1. Meeting of 5 September, 2002

Attending: Waring, Smith, Reeves, Meister, Schnell, Karr, Reisenwitz for Williamson, Cobb for Redmon, Johnson, Franz and Radonovich

Absent: Williamson and Redmon

1.1. Faculty Senate President’s Report –Information

Dr. Waring asked Dr. Radonovich about the Deans and Directors’ Reviews and the status of the reviews done in the last academic year. Dr. Radonovich responded that three are completed. He reported he still needs to write the reports. He stated the process went well and there were no negative comments. He reported we will do two deans and one director this semester. He would not reveal the names of the individuals because he has not met with them or sent them a memo yet.

Dr. Waring reported that Melinda Redmon is meeting with her Committee at this time. He stated we are looking forward to the third reading of the revised bill. He gave an explanation of what happened with the bill. He stated the Administration thought they had dealt with the bill and they did deal with the letter of it but not with the spirit of the wishes of the Senate. He stated the work is not done on this issue. It was discussed that the faculty would like to see something at, or as part of, registration or on a handout with test, etc.

Dr. Waring asked about the FAR form and Dr. Franz responded it has been off the burner but he will put it back on again.

1.2. Reports from Administration

Dr. Franz reported that things are ok this year but they are looking grimmer and grimmer for next year, legislatively. He stated the tax revenue is declining. He is pleased they were able to get salary increases done early to give many individuals a few more months of the salary increase. He stated he cannot announce the enrollment yet because they are just freezing numbers today. He stated the numbers are up however. This is due to the efforts of many people. It is due to recruitment and retention. He stated he is pleased with the Math Department and changing the precalculus and calculus classes. There is more help and interaction with students and efforts toward their success. Dr. Franz stated he has nothing new on the Shelby Building. He stated he will send more details and information as things move along and this group will have involvement with that. He stated he will have discussions here and elsewhere before things are finalized. He stated we have to obtain the money first.

Dr. Radonovich reported he will share a memo with the group regarding the Math changes. He reported the students’ success in precalculus had not been good in the past. Over the summer changes were made. The textbook is different and includes software. The course 115 has been added and students can go from there to Calculus. The decision of where to put students is decided after a computerized test (a new placement test) and based on ACT scores. The test can be taken a second time. Math 115 is a 3-hour lecture with a 2-hour recitation. Dr. Siegrist, Chair of the Math Department is teaching one of the Math 115 sections. The recitation will be added to all calculus courses. This involves drills, quizzes, and testing. Assignments are based on pretesting. These are accessible from any Internet access location. Tutoring services are also available 24 hours a day. Math 119 and 121 will have the same text as 115. They will be one hour a week recitation as opposed to two. Academic Affairs is absorbing the cost of making these changes. Syllabi are available on the web. Engineering, Science, and Math have worked together on this and agreed on contents for the precalculus and calculus courses. Dr. Radonovich stated this is not a time for math bashing but and time to generate support for them.

1.3. Committee Items and Chair Reports

1.3.1. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (James Smith)

Dr. Smith reported the Undergraduate and Scholastic Affairs Committee has had an email discussion regarding the NC grade and limiting the number of NCs. After a certain number anything above that number becomes an F. What number should be used as the limit? Can the software handle a limit of NCs. Dr. Waring stated Mr. Verzyl reported the software cannot handle this without a significant rewrite. It was stated this could be a part of advising. Too many NCs are not good progress toward a degree. Dr. Franz wants to see more intervention. It was stated there are various approaches to take but there should be some consistency.

1.3.1. Finance and Resources (Adriel Johnson)

Dr. A. Johnson reported that he has been looking into some of the issues the Finance and Resources Committee is to address this year. He has located a document that the Committee developed about ten years ago when he was on the Senate then and the Faculty Resources Committee looked at some of these same issues. He stated the Wellness Center is not utilized by Faculty because it is operated by Student Fees. They also looked at the benefits issues about ten years ago and this is still and issue, however we need to determine how to deal with it and determine the specifics. There was some discussion regarding the makeup of the Benefits Committee and the Chair and Liaison. It was stated there should probably be key people to evaluate the issues and report to the Senate. Perhaps there should be concurrent resolutions from the Faculty and Staff Senates regarding some of these issues. He reported there were 24 items in the old Resource Manual that was developed about ten years ago. It was discussed that perhaps this could be revised, updated, and corrected, and then made available on the web, so that faculty could easily access the information.

2.1. BUSINESS – AGENDA

The agenda for the upcoming Faculty Senate Meeting was set.