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MSU Home >> Faculty Senate Minutes >> 2007-10-04 Minutes

Faculty Senate Minutes
October 4, 2007 

Call to Order:
Call to order: 4:11 pm; Riggle Room; ADUC. 

Senators Absent:  Ann Andaloro, Latonya Hesterberg, Barbara Lyons, Sam Nataraj, Nancy Peterson 

Visitors:  President Wayne Andrews, Debbie Abell, Jill Ratliff, Geoff Gearner, Karen Bardsley 

Minutes:  Senator Breschel moved to approve the minutes of September 20, 2007, as submitted.  Motion passed.  

Committee Review:
Academic Policies:  Reviewing Advising Systems and Processes contained in the Enrollment Strategies; will have an issue with Task Force on Student Success and “Dead Week” 

Communications:  No Report 

Evaluation:  Reviewing FEP’s and will meet with the Professional Policies Committee 

Fiscal Affairs:    Beth Patrick will speak to Fiscal Affairs next week, email questions for Beth Patrick to Michael Harford;  Michael Harford provided a summary of the book by Robert Dickeson, Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services, to the members via email;  Michael Harford provided the members with copies of Exhibit 6.1. Quantifying Program Criteria 

Governance:  Working to fill vacancies on University Standing Committees due to resignations; will be meeting with Dr. Hughes to discuss University Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees 

Professional Policies:  PG-61 is complete and will be presented today for first reading 

Report on General Education Redesign: 
Prior to the meeting today, Chair Jerde provided the members with a narrative from the General Education Task Force entitled “Pathway to Success for the 21^st Century:  Redesigning General Education. 

Geoff Gearner presented an overview of the progress of the redesigning of General Education including:

• History
• Why Change?
• Accomplishments Thus Far
• It is now time for the Faculty to be involved 

The General Education Task Force will have a website open on October 8, 2007.  There will be a survey on the Web site asking all members of the Morehead State University community:

• what does every Morehead State University graduate need to know
• what do they need be able to do, and
• what kind of disposition do they need to develop to be successful in a 21^st century global environment? 

A member stated that the Faculty Senate did not approve the Task Force that is now in the process of redesigning General Education.  Geoff Gearner stated that the Task Force is facilitating the process of redesign as charged by the Provost. 

Regent Irons commended the Task Force for the documentation of the process of General Education redesign and stated that according to the document provided, faculty will approve all educational programs. 

Members asked the following questions:

Reports:
Chairs Report:

• Chair Jerde provided the members with the following report of results from the survey on the faculty lounge:

• 116 responses
• 58 - yes would like a lounge
• 28 - no would not like a lounge
• 29 - not sure
• 1 did not answer

• Suggested locations given

ADUC
Middle of campus
Library
Lounge in every building 

• The responses indicating no, listed the following reasons:

“Most departments already have a lounge”
“Isolation as opposed to community building”
“Faculty need to mingle with students”
 “If you have one it should be off limits to students” 

Karen Bardsley stated that one response indicated that individuals who visit Morehead from the regional campuses need a place to use a computer, phone, etc. 

Provosts Report:

• The Provost reported the following ongoing projects:

• Revision of the General Education framework
• Reviewing the book, Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services, by Robert Dickeson with the Provost’s Council and Deans Council
• Discuss framework for Academic Audits
• Visiting with faculty and committees
• Reinforced the commitment to have Faculty Senate and all faculty involvement in General Education Redesign 

A member asked if a similar audit is being conducted in the non-academic units and programs across campus as is being conducted in the academic affairs area.  The President answered this question by stating that major changes have already been made in areas such as Enrollment Services, Admissions, Financial Aid, University Relations, and Facilities Management.  He assured the members that all administrative areas would be reviewed.  The President indicated that the most important part of the University is the students, and as the academic departments are reviewed, the support areas will be open for review.  The Provost stated that in reference to the Academic Audit, Academic Affairs is split into two parts; (a) the academic programs in the colleges, and (b) the other areas, such as Advising, Honors College, Graduate and Undergraduate Programs, Research, Regional Campuses, etc.  Some work has already begun with Accounting and Budgetary Control and the post-award process for grants and contracts. 

A member asked about the difference in the Provost’s Council and the Deans Council.  The Provost stated that she meets weekly with the Deans.  The Provost’s Leadership Team consists of the other Direct Reports.  The Provost’s Council consists of the Deans, the other Direct Reports, Faculty Senate Chair and the Chair of the Chairs Forum. 

A member asked about a timeframe for review of the recommendations of the Strategic Enrollment Management Task Force reports that relate to academic issues.  The President indicated that the Senate Chair will be involved in the process for review of the reports and the Senate will have sufficient time for discussion. 

Regents Report:

• Regent Irons forwarded data comparing faculty salaries over the last 3 years with 19 benchmark institutions to Michael Harford who forwarded it to the Fiscal Affairs Committee. 

Senate Actions:
Professional Policies:

• Presented PG-61 – Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct to the members for first reading.  Chair Patrick thanked the members of the committee for their hard work.  

A member asked if this policy is just for faculty or for all faculty and staff.  Chair Patrick indicated that it is for the University community. 

A member asked why the reference to PAc 12, Professional Ethics, is listed under Intellectual Property at line number 171.  Chair Patrick indicated he would have to look into the placement of that item to answer the question.  Chair Patrick suggested that the members review individual policies that they feel appropriate to be included or removed and submit the revisions at the next meeting as amendments. 

A member asked what this policy provides that does not already exist.  Chair Patrick indicated that there are items in this policy that are not covered in other policies and this policy is a summary of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct.  

A member asked if the policy has been checked to verify that it does not conflict with other policies.  President Andrews stated that the policy will be reviewed before it is presented to the Board. 

A member asked if the policy will have to be approved by Staff Congress.  President Andrews will confirm that Staff Congress has had an opportunity to review the policy. 

A member stated that the proposed Nondiscrimination Policy, line 68 to 73, contains language in line 70 that is not in PG-5.  The President indicated that discrepancy would be reviewed. 

Chair Patrick thanked Dr. Scott Davison and all the other faculty members for their suggestions for the policy. 

A member stated that there is no reference to PAc-14, Academic Freedom and Responsibility.  Chair Patrick suggested the members provide suggestions line by line where items need to be added or removed and to present them at the meeting in two weeks.

Academic Policies:

• Presented Item #2 of the Task Force on Student Success – Report regarding “academic dead week” for a vote to approve or not approve.  The question contained in the report is:  Should we declare an “academic dead week” or “pre-finals week” (no comprehensive exams or major home work assignments) during the week before finals to help students prepare for the end-of-semester exams?  The guidelines are on page 4, “Proposed MSU Study Week Policy.” 

Regent Irons, as a member of the task force involved in revising this policy, stated that he believes it will create a lot of problems and urged the Senate to turn down the proposal. 

After lengthy discussion, Senator Harford moved to end debate and vote.  Motion passed. 

The Faculty Senate did not approve recommendation #2 (academic dead week) contained in the Task Force on Student Success – Report.  Chair Jerde stated that the Senate has completed discussion of the Task Force on Student Success – Report and will report the actions to the President. 

Governance:

• The committee recommended Karen Baker to fill a vacancy on the Research and Creative Productions and Fatma Mohamed to fill a vacancy on the Registration Advisory Committee.  Recommendation passed.
• The committee recommended Haiwook Choi as a temporary replacement for Hilary Iwu; and Royal Berglee as a temporary replacement for Constance Hardesty, on the Tenure Committee.  Recommendation passed.
• The committee is working to fill vacancies on other committees. 

Announcements:

• The Executive Council will have a special meeting on Friday, October 5, at 3:00 p.m. in the Provosts office.
• Robert McWhorter ranked #22 in the nation (4,099 total cadets)…highest ranking cadet in our Cadet Brigade – all schools in Kentucky and Ohio.
• The President thanked the Senate members for the work that they do.  The President stated that more than 100 Governors Scholars are enrolled at Morehead State University.  The President stated that the goal of the University is to work together to provide a 21^st century education for the students.  The President appreciates Chair Jerde for always representing the faculty.
• The University singing groups will perform a concert this evening at 8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. 

Adjournment:  5:30 pm.