Faculty Senate MINUTES September 18

Faculty Senate
MINUTES
September 18, 2003

MEMBERS - Listed Alphabetically
Tony Allred
Johnathan Aubrey
Lee Badger
Laine Berghout
Lloyd Burton
Paul Caldarella
Shelley Conroy
Roger Crockett
Gary Dohrer Anand
Dyal-Chand - Admin
Ann Ellis
Rick Ford
Lauren Fowler
Joy Gall
Colleen Garside - Parliamentarian
Richard Greene
Addy Hall - Student
Cheryl Hansen
Sue Harley
Laird Hartman
Bobby Herrera
Michelle Heward
Warren Hill - Admin.
Joan Hubbard - Excused
Debra Huber - Karen Dewey representing
Pam Hugie - Kathy Sitzman representing
Becky Johns
Diane Kawamura
Wade Kotter
Diane Krantz
Diane Leggett
Kathleen Lukken - Admin.
Marek Matyjasik
Laura MacLeod
Susan Matt - Marjukka Ollilainen representing
President Millner
Michelle More
Matt Mouritsen
Dale Ostlie
Steve Peterson
June Phillips Admin
Kyle Poll - Student
Jack Rasmussen - Admin
Richard Sadler - Admin. - Excused
Paul Schvaneveldt
Rick Sline
Molly Smith
Erik Stern
Bob Summers
David Sumner
Betty Tucker
Michael Vaughan - Admin. - Excused
Huiying Wei-Arthus
Zane Williams
Yu-Jane Yang
Kay Brown, Secretary

1. ROLL CALL

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: Moved to approve the minutes from the April 24 and May 1, 2003 meetings.
Made: Paul Caldarella
Second: Betty Tucker
Outcome: The minutes were approved with a clarification added to item 9, Online Instruction from the April 24 minutes. Course Review Process, item 5 now reads "The WSU Online Course Review form is recommended only as an internal document for department use to help insure the quality of online offerings."

3. FACULTY INVOLVEMENT

The Executive Committee would like to help get faculty more involved so that they feel invested in what we are doing here at Weber State. This will not only help faculty but it will have a positive effect on Weber State.

Goals

Senate Items - Many people request time on the agenda to report information items to the Faculty Senate. This is probably not the best way to disperse information to faculty. The Executive Committee is concerned about the best way to communicate with faculty. The are exploring some areas of action. The Communications Department will be working with a group of students in the Public Relations course who will make a proposal to the Executive Committee with their ideas. Input from the Faculty Senate was requested.
Faculty Senate Web Site - Senate members were encouraged to bookmark the web site. Items included: committee information, curriculum forms, Senate meeting dates, minutes from Executive Committee and Faculty Senate meetings, RSPG forms, Autobiographical Form, etc. Suggestions for additions to the web pages were requested from Senators.

Senators were encouraged to talk to their colleagues to let them know what is being discussed by the Faculty Senate, and to solicit their input to help us be a better governing body.

Committee Assignments - The Faculty Senate Chair is frequently contacted to give names of faculty members to sit on various committees across campus. Suggestions were given to better match faculty members interests with committee assignments:

The TLA could supply names of new faculty members hired after initial committee assignments were made.
Colleges and Department Chairs could be asked to come up with a list of faculty members

Executive Committee members could be contacted by faculty members interested in committee assignments

The process used to fill committee assignments was discussed. The Faculty Senate web pages could list committees that need faculty representatives. Faculty could then notify the Faculty Senate Office if they are interested.

4. SENATE CHANGES

The Faculty Senate brochures have been held up pending Senate and committee assignment changes. The following changes have occurred: Debra Huber replaces Jay Barton from Health Professions, Bob Summers replaces Bill Clapp from Applied Science & Technology, Michelle More replaces Dawn Gatherum from Science for fall semester, Diane Krantz replaces Dawn Gatherum on Executive Committee for fall semester, Bobby Herrera replaces Al Forsyth from Education.

Student Representatives: Johnathan Aubrey, Addy Hall, Kyle Poll and Zane Williams.

Election to replace Bill Clapp from the College of Applied Science & Technology on Executive Committee. PPM 1-13, Article B-IV, Section 2 "In the event that a vacancy should occur in the Executive Committee, it shall be filled at the next subsequent regular Senate meeting by an election in which the Executive Committee shall act as a nominating committee. The person elected and the person vacating the position shall be from the same organizational unit. . . "

All Senate representatives from the College of Applied Science & Technology were contacted and asked it they were willing to stand for election to the Executive Committee. Laura MacLeod was the only person interested in filling this position.

Motion: Moved to approve the appointment of Laura MacLeod as a representative from COAST to the Executive Committee.
Made: Diane Krantz
Second: Ann Ellis
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

5. UNIVERSITY UPDATES

President Millner -

Capital Campaign - The goal of the five-year campaign was seventy-five million dollars. The Capital Campaign ended in June with total gifts and pledges amounting to ninety million dollars. A celebration closing the campaign will be held October 2 in the Browning Center. Everyone was encouraged to attend and be part of that celebration.

Enrollment - Student enrollment has increased over the enrollment figures fall semester 2002. Figures indicate that there are about 3,200 students taking classes at the Davis Campus.

Planning Process - The University Planning Council worked over the summer and are continuing to meet monthly. President Millner will report later this fall sharing with the Senate some of the issues under discussion.

Provost Search - The search committee has been formed with wide representation across campus. Jeff Livingston is chairing this committee. They are meeting to begin identifying the criteria of what we are looking for in a Provost.

Medical Benefits - The Regents and Legislature have been studying medical benefits. They are discussing a "premium sharing" plan. This means that employees will pay a portion of the monthly medical insurance premium. A Medical Benefits Advisory Committee made up of a faculty member from each college, the chair of the Faculty Senate, the chair of the Salary, Benefits, Budget and Fiscal Planning Committee, and staff employees will be looking at our current medical insurance plan, and discussing options and alternatives. Basic decisions need to be made by Thanksgiving. RFP’s (request for proposals) will be sent to insurance companies. Insurance company bids will be reviewed Spring semester. The new plan would be implemented July 2004. Three state institutions have gone to premium sharing: University of Utah , Utah State University, and Snow College. Employees of these institutions pay in the range of 4 to 16 percent of the monthly premium.

Concerns Raised -

Parking east of the Stadium. The master plan for the campus includes a loop road east of the stadium. Faculty were encouraged to talk with their representative on the University Planning Council.

Mosquito abatement

Budgets - At the moment, state revenues are looking even. They do not expect any additional budget cuts this year. President Millner does not think the state will allocate dollars for salary increases this year.

Shuttle Bus Program - Expansion of this program is not likely. Students are being encouraged to use the Ed Pass.

6. WSU DIVERSITY CONFERENCE

Rick Sline encouraged faculty and students to attend the Fifth Annual Conference on Diversity, Friday, October 3, 2003. The keynote speaker for the conference is Dr. I. King Jordan, President of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. The conference schedule includes an Awareness Workshop for Students, Leading a Multicultural Organization, Student Panel, Raz Pac - Ethical Treatment of Alien Workers, a conversation with Dr. Jordan and a night performance in the Allred Theater of "The Seagull" by Anton Chekhov.

7. FACULTY SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE CHARGES

ACADEMIC RESOURCES AND COMPUTING

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.1: The Committee on Academic Resources and Computing shall recommend policies and operational procedures on the acquisition and utilization of computers and academic resource material.

1. Assess faculty computer needs, solicit faculty input, and lobby for faculty computer-related interests.
2. Develop a policy for inclusion in the PPM regarding the upgrade and maintenance of faculty computers.
3. Allocate ARCC resources including Dee Family Technology Grant funds using consistent, objective, fair and responsible procedures.
A. Review funding criteria and procedures for ARCC for possible revision or clarification purposes.
B. Continue developing funding criteria for Dee Family Technology Grant as needed.
4. Review software and hardware (including peripherals) standards for the campus and establish an annual policy of review of same.
5. Create consistent and web-accessible standards for hardware and software purchases in conjunction with Computing Support Services and establish an annual policy of review of same.
6. Monitor the expenditures of all ARCC funds, including those supported through WSUSA funding.
7. Be represented on the IT Council and routinely invite IT Division directors to summarize status of new projects and ongoing IT support.
8. Maintain close communication with other computer resource entities on campus including WebCT/VISTA, etc.
9. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

ADMISSIONS, STANDARDS AND STUDENT AFFAIRS

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.2: The Admissions, Standards and Student Affairs Committee shall be concerned with standards for admission, retention and graduation from the University and policies pertaining to student affairs

1. Determine how capabilities and limitations within the Banner system will affect policies and procedures (PPM’s) with respect to registration, admission, advising, and grading.
2. Clarify language from PPM 4 Article 1, Section 4-B regarding not mixing work from a first baccalaureate degree with that of a second baccalaureate degree.
3. Update sections of the PPM, especially sections 4 (Academic Affairs - Academic Programs, Instruction and Instructional Activities, Instructional Materials, Academic Standards and Practices) and 6 (Student Services - Residency, Admissions, Registration, Student Fee, Student Code, Student Due Process, etc.) to reflect current practice.
4. Have representation on the ad hoc University Graduation Requirement Planning Committee and provide input.
5. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

APPOINTMENT, PROMOTION, ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND TENURE

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.3: The committee on Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure shall formulate policies and operational procedures on these matters and on due process and merit.

1. Review any new college documents.
2. Clarify language in PPM on the role of the APAFT Committee in reviewing college tenure documents.
3. Address timing of advancement in rank from Instructor to Assistant Professor to be congruent with revised timing of tenure and promotion in rank from Assistant to Associate Professor. PPM 8-11.IV.C Address wording in PPM 8-6.II that implies that the rank of Instructor Specialist is between Instructor and Assistant Professor.
4. Clarify the relationship of peer review and departmental review in the rank and tenure review processes. PPM 8-11.IV.E.3, PPM 8-15, PPM 8-17
5. Review faculty issues regarding promotion and tenure including but not limited to:

Different tracks – In practice do they exist?

Do guidelines have different interpretations?

Are scholarship expectations consistent?

Explore alternatives for supporting junior faculty in balancing teaching, scholarship and service expectations-release time, mentors and resources.

6. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

CURRICULUM AND GENERAL EDUCATION

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.5: The committee on Curriculum and General Education shall study and evaluate the curriculum and general education needs of the University, initiate new programs and revise old ones and consider specified proposals of instructional departments or individual faculty members.

1. Review program submission process and make recommendations to cut down on paperwork, including a review of the possibility of moving to a web-based submission process.
2. Review and approve curriculum and program proposals.
3. Continue to conduct workshops on an as-needed basis with college curriculum committee chairs to acquaint them with curriculum procedures.
4. Have representation on the ad hoc University Graduation Requirements Planning Committee and provide input.
5. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW, APPORTIONMENT AND ORGANIZATION

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.4: The Committee on Constitutional Review, Apportionment and Organization shall review, update and preserve the integrity of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Weber State University faculty government. This Committee shall study ratios of college representation on the Senate and recommend procedures for electing its members. The Committee shall also be responsible for recommending policies on the organization and operational procedures of the University

1. Calculate apportionment for Faculty Senate representation using the Hamilton Method and present the apportionment figures to the Faculty Senate during Autumn Semester 2003.
2. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

HONORARY DEGREE

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.6: Faculty members on the Honorary Degree Committee shall review the recommendations presented to them and shall act as the faculty representatives on the Committee on Commencement and Honorary Degrees.

1. Meet separately and early as the faculty portion of the committee to discuss representing in a unified manner the constituent needs and interests of the faculty in the deliberation of the larger committee.
2. Ensure faculty involvement in the nomination and selection of candidates for honorary degrees and for commencement speakers through maintaining the important voice of the faculty and the Faculty Senate as a major force on the institutional committee.
3. Encourage the selection of at least one honorary degree recipient each year who has made an outstanding academic contribution to higher education, preferably a WSU faculty member.
4. Work to achieve a representation of gender and ethnicity among degree recipients and ensure that all recipients are of stature to enhance the image of Weber State University.
5. See that the criteria for honorary degrees are considered , so that the understandable desire of the administration to cultivate donors and potential donors does not overwhelm the deliberations and pass over otherwise worthy candidates.
6. Provide the larger committee with a way to carry forward information so next year’s committee can benefit from work done this year.
Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.7: The Committee on Research, Scholarship and Professional Growth shall recommend policies on research, scholarship, teaching loads, instructional and faculty development and faculty productivity. It shall facilitate faculty in obtaining grants, travel funds, physical facilities, etc., to pursue research and scholarly activities.

1. Continue to issue RFPs for Research and Instructional Improvement grants and review the proposals in a timely manner.
2. Continue to coordinate deadlines for submission of proposals with the chairs of the Institutional Review Board and the Animal Care and Use Committee.
3. Review and update as needed the proposal guidelines. Clarify and report the criteria for awarding the grant. Explore ways to simplify the process and broaden the criteria.
4. Provide feedback to authors why proposals were not funded.
5. Continue efforts to publicize the committee’s activities. Seek ways to broaden participation campus wide. Explore opportunities to disseminate information about funded projects including workshops in order to provide consistent information and feedback to potential applicants.
6. Develop a proposal for additional funding for RSPG.
7. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

SALARY, BENEFITS, BUDGET, AND FISCAL PLANNING

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.8: The Committee on Salary, Benefits, Budget and Fiscal planning shall study, evaluate and make recommendations on salaries, salary schedules, cost of living, retirement plans, annuities, health and life insurance, hospital plans, other faculty benefits, budget and fiscal planning.

This Committee shall not exceed ten members with representation from each organization unit. The Faculty Senate chair shall serve as the Executive Committee liaison. A subcommittee shall serve under the direction of the Committee and represent the faculty in salary and related negotiations with the University administration. No two members of this subcommittee shall be from the same organizational unit. This subcommittee shall consist of the Faculty senate chair, the chair of the Committee on Salary, Benefits, Budget and Fiscal Planning and a third member nominated by the Committee and approved by the Faculty Senate.

1. Reinforce the importance of University administrators’ commitment to the remaining three years of the five-year plan established March 29, 2001 by the Faculty Senate of obtaining a yearly 6% salary increase to narrow the gap between the CUPA averages and faculty salaries. Provide a detailed report to the Faculty Senate on CUPA salary comparisons by college.
2. Have representation on the Medical Benefits Advisory Committee and provide input.
3. Maintain a continuing dialogue with the University administration with regard to salaries, benefits, budgets, and fiscal planning.
4. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.

TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

PPM 1-13, Article 5, Section 4.9: The Committee on Teaching, Learning and Assessment shall endeavor to enhance the learning environment. It shall study, evaluate, and make recommendations on issues affecting the teaching environment and the assessment of student learning. It shall also advise the chair of the committee and coordinate the activities of the Forum for Teaching and Learning.

1. Continue support for faculty development of teaching and learning strategies by:
    A. Offering workshops, discussions, and seminars on effective learning, teaching and assessment;
    B. Continuing to create forums for faculty to showcase diverse scholarly and teaching activities,
           including projects funded through RSPG;
    C. Continue to partnership with Student Affairs and Student Senate on the Last Lecture program;
    D. Continue to work with the Student Senate on the Student Evaluation of faculty.
2. Continue support of adjunct faculty in partnership with the ad hoc Adjunct Faculty Task Force Committee.
3. Work with WAC, SPEAC, and Numeracy Across the Curriculum. Work on diversity issues in partnership with the Assistant to the President for Diversity on matters connected to the diversity requirement and the assessment of that requirement. Plan and organize a Campus Conversation with students to solicit their experiences with and perceptions of the diversity courses and the diversity requirement.
4. Develop ways to share information from the NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) with the university community and develop workshops and campus conversations on focus areas of the survey that are of special interest to WSU.
5. Develop an assessment plan to study the impact of the Teaching and Learning Forum on the WSU learning environment. Information from the Needs Assessment Survey will provide important data for this assessment.
6. Look at the committee description and membership regulations listed in the Faculty Senate Bylaws, PPM 1-13, for possible revisions and updates.
7. Have representation on the ad hoc University Graduation Requirement Planning Committee and provide input.

Motion: Moved to approve the above Faculty Senate Standing Committee Charges for 2003-2004.
Made: Tony Allred
Second: Diane Krantz
Outcome: The charges were approved.

8. AD HOC UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS PLANNING COMMITTEE

In the May 1, 2003 Faculty Senate meeting the Executive Committee was charged to establish an ad hoc committee to look at the B.S., B. A. degrees, the scientific inquiry requirement, and the general education requirements. It was also suggested that the Executive Committee discuss charges for the ad hoc committee, and report back to the Faculty Senate in the Fall for Senate approval.

The following information was presented to the Faculty Senate -

Membership - Bill Allison, Eric Amsel, Georgine Bills, Dixie Blackinton, Gary Dohrer, Diana Green, Carol Hansen, Diane Horne, Becky Johns - Liaison, Monica Mize - Chair, June Phillips - Administration, Jeff Stokes, Betty Tucker, Jim Wilson,

Charges -

1. Develop a prioritized timetable and process for reviewing the existing General Education Program and other University graduation requirements.
2. Submit a draft of the timetable and process to the Executive Committee by November 20, 2003.
3. Recommend people to serve on the "Implementation Team."

Motion: Moved to approve the above membership and committee charges for the Ad Hoc University Graduation Requirements Planning Committee.
Made: Warren Hill
Second: Gary Dohrer
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

9. RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH COMMITTEE

Cliff Nowell reporting on Spring 2003 awards.

RSPG Report - The call for RSPG proposals went to all faculty in March of 2003. Final proposals were due on 04-21-03, and the committee met on 04-28-03. The committee had $15,000 to distribute to eligible faculty and staff. We received thirteen proposals asking for a total of $27,021.00. The committee voted to fund eight proposals for a total of $15,000.

In addition, the committee met to clarify the language in the RSPG funding guidelines that deal with release time, stipends and commercial products. The purpose of the change was to help clarify the conditions under which release time, stipends, and commercial products will be funded.

New Funding Guidelines -

I . Eligible Expenses - Activities suitable for reassigned time or stipends include, but are not limited to:

1. Course Development beyond basic faculty responsibility and expectations of the discipline. In order to be eligible for funding, the proposal must be accompanied by a letter from the department chair justifying the need for release time or stipend.

2. Scholarly activities beyond basic faculty responsibility and expectations of the discipline. In order to be eligible for funding, the proposal must be accompanied by a letter from the department chair justifying the need for release time or stipend.

II. Ineligible Expenses -

1. Projects primarily intended as commercial products rather than for scholarly dissemination.

10. CURRICULUM AND GENERAL EDUCATION – Rob Reynolds, Chair

New course proposals from Geography for Arid Lands - Geogr 3080 and Arctic and Alpine Environments - Geogr 3090.

In response to the Geography Department’s outcomes assessment exit interviews they have added two additional upper division courses. These courses are part of a department initiative designed to create a new core of upper division physical geography courses focused on several distinct climatic and physiographic regions rather than on specific environmental topics.

Motion: Moved to approve the above curriculum proposals
Made: Betty Tucker
Second: Kyle Poll
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.