The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Mitchell at 3:03 p.m. in the College of Law, Room 146.

Present: Senators Baca, Burd, Conway, Cuello, Cusanovich, Dahlgran, D. Davis, deWinter, Estrada, Garcia, Green, Gruener, Hammann, Hildebrand, Howell, Jackson, Jenkins, Joens, Jones, Kiefer, Marchalonis, Mitchell, Mutchler, Nolan, Primeau, Record, Ruiz, San Martin, Sarid, Silverman, Smith, St. John, Sterling, Ulrich, Weinand, Wheeland, Willerton, Witte and Zizza. Robert Sankey served as Parliamentarian. E. Hertzog substituted for Senator Bernsen. J. Warnock substituted for Senator Ulreich.

Absent:  Senators Asia, Bernsen, Carrell, Chandler, Christenson, Cromwell, G. Davis, Likins, Mitchneck, Mountford, Pintozzi, Songer, Spece, Strittmatter, Tatman, Thorn, and Ulreich.

               There were no speakers for the Open Session, although Presiding Officer Mitchell called attention to a one-page report on Senators’ desks detailing University of Arizona Retirees Association’s (UARA) lobbying efforts and an upcoming informational forum from Cornelius Steelink, UARA’s official observer to the Senate.

3A.          ASUA Acting President Erin Hertzog

Acting ASUA President Hertzog reported that ASUA sent a formal document to the Board of Regents with the students’ recommendations about the presidential candidates based on the student, diversity and shared governance forums with the candidates, and researching the candidate’s records and reputations with student governments at the candidates' universities. ASUA, the Arizona Student Association (ASA) and GPSC released a joint tuition proposal to the Regents today. ASUA is now meeting with the deans and student governments of the colleges that have proposed differential tuition, program and class fees.

GPSC President Ulrich reported that the ASUA/GPSC/ASA’s joint tuition proposal was released to ABOR today. As part of its proposal, GPSC recommended that funding be set aside to help develop career services for graduate students.  This is an area where nothing really exists currently.  GPSC is hoping that some resources can be invested in determining what is needed and then administering these services whether that means- workshops and classes, career placement, professional development training. GPSC is pleased that Dr Andrew Comrie has been appointed as Dean of the Graduate College and looks forward to working with him. February 8 is UA Pride Night in Phoenix and the Student Showcase winners will be exhibiting their research to the legislature.

Vice Chair Mitchell reminded the Senate that in the interest of efficient use of time, the faculty officers are combining their reports. He also announced that both President Likins and Provost Davis were unavailable for today’s meeting. Vice Chair Mitchell reminded Senators that nominating petitions for the upcoming general faculty primary election are available now, for Faculty Senate College Representatives, Committee of Eleven, Committee on Committees, SPBAC, Vice Chair and Secretary of the Faculty, and are due by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 10 in the Faculty Center. Vice Chair Mitchell stated that representatives of the campus shared governance bodies very much appreciated the intercession of Provost Davis in effecting a last-minute change to the Presidential candidates’ interview schedules to allow a slot for the leadership of ASUA, GPSC, SAC, APAC, Committee of Eleven, SPBAC and the Faculty Senate, to meet with the candidates. This change did impress upon the candidates and the Regents’ search committee how seriously we take shared governance at the UA. Vice Chair Mitchell also thanked Senators Garcia and Witte and any others who participated in contacting their colleagues at the candidates’ home institutions to gather background and feedback. He also thanked everyone who offered feedback on the candidates, which helped faculty leadership to make recommendations to the Regents. Chair of the Faculty Howell also thanked faculty members for their participation and feedback. She believes the search process generated a lot of interest and excitement. The faculty voice was heard and was a clear presence and the shared governance concept was visible and all of the candidates embraced it. Vice Chair Mitchell will publicly thank Regent Boice and the Board later this week at the ABOR meeting for taking the faculty’s views into consideration and for making what the faculty believes is an excellent choice. The faculty officers will try to meet with Dr. Shelton sometime this spring to begin building a relationship with him. On another note, Governor Napolitano has asked former Regent Jack Jewett to serve out the term of Regent Lorraine Frank, who passed away in December. The results of the electronic vote on the post-baccalaureate graduate certificates in Geographic Information Sciences [Motion 2005/06-23] and Optical Sciences [Motion 2005/06-24] from the December meeting: both motions passed 32-1-0. The transcript of the Faculty Forum on Compensation is now available on the faculty governance web site at http://w3.arizona.edu/senate/.

There were no questions about the reports.

The minutes of December 5, 2005 were approved as submitted.

The consent agenda items forwarded by the ICPC and detailed at the end of these minutes [Motions 2005/06-35-39] were approved unanimously.  Senator Garcia thanked the ICPC members for their hard work in vetting and screening the academic program and policy changes before bringing them to the Senate.

Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee Chair Antonio Estrada presides at the SPBAC meeting every Wednesday morning. This is a hard-working and conscientious group that assists and advises the President and Provost in financial and planning matters. He distributed a Fall Semester Report with some background information that helps to explain where UA is nationally in terms of state support, which is really no different from most of the other states. The SPBAC has discussed focused excellence a great deal, and recommended inclusion of those areas of campus that offer excellence in research, teaching, mentoring and service but do not generate external research dollars. SPBAC has made recommendations that went to the governor about strategic reinvestments and decision packages according to the priorities defined in the UA Strategic Plan. Ongoing issues of enrollment management are discussed in terms of access, increasing quality and diversity. A state senator may introduce a bill this term to cap enrollment of out-of-state, undergraduate students at 25%, which would greatly impact revenue projections. Regarding differential tuition in the professional degree programs, SPBAC is asking to what extent those fees will offset what these professional schools currently receive from central administration. SPBAC believes creating a strong foundation for the UA’s College of Medicine in Phoenix is most important. Conversations with Vice Provost Hogle are continuing toward creating a quality environment, institution and curriculum at UA South and to be certain that our outreach is inclusive of all of the southern Arizona population. There was much interest in the SPBAC meeting with Drs. Oscar Martinez and J. P. Jones from SBS to discuss faculty compensation and morale at UA, and the committee will be considering recommendations about the most recent compensation plan for state employees. Many colleges are using the SPBAC’s Five-Year Strategic Plan to develop their own plans. The committee must continue to hold the administration to the strategic priorities, or if those priorities change, they must do so within a shared governance context. SPBAC provided input for the ABOR-requested four-year plan for budget stabilization. Chair Estrada described how difficult it is to plan strategically when the institution is continually operating in crisis mode due to the deficits and debt described in financial Bulletin #41. Another ongoing issue is general education. This year SPBAC discussed the need to transfer $10M from Central resources to cover the costs of Gen Ed for the future. The Indirect Cost Revenue is a problem with a projected $3.5M shortfall. Net tuition revenue is tied to in-state, and out-of-state tuition increases. Roughly 51% of tuition is returned to the state. This spring, SPBAC will be discussing space allocation, O&M costs, faculty compensation, focused excellence priorities and budgetary opportunities and will be meeting with the new president of the UA Foundation. SPBAC has formed two subcommittees, one for budget advising and one for strategic planning and priorities.

Senators’ questions and comments included: 1) Some differential tuition rates exceed the level set by ABOR, sometimes as much as 3-4 times higher. Although this level of tuition is to those units and schools’ benefits, differential tuition should stay on SPBAC’s agenda because we are proud of our very low tuition and we don’t want to deny access or financial aid, nor would we want to punish those programs that have achieved high national rankings. 2) Do you believe the plan to stabilize the budget in four years will work? Chair Estrada said the plan is dependent upon the projected increased revenue streams. SPBAC has looked thoroughly at everything that has been given them, but they may not have seen all of the information. The present “hole”  (deficit) is over $60M and SPBAC is hopeful that the plan will work. 3) This four-year plan will call for a reduction of about 200 faculty, sweeping their lines to apply against the deficit, while at the same time the UA is talking about expanding enrollment and increasing faculty retention. How will this work? Senator Estrada responded that the line sweeps wouldn’t take place until the fourth year, and then only if needed.  He is guardedly optimistic that shifting the $20M recurring costs to recurring dollars will work. The new administration may also take a look and come up with other ideas. 

Faculty Senator John Hildebrand introduced himself as the new Faculty Senate’s Legislative Liaison and explained how he came by that appointment. He became convinced of the need for the Faculty Senate to have representation or a liaison with the legislature after a visit with state Representative Jennifer Burns, recent state Senator Gabrielle Giffords and the Director of the Legislative Advocacy Program for UA’s office of Government Relations Charlene Ledet. The goal of this liaison would be to mobilize faculty to become more politically active. Senator Hildebrand conveyed the idea to Chair of the Faculty Howell, who consulted with the Senate Executive Committee who endorsed the idea. Senator Hildebrand said it is clear from talking to individual faculty members at the University that they believe that they are not allowed to be politically active on behalf of our interests. This is not true and he encouraged senators to become active themselves as well as prompting their colleagues about the ways in which it is legal and appropriate to do so. Obviously faculty cannot legally lobby on behalf of the University nor are they allowed to use University resources to advocate for any political issues, but as individuals, faculty are allowed to become active. Both Representative Burns and Senator Giffords explained that the state legislators receive very little input from UA faculty and would value faculty members’ information and personal views to help them understand about issues and know how to vote. If someone decides he or she wants to become an official advocate for the University on an issue, that person must register through Greg Fahey’s office or a legally registered lobbyist. The best way to become involved is as an individual, and to personally meet with representatives. Electronic mail and letters are also effective, but nothing is as effective as informed, passionate “face time” with the legislators. It would also be helpful to report such contacts and the outcomes to the UA’s Office of Government Relations.

Associate Vice President for Government Relations J. Gregory Fahey endorsed the concept that faculty don’t lose their civil and constitutional rights when they become faculty. He reiterated that the University itself has official representation by the President and a handful of official lobbyists, but the faculty’s strength is in acting as individual citizens and letting people know what you think. Mr. Fahey also warned faculty against becoming engaged in advocating for a particular legislator or candidate while representing oneself as from the University in an official sense. If one does choose to become involved, it should be very clear that the faculty member is engaged as an individual on his/her personal time and using personal resources. There is a sense that the Universities could be more influential in times that count, and this attitude exists all over the country. There are appropriate ways to engage legislators. If, for example, the legislators want or need expertise on an issue from UA or even the tri-universities based on existing research and if faculty could offer this scholarship in a reasonable amount of time, this would not be considered lobbying. Mr. Fahey warned faculty against getting pulled into public debates on hot-button issues like global warming and evolution. Another area to avoid is to be overly self-serving in advocating for issues, as it might seem if one were to advocate for the key personnel decision package. One could point out, however, that the University’s excellence rests on having and attracting the best faculty, and that such an infusion is essential for the state’s economy and growth. Mr. Fahey described the salary bill passed by the state legislature last week that allocates a $1650 permanent base salary increase that goes into effect on March 11, 2006 for all state employees as well as 2.5% of the University’s salary base for merit/market increases. He expects the governor will sign this appropriation and it represents the largest salary appropriation in twenty years. Mr. Fahey distributed two handouts, one of which is the legislative update from his web site, and the other of which details the UA’s budget and decision package proposals to the governor. He will continue to try to get building renewal funding into the budget discussions.

Senators’ questions and comments included: 1) Do you anticipate any chance to get additional resources for the increased utility bills? Mr. Fahey said there used to be inflationary adjustments in the budget for things like utilities, but since the 1990’s that has not been offered. His office has been trying to deal with realistic “strategic reinvestments” like the water initiative or UA South; building renewal and utilities are the least glamorous items to request and don’t generate excitement or involvement the way some issues do. He is hopeful that the JLBC will add this back into it budget. 2) Did the governor comment on a desire to speed up the time it takes to get a degree? Mr. Fahey said that last year the governor made a general remark in response to the baccalaureate degree offerings by community colleges. This issue is still being considered. 3) Is it true that there is no appreciation for higher education among legislators? Mr. Fahey responded that this is largely true. One biased view is based on the notion of research that fuels private economy as being based in garages rather than in modern and very expensive laboratories. Another, more doctrinaire, view is that higher education is valuable but that it is a private good and people should pay for it on their own, and there is a lack of interest in research. Some legislators show a much greater respect for education. The University enjoys strong support from both parties in Southern Arizona, but they are increasingly less influential. Much of the resistance is located in the east valley of Maricopa County, in particular. Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa are very conservative areas which are increasingly powerful because of the population growth, while Southern Arizona has lost districts and political clout. 4) Does the ASU’s proposed 3+1 program have any traction? Mr. Fahey confirmed that this is true and that the details are being worked out, but it will be very restrictive. The Nursing program may be one of the offerings. 5) Where does UA stand regarding Representative Downing’s work-study bill? Mr. Fahey responded that the University will not take a position on that because it isn’t part of our budget request and we don’t want to take money away from the Arizona Financial Aid Trust. It is a good bill, however, and although the University would like to see some of the money going to the University rather than to the private sector, this would probably kill the bill. 6) About how many legislators have bachelor’s degrees? Mr. Fahey responded that about 70 of the 90 legislators have been to a community college or a university, many from University of Phoenix, but only about 40-50% actually have a bachelor’s degree. 7) Arizona’s is a citizen’s legislature, with K-12 teachers and some retirees as elected members, unlike the eastern legislatures, which are often composed of lawyers who function as super-lobbyists. 8) How can faculty be useful? Representative Downing told the Committee of Eleven that much of the University’s research is not in areas of research that are useful to the state’s key problems.  Some legislators believe that stargazing, which for all we know may turn out to be the most important research of the future, is not helpful with social problems plaguing the state, or with creating technical transfer funds. But a University cannot be all about tech transfer and some people will never be sympathetic to that. Real problem-solving efforts could be helpful but dicey as there is a risk that such an effort could quickly turn into a partisan issue and/or backfire. 9) A newspaper article targeting the state’s grade in education and economic development ranked Arizona with straight D’s. Massachusetts and Minnesota ranked A’s.  Does something like this ever get the legislature’s attention? Mr. Fahey explained that spending money on K-12 is debated all the time in the legislature, but both the conservatives and liberals see things through their own ideological lenses, so there’s no common understanding about the right sort of argument. Much of the arguing is more partisan with less common ground and less opportunity to convince the opponents 10) When and how does the 2.5% salary increase that will come to the University to be distributed at its discretion have to be dispersed? Mr. Fahey said the bill doesn’t say, specifically, but if it isn’t acted upon fairly quickly, constituents will complain. The President and Provost are aware of this timing. 11) Is the proposed bill for capping the number of out-of-state students something that the legislature can legally consider, or is this more a Regental purview? Mr. Fahey said the bill is only for UA and it arose out of discussions about capping enrollment at UA at 40,000. Even though the cap didn’t apply to continuing education, distance learning and UA South, that didn’t satisfy people who feel that the real prestige degree is from UA Main Campus degree. One way to compensate for bad state appropriations is by increasing out-of-state tuition and if this bill ever passed , it could interfere with the Regents' Constitutional authority. At its meeting later this week the Board of Regents will propose a 30% cap for out-of-state undergraduates at all universities. The UA is currently at 31% but the others are well below 30%.  If this measure passes, the proposed bill in the legislature will go away. 12) Why propose any cap at all? Mr. Fahey explained that the community and supporters are concerned about access, higher admissions standards and diversity, so the University is willing to compromise. Turning to his handout detailing the UA’s budget and decision package proposals to the Governor, Mr. Fahey explained that the amounts of the decision package proposals on this document have been edited by the Governor.

                There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

1.        University of Arizona Retirees Association Report  to the UA Faculty Senate dated January 30, 2006
2.        Consent Agenda forwarded from the Instruction and Curriculum Policy Committee
3.        SPBAC Fall Semester Report August – December 2005 from Antonio Estrada, Chair, SPBAC\
4.        ASUA Student Tuition Proposal for 2006-07
5.        UA 2007 Budget Proposal and Decisions Packages
6.        State Government Update #3, dated January 26, 2006

Motion 2005/06-35 Seconded motion from the Instruction and Curriculum Policy Committee to approve the reworded proposal to revise the Second Degree Policy. Motion carried.

Motion 2005/06-36 Seconded motion from the Instruction and Curriculum Policy Committee to approve the renaming of the Department of Management and Policy in the Eller College of Management to the Department of Management and Organizations. Motion carried.

Motion 2005/06-37 Seconded motion from the Instruction and Curriculum Policy to approve renaming the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources with a major and minor in Wildlife, Watershed and Rangeland Resources to the Bachelor of Science with a major and minor in Natural Resources. Motion carried.

Motion 2005/06-38 Seconded motion from the Instruction and Curriculum Policy Committee to approve renaming the major and minor in Agricultural Economics and Management to the major and minor in Agribusiness Economics and Management. Motion carried.

Motion 2005/06-39 Seconded motion from the Instruction and Curriculum Policy Committee to approve implementation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice with a major in Nursing Practice using one-step expedited methods. Motion carried.