STATUS OF NONTENURE-TRACK INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY STANDING COMMITTEE

Meeting
Thursday, February 27, 2003
8:30 AM, Gilbert (west) 201

Minutes:

Committee Members Attending: Robert Davis, Romance Languages; Peter Gilkey, Mathematics; Lynn Kahle, Sports Marketing (co-chair), Business; Jim Long, Chemistry (co-chair; Susan Fagan, English; Jeanne Wagenknecht, Business.

Drafts of Policies

Jeanne Wagenknecht reported on employment practices. She told the committee that most of what she was looking for she found in the existing Faculty Handbook. That precipitated a discussion on which handbook is the current one. The on-line version may not be official, but it seems more current. The printed version (11th Edition) is out of date. Jeanne also showed the committee the policy handbook for the College of Business. Jeanne will send the committee members a written copy of her recommendations to be included in the minutes.

Several issues emerged for the committee to pursue:

         (1) Does the Office of Academic Affairs log changes to the Faculty Handbook so that an up-to-date handbook could be constructed?
         (2) Are the policies in the Handbook effective for all UO fixed-term faculty?
         (3) We need to collect (or get links to) the printed policies of the various units on campus.
         (4) We also need to examine the printed policies for fixed-term faculty at the UO peer institutions.
         (5) We need to identify which written policies apply to fixed-term faculty.
         (6) We will need to consider ways to disseminate information to fixed-term faculty.

Peter volunteered to set up a web page with links to any material relevant to items (3), (4) and (5).

It was also noted that, while access to written policies will help, people often need a person to talk with. The committee decided to pursue the idea of volunteer advocates or mentors across campus who would work to gain some facility with the policies and be available to talk with individuals or groups about issues relating to fixed-term faculty.

Susan Fagan reported on timely notice. Susan also agreed to send the committee a written copy of her recommendations for inclusion in these minutes.

Robert Davis reported on hiring policies

Minutes by Jim Long.