Arkansas State University Staff Senate met on Thursday, March 15, 2001, at
9:00 a.m. in the Library's Boardroom. The following senators were present:
Carol Barnhill, President
Shane Copeland - Proxy: Lanafae Stevens
Danny Faulk
Tammy Fowler, Past President/Treasurer
Russ Hannah
Janet Hardin
Robin Hicks
Peggy Hunt
Robert Hobbs
Judy McCay
Helen McCoy
Kathy Meyer
Tami Murray
Anthony Passalaqua
Hope Phillips, President-Elect
Sue Southard
Jim Steele
Lanny Tinker
Vicki White, Secretary
Absent senators were:
Deanna Barton, Excused Absence
Kevin Chambers
Clint Halcom
Phyllis Hurt
Darrah Williams (Part-time)
Guests: We had four (4) guests attending this meeting. Thank you.
Please note that everyone is welcome to meet with us.
(1) Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by
President Barnhill at 9:08 a.m.
(2) Minutes: The February 15th minutes were reviewed. Jim
Steele's proxy needs to be changed. The proxy was Pat Lewis not Kimberly
Walton. The remainder of the minutes were approved.
(3) Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Tammy Fowler reported the
Treasurer's Report as follows:
Regular Account: Balance=$1,146.15
Cookbook Account: Balance=$606.97
Santa's Tribe: Balance-$752.08
The Treasurer's Report was approved.
(4) Dr. Les Wyatt (Guest): President Barnhill introduced Dr.
Wyatt, who was present to give the senators a glimpse into ASU's future.
He discussed our plans for campus development.
(a) Parking Garage/Student Union/Student Services Project:
Dr. Wyatt said that a parking garage is presently being constructed north of the
Reng Center (completion date: December, 2001). Construction of
the new Student Union/Student Services Project will begin soon possibly around
late May or early June, 2001. This will take 5 to 6 years to complete.
We will need to relocate pedestrians and vehicles. Dean Street will be
closed for the construction zone and Aggie Street will be closed forever since
Aggie will drop 20 feet in front of Wilson Hall. We need to be patient
because this will be a long process.
(b) Wilson Hall: This building cannot be thoroughly
renovated (very expensive project). We're considering a layout proposal to
provide a replacement facility for Wilson. A new Arts & Sciences class
building is being planned and will include distance learning computers. It
is cheaper to build a new building rather than renovate Wilson. Wilson is
an important building to ASU alumni so we are providing an alternative teaching
facility. Dr. Wyatt asked, "What will we do with Wilson Hall once an
alternative
building is built?" There are no immediate plans to tear down Wilson.
No decision will be made until we see other facilities begin to develop. Keeping
Wilson Hall operational is challenging. We will need to fine a new purpose
for Wilson.
(c) Biomedical Research Facility: This project will
provide for a facility dedicated to multi-disciplinary research.
Emphasizing biomedical study of tobacco and tobacco related illness, these
programs will involve students and faculty of the College of Nursing and Health
Professions, College of Agriculture, and the College of Arts and Sciences.
This new research building will be constructed on the eastside of Caraway Road
across from the Agriculture Building. The building will be constructed by
the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement monies ($20 million project). It will be
designed by the architect firm Brackett-Krennerich & Associates. This
will take two to three years to complete.
(d) Business Building: Construction of a new Business
Building will be located in the same area as the Biomedical Research Facility.
This is a $15 million project. We're attempting to find means to finance this
building.
(e) Caraway Road/Railroad Overpass: We have made
attempts to move the railroad tracks on Caraway Road closer together. This
takes much federal intervention to make this arrangement. So, we cannot
succeed in this endeavor. Our alternative plan is to go to the westside of
the campus at the intersection of Matthews and Washington. This juncture is ASU
property. We will take this intersection and develop a new traffic exchange at
this point. We will come down to the westside of the Armory Building -
extend the new overpass to the western boundaries of the campus - then proceed
down
to the northside of Aggie Road. This will provide a new entrance to
campus. We could continue to meet with Johnson Avenue. Dr. Wyatt said that
the advantage of this plan is this location of the new overpass would give our
campus easier access to St. Bernard's Hospital. We have the Jonesboro city
officials and St. Bernard's administration interested in this plan for ASU.
This is a $8.4 million project. We're speaking to the federal government
for support. If we consider closing Caraway Road by Wendy's on the
northside of campus near Marshall Street, we will have land to use.
(f) HPESS Athletic Track Facility: We're discussing
the possibility of moving the Track Field/Facility facing Stadium Blvd. to the
south of the HPESS Building near the underpass. This facility could be
used by HPESS classes and for recreational purposes to jog/walk. This
whole area could be used for recreational purposes. This project will
provide for the construction of a 400 meter outdoor track facility which
includes venues for track and field instruction in the physical education/sports
sciences curriculum. We will relocate the Intramural fields to the east
end of campus to the north of the Physical Plant. The area between the
railroad tracks could be used for one large field (easily maintained) and used
for softball, soccer, and football. This area would be a safe and
restricted area for children of ASU students.
(g) Family Student Housing: We're planning to move all
the old trailers in Indian Village and construct apartments for
families/graduate students. We have many single-parent students who have
children. We need a safe area for them. We hope to have a day care
facility on-campus soon.
(h) On-Campus Hotel (includes meeting rooms): At the
present site of the Intercollegiate Track and Field Facility facing Stadium
Blvd., we plan to construct a hotel. This would be a wonderful place for
visiting parents during Student Orientations and other guests of the University
to stay overnight. This site is good for out-of-town guests who are
attending concerts at the Fowler Center or the Convocation Center. The
hotel could be used by people such as ASU alumni who are attending our
football/basketball games.
(i) Develop Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Area:
This will attract attention to healthcare providers in connection to our
football stadium/fieldhouse and used by our campus community.
(j) Walking track across from Education/Communications Building:We
plan to build a surface parking lot in this area for students and museum/library
visitors. This will give an opportunity to park closer to the vicinity of
this area including more parking spaces.
(k) ASU Budget: Dr. Wyatt discussed the fact that we have
been asked to go through the process of reducing the budget 5%, 10%, and 15%.
He is not concerned about this exercise. Dr. Wyatt stated that he did not
think the State Legislators will cut the budget.
(l) VPAA Candidates: Interview procedures for the Vice
President for Academic Affairs position will begin soon. Committees
(including Staff Senate) will be selected to have an opportunity to meet the
candidates. Dr. Wyatt asked to send him our opinions of the candidates. He
especially wanted to be informed if we do not like a candidate.
President Barnhill thanked Dr. Wyatt for his presentation after Dr. Wyatt gave
the senators an opportunity to ask questions.
(5) President Barnhill welcomed Lanny Tinker and Jim Steele as
newly elected senators to Staff Senate.
(6)Child Care Committee: Senator Fowler reported that the
committee is attempting to locate faculty members to review the child care
report. RFP is coming soon. They are working on a location for the
child care facility.
(7) Drug Free Workplace Program: Doug Mathis explained that
this program has been regrouped and refocused. Senator Hannah asked what
were the concerns. Senator Mathis responded that there were some issues
regarding the Fourth Amendment Rights and some of the procedures were
questioned. Mark Berky (Audio Visual Lab Assistant in Media Services/Library)
was present and had questions regarding this program. Mark asked if there
was a "needs assessment" completed prior to drafting the Drug Testing
Policy. Mark explained that if a needs assessment supported the data that we
needed a policy at ASU, then he would understand the purpose of drafting
one. Mark further stated that the needs assessment would provide a clear
paper track of polls and questionnaires where a committee could interpret them.
Senator Mathis and Senator Barnhill informed Mark that a needs assessment was
not performed. Mark asked, "why wasn't there a needs assessment
done?" No answer was provided. Senator Murray asked, "how
would you do this (needs assessment)?" Mark responded that the ASU
Library has many books that could illustrate how to prepare a needs assessment
in addition to administrators in the Administration Building. Senator
Hicks asked, "Would people be honest if they had a drug problem?"
Mark explained that this would fall back on personal opinion. He stated
that we cannot push a drug program through if we show no need for it. We
need to have a needs assessment performed in order to see if people, at
large, need or want a drug testing policy. Pam Davis (Human
Resources) said that the needs assessment would just be based on an opinion.
Senator McCoy stated that not enough people were polled about the drug testing
policy. If any was polled, it was a small group - not campuswide.
President Barnhill asked Mark Berkey if he would serve on the committee to begin
a needs assessment. He agreed to serve.
(8) Picnic Committee: Senator Faulk informed the senate that
the picnic is scheduled on Wednesday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
He asked the senate if they would approve paying the band $100.
President Barnhill replied that the band could be paid $100 from the money
raised at the Silent Auction. We will also place a tip bowl for the band
at the end of the food line.
(9) Elections: Senator Phillips remarked that we
received a good response for newly elected senators.
(10) Professional Sabbatical Leave Policy: Senator
Hannah distributed copies of this policy. He mentioned two revisions on
the policy. The policy will be sent to shared governance. Motion to
shared governance by Senator Phillips/Seconded: Senator Fowler
(11) Physical Plant Fish Fry: Senator Steele
stated that the idea about the fish fry project being taken by another
organization was premature. Physical Plant will meet after the April 13th Fish
Fry to make decisions if offer the fish fry to another group on campus.
(12) Athletic Game Help Discussion: There was a discussion
to see if senators would want to work at the athletic games. Proceeds
would go to Staff Senate. Senator Southard reminded the senate that this
is a serious and big commitment. Senator Faulk moved to table this
discussion indefinitely/Seconded: Senator White
(13) President Barnhill informed the senate of the UPC
meeting scheduled on Friday, March 16, at 10:00 a.m. Salaries will be
discussed.
(14) Fringe Benefits Committee: Minutes of the March
7th Fringe Benefits Committee minutes were distributed to the senators.
(15) Memphis Red Birds: President Barnhill has
information about the Memphis Red Birds. If have questions, please call
her.
(16) Performance Awards: Senator Hardin reported that the
nominating ballots for the Distinguished Performance Awards are due soon.
The dessert reception will be held on Wednesday, May 9, at 1:30 p.m. in the
Fowler Center Grand Hall.
With no further business to be discussed, the meeting adjourned at 10:16 p.m.
