Faculty Senate Minutes
November 15, 2007
Call to Order:
Call to order: 4:12 pm; Riggle Room; ADUC.
Senators Absent: Royal Berglee, Cary Feria, Wayne Isham, Michael Wallace, John Warber, Scott Wymer
Visitors: Mary Jerde, Arts and Humanities Director/Grants
Minutes: Senator Breschel moved to approve the minutes of November 1, 2007, as submitted. Motion passed.
Mary Jerde invited the members to the “Ye Olde Madrigal Feaste.” It is a fundraiser for the students in Arts and Humanities. Ms. Jerde also informed the members about the Arts and Humanities information she provides through a listserve. She asked the members to let her know if they are not on the listserve and would like to be.
Committee Review:
Academic Policies: Will have a resolution to present during committee reports; Reviewing the addition of plusses and minuses to the final grading scale
Communications: Updating the Web Page - send information to Karen Lafferty, Communication Chair, or Michael Wallace, Web Master
Evaluation: No Report
Fiscal Affairs: Report on compensation will be forthcoming
Governance: Meeting scheduled with Provost on November 29, 2007 - send questions regarding the University Standing Committees to Brent Rogers or a member of the Governance Committee to be discussed with the Provost on November 29th; Reported election results for the Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Committee – Victor Ballestero was elected from the College of Education and Ric Caric was elected from the College of Humanities; Will ask for a vote on a replacement for a member for the Graduate Committee during committee reports; Will present revised descriptions for three committees for a first reading during committee reports
Professional Policies: Reviewing PAc 27 with intention of having a revised draft by the beginning of the spring semester
Reports:
Chairs Report:
- The next full Senate meeting will be December 6, 2007. November 29, 2007 will be the scheduled day for Senate committee meetings.
- Chair Jerde informed the members that Mike Wallace’s father passed away and he will not be on campus until after the Thanksgiving break. If any critical information needs to be posted to the Web page, please forward it to Karen Lafferty.
Provosts Report:
- The training document to be used for the Curriculum Audit is almost complete, teams have been formed, and training will begin in December.
- A retreat for faculty and staff leadership was held with the Board of Regents. Brainstorming sessions were conducted regarding the Business Plan. The resulting information is being reviewed and a process for faculty and staff input is being addressed.
- The Provost met with several individual faculty and faculty groups during the semester, but due to scheduling constraints has not been able to meet with everyone who has called for an appointment. The Provost asked that any faculty member who has not been able to meet with her to call again for an appointment.
Regents Report:
- The Board of Regents will meet December 6, 2007.
- On November 5, 2007, the CPE approved its budget recommendation for 2008-2010. Regent Irons stated that the CPE is moving toward funding based on degree production and performance targets.
Senate Actions:
Governance:
- The committee submitted two individuals, Ken Henderson and Mesghena Yasin, from the College of Business for an election to fill a vacancy on the Graduate Committee for a term ending August, 2008. A Senator indicated that both had declined to serve. Senator Rogers asked if the Governance Committee can identify a faculty member who is willing to serve, can that person be appointed for a one semester term. Chair Jerde indicated that can be allowed. Senator Rogers moved that the Governance Committee, with the consent of the Senate, be allowed to appoint a member to the Graduate Committee for a one semester term ending August, 2008. Senator Breschel seconded the motion. Motion passed.
- The committee presented revised descriptions for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research for a first reading.
- The committee presented a revised description for the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee for a first reading. Senator Rogers reviewed the changes made to the committee description.
Academic Policies:
- The committee presented a resolution on the Pass/Fail option for students. The committee indicated that due to the switch from Aims to Datatel, anonymity is not being protected for the students utilizing this option.
A Senator asked if this is a first reading. Chair Jerde stated that since it is not a policy, it can be debated and voted on today. The Senators discussed the resolution. A Senator asked if this resolution should be taken to the faculty in the departments for review and discussion prior to a vote in the Senate. Chair Jerde asked if the members wanted to discuss this resolution with their constituents.
Senator Harford moved to change the last paragraph of the resolution to read: Therefore, the Faculty Senate recommends that the technology be modified so that the policy will be followed. Senator Neeper seconded the motion. The members continued discussion. A Senator indicated that changing the Datatel system to protect the students’ identity would not be a simple task and could take an extended amount of time, if it could be accomplished at all. A Senator made a point of order that this resolution refers to a policy and must be considered as a first reading and that all discussion on the resolution is out of order. The chair concurred with the Senator and stated that the resolution will be presented for a second reading at the December 6th meeting and voted on at that time. A Senator suggested that, in the interim until Datatel can be reprogrammed, records of students who have opted for pass/fail be kept in hard copy form and the information not be included in the Datatel system. A Senator suggested that the faculty develop a list of items that need to be repaired in the Datatel system and provide this information to the appropriate people. Chair Jerde stated that the Chairs Forum has been given the task of determining the deficiencies of Datatel and providing this information to the Datatel staff. Regent Irons moved to suspend the rules with respect to first and second reading of this resolution. Senator Harford seconded the motion. Motion failed by a show of hands. Senator Klecker volunteered to contact the Datatel staff to determine if this problem can be solved.
New Business:
- Chair Jerde reported that the guidelines and duties of the General Education Faculty Council have been posted on the Web page. The General Education Faculty Council will meet with the Steering committee on December 12, 2007.
- A Senator stated that not having a printed copy of class schedules is a problem and suggested that class schedules be printed for a nominal fee.
Announcements:
- Paul Taylor will present a concert at 8:00 p.m. this evening in Baird Music Hall.
Adjournment: 5:10 pm.
