Minutes of the Meeting of the Deans Council
August 1, 2006 – 9 a.m.
Warner Conference Room
PRESENT: Finnie Murray, Bruce Forster, Frank Harrold, William Jurma, Ed Scantling, Kenya Taylor and Janet Wilke
ABSENT: Lois Flagstad
GUESTS: Debbie Schroeder, Ken Nikels
Debbie Schroeder RE Updates on IT Projects: Debbie Schroeder reported on Blackboard upgrades, Bogie upgrades, plagiarism detection software, upgraded Lotus notes, wireless network, smart class rooms and security issues. Debbie will come to the Deans Council Meetings once a month to update them on IT issues.
Ken Nikels RE Managerial/Professional Overload Pay Policy: Ken discussed the process for managerial/professional overload pay. Discussion was held on the adjunct and part-time faculty salary guidelines and an executive memo from L. Dennis Smith regarding overload pay for managerial/professionals. It was the consensus of the group to have the supervisor sign off on a form giving their permission for the managerial/professional to participate in the overload function before the request goes to the Dean.
Dual Enrollment Classes for High School Students: Frank reported that Peter Longo estimated 1/3 of the students entering UNK have acquired considerable hours from our competitors while still in high school, and are using these college credits as high school credits also, therefore receiving dual credit. He feels as though we may be missing out on a beneficial opportunity. It was discussed that it is too near the start of the fall semester to participate in this program. We will keep this item as a standing discussion agenda item.
Pandemic Flu Updates: Frank reported the Teaching Continuity Group has been set up and they are in the process of trying to set up a meeting for the first week of classes. Frank also asked if each office should prepare a business continuity plan, for example the Registrar, Institutional research, etc. Finnie will ask offices to prepare a business continuity plan.
Number of working days and hours per year for hourly staff: Frank reported it was brought to his attention that the number of working days and hours per year for hourly staff varies from year to year. See attached handout. The base calculation for a full 1.00 position is 2,080 hours per year, 52 weeks/yr at 40 hrs/week = 2,080 hrs. Some years there are one or two extra days, so when this happens the colleges are expected to come up with this extra out of their budgets. Frank was wondering if there could be some provision made so the colleges don’t have to come up with the extra dollars for this out of their own budgets.
Perspective on new issues and Programs of Excellence: Finnie reported the President and Provost came to meet with the Strategic Planning Committee, and talked with the committee about the Strategic Framework.
Finnie reported that all the proposals UNK presented are being denied and we will need to resubmit the proposals more focused on developing major strengths.
Linda Pratt, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, and Donal Burns, Associate Executive Vice President and Provost and Corporation Secretary, will come and meet with the Deans and the Strategic Planning Committee at a future date.
Other items: Discussion was held on the minutes of the July 18, 2006, Deans Council Meeting. The minutes were approved with slight modifications with all present in favor.
Diversity Funding—Finnie reported that we need to tie our use of diversity funds to Human Resources diversity strategies. He also reported that to be competitive for minority candidates, NUCA HR suggests flexibility in as many ways as possible to make the conditions and environment as supportive as possible.
6 Year Graduation Guarantee and LB239 were also discussed.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Deans will be on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the Warner Conference Room.