Report from
Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting
1.
Meeting of
Attending: Williams, Pritchard, Etzkorn, Burnett, Gaede, English, Vaughan, Lawson, Heikes, Norman, Finley, Gholston
1.1
Faculty
Senate President’s Report
1.2 Reports from Administration
Dr. Williams reported we are interviewing this week and next week for the VPR position. We should be doing open interviews about mid December. Dr. Williams stated he still hopes for a January appointment. The Committee is making good progress.
Dr. Williams reported he is working on restructuring and streamlining supports efforts. He will be making an announcement later perhaps in the next couple of weeks.
Dr. Williams reported there is no progress on what the Governor is doing regarding the budget. The later the proration comes the harder it is to deal with. That is why we have taken a look at cuts and restructuring and streamlining.
The focused hire was announced. It is a joint effort in the Supply Chain area between Business and Systems.
Dr. Williams expressed some concern for the bill that would be presented today. He referenced the Mission Statement which addresses excellence and all aspects of the University. He mentioned that pedagogy is only one aspect and one point of the University. He mentioned his charge to realign and restructure.
There was some discussion regarding dorms approved by the Board. Our current housing is full. There is a company looking at the five year plan to go into from the one we are currently completing. The next housing would be somewhere toward the center of campus.
Dr. Williams reported the applications are up 16% and the admits are up about 13%. Rick Barth and Sandra Patterson are doing their job as well as many faculty. The hope is that the dorms and other things will improve the retention and faculty will help with this as well.
There was a request to look at the Faculty and Staff Clinic in the 5 year plan. There was a question regarding whether a position would remain with a department and they would be able to fill the position if a faculty member leaves. Dr. Williams stated this is under the Provost purview but there are certain areas we will invest in based on discussions. We cannot make a promise on any one position.
There was a discussion regarding the passing of Amendment one and that decreasing the immediate impact of the cuts.
1.3
New Business
Dr. Nancy Finley and Dr. Rose Norman brought a petition forward addressing some concerns from faculty. This was based on rumblings from faculty across campus. The Faculty Senate has a duty to speak out and represent the faculty even when it is difficult. The petition is a starting point for the Senate to look at. The goal is to protect the strengths we have now and protect the faculty and students. Some changes have a negative impact. The faculty would like to see more faculty involvement in decisions. The petition was delegated to the Student and Faculty Development Committee for review and action.
1.4 Committee Items and Chair Reports
1.4.1 Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Gail Pritchard).
We are looking at seven new courses. Two have been approved and five are pending.
1.4.2
Personnel
(Michael Anderson).
No Report.
1.4.3 Governance and Operations (Jennifer English).
No Report. The Governance Committee will be reviewing the Senate Bylaws. They will also take a look at the University Committees and determine if there are those that should be eliminated.
1.4.4 Faculty and Student Development (Andree Reeves).
No Report.
1.4.5 Finance and Resources (John Burnett).
No Report.
1.4.6 Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes).
Dr. Heikes brought the Bill Regarding Attendance back to the table. The Committee added a phrase and the Executive Committee proposed a friendly amendment to strike the phrase “which must include the Provost’s signature” and “For approved activities the Provost will return a signed copy of the request to the Faculty or University employee who submitted the request”. The bill passed at first reading.
Dr. Heikes also brought the Bill regarding the change in the Academic Action Threshold to the table for discussion. The Bill passed at first reading.
1.4.7 The Agenda was set for the December 4, Faculty Senate Meeting.