Faculty Senate Minutes
September 17, 2009
Call to Order:
Call to order: 4:12 pm; Riggle Room; ADUC.
Senators Absent: Vincent Cesaro, Marshall Chapman, Pam Ryan, Denise Watkins
Visitors: Charles Patrick
Committee Review:
Academic Policies: Will have a proposal and resolution
Communications: No Report
Evaluation: No Report
Fiscal Affairs: Met and discussed the role of the Fiscal Affairs Committee, no actions items
Governance: Will have slate of nominees for University Standing Committees
Professional Policies: Met with no report
Reports:
Provost’s Report:
- The Day Care Committee submitted a report to the President. The issue was discussed at today’s Board of Regents meeting. The major obstacle at this time is the fiscal environment at the University. The Day Care issue is being reviewed by Mike Walters, Vice President, Administration and Fiscal Services.
- Charles Patrick reported on the QEP process. He encouraged Senate members, faculty and staff to submit proposals on topics for QEP by October 5, 2009.
Regents Report:
- Regent Morrison attended the Governor’s Conference on Postsecondary Education Trusteeship. Governor Beshear talked about the economic challenges facing Kentucky Public Colleges and Universities in the state. He challenged Colleges and Universities to address issues that they can have some control over such as; access, affordability, retention, degree completion, and accountability.
- Regent Morrison attended the Coalition of Senate and Faculty Leadership (COSFL) meeting. The University needs to be involved in COSFL.
- Peg Munke Pittman will fill the role of faculty representative on CPE.
- The Presidential evaluation will be conducted from September 30, 2009 to October 2, 2009 by Dr. John Moore. Dr. Moore will meet with various groups across campus. He will accept “signed” comments in writing. These comments may be in his report, but no names will be attached to any comments.
General Education Report:
- Beverly McCormick, Senate representative on the General Education Council, reported on the meeting of September 10, 2009. Two subcommittees, Courses and Assessment, will be formed. The Courses subcommittee will focus on the core courses proposal process and first year seminar.
- Information will continue to be posted on the web site
- Core courses training sessions will be held for faculty
A Senate member was concerned about guidelines not being established for Associate degree programs.
Chair’s Report:
- Chair Berglee reported on Senate Administrative Action No. 11.17. President Andrews concurred with the motion of the Senate with one stipulation regarding the two Faculty Coordinators. Under Membership Rules: Item 4. was changed from “They will serve offset three year terms and will receive a 3 credit hour course release.” to “They will serve offset three year terms and may receive a 3 credit hour course release.”
- Chair Berglee appreciated President Andrews speaking to the Senate and stressed the importance of working with the administration on University issues. The Senate must focus on Senate and faculty/student issues. Due to the reorganization of colleges and departments, the Senate Constitution and the membership of University Standing Committees needs to be reviewed to insure that all faculty are adequately represented, both in the Senate and on University committees. The Senate Constitution Ad hoc Committee members are: Beverly McCormick, chair; Brent Rogers, Lesia Lennex, Sue Tallichet and Eric Jerde. “The purpose of the committee is to review the current faculty senate constitution and report back to the faculty senate on issues that could be approved for possible reform.”
A Senator asked about the Student Learner Outcomes, the Assessment and the Framework for General Education from last year and if the President approved the Framework and the Student Learner Outcomes. The President concurred with the motion of the Senate regarding General Education Curriculum and Courses Distribution Proposal - No. 14.17, with a stipulations document from the Provost.
Senate Actions:
Academic Policies:
Senator Irons submitted a proposal concerning the Catalogue Description of Incomplete Grades for a first reading.
Senator Irons submitted a resolution concerning a Common Expiration Date for Incomplete Grades for a first reading.
Fiscal Affairs:
The committee met and discussed how the committees can work together more efficiently to move the University forward.
Governance:
Senator Klecker explained why there are so many Standing Committee Membership issues that needed attention and the process the Governance Committee used to determine the slate of nominees to provide adequate representation from all colleges. Senator Klecker presented a slate of nominees to fill vacancies on University Standing committees for Faculty Senate approval.
A Senator expressed concern in removing faculty from Standing Committees who have been elected by faculty and may not want to be removed. The question was asked if we honor the Standing Committee Descriptions or the Senate Constitution.
A Senator from the College of Business expressed a concern that some faculty being nominated from the College of Business were already serving on two committees and others in the college were not serving on any. The members discussed whether Coordinators can/should serve on Standing Committees.
Senator Craig moved to remove the names of Ken Henderson, University Tenure Committee; Michael Harford, Faculty Promotion Committee; and Fatma Mohamed, Employee Benefits Committee from the slate of nominees presented and vote on the remainder of the slate. Senator Irons seconded the motion. Motion passed. The chair called for a vote of the amended slate. The Senate approved the amended slate of nominees for Standing Committees.
The Governance Committee asked for a nomination from the College of Business for the University Tenure Committee from the floor. Senator Irons moved to appoint Barbara Lyons to the University Tenure Committee. The members of the Governance Committee approved Barbara Lyons to be presented to the Senate for approval to the University Tenure Committee. The Senate approved Barbara Lyons for the University Tenure Committee.
Faculty Promotion Committee and Employee Benefits Committee vacancies will be addressed at the next meeting.
Announcements:
Strategic Planning Retreat September 30th ADUC 10:30 – 2:30
Adjournment: 6:00 pm
