MSU FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
                            March 20, 2002
                                   
PRESENT:  Young, Morrill, Sherwood, McDermott for Engel, Kommers, Mast
          for Peed, Linker, Leech, Benham, Howard, Stewart, Nehrir,
          Mooney, Weaver, McClure, Locke, Lansverk,
          Levy/Bandyopadhyay, Bogar, Jelinski, Idzerda, McKinsey for
          Pratt, Lynch, Swinford for Fisher, Butterfield, Kempcke.

ABSENT:   Hatfield, White, Anderson, Chem Engr, Jones, Ross, Lefcort,
          Henson, Lynes-Hayes, Griffith, Carlstrom.

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Chair John Sherwood.  A
quorum was present.  The minutes of the March 6, 2002, meeting were
approved as distributed.

Chair's report - John Sherwood.
     - A Learning Service Seminar is scheduled for March 25.
     - A Policy on Policies has been distributed to university
     employees via the university listserv. [The policy is published
     at the web site http://www.montana.edu/legalcounsel/.]
          - There is a link on the web page to a policy on faculty
          compensation.  UGC Steering Committee will look at the
          policy at it's meeting tomorrow to see if it's a topic for
          Faculty Council to discuss.
     - It was announced at yesterday's UPBAC meeting that the number
     of student applications for enrollment indicate there will be an
     increase in students next fall.

Faculty pay plan proposal (attached for members absent).
     - UGC Steering Committee approved the proposal immediately before
     spring break because it was to be submitted to UPBAC on or before
     March 19.  The proposal asks for a budget amendment that would
     provide, in addition to the average 4% salary increases for
     faculty approved by the legislature, an additional 1 % for
     across-the-university raises at promotion, increases in salary
     floors, and to address other salary equity issues.
          - The salary floor for assistant professors is to be raised
          to 80% of the average assistant professor salary at MSU (an
          11.5% increase over the previous floor), and associate and
          full professor floors are raised 11.5%.
     - Representatives from the College of Arts and Architecture
     presented two alternative proposals.
          - The first alternative would raise all floors to 80% of the
          average of that rank at MSU.  Less money would then be used
          to address other salary equity issues.
          - The second alternative would raise all floors to 80% of
          the average of that rank at MSU.  Money available for other
          salary equity issues would equal the amount in the Steering
          Committee proposal, so the total budget amendment would be
          an increase of 1.5%, not 1.0%.
     - Chair Sherwood stated that the 1.0% increase has already been
     negotiated with the administration.
     - After discussion of the proposals, Jack Jelinski moved
     acceptance of the Steering Committee proposal.  The motion was
     seconded and carried.
Resolutions regarding equal rights and opportunities for university
employees.
     - Two resolutions were attached to the March 6 Faculty Council
     agenda.  UGC Steering Committee's rationale for two resolutions
     is that there may be a difference between supporting equal rights
     in general and in supporting equal rights for domestic partners
     in the area of health benefits.
     - If the resolutions are approved, they will be sent to the
     Commissioner of Higher Education, Regents, and MSU President
     Gamble.
     - It was suggested that if the two resolutions are approved, the
     first one be issued as a press release and the second resolution
     be sent to the Commissioner of Higher Education and President
     Gamble.
     - Billy Smith was present to explain a petition he has
     distributed to some faculty via e-mail.  He stated that 260 of
     more than 500 'Fortune 500' companies provide insurance for
     domestic partners and that 66 of the top 90 universities provide
     this coverage.  The petition will be sent to President Gamble and
     Commissioner Crofts.  Anyone interested in signing the petition
     may do so.
     - In response to a question about discussion at a previous Board
     of Regents meeting where the  issue of insurance coverage for
     domestic partners was the topic, Chair Sherwood reported that it
     was stated then that the implications of approving the proposal
     would be minor, financially, although there may be political
     implications.  The definition of "domestic partners" has already
     been determined by insurers.
     - Bill Locke moved approval of Resolution Two.  The motion was
     seconded and carried by a wide majority.
     - Peter Kommers moved approval of Resolution One.  It was
     recommended the resolution be sent as a press release.  The
     motion was seconded and carried.
     - An electronic copy of the petition will be sent to Faculty
     Council members to circulate among people in their departments.

Vehicle Use Agreement Discussion.
     - The discussion will be on the agenda next Wednesday.

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM.



Joann Amend, Secretary              John Sherwood, Chair