Faculty Senate September 14 Agenda

Call meeting to order
Approve Aug. 24 minutes
State of the University in terms of new enrollments and fiscal issues that affect the projections of the University (Provost Morris Stocks).
State of the plus/minus grading system, specifically in terms of its implementation (Provost Morris Stocks).
Adoption of the new degree in General Studies: location of the degree program, advising, graduation issues, requirements of new staff, and funding for the program.” (Provost Morris Stocks).
Senate Cmte Reports
Items from the floor:
- Proposed resolution re: recent elimination of Philosophy and Religion tenure-track positions at USM (Senator Steven Skultety).
Adjourn

Text of proposed resolution:

We, the Faculty Senate of the University of Mississippi, deeply regret

the firing of tenured faculty in core academic disciplines at the

University of Southern Mississippi. We recognize the reality of the

looming budget situation for state universities, and of course recognize

that individual departments, Colleges, and Universities must make

these difficult decisions as they best see fit for their research,

teaching, and service missions. But the seriousness of firing tenured

faculty should not be underemphasized, or pass without comment.

Earning a Ph.D., securing a tenure

-track job, and succeeding in one’s

teaching, research, and service to earn permanent tenure at a major

university like USM is a multi-

decade endeavor. Real human beings are

about to be harmed, with real career investme

nts and performances

that have already been deemed worthy, by every administrative level

of the university, of the award of permanent tenure. We ask that USM

and its College of Letters and Arts do everything in their power to help

tenured faculty facing lo

ss of position with securing another academic

position or making a transition to other employment.