Faculty grievances, Sanderson fees among senate topics

At its March meeting, the Robert Holland Faculty Senate unanimously accepted recommendations for a complete rewrite of the university's faculty grievance procedures, as well as four suggestions dealing with fees of the soon-to-open Sanderson Recreation Center.

After several years of study, the Faculty Affairs Committee submitted a report on Academic Operating Policy 13.05 that outlines procedures for resolving faculty grievances. The two recommendations it made concluded an examination of the policy that originally began in February 1995.

In a letter to senators at the time, English professor Dan Embree said he felt the existing procedures were inadequate in several areas. Among these: the size of and methods for selecting a grievance panel, the time limits placed upon the grievant and the methods of administrative response. Further considerations by the committee pointed to several other possible policy shortcomings. These included the potential exclusion of many types of grievances, the lack of an arbitrator option and some imprecise aspects of the instructions as to whom the grievance should be submitted.

After concluding their study, committee members said they "ultimately agreed that a rewrite of the AOP 13.05 was necessary." The new document's final version "was edited to address all the issues discussed," they added.

In addition to agreeing that the revised AOP 13.05 should be forwarded to President Malcolm Portera for consideration, the full senate also voted to review the several elected faculty grievance pools to see if they can be combined into "a single pool of full-time general faculty that are elected annually."

In submitting its report on proposed fees at the $19 million Sanderson Center, the senate's University Resource Committee concluded a study that began in February.

Prior to listing their recommendations, committee members expressed "considerable concern regarding the magnitude of the proposed fees at the center." However, after receiving a Division of Student Affairs briefing, members said they understand the division's need to have the 146,000-square foot facility be self-supporting.

Proposed semester fees will be $75 for each per faculty or staff member; $50 each for other family members. Based on Student Affairs' research, the fees are comparable to current charges at the University of Southern Mississippi and to what next year's increased charge will be at the University of Mississippi.

MSU is the last of the state's comprehensive universities to have an enclosed recreational complex.

In their briefing for the University Resources Committee, Student Affairs officials said operation of the massive center will represent "a substantial change" since "actual costs of operation are unknown." While committee members agreed that operation costs must be covered, they also asked that the center "not become an endeavor that operates at a substantial profit." With those thoughts in mind, the committee recommended that:

• Fees for children and spouses of students be minimal ($10 or less per person was suggested);
• Fees for children and spouses of faculty and staff members be reduced if and when possible;
• A procedure be developed to allow non-member faculty and staff access to the center's dining area;
• The fee structure is based on generating enough income "sufficient only to cover operating costs."

Other major items of business addressed during the more than three-hour meeting included guidelines for adjunct faculty, visiting scholar and visiting executive appointments; annual reviews of academic administrators; the academic calendar; and a special report by the Ad Hoc Committee on Promotion and Tenure.

A complete summary of the meeting can be read on the faculty senate home page. The page is reached via the MSU home page by hitting the "Academics" icon, then scrolling to the "Organizations" icon at the bottom.