Report from Executive Committee Meeting

9 January, 2003

1.      Meeting of 9 January, 2003

Attending:   Waring, Reeves, Williamson, Karr, Schnell, Redmon, Meister, Franz, Radonovich, Hillman, A. Johnson

Absent:       Smith, Miller

1.1.      Faculty Senate President’s Report –Information

Dr. Waring announced Chancellor Portera’s address and lunch.  He encouraged everyone to ask questions in the address or afterward. 

He asked the Committee to take another look at the agenda for the year and plot out the plans for the spring semester.  He reported we have another Executive Committee Meeting before the next Faculty Senate Meeting.

Dr. Waring talked about the turnitin.com presentation.  He had some questions.  If a faculty member requires the use of turnitin.com and the student refuses to use it, would the Administration back up the faculty member?  If the department requires the use of turnitin.com and the faculty member refuses to use it what are the repercussions to the faculty member?  It was stated we have to watch out for academic freedom on this one.  This should be an option not a requirement.  It was recommended that the Committee choose areas to use if and involve the SGA to get students to try it without penalization.  Get cooperative work with faculty and students with the faculty giving counseling.  Dr. Waring will give a demo to t he Deans.  We might also send an email asking for volunteers to use it on a trial basis.  We will work toward a plan for fall 2003.

Dr. Waring will ask Mr. Halverstadt to come and talk with the Faculty Senate. 

Dr. Johnson and Dr. Schnell will meet with Ray Pinner regarding the annual financial report.

Dr. Waring distributed University Standing Committee information.  He is asking the Governance and Operations Committee to look at the number of Committees and look at t he possibility of combining or eliminating some of the Committees or fold them into the Faculty Senate Committees.

1.2.      Reports from Administration

Dr. Franz reported he is not sure where we are in the current events.  He is not sure what will happen with tax reform.  There are groups working on this.  The goal is to get more money and an equitable share of it. 

Dr. Franz reported the enrollment is up and is tracking positively.  He reported there are some students in the new dorms.  He reported the admissions are doing well.

Dr. Williamson asked about the data regarding the supplemental pay.  How many sections, how many faculty, how many colleges and departments, etc.  There was also a question of the percentage of the total number of sections the supplemental pay sections constituted.  Dr. Franz reported he will gather data and give a report to the Senate. 

Dr. Radonovich distributed a memo from Dr. Franz regarding the P-Grade on the Midterm Progress Reports.  Dr. Franz had gathered data and recommends no P grade.  The Deans have approved this and are sending it to the Faculty Senate for consideration.  Dr. Franz would like the P Grade dropped.  He pointed out he realizes we could have special exceptions.  The Senate Executive Committee referred it to the Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs Committee for review and recommendation.

Dr. Radonovich distributed a memo regarding SGA issues.  Dr. Radonovich asked for the feedback of the Senate Executive Committee.  He reported this has been shared with the Deans and there was some concern for the detailed structure outlined in one of the resolutions.

1.3.      Committee Items and Chair Reports

 

1.3.1.   Undergraduate Admissions and Scholastic Affairs (Smith)

No Report.  P-Grade for Midterm Progress Reports delegated to the Committee for review and recommendation.

1.3.2.   Governance and Operations (Andree Reeves)

No Report.  Committee will look at University Standing Committee structure.

1.3.3.   Finance and Resources (Adriel Johnson)

No Report.  Dr. Johnson and Dr. Schnell will speak with Mr. Pinner regarding the annual financial report.

1.3.4.   Faculty and Student Development (Melinda Redmon)

No Report.  Committee will continue with turnitin.com research for implementation and review the instructor critiquing issue from the SGA.

1.3.5.   Personnel (Joan Williamson)

No Report.  The Committee continues to look into the supplemental pay issue, the distinguished faculty process, and the employee service date.

1.3.6.   Undergraduate Curriculum (Gerald Karr)

No Report.

 

  1.4     Agenda

The agenda for the upcoming Faculty Senate Meeting was set.