Attending: Tom Metzger, Chairperson; Kerry W. Holzworth; Susan Neuman; Jason Palmer; Evelyn Talbott; Mike Unangst; Tony Silvestre

The Committee noted with much appreciation that our hosts in Student Government provided a full lunch for our members through the generosity of the Catering Office.

1. Approval of Minutes:

The Committee approved the July 1999 minutes as submitted.

2. Part Time Faculty

Dr. Metzger suggested that the Committee specify the exact data that we need so that he can bring our request forward. Suggestions made at the meeting were:

a. How many full-time and part-time faculty and TAs are employed in FAS and the College of Business Administration? How many are teaching faculty?

b. How are they distributed by Department, by numbers of students, by course level and by credit hours taught?

c. Please describe orientation (s) and available support for teaching faculty.

3. Computer Fees

Dr. Metzger reported that faculty members might be asked to pay for home hookups to AOL or similar providers rather than have access through the Pitt server. This proposal is intended to save money by limiting the number of modems that the University will need to buy. It is not clear if faculty will be required to pay and what impact this will have on faculty members' willingness to use the Internet for work related activity. Dr. Metzger will call Dr. Frieze for clarification.

4. Future Meetings

The Committee chose October 13, 1999 from noon till 1:30 for our next meeting. We will meet in 637 WPU.

5. New Business

a. Dr. Talbott mentioned that she and other faculty at GSPH were having problems with finding adequate support through CIDDE. Dr. Metzger will contact them to determine the problem.

b. Dr. Metzger agreed to follow up with Dr. Daniel about our suggestion that Deans and Directors be asked about how they reward good teaching and what initiatives they are taking to improve teaching in their areas.

c. Dr. Crossman agreed to continue updating our web page. The Committee enthusiastically accepted his offer. Dr. Metzger suggested that we add pro tem appointments to the October meeting agenda.

d. The recent call of the Post Gazette for the resignation of the President of the Board of Trustees was discussed. Much concern was raised about the issues related to his deposition. His remarks about the fitness of lesbians and gays to work in childcare were especially troubling because of the message they give to our lesbian and gay students. Dr. Silvestre suggested that this Committee pass a resolution supporting our students' right to engage in study and to follow any career they choose. The suggestion was approved and Dr. Metzger asked him to draft such a resolution.

The meeting adjourned at 1:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Tony Silvestre