Report from Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting

February 26, 2009

 

1.  Meeting of 26 February, 2009

 

Attending:  Etzkorn, Miller, Vaughan, Reeves, Heikes, Lawson, Gaede, Severn, Williams, Karbhari, Pritchard, Radonovich, Burnett. Anderson

 

1.1              Faculty Senate President’s Report  

 

1.2       Reports from Administration

Dr. Williams asked everyone to get the word out about the town hall meeting next week.  Dr. Williams reported he will give you as much information as possible on budget and those things tied to this.  This is what we have worked on the last few months.  Dr. Williams wanted to respond to the rumor that we bought a horse.  We have NOT bought a horse.  Keep letting us know the rumors and we will respond.  There is a concern that some may not be able to make it to the town hall meeting and we will have streaming video of the presentation and it will be on the web. 

 

Dr. Karbhari reported we have received a list of requests from the Realignment Committee and we are getting ready to send data. We are having to get some information cleared through the Office of Counsel.  As much data as we can we will send very quickly.  We are working on Budget Models and using the ACHE formula and what we have in place already.  We are working closely with Deans and hope they are working with Chairs to get models together.  We have worked on cuts and this will be in place on Monday.  We have a few modifications to make.  These are budget cuts for current year and they will have been taken on Monday. 

Question:  Any idea on stimulus package?  Dr. Williams responded he met with the Chancellor yesterday and the System is handling the State package.  The bill has been voted on and appropriations have to be made.  It has to go to Montgomery.  The Governor may have different ideas on some of the aspects of it.  It does not come directly here.  We cannot count on this until we actually have it and at best the projections are 30% of the cuts actually being taken.  By the time it trickles down, it is only 30% and is one time non-recurring funds.  We are assuming nothing about the stimulus package.  We only got about $3M from a $1B bond issue from last year.  This is the realism as to where we stand in the State.

Dr. Severn commented on the bill for holds.  He stated we should be in position to deal with this by next year.  He stated he appreciates the sentiment behind the bills.   Jessica has seen over two hundred students in the ARC.  It can be done.  We need a bit more human power there but we think we can handle it.  We will work with you on that. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

1.3              New Business

 

1.4    Committee Items and Chair Reports 

 

1.4.1        Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Gail Pritchard).

Dr. Pritchard reported they received and processed seven course and program approvals for additions, cross listings, and substitutions.

There was a suggestion to consider updating the Course Approval Form.

There was a recommendation for a bill to allow Pass/Fail in Banner.

 

1.4.2   Personnel (Michael Anderson). 

 No Report. 

 

1.4.3    Governance and Operations (Jennifer English).

The Realignment Committee Met.  They have requested data.

 

1.4.4    Faculty and Student Development (Andree Reeves). 

 No Report.

 

1.4.5        Finance and Resources (John Burnett). 

Dr. Burnett reported the Distinguished Speaker item is on hold—Dr. Burnett will talk to the Provost about that.  Ray Pinner wants to meet with the Committee to go over budget issues and will go over some things before coming to the Senate.

 

1.4.6        Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes). 

Dr. Heikes brought back Senate Bill 315:  Prerequisite Drop Policy

There was Discussion regarding permission of the instructor

The vote was Unanimous.  The bill passed.

            Dr. Heikes brought forward Senate Bill 318: Academic Holds.

Dr. Heikes reported they had a meeting with advisors.  The advisors have no problem seeing students when a hold is put on the record.  Just under 800 students in this category.  Some discussion of what point the students are.  Discussion regarding removal of holds.  Moved to table the bill.

Dr. Heikes brought forth Senate Bill 317: Enrollment Limit

Some discussion regarding warnings and conditional students.  The vote was 7 in favor and 2 opposed.  The bill passed.

 

1.4.7        The Agenda was set for the March 12 Faculty Senate Meeting.