could
be delivered at a lower cost with the same quality of instruction. Dr. Friedl
said perhaps that is true of the cost but he felt the quality is probably
better at four-year institutions.
Dr. Friedl was questioned
if he sensed any resistance from UT for adding doctoral programs at UTC. He
responded that Dr. Shumaker is good for the University system and UTC. He pointed to the new Computational Engineering
program that will offer degrees through UTK until approval by THEC for UTC.
Dr. Friedl stated that he
will be reviewing Freshman Seminar regarding three areas: Should Freshman
Seminar receive academic credit hours? Does Freshman Seminar help with
retention? Should exempt staff teach Freshman Seminar? The Provost said that
Dr. Stacy has become concerned about the number of exempt staff teaching during
regular business hours, which takes time away from their normal jobs.
What is the biggest
challenge in working with mid-level management? Dr. Friedl replied that the
flow of information and decisions that affect mid-level management should have
input. Executive Council Meetings provide a channel for the ESC, ERC, and
Faculty Council to give and receive information on a regular basis.
A member stated that UTC
has lost 40% of its staff and 40% of its budget in the last ten years. Dr.
Friedl said that he is aware of the situation and is facing the same issues in
Academic Affairs. One-time monies were used to fund general education courses
and as a result there is not enough money in the budget to permanently fund
these courses. Cuts of $200,000 are necessary because UTC’s enrollment did not
increase 2% during fall enrollment. Although the state mandated a 2% increase
for employees, there is concern that the state may take back some monies in
January if revenues do not increase.
The Provost stated that he
felt it was the purpose and responsibility of the Exempt Staff Council to raise
issues to present to the Chancellor and Board of Trustees. Tennessee has the
lowest ranking in education by population and he emphasized the need for a
legislature that appreciates the value and quality of higher education. Dr.
Friedl stated that education makes a difference in the earning power of an
individual and the quality of life.
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Other Issues
Deb
Anderson said that ESC and ERC representatives attend the 1st and 3rd
Executive Council meetings of the month.
Attendance at other meetings is by invitation only.
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Next Meeting
The
next meeting is scheduled for October 29 in Lupton Library, Room 208.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melanie Sadler
Administrative Secretary
Personnel Services