Faculty Senate
Minutes
November 17, 2005

MEMBERS - Listed Alphabetically
Ingrid Allen
Bill Allison
Lee Badger
Laine Berghout
Karen Brookens
Dilek Buchholz
Lloyd Burton
Tamara Chase
Bruce Christensen - Cliff Nowell representing
Bill Clapp
Shelley Conroy - Admin. - Craig Gundy representing
Roger Crockett
Gary Dohrer - Ron Deeter representing
Dave Ferro
Rick Ford
Lauren Fowler
Kathy Frye
Lewis Gale - Absent
Azenette Garza (Fall) - Excused
Dawn Gatherum
Richard Greene - Leah Murray representing
Frank Guliuzza - Parliamentarian - Excused
Susan Hafen - Excused
Bruce Handley
Sue Harley
Laird Hartman
Michelle Heward (Spring)
Warren Hill - Admin.
Bob Hogge
Ron Holt
Joan Hubbard
Jim Hutchins
Becky Johns
Wade Kotter - Ruby Licona representing
Diane Leggett - Evelyn Draper representing
Laura MacLeod
Marek Matyjasik - Jim Wilson representing
Jack Mayhew
President Millner - Admin.
Mike Olpin
Dale Ostlie - Admin.
Ryan Pace - Absent
June Phillips Admin. - Catherine Zublin representing
Jack Rasmussen - Admin.
Chris Russell - Student - Chris Lim representing
Richard Sadler - Admin. - Hal Elliott representing
Paul Schvaneveldt
Gene Sessions
Ryan Starks - Student - Lynlee Robinson representing
Kathleen Stevenson
Jeff Stokes
Michael Vaughan - Admin. - Excused
Toni Weight, Admin. - Absent
James West - Student
Jessica Wozab - Student - Absent
Scott Wright
Yu-Jane Yang
Bill Zundel
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kay Brown, Secretary

 

1.     ROLL CALL

2.     APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Motion: Moved to approve the minutes from the October 20, 2005 meeting.
Made: Warren Hill
Second: Laine Berghout
Outcome: The minutes were approved.

3.    SHEPHERD UNION BUILDING RENOVATION PROJECT – Mick Gaviglio, Architect, presenting

Senate members were sent a holiday card from the Executive Committee with a ticket for lunch in the Skyroom. This ticket has been paid for by the Faculty Senate. Senate members were asked to support the Skyroom operation. Currently the Skyroom is not being supported enough by faculty and staff to make it a viable operation. The Skyroom will remain open through December 9, 2005, but a decisions as to whether or not it will open spring semester has not been made.

The new design of the Shepherd Union Building was presented.

First Level - Bookstore (2/3 will remain on this floor), Food Service kitchen space, and Mechanical equipment

Second Level - Close in the breeze way space between the buildings and create an atrium. The remaining third of the Bookstore which will be used for the soft goods in on this level as well as food service, a formal dining space, and new stairways. The recreation space will remain in the same area, but will be renovated. The Lair will move across the hall and be part of the recreation area. The side where the Lair is currently will house the Diversity Center with a glass front, next to them is a computer center, behind the computer center is the radio station, and an equipment space.

Third Level - The large grand staircase will be removed and be replaced with two other stairs on either end of the atrium. Conference room are designed for this floor. The ballrooms will remain the same, but divider walls will be replaced for better sound control between the ballrooms. The ballrooms will be given a facelift and new lighting. The other side of the building (the area facing the Bell Tower) will be devoted to student involvement and leadership. On the south side will be the Community and Volunteer Service Center, and a couple of conference areas. The Student Senate space will double as a conference space. The Nontraditional Student Center and the Student Success Center are on the south end.

Fourth Level - In the area where the Skyroom is currently located will be a meeting space with a large conference room that can be divided, and a small meeting room which will mostly be used by Bill Fruth and the Union Building staff. The south wing will be used for Union Building administration, and the north wing will be used for the Signpost.

4.    TEACHING AND LEARNING FORUM

The Second Annual Faculty Forum sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Forum and the Research, Scholarship, and Professional Growth Committee will be held on March 2, 2006. The deadline for Proposals is December 16. There were some size limitations for posters last year. Those requirements have been removed.

5.    ATHLETIC REPORT

Molly Smith, faculty representative to the Athletic Board, presented a report on the academic performance of student athletes.

The NCAA initiated academic progress minimum standards in 2003 that will become effective this year 2005-06. The NCAA will use the 1997-98 entering class number giving them six years to graduate. The graduation rate for all students at Weber State is 41% , for student athletes it is 53%. Points are given for student athletes that are retained, eligible, and graduate. If your eligibility, retention, and graduation rate falls below the cutoff point (925), the institution will lose scholarships. If it improves or is significantly above the cutoff point, the institution can receive monetary incentives. Money will come from CBS contracts over the next five years with millions of dollars being made available.

Academic Awards for Weber State Athletes

After an extensive search from a large pool of qualified candidates, Jerry Graybeal, was selected as the Athletic Director at Weber State. Last year there were only two schools in the Big Sky Conference that made the initial cut line for the NCAA Academic Performance Program, Weber State, and Eastern Washington University. The Athletic Director is seeking input from professors who have student athletes in their classes. The goal is for all student athletes to graduate.

6.    COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECTIONS OF THE PPM

The Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee will be asked to form a subcommittee with representation from the Research, Scholarship and Professional Growth Committee to look at the copyright and intellectual property sections of the PPM (4-35, 5-41, 5-42, and 5-43) and bring them in compliance with current law.

7.    SALARY, BENEFITS, BUDGET & FISCAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

At the last Faculty Senate meeting, Frank Guliuzza, Parliamentarian, informed the Senate that Committees that present information to the Senate essentially make the motion, they do not require a second, but are voted on by the Senate.

The Salary, Benefits, Budget & Fiscal Planning Committee recommends Cheryl Hansen as the third member of the Salary Negotiation Team. PPM 1-13, B-V, 4.8, " . . . A subcommittee shall serve under the direction of this 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."

Motion from the Salary Committee to appoint Cheryl Hansen as the third member of the Salary Negotiation Team.
Outcome: The motion passed with 1 abstention.

8. CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW, APPORTIONMENT, AND ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE

Jeff Eaton presented the apportionment figures for 2005-06 as follows:

COLLEGE

FACULTY

% REP

Base Seats

Seats Added

Total Seats

Net

Change

Library

10

.81

1

0

1

0

HP

74

5.96

5

1

6

0

Educ

49

3.95

3

1

4

0

S&BS

73

5.88

5

1

6

0

Science

71

5.72

5

1

6

0

B&E

44

3.55

3

0

3

0

A&H

101

8.14

8

0

8

0

AS&T

62

5.00

5

0

5

0

TOTAL

484

39

35

4

39

0

 

The above figures reflect no changes in college representation from the previous year.

Motion from the Constitutional Review, Apportionment, and Organization Committee for the Senate to accept the apportionment figures as stated above.
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

9.     ADMISSIONS, STANDARDS, AND STUDENT AFFAIRS

Jack Mayhew reporting - Proposed revisions to PPM 4-19 F. Repeat Courses

1. Each WSU course (unless specifically listed as repeatable for credit in the course description) may be used only once in cumulative hours and GPA.

2. A course taken at either WSU or another institution may be applied toward fulfilling any WSU degree requirement. Such repeat courses may replace an equivalent WSU course in the total credits approved for graduation. All transfer courses must be approved by the appropriate department chairperson before they can be applied to specific requirements.

a. When a transfer course is accepted by the appropriate department chairperson and is to replace a WSU course to complete a requirement, the grade for said course will not be calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA.

b. The student’s WSU GPA may be changed through removing a previously awarded grade from the GPA calculation but will not include the transfer course grade in the calculation.

3. A course will appear on the transcript each time it is completed, but it will be counted only once in the total hours, and only the most recent WSU letter grade received will be used to calculate the GPA. CR (credit) is not considered a letter grade and will not cause a previous grade to be discounted.

4. Once a bachelor's degree has been posted to a student's permanent record, courses used for that degree may not be repeated to improve the GPA.

5. All courses which have been repeated will have the symbol "E" (connoting excluded) noted in the Repeat column of the transcript RP following the grade for that course except for the last time the course is posted to the transcript.

4. a. A student's WSU GPA may not be improved by taking or repeating a course at another institution.

b. A student's transfer GPA may not be improved by repeating a course at WSU, i.e., a grade for a course completed at another institution may only be improved by repeating the course at the original institution and submitting an updated transcript.

c. Transfer courses equivalent to WSU courses may be used to fulfill degree, core, or general education requirements, but credit for the same course will not be duplicated nor will the WSU GPA be changed by courses taken at another institution.

The above policy changes came to the ASSA Committee from John Allred, Associate Registrar. The language in the old policy was confusing. The revision will allow a student to use a course from some other institution to fulfill a requirement but the course cannot be used to change their GPA at Weber State.

Concern was raised about the symbol "E" (connoting excluded) appearing on the transcript. This symbol does appear in a different column than the grade for the course and would hopefully not be confused with the grade the student received.

A Friendly Amendment was made by Warren Hill in the second sentence of item two above to read - "Such repeat courses may replace an equivalent WSU course in the total credits approved for graduation." The word, "repeat" was taken out of the sentence.

Motion from the Admissions, Standards, and Student Affairs Committee to revise PPM 4-19 F. Repeat Courses as stated above.
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

10. APPOINTMENT, PROMOTION, ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND TENURE

Doris Geide-Stevenson reporting - Proposed revisions to PPM 8-11, III Tenure Review

D. Criteria for Granting Tenure

Each college has formulated a written policy statement, the college tenure document, containing the criteria to be used in tenure review. These statements include (1) the criteria, consistent with the minimum criteria outlined below; (2) the rationale for the criteria; and (3) the method for measuring performance with respect to the criteria.

Any change in the college tenure document shall be submitted through the dean to the Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee for analysis and recommendation to the Faculty Senate. Upon the approval of the Faculty Senate, the revision in the college tenure document shall be forwarded to the provost. Upon approval by the provost and Board of Trustees, the changed college tenure document will be considered adopted. The date of the final approval of the college tenure document will be affixed to the policy statement, and that date will be considered as the effective date. Thereafter, the approved and dated college tenure document will apply until any revision is channeled through the steps outlined herein and a new effective date is affixed. Copies of the approved revised college tenure document will be on file in the offices of the department chair, the dean, the Faculty Senate and the provost and will be accessible online at the provost homepage.

Minimum criteria include:

1. A rating consistent with college standards in teaching. Teaching activities may include instruction, laboratory activities, supervising projects, preparation of course materials and other types of teaching activities.

2. A rating consistent with college standards in professional activities such as research and other contributions to knowledge, leadership in professional organizations, and active pursuit of professional competence.3. A rating consistent with college standards in service, which includes professionally related community service as well as service to the institution, i.e., service on department, college or other University committees and task forces; student advisement; and other types of recognition.

4. Adherence to professional ethics.

5. Possession of terminal degree as defined above.

6. A rating consistent with college standards in other criteria stated in specific college documents, such as professionally related experience.

Review criteria in college tenure documents may be further specified in written department standards or department tenure documents. These criteria must meet or exceed the criteria specified in the college tenure document. The approval process for new or revised department standards or department tenure documents needs to be specified in the college tenure document. Department standards or department tenure documents shall be used in conjunction with the college tenure document to review and evaluate a candidate’s materials when reviewing and evaluating a candidates materials at every level of review (peer review, department, college, dean, university, provost).

Motion from the Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee to add the above language to PPM 8-11, III. Tenure Review
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

11.    CURRICULUM & GENERAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Laine Berghout presented the curriculum proposals.

Sales & Service Technology - Interior Design - Course proposal for Directed Readings - IDT4830

Currently Interior Design students are signing up for a Sales and Service Technology Directed Readings course. Currently students register for a Sales and Service Technology Directed Reading. That process has caused some confusion as some SST students have registered for sections designated for IDT students instead of the sections designated for SST students. Interior Design Department would like an IDT prefix listed on their student’s transcript for the Directed Readings course.

Motion from the Curriculum & General Education Committee to approve the new course proposal for Directed Readings - IDT 4830.
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

Geography Department - New emphases proposed for Global Studies Concentration (Geography Major Track C). This track follows the teaching major course requirements, but does not include the teaching requirement. No new courses, resources or funding is required.

Motion from the Curriculum & General Education Committee to approve the new emphases from the Geography Department for a Global Studies Concentration (Geography Major Track C).
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

English Department - New course proposals for Fundamentals of Reading and Writing - Eng 0900, and Developmental Reading and Writing - Eng 0955.

These courses are a result of the new admissions requirements passed by the Faculty Senate at the September 22, 2005. The 0955 (6 credit hours) course will eventually replace 0960 (3 credit hours). The 0955 course includes a reading element. Approximately 45% of incoming freshman will be required to take English 0955. A very small percentage of incoming freshman will be required to take English 0900. The 0900 class hopes the student will be able to read at a 9th or 10th grade level after completing the course. The 0955 course works to bring student up to a college reading level. Several senators were concerned about admitting students who were not prepared for college level work. It was mentioned that Weber State has an open enrollment policy and, therefore, needs to work with students to help them be successful. Students who will be required to take English 0900 will need to take it their first semester and take English 0955 the second semester. These courses are self-supporting. Concern was expressed about high schools not preparing students for college.

Motion from the Curriculum & General Education Committee to approve from English the new course proposals for Fundamentals of Reading and Writing - Eng 0900, and Developmental Reading and Writing - Eng 0955.
Outcome: The motion passed with 27 in favor, 3 opposed, and 2 abstentions.

Health Administrative Services - Program change for Health Information Technology, and a course proposal for Healthcare Database Management and Security - HIM 2500.

Questions were raised about the prerequisites to the course, and conflicts with similar courses offered by other departments. The Health Administrative Services Department pointed out that the Database Management and Security course is specific to the healthcare industry. Students work with databases; they do not design databases.

A Friendly Amendment was made that Telecommunications and Business Education, Information Systems and Technology, and Computer Science needed to be contacted and notified to see if they feel there is a conflict between this course and courses offered in their department.

Motion from the Curriculum & General Education Committee to approve from Health Administrative Services the program change for Health Information Technology and the new course proposal for Healthcare Database Management and Security - HIM 2500. 
Outcome: The proposals passed unanimously contingent upon Telecommunications and Business Education, Information Systems and Technology, and Computer Science being notified of the course proposal for Healthcare Database Management and Security - HIM 2500.

Nursing Department - Program change for Baccalaureate Nursing for Registered Nurses, and course proposals for Threats and Crises: Nursing Response - Nrsg 3070, Threats and Crisis: Nursing Response Clinical - Nrsg 3071, Oncology Nursing - Nrsg 4060, and Oncology Nursing Clinical - Nrsg 4061.

Creating these two new courses (with the clinical component) will allow the Nursing Department to increase student enrollment. Currently all clinical components are at their maximum student enrollment.

Motion from the Curriculum & General Education Committee to approve from the Nursing Department the program change for Baccalaureate Nursing for Registered Nurses, and course proposals for Threats and Crises: Nursing Response - Nrsg 3070, Threats and Crisis: Nursing Response Clinical - Nrsg 3071, Oncology Nursing - Nrsg 4060, and Oncology Nursing Clinical - Nrsg 4061.
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

Performing Arts - Program Change - Bachelor of Arts in Music

They are proposing that the requirement for a minor with degree be dropped. The major meets the number of hours required for a program of study without a minor, and it meets all the national accreditation standards for a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Concern was expressed about a trend in dropping requirements for a minor.

Motion from the Curriculum & General Education Committee to approve from Performing Arts the program change for the Bachelor of Arts in Music which drops the requirement for a minor with this degree.
Outcome: The motion passed with 1 abstention.

Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.