Faculty Senate Minutes
February 5, 2009
Call to Order:
Call to order: 4:15 pm; ADUC.
Senators Absent: Donna Baker, Lynda Donathan, Braden Frieder, Euijin Kim, Bruno Morra, Rodney Stanley
Visitors: Annie Adams, Yvonne Baldwin, Joy Gritton, Jason Holcomb, Charles Patrick, Tim Simpson
Minutes: Senator Chatham moved to approve the minutes of January 15, 2009 as submitted. Senator Perkins seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Committee Review:
Academic Policies: Requested volunteers to join an Advising Transition group that meets on Friday 2 at 9:10
Communications: Executive Council met with the President regarding communicating issues to the President. The Communication Committee will provide the President with examples of the communication problem and suggestions for improvement. Senator Wymer asked for examples and suggestions from the members.
Evaluation: Reviewing various forms of faculty evaluation - online and face to face; Asked for alternative suggestions to be sent to Senator Lennex
Fiscal Affairs: No Report
Governance: Issues faced by Governance: (1) Changing representation on Standing Committees due to transition of faculty resulting from the Academic Audit (2) Revising Standing Committees based on Gen Ed Reform
Professional Policies: No Report
Reports:
Chair’s Report:
The revised PAc-6 has been approved by the President and the Provost and forwarded to Human Resources and the Graduate Office.
FGEAC Report: 2nd Reading of Gen Ed Student Learner Outcomes: Joy Gritton and Tim Simpson recorded the suggestions from the Senate review of the Student Learner Outcomes at the meeting on January 15, 2009. Tim Simpson compiled the suggestions and forwarded them to the FGEAC. The FGEAC reviewed the Student Learner Outcomes using the Senate suggestions and best practice from other institutions’ models and revised the document. The Student Learner Outcomes was unanimously approved by the FGEAC on February 3, 2009, and is being presented for Senate review today. Assessment strategies are not available for review today due to inclement weather. FGEAC will meet Tuesday, February 10 and will provide assessment strategies to the Senate for review as soon as possible.
The Senate began discussion of the Student Learner Outcomes by stating that the Preface was very well written. Joy Gritton acknowledged Tim Simpson for writing the Preface. The Senate members also expressed their appreciation for the difficult task and the hard work of the FGEAC.
Senator Wymer suggested for ease in discussion of the Outcomes that the bullets be changed to 1a, 1b, etc.
The Senators discussed at length the draft of the Student Learner Outcomes. Regent Morrison moved to end discussion of the draft of the Student Learner Outcomes since no actual motions for revisions had been made. Senator Colburn seconded the motion. Motion failed.
Discussion of the draft continued with the following motions:
· Senator Lafleur moved to change Outcome 1a. to: “Listen and speak effectively in conversational, small group, public and intercultural contexts” Senator Abell seconded the motion. Motion passed.
· Senator Lafleur moved to change Outcome 1c. to: “Write and speak effectively for a variety of target audiences using conventions associated with standard English” Senator Abell seconded the motion. Motion failed.
· Senator Lennex moved to add Outcome 5d. which would read: “Comprehend the cycle of human growth necessary to provide sustained health and individual well-being” Senator Klecker seconded the motion. Senator Farrell suggested moving this Outcome to be 4d. Senator Lennex agreed. Motion passed.
· Senator Buck moved to add Outcome 2f. which would read: “Apply knowledge and skills to effectively deal with the problems of living in the contemporary economic society” Senator Klecker seconded the motion. Motion failed.
· Senator Farrell moved to move 6c. to 2f. and change it to read: “Explore the connections among practical, esoteric, critical and creative thinking” Senator Buck seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Provost’s Report:
· Replies have been sent to those who sent email inquiries and comments regarding the Academic Audit.
· The date of the schedule build is the same as it has been for the last several years.
· The President and the Provost met with the Executive Council who provided suggestions regarding the Academic Audit.
Regent’s Report:
· An explanation for hiring the Assistant Vice President for Technology is posted on the Regent’s blog.
· Regent Morrison encouraged the Senators and faculty in general to attend the Board of Regents work session on Thursday, February 19 at 9:00 a.m. in the Heritage Room where the President will present the Board with an overview of the audit recommendations.
Discussion continued on the draft of the Student Learner Outcomes.
· Annie Adams, FGEAC, suggested a minor wording change on Outcome 2f.: Change “between” to “among”
· Senator Wymer moved to add “open and debated” after “address” in Outcome 5b. Senator Barnes seconded the motion. Motion passed.
· Senator Buck moved to add the word “financial” after “economic” in Outcome 4c. Senator Ahmadi seconded the motion. Motion failed.
Chair Thomas encouraged the Senators to review the General Education web page.
Senator Wymer moved to end discussion on the revised Student Learner Outcomes. Senator Colburn seconded the motion. A Senator asked for clarification on whether or not wording changes could be made to the Student Learner Outcomes in the future and would the Senate have an opportunity to vote on any changes made in the future. Dr. Baldwin assured the Senators that any changes to the Student Learner Outcomes would be brought before the Senate membership. Chair Thomas called for a vote on the motion on the floor to end discussion of the Student Learner Outcomes. Motion passed.
Senator Wymer moved to accept the Student Learner Outcomes as amended. Senator Rogers seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Adjournment: 6:00 pm
