University of North Florida. Faculty Association.

The Faculty Association of the University of North Florida (UNF) was formed after the dissolution of the General Assembly, the University's first form of governance in the years 1972-1975. On March 13, 1975, the General Assembly adopted a University Constitution, which provided for four constituent legislative bodies: Faculty Association, Student Government Association, Career Service Association, and the University Senate.

The first meeting of the Faculty Association was held on April 15, 1975, with Dr. William Merwin presiding as the Association's first President. The meeting agenda included the election of a Bylaws Committee, which produced a Bylaws document approved on May 8 by Association members, and on May 29 by a UNF Presidential Review Committee. According to the Bylaws, the purpose of the Association was to exercise jurisdiction over faculty appointment, retention, and development; academic programs, organization, and standards; academic services and continuing education; faculty grievances and advancement; and other matters relating to instruction, service and research programs.

The functions of the Association have changed very little over the years. The majority of the work is undertaken through an extensive committee structure, composed of both standing and special committees. The membership of the Association consists of all persons holding regular or visiting faculty appointments; and all Library faculty members. The President of the University is a non-voting ex officio member of the Association. (Faculty Association Bylaws, Article III, Sections 1 and 2.)

Meetings were initially held semimonthly and later monthly to consider a legislative calendar of items, with additional items submitted by members or committees. Modeled on the town hall meeting format, voting procedures were conducted as a voice vote / majority prevails. A unique feature of each meeting continues to be the Question Period, which permits a member to address a question to any faculty member or administrator present or absent about University policies or activities, and receive a response on the spot or at a subsequent meeting.

According to the current UNF Faculty Handbook, decisions reached by the Association regarding its concerns are forwarded to the Provost, who acts on them where authority to do so has been delegated by the President or transmits them to the President of the University for action. When approved by the President of the University or appropriately delegated authority, the decisions become the policies, practices, and regulations of the University.

The following is a chronological list of Faculty Association Presidents to date:

1975-1976 William C. Merwin

1976-1978 Stephen Shapiro

1978-1979 Cherrill Heaton

1979-1980 Linda Foley

1980-1982 Bruce Gutknecht

1982-1983 Dale Clifford

1983-1986 Stephen Shapiro

1986-1988 Judith Solano

1988-1990 Mary (Lib) D'Zamko

1990-1992 Elinor Scheirer

1992-1994 Charles Winton

1994-1996 Judith Solano

1996-1998 Christine Rasche

1998-2000 Stephen Shapiro

2000-2002 Kathleen Cohen

2002-2003 Terry Bowen

2003-2006 Judith Solano

2006-2008 William (Chip) Klostermeyer

2008-2010 Katherine Robinson

2010-2012 J. Patrick Plumlee

From the guide to the University of North Florida. Faculty Association Records., 1975-, (UNF Library Special Collections and University Archives)