12:10 – 1:19 p.m.
Eve Chapel
2015-2016 Senators in Attendance: K. Adu, M. Agee, S. Anglin, M. Arter, G. Baird, I. Basak, P. Basak, S. Bonta, D. Brinkel, J. L. Campbell, J. Carnicella, M. Comanescu, S. Corle, P. Das, S. Dillen, W. Dorabiala, A.R. Eckenrode, T. Elkin, L. Emili, B. Englebret, S. Findley, J. Gil, L. Haefner, M. Harris, J. Huffman, I. Hurd, D. Hurtibise, L. Jacobson, M. Johnson, J. Lockard, A. Marvasti, M. McNicholas, S. Mohammed, M. Nemanic, J. O’Harrow, C. Oliver, D. Page, D. Parry, K. Pearson, M. Probst, N. Pyeatt, J. Rosson, E. Seymour, S. Shepro, E. Siegfried, B. Trumpbour, M. Weiner, G. Weisel, W. White, F. Zaffino, A. Zanin-Yost, Y. Zhu
Senators Absent: S. Anwar, K. Chick, A. Cox, W. Engelbret, C. Freie, H. Hayford, T. Krainer (sick), L. McHale, K. Menard, K. Musset, J. Peca, B. Pinter, S. Rizvi, J. Vallejera, G. Weisel
Also in Attendance:
University Faculty Senators: H. Hayford, E. Seymour, V. Brunsden, N. Rowland, C. Mahan, R. Singer
Ex-Officio: L. Bechtel-Wherry, B. Black, P. Hopsicker, E. Levri, J. Ryoo, B. Wiens-Tuers, D. Zimmerman
Visitors: B. Baird, J. Sinclair, I. Hurd, P. Moran
Call to Order—Amir
Opening Business
Roll Call (via sign-in sheet)—Thanks Bob!!
Approval of the Minutes—Minutes approved
Announcements from the Chair
- Reported on special Canvas committee with Leigh Ann Haefner
- Beth Seymour representing the senate on the Student Activity Fee (SAF) Allocation Committee
Reports of the Committee Chairs (20 minutes)
Academic Affairs (Marc Harris) making progress
Curricular Affairs (Dave Parry)
- Minor Proposal: Global Language and Culture
Reported that it’s very academically rigorous since there’s a 12-credit proficiency requirement prior to completing the minor; committee recommends approval
Minor approved
Faculty Affairs (Juan Gil)
- Identified 3 subcommittees—research, IT, miscellaneous
- Reviewing and working on charges
- Specific charge for IT committee—focused on start-up funds timeline
- Avoiding recommendations for current year
- Avoiding uniformity in recommendations based on discipline variability
- Decisions about startup funds must be guided by academic principles, rather than budgetary convenience
- Requests permission to share report in draft form, and get input/feedback
Committee on Campus Climate and Diversity (Beth Seymour)
- Has met and identified the following subcommittees: Student life, Budgets, Diversity
- Two clear items need immediate action—
- Budgets (Campus challenges) and
- Diversity (working on ADA accommodations)
Report from University Senators
Victor reported on 3 things:
- No longer be 16 late-drop credits beginning Fall 2016—students can have as many late drop credits as they need.
- Students no longer have ability to repeat courses in perpetuity—will get up to 3 times.
- Drop/add period limited to first 6 calendar days—major impact on students getting student aid who will no longer get penalized for not completing all courses registered on first day of semester.
- Information will be posted on University Senate report website; late drops financial aid
Richard Singer reports that “something will be coming” from curricular affairs
Reports of the University Faculty Senators (10 minutes)
- “Ranks, Reviews, and Promotion Paths for Fixed-Term, Full-Time Faculty”– Carol Mahan
- Ratio of FT and TT faculty—last year, passed 50% mark with more FT than TT faculty. IRC will generate a detailed recommendation plan asking administration to “take a stand” on this trend. Wanting to establish a plan for how to “manage all faculty” including review and promotion, and expectations of FT faculty.
Remarks from the Chancellor & the Associate Dean
Comments from the Associate Dean:
- Spring 2016 Schedule Changes
- Guiding principles—using classroom space effectively
- Obtained lots of input from lots of people
Comments from the Chancellor
Chancellor addressed several issues and concerns including:
- State of College address and funding strategies
- Long-standing Adler project approval and release of DGS funds
- Advisory Board purchased 4.2 acres across from the campus to expand Seminar Forest
- Addressed faculty salary concerns
- Changes in start-up funds need to be done in relation to academic principles
- Addressed new budget model; no recycling; not tied to enrollments;
- Fixed Term and Tenure Track faculty issues—80/20 ratio would be ideal but hiring affected by budget model; working to support Fixed-Term faculty with more stable contracts and model for promoting FT faculty.
Call for New Business
Adjournment (1:05 pm)