Approved 11-11-04

Thursday
November 4, 2004
2:00 p.m.
MA 211K

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESENT 
Bruce Christensen, Bill Clapp, Lauren Fowler, Michelle Heward, Becky Johns - Chair, Wade Kotter, Ann Millner, Molly Smith - Vice Chair, Kay Brown - Secretary

EXCUSED 
Tamara Chase, Sue Harley, Mike Vaughan

MINUTES 
Wade Kotter: Moved to approve the minutes from the October 14, 2004 meeting.
Second: Michelle Heward
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

FACULTY EVALUATIONS 
Becky Johns gave an update on the student evaluation project. Wednesday, November 3 at Deans’ Council the students indicated that they were not ready to report on the specific mechanics of the project. Students are pursuing how the information will be posted and displayed on the web, who will craft the web page, and how it will be funded.

From the Faculty Senate minutes of the February 19, 2004 - Student Evaluations

"The current motion is a recommendation to department chairs and deans to support the student request to incorporate additional questions in their evaluations. It is not a change of the PPM nor does it set policy. It is a recommendation and show of support for the student request."

Motion: Moved the Senate recommend that deans and department chairs use the foregoing evaluation instrument for students to use in evaluating faculty.
Outcome: Motion passed with 21 in favor, 9 opposed and 4 abstentions.

"How the information will be disseminated was then discussed. The committee recommended that the information be disseminated through the student portal so that it would be accessible to WSU students and the faculty member but not to the general public. A presentation was made illustrating the access to the information through the student portal. Concerns regarding resources were raised."

Motion: Moved to disseminate the student evaluation of faculty information online through the student portal.
Amended Motion: Moved to add a disclaimer to the evaluation information posted on the web indicating that this is not an official Weber State document and the survey has not been validated.
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

Main Motion
Outcome: The motion passed with 4 opposed and 3 abstentions.

Ryan Woolsey, a student senator, and Kathleen Herndon are working on the mechanics of the project. Executive Committee members were concerned about deans and faculty being in support of this issue. Becky Johns will send out a letter to the deans discussing the motion passed by the Faculty Senate and how the project will be implemented.

SALARY ISSUES 
The Salary, Benefits, Budget and Fiscal Planning Committee has been discussing supplemental pay, and the 33% figure for supplemental pay. Executive Committee members were asked to talk with faculty in their colleges and have them email John Sillito, Becky Johns, Kay Brown or the representative from their college on the Salary, Benefits, Budget, and Fiscal Planning Committee with their questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding supplemental pay.

Questions were raised on whether or not the Provost was working on a recommendation for changes to the current supplemental pay policy and how online teaching is compensated.

BUDGET CUTS 
President Millner discussed the drop in student enrollment for Fall 2004 semester. Weber State is down 323 students this Fall in comparison to Fall semester 2003. Current Fall semester students are taking .2 credit hours less than they took last year. Student enrollment seems to be flat across state institutions. Weber State needs to be savvy about enrollment management. President Millner will be asking the deans to come up with $475,000 to help cover the loss of tuition dollars (about $50,000 per college). The institution will absorb $450,000 to make up the difference in the decreased tuition dollars and the amount asked of the deans. The current cut is "one time." If Spring enrollment drop similar to the drop Fall semester, the University will be down 1.4 million dollars. Forty percent of WSU’s appropriated budget comes from tuition dollars.

NORTHWEST REVIEW 
Weber State was commended for the pride students and faculty have in this institution. Throughout the institution employees have a true sense of the mission of the University. The Davis Campus is considered a part of the main campus rather than a branch. President Millner is waiting for the official report from Northwest.

HONORARY DEGREE 
Bruce Christensen, liaison to the Honorary Degree Committee, asked if the liaison could be included as an ex officio member of the Honorary Degree and Commencement Speaker Administrative Standing Committee. President Millner will have his name added to the committee list.

CLASS SCHEDULE 
Bruce Bowen will have available on a limited basis printed class schedules. "Approximately 5000 class schedules will be printed for Spring semester 2005. The printed class schedule will be an exact copy of the PDF version available on the Web with an additional insert of 4-5 pages of helpful information such as dates, deadlines, etc. Every department will be given two free copies of the class schedule – one for the Chair and one for the secretary. [Note: Individual faculty who need a hard copy schedule will be able to pick one up, free of charge, at the Registration Office]."

ACADEMIC CALENDAR 
Questions were asked about the academic calendar. The Provost’s Office contacts the Registrar (Winslow Hurst) and he drafts a calendar for the deans to review and approve. There is no faculty participation. Faculty would like to be included in the process and have some input. Becky Johns will talk with Mike Vaughan.

ADJOURN 
The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.