Faculty Senate Minutes-Special Called Meeting
March 29, 2012
Call to Order: Chair Sharp called the meeting to order at 4:12 pm; Riggle Room; ADUC
Senators Absent: Jason Applegate, Robert Boram, Cynthia Faulkner, John Hennen, Julia Hypes, Nilesh Joshi, Lesia Lennex, Ron Morrison, Yuqiu You
Donna Everett served as proxy for Lesia Lennex; Lee Nabb served as proxy for Julia Hypes, Shondrah Nash served as proxy for Cynthia Faulkner and Joyce Stubbs proxy for Nilesh Joshi.
Announcement: Senator Davison informed the Senators that there will be a Workgroup meeting on Friday working on streamlining the Gen Ed Assessment process. Senator Davison asked that ideas/ suggestions be sent to him or any member of the GE Council.
Chair Sharp presented a message regarding how the policies being debated in the Senate affect the Faculty Salary Plan.
Senate Actions:
Faculty Welfare and Concerns:
Senator Rathbun, representing Faculty Welfare and Concerns, continued the second reading of PAc 27.
She began by thanking the Senators for their concern and work on PAc 7 and PAc 27 and asked that they consider their constituents when voting on PAc 27. Senator Davison, previous to today’s meeting, provided FWC with friendly amendments that aligned the entire PAc 27 with the changes that were approved at the last meeting in line 30 thru 32. The changes were also made in lines 184 -186, 293 – 315, and 320 – 322. FWC accepted these friendly amendments. Senator Rathbun posted the amendments on the screen for the Senate’s review. FWC will also clarify the tenure review issue “who can serve on what committee”. Senator Davison provided a summary of what was approved at the last meeting: “if you’re serving at the university or college level tenure review committee, you cannot serve at the department level”. FWC will also correct clerical errors in the document before submitting to the Provost.
Senator Chatham moved to close debate on PAc 27. Senator Royar seconded the motion. By a show of hands, motion did not receive the required 2/3 vote to end debate. Debate continued.
Senator Gibbs, on behalf of her constituents, made a friendly amendment that the College Tenure Committee be removed from the process in Line 31. FWC did not accept the friendly amendment.
Senator Gibbs, on behalf of her constituents, moved that the College Tenure Committee be removed from the process in Line 31. Senator Rogers seconded the motion. There was considerable discussion on the motion. Senator Gibbs was asked and explained the rationale for the motion from her constituents. In answer to a question, Senator Rathbun stated that whatever version of PAc 27 is approved by the Senate will be sent to the Provost. A suggestion was made to really clarify the FEP’s as they are being revised and that Senators work with their colleagues to ensure that the process be fair and appropriate.
Dr. Hughes provided a statement of her perspective of adding the College Committee.
Senator Rathbun reminded the Senators of who was on the Reconciliation Committee.
Senator Remillard provided information on the benchmark universities and how they conduct Tenure Review.
Senator Gibbs withdrew her motion and explained her reasons. Second was also withdrawn.
Senator McMichael made a friendly amendment to add “or school” after “department in line 301. FWC accepted the amendment.
Senator McMichael made a friendly amendment to add the sentence “To be eligible to apply for tenure, a faculty member must have completed 5 years of service.” after “The probationary period for tenure-track faculty is six years.” on line 47 and to add the same sentence after “…sixth year of the probationary period.” on line 62. FWC accepted the amendment.
Senator Davison moved to close debate on PAc 27. Senator Berglee seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Chair Sharp called for a vote on PAc 27. The Senate approved PAc 27 as revised.
Senator Rogers moved to adjourn.
Adjournment: 5:15 p.m.
