2002-2003-1 Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Policy

Whereas, developing electronic theses and dissertations teaches technology that is beneficial for our graduate students to learn while in graduate school to enhance their professional credentials, and

Whereas, it is of benefit to our graduate students to be able to incorporate audio and video clips and other non-textual information into theses and dissertations, so that students can take full advantage of various media to realize their creative potential, and

Whereas, graduate programs are now being approved that will rely on non-textual media as the basis for their thesis work, and

Whereas, it is possible for students to make their theses and dissertations available on-line for faster dissemination of information, making their research more accessible and more portable, and

Whereas, a number of research universities have implemented electronic thesis and dissertation submission and archiving, and this innovation would enhance UCF's standing as a university that employs the latest technology, and

Whereas, library space for storage of theses and dissertations can be reduced, and

Whereas, costs for duplication of theses and dissertations for students can be reduced,

Be it resolved that the University should provide the capability for our graduate students to submit theses and dissertations electronically by fall 2003. It is further recommended that this start on a voluntary basis with an evaluation of the new procedures after one year, with the intent of requiring this of all students who enter graduate programs in the fall 2004. The Graduate Council will employ the appeal process for special cases where the mandatory requirement could be waived.

Approved by the Faculty Senate on November 21, 2002.
Forwarded to Provost Whitehouse on January 6, 2003.
Approved by the Provost on May 7, 2003.  

2002-2003-2 Increase of RIA's (Research Incentives Awards)

Whereas, UCF's mission is to be a leading metropolitan research university; and

Whereas, incentives should be mission consistent; and

Whereas, morale and retention issues are often tied to incentives; and

Whereas, few mechanisms exist to give incentive for outstanding performance;

Be it resolved that the number of RIA's increase without decreasing the number of TIP's.

Approved by the Faculty Senate on January 23, 2003.
Forwarded to Provost Whitehouse on January 24, 2003.
Approved by the Provost on March 5, 2003.  

2002-2003-3 Inclusion of Sexual Orientation in the University Nondiscrimination Policies

Whereas, the University of Central Florida is a vibrant and diverse educational community committed to intellectual inquiry, academic freedom and human rights,
And
Whereas, one of the five goals of the University of Central Florida is to become more inclusive and diverse,
And
Whereas, the elimination of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, age, disability or handicap, religion, veteran's status, marital status, parental status, or national origin has been facilitated by the adoption of nondiscrimination policies which affirmatively express the University of Central Florida's commitment to protect members of these groups from discrimination,
And
Whereas, the lack of sexual orientation protection significantly weakens the ability of the University of Central Florida to recruit and retain high quality faculty and staff,
And
Whereas, efforts to prevent both discrimination and hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are hampered by the failure of responsible institutions to include sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policies,
And
Whereas, the issue of "sexual orientation" is already represented in "The Golden Rule",

Be it resolved that the Faculty Senate of the University of Central Florida recommends that the university administration consistently include "sexual orientation" in all possible nondiscrimination statements; further the Faculty Senate recommends that the university administration request that the Board of Trustees and its legal counsel in appropriate consultation with governing agencies adopt this language in nondiscrimination policies regarding employment at the university.

Approved by the Faculty Senate on March 27, 2003.
Forwarded to Provost Whitehouse on March 28, 2003.
Memo from Dr. Whitehouse on 5/9/03:President Hitt, Deans, Vice Presidents and the General Counsel's Office relative to Resolution 2002-2003-3 dealing with the inclusion of sexual orientation in university nondiscrimination polices issue. We certainly welcome the dialogue on this very important issue, but it is our interpretation that we do not have the authority to implement this particular resolution. Unfortunately, we will have to deny this resolution.

 2002-2003-4 Parking

Whereas the lack of available parking spaces is a significant detriment to faculty, staff and student morale, productivity and effectiveness,

Be it resolved that no parking place taken for non parking use without provision made for an equivalent replacement

Approved by the Faculty Senate on March 27, 2003.
Forwarded to Provost Whitehouse on March 28, 2003.
Memo from Dr. Whitehouse on 5/9/03: President Hitt, Mr. Merck, and the University Master Planning Committee. It is our interpretation that while we understand the sentiment of the proposal, we cannot implement it due to irregularities in the creation and deletion of parking spaces. We understand the importance of parking spaces and are making efforts to improve the situation, but, unfortunately, we cannot accept this resolution as written.

2002-2003-5 Traffic

Whereas traffic congestion is a significant detriment to faculty, staff and student morale, productivity and effectiveness,

Be it resolved that the university administration seek to find an additional entrance/exit on the East Side of the university and conduct any associated studies.

Approved by the Faculty Senate on March 27, 2003.
Forwarded to Provost Whitehouse on March 28, 2003.
Memo from Dr. Whitehouse on 5/9/03: President Hitt, Mr. Merck, and the UMPC reviewed the 2002-2003-5 Traffic Resolution. The University accepts the spirit of the resolution; however, current studies do not suggest that the additional exit is possible or wise. Additional studies are underway, and we will continue to try to create better access and egress from the campus. Provost accepts this resolution in principle but point out that there are serious limitations as to what can be accomplished on this front.

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