Faculty Senate Minutes
August 30, 2007
Call to Order:
Call to order: 4:12 pm; Riggle Room; ADUC.
Senators Absent: Nancy Peterson
Minutes: Senator Neeper moved to approve the minutes of May 3, 2007, as submitted. Motion passed. Senator Patrick moved to approve the minutes of June 21, 2007, as submitted. Motion passed. Senator Wymer asked if the suggestion from the minutes of June 21, 2007 that “the Senate review how the Constitution defines the determination of quorum for summer meetings” would be added to a Senate agenda. Chair Jerde stated that the suggestion would be added to the charges for the appropriate Senate committee. Regent Irons moved to approve the minutes of August 23, 2007, as submitted. Motion passed.
The members divided into their respective committees for their first meeting. Chair Jerde instructed each committee to elect a Vice Chair and determine a meeting date. Chair Jerde discussed with each committee the items to be addressed during the year.
New Business:
- Proposed PG-61 Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct:
Prior to the meeting, Chair Jerde provided the members via email a proposed PG-61 – Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for review. Chair Jerde presented PG-61 for a first reading and stated that the development of PG-61 was in response to a request from the Council on Postsecondary Education that all universities adopt a policy on Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct.
Regent Irons provided background information from the state level on the origin of adopting a Code of Conduct for public postsecondary institutions. Regent Irons moved to delete “Each member of the University must endeavor to: and items 1. through 10. on the first page. Senator Buck seconded the motion. Senator Neeper suggested PG-61 be referred to the appropriate Senate committee for review and revision. Regent Irons withdrew his motion. Senator Neeper moved that PG-61 be referred to the appropriate Senate committee (Professional Policies) for review and revision. Senator Buck seconded the motion. Motion passed.
A member asked if it would be appropriate to communicate to the President and the administration that the Senate considers ethical principles a serious matter and would like the opportunity to assist in the development of a Code of Conduct that reflects the Senate commitment to ethical principles. Chair Jerde stated that he would convey that message to the President.
Senator Buck moved that the Faculty Senate request that PG-61 not be sent forward to the Board of Regents until the Faculty Senate has had the opportunity to consider it and vote on it. Senator Neeper seconded the motion.
Senator Patrick asked the members for input on how the Professional Policies Committee should handle PG-61. A member suggested the Senate send a revised policy that lets the administration know what the Senate stands for. A member suggested asking the administration for a written statement of the intent for developing the policy. After further discussion, Regent Irons moved to amend the motion on the floor to include “administration has communicated to the Senate the need and justification for developing such a policy and”. Senator Wymer seconded the motion to amend the motion on the floor. Regent Irons asked for unanimous consent that the amendment be accepted. Chair Jerde asked for objections. Hearing no objects Chair Jerde stated that the resolution stands as amended. Senator Buck read the motion to be voted on as follows: The Faculty Senate requests that PG-61 not be sent forward to the Board of Regents until the administration has communicated to the Senate the need and justification for developing such a policy and the Faculty Senate has had the opportunity to consider it and vote on it. A member stated that the intent of the Senate is not to delay the presentation of the policy, but needs time to review it. A member suggested that the policy be withdrawn from the September Board Meeting and be presented at the December Board Meeting. After further discussion, Senator Rogers moved to end debate and vote. The motion was seconded. Motion to end debate and vote passed.
Senator Buck read the motion again: The Faculty Senate requests that PG-61 not be sent forward to the Board of Regents until the administration has communicated to the Senate the need and justification for developing such a policy and the Faculty Senate has had the opportunity to consider it and vote on it. Motion passed.
Senator Patrick asked the members to send suggestions for revisions to him via email and to be as specific as possible.
A member suggested public forums be held for discussion of PG-61. Chair Jerde stated that if the administration and the President concur with the motion, the Senate will call such forums.
- Report of the Task Force on Student Success:
Prior to the meeting, Chair Jerde provided the members via email a copy of the Task Force on Student Success – Report and Recommendations. The three items to be addressed are:
Item #1 - Final exam week schedule
Item #2 – Academic dead week (week before finals)
Item #3 - Fall break
Item #3, the recommendation regarding “Fall break” was presented to the Senate in June, 2007 and approved. Chair Jerde provided clarification that Item #3 “Fall break” for students, is the Monday and Tuesday following mid-terms and was approved by the Senate at the summer meeting, June 21, 2007. With the approval of “Fall break” for students, the Senate forwarded a recommendation that “Fall break” also be given to faculty and staff.
Regent Irons stated that the concept of an “Academic dead week” involves a policy and moved to refer Item #2 “Academic dead week” and the recommendation “Proposed MSU Study Week Policy” to the Academic Policies Committee for consideration. Senator Buck seconded the motion. Motion passed.
The members discussed Item #1 “Final exam week schedule.” After discussion, Senator Patrick moved to accept the “Final exam week schedule” as submitted. Senator Neeper seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Senator Buck moved that the “Fall break” shall be limited to Tuesday only, since Monday is already a day off on Labor Day and a two day “Fall break” will cause two Mondays to be lost, which will result in an insufficient number of class meetings for the Monday evening classes. Senator Ahmadi seconded the motion. After discussion, Senator Wymer moved to end debate and vote. Motion to end debate and vote passed.
Motion that “Fall break” shall be limited to Tuesday only, since Monday is already a day off on Labor Day and a two day fall break will cause two Mondays to be lost, which will result in an insufficient number of class meetings for the Monday evening classes failed.
Reports:
Regent’s Report: Regent Irons reported that the Institution is developing a business plan to be submitted to the Board of Regents for review. Focus groups will be held to discuss how a business plan will affect faculty and staff.
Adjournment: 5:46 pm.
