Research and Academic Affairs Council Meeting Notes

Research and Academic Affairs Notes

Monday, June 12, 2006

1.      Affirmative Action Forms/Hiring Process—Pat Looney (Handout)

ASU was randomly audited by the federal government in 2004-2005 on hiring practices.  The Office of Federal Contact Compliance Programs (OFCCP) conducted the review to insure that ASU as a federal contractor did not discriminate against applicants.  ASU compiled an affirmative action plan that showed the make-up of the workforce in a variety of categories in detailed form for employees hired, terminated and promoted.  The plan is a management tool designed to guarantee equal employment practices.  ASU’s plan must have a hiring goal to mirror a sampling of qualified applicants from our employment pools.  

The OFCCP desires a higher response rate than 8% on race and gender data collection.  Pat distributed a suggested statement to be included in the initial letter to candidates, which directs them to the HR website to volunteer their race and gender.  This information can be submitted electronically by the applicant or printed and mailed.  Pat asked that units send a copy of their standard contact letter with this information included, so that she would be able to provide this documentation to the OFCCP.

 It was suggested that search committees would not get appendix D until after the search was complete, so that the university would not violate its promise to the applicant that race and gender would not be considered in the search process.  It was further suggested that HR be the responsible office to complete Appendix D and to send data to the search committee only after the search is complete.

 2.   Faculty Handbook and Shared Governance—Susan Allen (Handout)

The Faculty Handbook was adopted by the ASU Board of Trustees in February 2006.  The Faculty Senate, after several months of delays, was unable to produce a final handbook version, and has rejected the current Faculty Handbook and its own proposal of a one-time extraordinary expedited process for change to revise the Handbook.  The chair of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Pickens, has said that future revisions will proceed through the process for change described in the current Faculty Handbook adopted in February 2006.  The Shared Governance System which was approved by the Faculty Senate in February 2005 is in effect;  however, the Faculty  Senate has to date refused to submit committee appointments.  Other campus constituencies have made shared governance committee appointments, and university committees will proceed to meet and conduct university business as usual and necessary.  A letter was distributed that had been sent to faculty explaining these events and the current status of the Faculty Handbook and University Shared Governance.

 Announcements: 

1.   ROTC Alumni Reunion on September 2, 2006 in conjunction with ASU vs. WestPoint game.

2.    Renewal of contract packets (Handout).  Call Robin Hicks if there are problems.  Notification of Salary Letters should be generated this week.

3.      Provide nominations for lecture/concert series speakers to Gil Fowler.

4.      The Arkansas Science and Technology Authority granted ASU funding to start a Center for Identity Management.  A symposium is planned later this summer.  Also, Arkansas is eligible to submit a proposal to EPSCoR this year.  UAF has been the major funded university, but ASU will compete with a two-part proposal at the state EPSCoR meeting.--Beth Hood

5.      July 13, Hairy Root Workshop—Greg Phillips

6.      Several upcoming NSOs;  information forthcoming.  If faculty need assistance in checking enrollment numbers they can contact the Registrar’s Office.  Also, chairs can be added as a secondary instructor to check class enrollments in the department.  Contact Lynita.  Also, two candidates are expected to visit campus in the next two weeks.—Lynita Cooksey

7.       Online Continuing Education Store in the College of Nursing and Health Professions is expected to go online soon.