Minutes

Rule Hearing

November 12, 2002 at 3:00 p.m.

The rule hearing was requested by Jean A. Larson, Chair, Faculty Senate and Jon Reiskind, President, United Faculty of Florida. Present to address questions concerning the rules were Joseph Glover, Associate Provost, Academic Affairs and Larry Ellis, Director, Division of Human Resources. Also present were Dr. Barbara C. Wingo, Deputy General Counsel. The hearing was conducted by Dr. Jill Varnes, Director, Academic Affairs.

There was a lengthy discussion about the rulemaking process.

6C1-1.0063 No specific comments made.

6C1-1.007 No specific comments made.

6C1-1.008 A comment was made to remove the word “sexually” in paragraph (1)(r) to make it consistent with other harassment policies. It was explained that the wording in this rule is appropriate because it describes specific instances of disruptive conduct.

6C1-1.011 A concern was expressed that faculty members are not allowed to receive compensation from the sale of materials they create or develop exclusively for University of Florida courses or other instructional activities at UF while departments may be able to receive such compensation.

6C1-1.017 It was noted that this rule customizes to the University of Florida the layoff provisions of Board of Regents Rule 6C-5.955.

There was a concern that an employee who is absent for three or more consecutive workdays could be considered to have abandoned their job. It was explained that every attempt is made to contact the employee to find out the circumstances under which the employee was absent before a decision is made.

It was requested that the rules that define “just cause” be identified in paragraph (1)(c).

There was also concern expressed about employees (OPS, USPS or TEAMS) in probationary status who can be separated from employment at any time without notice or rights to appeal. It was explained that this has always been the policy for employees in probationary status.

It was suggested that whenever there is a layoff in an academic unit that these decisions should go through the Faculty Senate for approval.

It was suggested that the language in paragraph (5)(b) about “compatibility with colleagues” be removed when determining the layoff of an employee.

6C1-1.019 No specific comments made.

6C1-1.100 No specific comments made.

6C1-1.101 No specific comments made.

6C1-1.200 No specific comments made.

6C1-1.201 There was concern expressed regarding the personal leave days to be taken between December 26 and December 31 and how that would affect certain departments that might need to stay open. It was explained that essential employees must remain working on those days and upon approval from their supervisor will be able to take their personal leave at a later date when their services are not necessary. It was requested that essential employees be defined in the rule.

It was requested that domestic partners be considered as part of the FMLA leave.

6C1-1.300 No specific comments made. There was a general discussion as to what a direct support organization was.

6C1-7.003 It was requested that the academic ranks of Assistant Lecturer, Associate Lecturer and Lecturer be renamed as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Master Lecturer. It was noted that as a reason for this change, an Assistant Lecturer would seem to have been demoted in this new classification.

6C1-7.048 It was requested that “willful” be left in paragraph (1)(c).

6C1-7.051 No specific comments made.