Faculty Council Minutes

(2) WAC resolution (Haskell): Haskell provided an
overview of the information that was discussed during the
Faculty Council business meeting on Feb. 26 and the input
obtained since that time. After discussion, the following
motions were made:

The Faculty Council of Rice University, in response to our
colleagues at Southern Methodist University and in accord
with the faculty senates at many universities across the
United States, endorses the “Academics First”
concept, sparked by the findings of the Knight Commission
Report of June 2001, regarding the nationwide problems besetting
intercollegiate athletics. Academics is the first priority
of a university. (vote, 10 yeas and 1 abstention)

Resolve that Faculty Council will (1) in spring 2002, craft
questions to appropriate parties relating to the athletic
program, (2) request that full answers be provided to the
Council early in fall 2002 and (3) make a determination
of what further steps it will take by the end of the fall
2002 semester. (vote, 9 yeas and 2 abstentions)

(3) Spring 2002 Election of Members to University Council
and to Faculty Council (Patten): The Speaker expressed
his concern regarding several positions to be filled on
the Faculty Council and University Council and requested
the efforts of the Council to find good candidates.

(2) Report from the Policy Committee on Honorary Titles
(Akin): Akin provided copies of the Policy Committee’s
draft proposal for the “Policy on Honorary Faculty
Titles.” After discussion, the following motion was
made:

I move that this policy, with suitable revisions, be forwarded
to President Malcolm Gillis, as addressed. (vote, unanimous)

(3) Suggested Change in the Election Schedule for Council
(Akin): Akin distributed copies of his proposed recommendations
for reduced terms for Faculty Council and University Council.
The Council decided to delay discussion of these issues
until one of the fall 2002 Faculty Council business meetings.

(4) Report from Committee on Committees (Braam):
Braam provided copies of the service recommendations from
the Committee on Committees. It was decided to schedule
a special meeting to discuss those issues.