Report from Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting

February 22, 2007

 

1.  Meeting of 22 February, 2007

 

Attending:  Radonovich, Franz, Kulick, Frendi, Anderson, Delugach, Karr, George, Lawson, Reeves, Boyd, Heikes 

1.1              Faculty Senate President’s Report  

Discussed the SIEs and SIE use and lack of any other evaluation by students.  There was discussion regarding vindictive students, basing P&T on results, using for financial compensation and awards.  There was discussion regarding whether there are other ways of evaluating.  The faculty would like a number of means of evaluation.  Consider peer reviews.  Look at outcomes and tracking students over the years.  The Personnel Committee should look at ways to evaluate faculty.

1.2              Reports from Administration

Dr. Franz reported renovations are on time for the Charger Café.  The major part should take place sometime during the summer.  We are not sure how we are handling the summer. 

Applied Sciences building is behind.  It should still open some time in late summer.

The lake and entrance are going well and still ahead of schedule.

Dr. Franz just came from the Chamber Executive Committee Meeting and there was a discussion brought up by someone else regarding the Applied Sciences Building and the impressive view from Bradford drive coming over the hill going east.

Dr. Radonovich discussed WebCT and turnitin.com and the grading features and other common features and how it works.  When we have a person hired as the ITA we will go over to WebCT/Backborad server.  There was some discussion of the ITA position and the split of time.  Dr. Radonovich stated they will have to see where the colleges are and what are the needs. 

Dr. Radonovich reported there is work going on with Knight versus Alabama and strategic planning and diversity on campus. 

The Provost stated our promotional salary increases are now good as the research from the ASGEE universities show.

1.3    Committee Items and Chair Reports 

 

1.3.1        Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Sharon George).

Mrs. George reported there were seven applications for course changes.  The Committee has looked at these and sent them back to Dr. Severn’s Office and they will be signed soon.  The Committee has been very busy.  The Catalog is going well.

 

1.3.2   Personnel (Michael Anderson). 

No Report.

1.3.3    Governance and Operations (Richard Fork for Jeffrey Kulick).

No Report.  Dr. Kulick investigated the motorcycle problem with Facilities and with Public Safety.  They state they have no reports and no record.  Reports should be filed each time there is a problem so there is a record and the reports then filter to the appropriate department and personnel.

1.3.4    Faculty and Student Development (Kader Frendi). 

Dr. Frendi reported he had a poorly attended electronic meeting.  The Committee talked about the faculty resignation data and faculty nominations for the QEP.  The data was spotty.  There was discussion of taking data for the future retention and that the Chair of the department starts and passes it along to the Provost for recording.  There was discussion regarding the process/procedure and using the checklist and adding something to it.  Personnel will take a look at this and propose a bill for a policy and procedure and give the person the option of talking with the Provost or the Ombudsperson.

There was some discussion regarding retirement and looking at whether there is going to be a large number of faculty retiring in the same period of time. 

There was some discussion regarding interviewing and the cost of interviews to replace people and why the cost comes from the Department and not from the administration.  It should come from the College.  The Provost will take a look at this. 

QEP Nominations were Jennifer English, Eric Seemann, Stephen Waring, Carol Strong, Jeff Neuschatz, Don Wallace, Mary Setzer.  It was suggested that the Committee request a half page of information.  Get an ok from the individuals and bring the list back to this Committee.

1.3.5        Finance and Resources (Harry Delugach). 

The Distinguished Speaker Series request for proposals went out.  There is a speaker on campus today talking about Human Factors at 7:00 p.m. tonight.  Dr. Delugach reported the Committee should have the decisions by the end of April.

It was suggested to Dr. Radonovich the REU funding be regularized.

1.3.6        Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes). 

No Report. 

1.3.7        President-Elect—Lynn Boyd

Dr. Boyd talked about the fact that at the last Senate Meeting Dr. R. Miller expressed concerns regarding technical support.  Dr. Boyd will ask Dr. R. Miller to send a report to Ray.  She will also contact Mr. Toone to do the same.

Dr. Boyd distributed information from Marcia Green regarding a new Smoking Policy.  She would like to speak to the Faculty Senate.  We will invite her to the next meeting.

1.3.8        The March 1, 2007 Senate Meeting was cancelled.