Trustees had reservations about both issues but said they\u2019re willing to listen and asked for detailed proposals from Justin McBrayer, an associate professor of philosophy.<\/p>\n
Nothing official will occur before the board\u2019s next meeting in February.<\/p>\n
Michelle Merz-Hutchinson, a lawyer with the state attorney general\u2019s office who advises the board, is going to determine if faculty members can sit as ex officio members of board subcommittees.<\/p>\n
McBrayer, who became the faculty representative to the board this year, proposed seating faculty as ex officio participants in the board\u2019s business affairs and ad hoc investment subcommittees. McBrayer also proposed a liaison committee made up of board and faculty members to discuss issues of interest.<\/p>\n
McBrayer said interaction between board and faculty would improve communications and understanding of issues. Now, he is the lone link between instructors and policymakers, McBrayer said.<\/p>\n
Board members were under the impression that anyone can speak at subcommittee meetings. Trustee Matt Wassam said ex officio status could simply give faculty members a platform for a \u201cbitch\u201d session.<\/p>\n
On the issue of housing help, McBrayer said a loan to new faculty members would beat a salary bump for the same purpose. A loan could be forgiven under certain conditions, he said.<\/p>\n
Helping new faculty members buy a house reduces attrition and can encourage qualified candidates who otherwise wouldn\u2019t apply.<\/p>\n
He said universities in California have such programs, as does the University of Colorado, Boulder.<\/p>\n
Provost Barbara Morris said such programs don\u2019t work if they favor one group. Better an overall pay raise, Morris said.<\/p>\n