Approved 3-5-09
Thursday
February 12, 2009
2:00 p.m.
MA 211K
AGENDA SETTING
PRESENT
Laine Berghout, Shannon Butler,
Dave Ferro, Colleen Garside, Kami Hanson, Wade Kotter, Peggy
Saunders, Gene Sessions, Mike Vaughan – Kay Brown, Secretary
EXCUSED
Bruce Handley, Ann Millner
GUESTS
Erika Daines, Afshin Ghoreishi,
Louise Moulding, Marjukka Ollilainen, Molly Smith
MINUTES
Colleen
Garside: Moved to approve the minutes
from the January 15, 2009 meeting
Second: Kami Hanson
Outcome: The minutes
were approved.
RSPG
Research, Scholarship & Professional
Growth Committee – Marjukka Ollilainen, Chair
The committee awarded—either partially or in full—18 of the 19 applications, with a total of $27,800.00 for faculty research, instructional improvement, and travel. Details of the grants and the recipients and project titles are presented below.
After these funding decisions, the RSPG committee reports a total of $10,664 in remaining, available funds (RSPG/$4,630; Hemingway Vitality/$1,468; and OUR/$4,566). This pool carries over to the Spring 2009 funding cycle, which also includes the Hemingway New Faculty Award (deadline March 30) and, in a separate call for proposals, the Hemingway Collaborative and Excellence Awards (deadline February 17).
Hemingway Faculty Vitality (11 applications)
Awarded $16,996 out of a possible $18,464
RSPG Research/Instructional Improvement (6 applications)
Awarded $10,370 out of a possible $15,000
Office of Undergraduate Research (1 application)
Awarded $434 out of a possible $5,000
Fall 2008 Hemingway Faculty Vitality grants
Berry, David (Health Promotion & Human Performance) "Game based learning and professional committee presentations for the 2008-2009 academic year," $1,650
Biddle, Mark (Visual Arts) "Conference presentation and project research in Berlin," $1,754
Buck, Julie (Criminal Justice) "Travel to present research at the American Psychology-Law Society's annual conference," $1,216
Ewert, Eric (Geography) "Tourism redevelopment strategies: Are Western theme towns theanswer?" $977
Herzog, Valerie (Health Promotion & Human Performance) "Using games and puzzles as teaching tools to enhance athletic training student learning and retention," $1,250
Hoagstrom, Chris (Zoology) "Spanish immersion for fish ecology and conservation in northern Mexico," $2,371
Johnston, Adam (Physics) "Presentation of Writing Workshop for Graduate Students in Science
Education," $1,250 Matyjasik, Marek (Geoscience) "Presenting at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting," $1,250
Qiu, Wei (Child & Family Studies) "Traveling to give a presentation at NAEYC conference in Dallas, Texas," $500
Wang, Shi-Hwa (Performing Arts) "Visiting professorship at Haydn Conservatory of Music in Austria," $3,878
Wei-Arthus, Huiying (Sociology & Anthropology) "Paper presentation "The Rape of Nanking"--Why is it a forgotten holocaust?" $900
Fall 2008 RSPG (Research, Instructional Improvement) grants
Giralt, Alicia (Foreign Languages) "Spanish for medical professionals course pack" (Instructional Improvement), $1,500
Magda, Daniel (Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology) "Capstone design competition for Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)" (Inst. Improvement), $1,250
Pagel, Angela (Visual Arts) "Digitization and accessible storage of personal teaching-slides collection" (Instructional Improvement), $823
Rogers, Scott (English) "The Magdalen Hospital Archives" (RSPG), $1,964
Sohl, John (Physics) "Programmable microcontrollers for PHYS 3410/3420 Electronics and data analysis" (Instructional Improvement), $1,933
Trask, Barbara (Zoology) "Biological Significance of MAGP-TGF-b Binding" (RSPG), $2,900
Stokes, Jeffery (Foreign Languages) "Analysis of the use of the glottal stop among Spanish speakers of the Andes region," $434
The Provost mentioned that the Hemingway family will give $101,000 for proposals this next year. Weber State will have the option of disbursing less spring semester or carrying forward some funds. The RSPG Committee will look at the proposals that are submitted and make a decision whether or not to award all the money.
ASSA
Admissions, Standards & Student Affairs Committee –
Louise Moulding, Chair
This will be a discussion and not a vote. These items will not go to the Senate next week.
PPM 4-2a Modifying Programs and Courses in the Catalog - This is new policy written in response to the charge about curriculum deadlines. This clarifies that there is one official catalog. The online and printed catalog are one and the same. Courses and programs will be reviewed according to the Curriculum PPM.
Major clarification change - II. C. Clarifies what constitutes a program change: Program changes will become effective the academic year following the approval. Weber State University’s academic year begins Summer Semester. Changes approved after the first day of registration for Summer Semester will not be effective until the subsequent year.
A program change is defined as any modification to a program which alters the programs requirements for graduation. A program includes majors, minors, emphasis, concentrations, etc. which are offered as a certificate or degree. Examples of program changes include:
1. New courses required for a major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.
2. Modified courses required for a major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.
3. Credit hour changes required for a major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.
4. Credit hour changes for a course which is required for a major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.
5.
Attribute changes for any course.PPM 6-03 Registration Dates and Deadlines: Appointments, Add, Cancel and Withdrawal
Combines PPM 6-3 and 6-4. PPM 6-4 will be deleted. This clarifies registration dates, add dates, drop dates, and withdrawal dates given our new academic calendar. The changes have put the dates into business days that becomes standard across all semesters. No new policy changes.
APAFT
Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom & Tenure
Committee – Afshin Ghoreishi, Chair
PPM 8-21 - POLICY
Tenure is the contractual right to permanent and continuous appointment. Tenured faculty are not subject to termination or substantial reduction in status until the faculty member resigns, retires, or the University exercises its rights in proven cases of adequate cause, medical incapacity, institutional financial exigencies, or discontinuance of a program or department of instruction.
The University shall extend tenure to approved members of
the teaching faculty who are holders
of tenure track appointments and to certain
others as hereafter defined. Tenure track
appointments shall only be given to those
faculty who, at the time of such appointment meet the
minimum degree requirements specified below
in this policy.
Appointment to a tenured position is considered permanent and not subject to termination or substantial reduction in status without cause, provided that in all cases the services of an individual in that position continue to be needed and that funds are available to pay for them.
Granting tenure implies a commitment by the University.
Likewise, the faculty member who is granted tenure makes an
equally strong commitment to serve students, colleagues,
their discipline and the University in a manner befitting
an academic person
the position. It
also raises a strong presumption
Tenure also
carries an expectation that those granted tenure are
competent in their disciplines and are capable of scholarly
contributions. It is, therefore, imperative that a
responsible screening process be followed before such
commitments are made to insure selection of the most
competent candidates.
Any faculty member or administrator may petition the Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee of the Faculty Senate to consider changes in tenure policy as provided in PPM
8-11. Petitioners for tenure policy changes in a particular college must invite comments from faculty, the department chair and the dean of that college.A tenured instructor specialist may move to another tenure bearing rank. However, this constitutes a move to a new position. Tenure is neither retained in the old position nor automatically transferred to the new position. Years of service may be negotiated at the time of the move. (See
PPM 8-24)A faculty member’s official resignation or retirement terminates that faculty member’s tenure. However, a retired faculty member may continue to serve without tenure upon invitation of the institution; but, service may be terminated at any time following the completion of the faculty member’s last (most recent) annual contract.
(PPM 8-25:) REASONS FOR DISMISSAL OF A TENURED FACULTY MEMBER
POLICY
Appointment to a tenured position is considered permanent and not subject to termination or substantial reduction in status, except under those circumstances discussed herein.
Retirement
Upon a faculty member's retirement, that individual may continue to serve without tenure upon invitation of the institution; however, service may be terminated at any time following the completion of the faculty member's last (most recent) annual contract.
Renumber PPM 8-26 as 8-25 and PPM 8-27 as 8-26.
MOTION
Colleen Garside: Moved to
forward PPM 8-21 as stated above to the
Faculty Senate.
Second: Shannon Butler
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
APAFT
The Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom &
Tenure Committee has been having difficulty having a quorum
present at their meetings. There is a policy in the
constitution regarding attendance. The policy will be looked
at and discussed at a later meeting. It was pointed out that
Monica Mize is on sabbatical for the entire year, however,
there is another representative from the College of
Education, Rod Hansen.
Membership change - Replace Kathy Sitzman for spring semester with Paul Eberle.
MOTION
Wade Kotter: Moved to forward
to the Faculty Senate the name of Paul
Eberle to replace Kathy Sitzman on the
APAFT Committee for spring semester.
Second: Gene Sessions.
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
SBBFP
Salary, Benefits, Budgets, & Fiscal Planning –
Molly Smith, Chair
PPM 3-21a Sick and Family Leave (Salaried Faculty)
I. REFERENCES
State Board of Regents Policy and Procedures R821, Employee Benefits
PPM 3-2 Employee Definitions
PM 3-29, Leaves of Absence Without Pay
PPM 3-29a, Family and Medical Leave
PPM 3-45 Fringe Benefits
PPM 8-1 Academic Rank
PPM 8-2 Non-Tenure Track Positions: Lecturer and
Visiting Faculty
PPM 8-23, Probationary Period for Tenure
PPMs 9-9 through 9-18
II. DEFINITIONS
1. Salaried faculty - a salaried employee holding academic rank or title as defined in PPM 8-1 or 8-2.
2. Non-salaried faculty - a non-salaried employee paid for hours worked or by project who does not qualify for benefits defined in PPM 3-45, except as noted therein. This includes adjunct faculty, affiliate faculty, clinical faculty, concurrent faculty and research faculty.
II. III. POLICY
A. Salaried
F faculty members do
not accrue vacation or sick leave. Therefore, (1)
personal illness, (2) birth of a child, (3) adoption
of a child, or (4) absences from work due to an
extended illness of a spouse, dependent child, or
parent will be covered as approved by the Department
Chair and Dean or as covered under PPM 3-29a, Family
and Medical Leave (FMLA).
B. All salaried faculty will be compensated at full pay and benefits for a period of up to 12 weeks annually from the inception of leave. The annual period will be calculated in the same manner as PPM 3-29a.
1. The Department Chair, in cooperation with the Dean, shall assure that the salaried faculty member's teaching responsibilities shall be covered appropriately.
2. If the salaried faculty member chooses to take a full 12 weeks of paid leave, additional time may be taken through (1) leave without pay, (2) reassignment of duties with reduced pay, or (3) reassignment of duties at full pay. The type of additional leave needs to be negotiated with the Department Chair and Dean. After four weeks of leave without pay, the salaried faculty member will no longer be eligible for paid benefits, until she or he returns to work.
3. In the event that both members of a
married couple are employed by the University,
and at least one is a member of the
salaried faculty, the leave benefit to
provide child care related to a new-born or an
adoption will be taken only by one or the other,
or one benefit will be shared between them.
4. Extension of the probationary period for tenure is allowed per PPM 8-23.
C. The University reserves the right to require substantiation of absences.
D. Record of extended sick leave is to be maintained by the Department Chair or appropriate administrator.
E. A physician's statement indicating the condition of the employee and fitness for duty may be required.
F. At the conclusion of 12 weeks of continual leave caused by the salaried faculty member's own disabling health condition, the salaried faculty member must apply for long-term disability. Regardless of eligibility for long-term disability, the salaried faculty member's teaching position at the University will be held for one year from the inception of leave in anticipation of a return to duty.
G. The University has the option to terminate
of terminating a
salaried faculty member's right to the
position after one year of leave subject to the due
process provisions of Sections 9-9 through 9-18 of the
PPM. Salaried
F
faculty members can
reapply for subsequent positions for which they are
qualified as posted by the university.
H. If a salaried faculty member's non-FMLA protected pattern of leave/attendance creates an undue burden or hardship for the department, then her or his employment may be terminated subject to the due process provisions of Sections 9-9 through 9-18 of the PPM.
I. The provisions of this policy shall not supersede any federal or state law that provides greater employee leave benefits and/or rights than are offered in this policy.
The Provost pointed out that as stated above, the policy covers newly hired faculty from the first day of their contract. Circumstances may arise that a faculty member may request medical leave before beginning their teaching assignment. The department would then be responsible for continuing their salary and covering their teaching assignment with another employee.
MOTION
Wade Kotter: Moved to forward
to the Faculty Senate PPM 3-21a as
stated above.
Second: Colleen Garside
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
SBBFP
Salary Recommendation.
The Provost met with the Salary Committee with some options to cut budgets for instructional wage. A decrease in compensation for online instruction to $35 per student per credit hour would net a savings of $650,000. A reduction in compensation for face to face instruction from $973 to $900 would net a savings of $650,000. With these two rate changes Academic Affairs could apply 1.3 million to the budget cut.
The Executive Committee discussed whether this should go to the Faculty Senate from the Salary Committee or from the Provost. Some felt this was an administrative issue and that the Senate does not have authority to vote on this matter. It was stated that the role of the Salary Committee is advisory. It could be presented as an information item. Information items can be discussed by the Senate.
The rate change would go into effect Summer 2009.
MOTION
Gene Sessions: Moved to have
the Provost present the decrease in
compensation for online instruction and
face to face instruction as stated above
as an information item to the Senate.
Second: Wade Kotter
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
GRADUATE COUNCIL
Weber State University Graduate Council – Mark
Stevenson, Chair
The Graduate Council has been meeting informally as graduate directors to share information and reach some consensus on common concerns. They feel there is a consultative role for them to play as new graduate programs are reviewed and approved.
"The Graduate Council requests that the Executive Committee charge the Curriculum Committee with considering whether and how to grant a formalized consultative role to the WSU Graduate Council in the review of proposals for new graduate programs. The graduate Council also suggests that the Curriculum Committee consider the alignment of the WSU new program proposal form with that required for Board of Regents approval. . ."
"Currently no mechanism exists for soliciting input or support from existing graduate programs on other than an ad hoc basis, and members of the Council are concerned that new program proposals may move through the approval process without their prior knowledge or opportunities to provide input."
"The inclusion of a Graduate Council review mechanism, in the new program proposal process would provide for process improvement on several levels, by providing a routinized process for gathering the information about impacts on other programs currently requested in the form, thereby mitigating potential impacts on existing graduate programs, and providing an informational resource and feedback mechanism to improve new program proposals."
Curriculum Committee Chair, Erika Daines, and the Curriculum Committee liaison, Laine Berghout stated a need for substantial over site of graduate programs, beyond what the Curriculum Committee can provide. The Admissions, Standards & Student Affairs Committee has been charge with looking at proposing some guideline for graduate programs. ASSA could work with the Graduate Council for their input on graduate program standards. It was felt that there is a conflict of interest with the Graduate Council having veto power of graduate programs.
The Provost suggested that the Graduate Council may need to rethink committee membership so that all seven colleges have representation rather than representatives of each graduate programs. He also suggested that a set of scheduled meeting be published for the entire academic year.
It was suggested that a signature line be added to the program proposal form indicating that they have counseled with and the proposal has been reviewed by the Graduate Council.
MOTION
Gene Sessions: Moved to have
the Curriculum Committee revise the
program proposal form to include a
signature line indicating that they have
consulted with the Graduate Council to
indicate that they have reviewed the
graduate program proposal.
Second: Laine Berghout
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
CURRICULUM
Curriculum Committee – Erika Daines, Chair
Curriculum Proposals
Telecommunications & Business Education - Course proposal for Methods of Teaching Business/Marketing Education - TBE 6610
Athletic Training - Psychology of Sport, Injury & Rehabilitation - AT 3200/MSAT 6200; Program proposal for Athletic Therapy
Performing Arts - Music Teaching & Learning in the Elementary School - MUSIC 3924
Teacher Education - Student Teaching in Elementary Education for MED Students - Educ 5840
Health Sciences - Introduction to Health Careers and Care in a Diverse Society - Hths 1103
Automotive Technology - Toyota Steering and Suspension Systems - Ausv 1062, Toyota Engines - Ausv 1160, Toyota Engine Control Systems - Ausv 2060; Program proposal for Automotive Technology
Arts & Humanities Interdepartmental - Program proposal for Environmental Studies Minor
Automotive Technology, Environmental Studies minor, Health Sciences and Teacher Education were pulled from the packet for further discussion.
MOTION
Gene Sessions: Moved to forward to the Faculty Senate from Telecommunications & Business Education the course proposal for Methods of Teaching Business/Marketing Education - TBE 6610, from Athletic Training the course proposal for Psychology of Sport, Injury & Rehabilitation - AT 3200/MSAT 6200 and the program proposal for Athletic Therapy, from Performing Arts the course proposal for Music Teaching & Learning in the Elementary School - MUSIC 3924.
Second: Laine Berghout
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
EDUC
Teacher Education - Student Teaching in
Elementary Education for MED Students - Educ 5840.
This course is for the licensure track in the master’s program. The student teaching element of this course does not count toward the credit hours required for the master’s degree.
MOTION
Colleen Garside: Moved to forward to the Faculty Senate the course
proposal from Teacher Education for
Student Teaching in Elementary Education
for MED Students - Educ 5840.
Second: Kami Hanson
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
HS
Health Sciences - Introduction to Health
Careers and Care in a Diverse Society - Hths 1103.
Discussion of diversity elements. This course was not approved by the Curriculum Committee for the diversity designation.
MOTION
Gene Sessions: Moved to
forward to the Faculty Senate from
Health Sciences the course proposal for Introduction to Health
Careers and Care in a Diverse Society -
Hths 1103.
Second: Peggy Saunders
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously
AUTO TECH
Automotive Technology - Toyota Steering
and Suspension Systems - Ausv 1062, Toyota Engines - Ausv
1160, Toyota Engine Control Systems - Ausv 2060; Program
proposal for Automotive Technology.
Contact hours were reviewed and discussed.
Peggy Saunders: Moved to forward
to the Faculty Senate from
Automotive Technology the course
proposals for Toyota Steering and
Suspension Systems - Ausv 1062,
Toyota Engines - Ausv 1160, Toyota
Engine Control Systems - Ausv 2060;
and the program proposal for
Automotive Technology.
Second: Wade Kotter
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
ENVIRO
Arts & Humanities Interdepartmental -
Program proposal for Environmental Studies Minor
Why is the program coming from the English Department? This is an interdisciplinary program and may not remain in the English Department. Mikel Vause will be the first director of the program. Dean Madonne Miner has offered space for the program in Elizabeth Hall.
There was a question about the Honors Colloquium course. A letter from Judy Elsley, Director of the Honors Program, indicates that there is a possibility that it will be offered every couple of years. The Art History course is only offered every other year. The lack of upper division hours was mentioned as well as discussion of the number of general education courses within the program.
MOTION
Peggy Saunder: Moved to
forward to the Faculty Senate the
program proposal from Arts &
Humanities Interdepartmental -
Program proposal for Environmental
Studies Minor.
Second: Gene Sessions.
Outcome: The motion passed
unanimously.
GOVERNANCE AWARD
The deadline for the Faculty Governance Award
nominations is February 26, 2009.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.