Attendees: Drs. Evelyn Talbott, Chao-Lin Chiu, Ivanka Nikolous, Amy Knapp, Josephine Olson, Bruce Steele, Susan Sereika, Catherine Bender. Donna Gibbons: recorder

1) Welcome and introductions made by Dr. Evelyn Talbott. New members were introduced: Dr. Chao-Lin Chiu (ENG), Dr. Ivanka Nikolous (computer science) , Drs. Josephine Olson, and Susan Sereika (school of Nursing) . The list of new and continuing members was handed out.

Drs. Talbott and Knapp are co-chairs. Dr. Knapp is also the SEPC representative of the Advisory Council for Instructional Excellence (ACIE). Dr. Talbott will represent the University Budget Planning Committee. The committee recapped last year's activities, most notable was the survey of part time faculty, which was constructed by the committee and sent to 798 part-time faculty throughout the University. This survey resulted in some positive changes being made regarding faculty ID's, access to library materials and communication within respective departments.

Meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of the month.

2) Minutes for May 20, 2003 were approved.

3) The last meeting was held in May of 2003 and concerned new initiatives for the 2003-2004 school year. These included: 1) Classroom space and access to technology in the classroom, 2) the number of rooms in use and determining if available rooms are keeping pace with enrollment. Dr. Knapp reported that the Plant Utilization committee was interested in working with us related to these issues.

4) Rooms and Scheduling is responsible for the reservation of classrooms throughout the University. Concern was voiced over the issue of whether rooms that have been reserved are used to the degree for which they were originally requested. Issue of utilization was expressed. The only way to determine if there is 100% occupancy for scheduled classrooms would be to take a random sample of reserved rooms to determine if they are in fact in use. Dr. Talbott will ask if Dr. Conte' s office monitors rooms to determine if reserved rooms are in fact in use. An estimated 315 rooms are internet wired throughout the University.

5) The committee asked if an index was available indicating as to whether a roster or University index of classrooms which are internet accessible and which have the most advanced LCD projectors, etc. is available for faculty at home was discussed. Dr. Knapp indicated she would ask if such a list was available from CIDDE or was under construction.

6) Campus Climate document to be sent to new members. There was a local meeting at the Pitt Campus; maybe a copy could be secured. Women's studies at the University also published a similar document (Irene Frieze).

REPORT of Provost meeting for Senate Expanded Executive Committee by Dr. Knapp:

Complete minutes are available at the Senate website, but highlights include:

Anti-discriminatory Policies Committee brought up the matter concerning same sex couples receiving benefits. This remains an issue they are pursuing.

Commonwealth Relations and the Faculty Senate will sponsor a plenary session in the fall and spring. The Fall Senate Plenary Session "Perspectives of Shared Governance" is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 2:00 PM in the Assembly Room, William Pitt Union. The Spring Senate Plenary Session "Examining the Roles of Women at Pitt" is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, 2004 in the Assembly Room, William Pitt Union. The website: www.pitt.edu/UNIDSenate

Budget Policies Committee discussed the issue of raises for staff that have reached maximum salary for their range. Currently, if you are "red-lined", there may be a salary cap for such people.

Computer Usage Committee ­ discussed access to e-mail account for family of deceased faculty. Someone may need access to address book to notify colleagues and business associates for closure of projects and notification of the death.

Final issue raised at the meeting was to consider the proportion of individuals within each School who finish in four years. This might be one of our initiatives.

Other business:

The issue of staff who are also students who need student ID's for meetings or access to student activities (they cannot use Petersen Center because of their staff ID), was raised. The committee would like to consider this issue as well.

We were asked to read over the SEPC Mission Statement which is attached and determine if we agree with it as is or if we would like to suggest any changes.

Issue was raised of retention of students and the use of advisors on campus for communication in the first weeks of school to determine if the students' needs are being met; apparently Point Park College has instituted this approach.

7) NEW BUSINESS

New Initiatives were discussed.

Dr. Chiu questioned budget decisions related to student lab fees. The students pay lab fees, which he believes should go to the labs. These are needed in the School of Engineering for classroom teaching and Dr. Chiu asked how these monies are allocated. Proposals are requested at his school. He thinks there should be such allocation without need for formal proposals. He believes there should be allocated monies, especially for the teaching which must be carried out in the labs. The money may be going to the school or the University and the policy may be specific to each school. Dr. Susan Sereika, Drs. Amy Knapp, Evelyn Talbott and Chao-Lin Chiu will look into their respective schools to see if rules vary by school. This may be Arthur Ramicone's area.

8) Adjournment 1:05 PM

Next Meeting: October 21st, 109 Parran/GSPH, 12 noon