I. Faculty Senate Website

New web address:     http://www.uab.edu/facultysenate

New look and updated information available on website; implementation of feedback process in progress.

II. Shared Governance Section Addition to UAB Faculty Handbook and Policies

The Senate Executive Committee is continuing review and revision process in discussions with Provost. The revised document will be returned to the Senate for approval.

III. Faculty Senate Review of FPPC Recommendations for UAB Faculty Handbook and Policies Revisions

During January and February the Senate will be reviewing the proposed revisions to the Handbook; the major goal is to focus on information [policies and procedures] that are unique to faculty and encourage faculty to use the Policies and Procedures Library as the primary resource for HR topics and policies and procedures that are applicable to all UAB employees. Future goals to have unit handbooks posted on Policies and Procedures Library page and that unit handbooks will be in similar template with focus on policies and procedures unique to a unit/department in unit.

IV. Faculty Senate Elections – 2011 Cycle

Elections information has been distributed to Senators and will be posted on the Senate website with the guides to positions vacant, duties of positions and the acceptance of nomination form; nominations are due February 18, 2011.

Newly elected Senators and FPPC representatives will begin terms at the June 2011 meetings.

V. Faculty Development Grants Program

The Application Guidelines, Application submission process have been updated and will be posted on Senate website; faculty should note that the due date will be March 21, 2011; this is one month earlier than in past years to allow the Research Committee sufficient time to review the applications.

VI. Academic Calendar Updating Process

The Senate Executive Committee will be working with administration to develop guidelines and principles for future revisions process for major changes to the academic calendar. The goal is to identify guidelines and parameters that must be considered when recommendations for revisions to calendar are presented periodically by various UAB groups.

VII. Shared Governance/Climate Survey/Administrator Evaluations – Strategic Plan Based on Finding

The Senate Executive Committee will be working with President Garrison, Provost Capilouto and Vice Provost Suzanne Austin to develop recommendations for actions at university, unit and department levels to address identified concerns with special attention to improved communication between and among administration and  faculty.

VIII. Senate Curriculum Committee

The Senate will be developing the duties of the Chair of the Curriculum Committee and identify the structure and function of the Committee; Senate representation to the Undergraduate Programs Council will be part of this developmental process.

IX. Senate Research Committee

The Senate will be developing the duties of the Chair of the Research Committee and identify the structure and function of the Committee; Senate representation to research related infrastructure committees will be part of this developmental process.

X. Ethics Hotline – Update of Website

The Senate Executive Committee will be working with UAB Compliance Officer to update information on the Ethics Hotline website to better inform faculty about the Hotline and the roles and responsibilities of all persons involved with the oversight of ethical behaviors for all UAB employees.

XI. Faculty Participation with IT Projects

The Senate Executive Committee will continue to interact with IT Vice President Sallie Wright to establish working relationships and to assure faculty participation and input on IT projects that impact faculty duties and responsibilities.

XII. Communications To and Among Faculty – Strategic Plan to Address Identified Concerns

Communications has been consistently identified as an area of activity that needs attention to increase transparency and to support a culture of trust. The Senate will working with various administrators and groups to identify recommendations to improve communications at the university, unit and departmental levels.