WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Regular Meeting, 12 October 2010, 4:00 p.m.
Capitol Rooms - University Union
ACTION MINUTES
SENATORS PRESENT: B. Clark, L. Conover, B. Davies, G. Delany-Barmann, D. DeVolder, K. Durkin, S.
Haynes, R. Hironimus-Wendt, D. Hunter, N. Made Gowda, J. McNabb, L. Miczo, K. Pawelko, C. Pynes, S. Rahman,
P. Rippey, M. Singh, I. Szabo, B. Thompson, T. Werner, D. Yoder
Ex-officio: Jack Thomas, Provost; Tej Kaul, Parliamentarian
SENATORS ABSENT: M. Hoge
GUESTS: Keith Boeckelman, Virginia Boynton, Rick Carter, Judi Dallinger, Al Goldfarb, Autumn Greenwood,
Ken Hawkinson, Jim LaPrad, Russ Morgan, Bill Polley, Barbara Ribbens, Sam Thompson, Ron Williams
I.
Consideration of Minutes
A.
September 28, 2010
Senator Pynes clarified that in the last paragraph on p. 5, his only objection is to individuals “calling
the question” toward the end of the meeting hour when not everyone has had an opportunity to talk
but that he has no objection to “calling the question” in general.
MINUTES APPROVED AS CORRECTED
II.
Announcements
A.
Approvals from the President and Provost
1.
Approval from the President
a.
2.
Course Syllabus Policy revisions
Approvals from the Provost
a.
Requests for New Courses
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
b.
Requests for Discipline-Specific Global Issues
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
c.
AAS 499, Internship in AAS, 1-12 s.h. (repeatable to 12 s.h.)
ANTH 330, Sex and Gender in Archaeology, 3 s.h.
JOUR 436, International Public Relations, 3 s.h.
THEA 401, Honors Thesis/Project, 3 s.h.
ANTH 305, Applied Anthropological Methods, 3 s.h.
ANTH 324, Religion, Magic and Shamanism, 3 s.h.
ANTH 415, Environmental Anthropology, 3 s.h.
BIO/ANTH 463, Ethnobotany, 4 s.h.
ECON 470, International Trade, 3 s.h.
JOUR 436, International Public Relations, 3 s.h.
MUS 394, Music in World Cultures, 3 s.h.
REL 350, Hinduism, 3 s.h.
REL 355, Buddhism, 3 s.h.
SOC 464, Sociology of Religion, 3 s.h.
Requests for General Education Global Issues
i.
ii.
iii.
B.
Provost's Report



C.
Provost Thomas told senators that he is waiting on the names from the various constituent
groups to move forward on the search for a dean of the College of Education and Human
Services. He has just received the faculty names from the College’s Faculty Council, and is now
waiting on the name of the graduate student representative. College of Arts and Sciences Dean
Sue Martinelli-Fernandez has been named chair of the search committee.
Provost Thomas reminded senators a group is studying printing costs in University Libraries in
order to recommend how the University should proceed with this growing problem. He said
although there are sometimes books on reserve in the Library that students can borrow, the
University does not wish for students to make photocopies of the entire book.
Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Don T. Johnson will make his presentation to the Quad Cities
campus at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 15.
Student Government Association (SGA) Report
(Autumn Greenwood, SGA representative to Faculty Senate)


D.
ANTH 110, Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 s.h.
PHY 150, Energy and the Environment, 4 s.h.
REL 365, Islam, 3 s.h.
The SGA last week elected its speaker pro-tem.
Two weeks ago SGA passed a bill of resolution to try to tackle the problem of printing in
University Libraries and computer labs as an effort to be sensitive to environmental issues and
the financial concerns of the University.
President’s Fall Report
President Goldfarb said he has mailed a letter to constituent groups to select representatives for the
search committee to replace retiring Vice President for Administrative Services Jackie Thompson.
He hopes candidates can be brought to campus in mid- to late spring. President Goldfarb also hopes
that his replacement for WIU president will be hired by that time and can be engaged in the final
choice for VP.
President Goldfarb noted that enrollment increased this fall for freshmen, graduate, and transfer
students, and he anticipates that this trend will continue. The President has received the report from
Noel-Levitz consultant Joe Watts and shared it with CAGAS today. He will meet with the Council in
the next few weeks.
President Goldfarb is very pleased that WIU continues to receive significant national recognitions.
He explained that all national rankings use different benchmarks, and he finds it impressive that
WIU receives consistently high rankings in several areas. The University has moved up to 49th
position among best Midwestern regional universities, according to U.S. News and World Report –
above both EIU and SIU-Edwardsville who have historically ranked higher than WIU. President
Goldfarb said U.S. News and World Report also now ranks Western 11th as a top public school
among Midwest regional universities, which recognizes the work done at WIU toward the important
benchmarks of retention, graduation rates, and a commitment to smaller classes and full-time
faculty. Washington Monthly, whose benchmarks focus on student engagement in civic activities
and graduation rates related to socio-economic backgrounds, ranked WIU second highest in regional
universities, with only SIU-Edwardsville ranking higher. The only state of Illinois institutions ranked
with WIU on the Princeton Review's Best Midwestern College and Universities are the U of I and
SIU-Carbondale. Western is the only regional university on the Forbes list of best universities.
WIU is seeing a period of enhanced fundraising: President Goldfarb reported that the University has
raised $40 million toward its goal of $60 million for its comprehensive campaign. He said
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consultants originally predicted the University would be lucky to raise $30 million, but they
underestimated the loyalty of Western’s alumni and friends. President Goldfarb added this loyalty is
based upon what occurs in WIU classrooms.
President Goldfarb recently had the opportunity to walk through the first Quad Cities Riverfront
Campus building. He told senators it was built in the 1950s, so some issues have been found during
the renovation, but he still believes it can be opened in June 2011. Planning has begun for the second
Riverfront building. On the Macomb campus, Memorial Hall is expected to be completed by spring.
President Goldfarb announced funds have been identified to address equipment and technical needs.
The elevator in the University Union to provide for accessibility to the third floor is progressing
well. President Goldfarb told senators that when he arrived at WIU he indicated the lack of an
elevator to the Heritage Rooms was unacceptable but dollars were only recently freed up to allow for
its construction. He stated the renovation will also add architectural interest to the front of the
building.
The President recalled that a faculty member had brought up to Joe Watts the poor state of residence
halls and their use as recruitment devices for potential students. President Goldfarb said this is very
important, and the University has now begun renovation of Corbin and Olson residence halls. The
University also continues to lobby for release of Performing Arts Center funds, which were included
in the capital bill. He hopes there will be a ground breaking on the building this year. President
Goldfarb reminded senators the Performing Arts Center has been requested by WIU since the 1970s.
President Goldfarb informed senators that WIU has received the final payment from the state for the
FY10 budget, the only university in the state to be caught up on the previous fiscal year. The
President said this is not good news statewide, however, since until the state is caught up with every
public university, WIU will likely not receive any money toward FY11. The University budget
appropriation for FY11 was reduced by 6.2 percent, or approximately $7 million, so cash flow
continues to be a major issue. WIU has not yet received any MAP or Illinois veterans funding owed
to it by the state for this fiscal year, which means the institution is operating on the tuition money
received and other local funds, as it did last year. President Goldfarb stated the University continues
to monitor expenditures; he stated that everyone receiving state money is doing the same thing and
some are experiencing more of a cash flow crisis than WIU.
Regarding borrowing as an option for state universities, President Goldfarb explained that the state
legislature only gave authorization to borrow for the previous fiscal year, and he does not anticipate
receiving that authorization for the current fiscal year until after November. WIU will probably join
other state schools in formally requesting the authorization, but President Goldfarb believes that with
use of tuition and auxiliary funds the University should not have to borrow, although it will be in the
same place it was last year budgetarily by mid-spring. He stated that every sector of the state is being
impacted by the cash flow crisis, and that even the budget cuts that are being considered will not
make up the shortfall for the state of Illinois. He told senators the state still owes almost $59 million
to higher education for FY10.
Senator Thompson asked what the effect will be on students since WIU has not received MAP grant
money yet for FY11. President Goldfarb responded there will be no effect on the students because
the University is covering the shortfall as part of its handling of the cash flow crisis. Last year, MAP
grant funds were received at the end of October.
President Goldfarb said his goal upon retirement has always been to leave the institution in as
healthy a position as possible, but the cash flow crisis and wondering if the state will be able to meet
its obligations has made that difficult. He vowed to continue to work to avoid lay-offs and furloughs.
He remarked that the UPI contract protects faculty from furloughs for two years, but he intends to
continue to protect Western’s other staff from furloughs as much as possible as well.
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President Goldfarb thanked senators for the opportunity to speak to them and remarked that Faculty
Senate has always made itself available and he has appreciated the support of its chairs.
E.
Other Announcements
1.
Presidential Search
Chairperson DeVolder informed senators the search committee has completed roughly half
of its preliminary interviews with candidates and expects to finish next week. Shortly
afterward, the committee will forward the list of recommended finalists to the Board of
Trustees and turn the remainder of the process over to them. Chairperson DeVolder is happy
with the progress the search committee has made with the off-campus interviews. He said
the Board of Trustees will invite finalists to campus, and their names will be made public at
that time.
2.
University Personnel Committee
The remaining vacancy on the University Personnel Committee, for a representative from
the College of Business and Technology, has been filled by Don T. Johnson, who will serve
until fall 2013.
3.
Search for Vice President for Administrative Services
According to the Administrator Selection Procedures, the search committee for Vice
President for Administrative Services will include “one faculty member … selected by
procedures established by the Faculty Senate.” Chairperson DeVolder outlined for senators
options for selecting the faculty representative: 1) utilizing the names of faculty who
volunteered to serve on search committees on the Committee on Committees interest survey,
2) selection of a senator, 3) sending out a general call for interest to all eligible faculty
members. Chairperson DeVolder noted that the Administrator Selection Procedures do not
specifically require the representative be a senator, and it seems to him that the default
process by which Senate would place someone on a search committee would be to utilize
Committee on Committees. He said if this method is chosen, the nominee would be brought
to Faculty Senate for confirmation at the October 26 meeting, in time for the deadline to
submit the name to President Goldfarb by October 29.
Senator Hunter asked if any qualifications are specified for the search committee
representative. Chairperson DeVolder responded none are specified in the policy; the faculty
representative position for this search is unrestricted and at-large.
Senator Delany-Barmann remarked that it would be fairly easy for Committee on
Committees to utilize its survey results for faculty who have already expressed interest in
serving on search committees. Chairperson DeVolder stated that there are no Faculty
Senate-established procedures for selection of a representative to the Vice President for
Administrative Services search committee, so it would be good to establish a process that
could be utilized in future.
Motion: To establish, when a faculty appointment is necessary for the Vice President for
Administrative Services position, that Faculty Senate utilize the Committee on Committee’s
interest survey results for search committees (Delany-Barmann/Thompson)
Senator Durkin asked for clarification of whether the nomination would come back to the
Senate and whether other nominations would be accepted from the floor. Chairperson
DeVolder responded the nomination would come back to Senate unless senators specifically
delegated Committee on Committees with the power to place someone directly on the
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committee. Senator Pynes asked if the Senate is establishing a general policy for this one
specific search committee or for all vice presidential search committees. Senator DelanyBarmann responded that her motion was for the specific search for a Vice President for
Administrative Services.
Senator Rippey pointed out that since search committee service is a choice on the CoC
interest survey, it would appear the Senate has already established this as a procedure. She
said since this choice exists, it would seem to not need to be affirmed but can be
immediately utilized. Senator Durkin remarked this would seem to depend upon the level of
expertise desired in a representative. Senator Rippey responded that Committee on
Committees makes those determinations, and the VP for Administrative Services search
committee would be similar to other committees to which CoC makes nominations. Senator
Delany-Barmann suggested that CoC could ask persons who indicated they would like to
serve on search committees to elaborate with statements regarding their interest for a
particular search. Senator Hunter asked if CoC has established criteria for making selections
such as this one. Senator Delany-Barmann responded there are established criteria, including
considering interest statements, full-time faculty status, and gender.
Senator Hunter asked if Faculty Senate will establish qualifiers for the search committee
position, if they are not already established, or if it is CoC’s job to establish the qualifiers for
each search committee. Senator Pynes asked if senators think that having Committee on
Committees determine the nominee for this particular search committee constitutes a
procedure. He asked how Faculty Senate would select a faculty representative if no one
volunteered for search committee service on a future CoC interest survey. Senator Pynes
stated he does not think it should be delegated to Committee on Committees to always
determine the faculty representative for this search committee. Senator Rippey pointed out
that if no one from a particular college, for example, volunteers to serve on a committee or
council with a vacancy, Committee on Committees is expected to “beat the bushes” to find
an eligible individual who is interested in serving. She stated that Faculty Senate requires
Committee on Committees to use good judgment and make evaluations of potential
candidates and she wonders why this search committee should require a different procedure
than other important councils, like CAGAS and CCPI. Senator Rippey said she supports the
motion to let Committee on Committees determine the representative for this particular
search, adding that it does not seem to be more important than other positions to which
Committee on Committees nominates.
Senator Durkin remarked that the pool has already been narrowed down by persons
volunteering for search committee service, but he would be more comfortable with a senator
that has been elected by his or her constituents, is familiar with the process, understands the
other important factors that go into the selection, and would be representative of the
population because of his or her election to Senate.
Senator DeVolder reminded senators that the motion on the floor is for Committee on
Committees to determine a search committee representative to nominate at the next Senate
meeting. Parliamentarian Kaul remarked that he served as CoC chair and the current debate
seems to be at what level Faculty Senate deems a position important enough or not
important enough to utilize the services of its Committee on Committees. He pointed out
that this discussion has never occurred before; normally, when search committee
membership became available, the task for finding a representative fell to CoC, who
deliberated and used their established procedures to bring a nomination back to Senate for
the decision to ratify. Senator Delany-Barmann pointed out that senators can still make
nominations from the floor in addition to the nomination from CoC.
Chairperson DeVolder explained that other procedures are in place for various search
committees; for example, for dean searches Faculty Senate does not use Committee on
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Committees but a more elaborate Senate-approved process. He said that is why he felt the
determination of this search committee process should come to the full Senate rather than
the Executive Committee deciding to delegate it to CoC.
Senator Hironimus-Wendt expressed his support of the motion; he stated that as a current
member of CoC, he would be interested to hear of any concerns senators may have about the
selection process and aspects CoC should consider, such as years of service. Senator Pynes
remarked that he is comfortable with the procedure as long as Faculty Senate will hold an
election for the position and nominations or self-nominations can be made from the floor.
Chairperson DeVolder agreed that CoC will follow the normal process to bring a name
forward to Senate as part of its report, the chair will call for nominations from the floor, and
a vote will be held if more than one nomination is brought forward; otherwise, if there is
only one nominee the individual will be elected by acclamation. Senator Pynes indicated he
would not vote against the motion, but noted that it might be best if on a future Committee
on Committees interest survey no one checks search committee interest, the vacancy came
directly to the Senate floor rather than waiting for CoC to find a nominee.
MOTION APPROVED 20 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
Motion: To reorder the agenda to move endorsement of the mission statement to the top of the agenda
(Thompson/Werner)
Senator Hunter suggested Faculty Senate should consider making it the norm to position New Business higher on the
agenda rather than having to go through the process of moving it. Senator Rippey responded senators may not
always wish to move it up; Chairperson DeVolder added that senators occasionally wish to move individual items of
New Business up but normally prefer to consider Reports first.
MOTION APPROVED 18 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB
V.
New Business (Reordered)
A.
Endorsement of Revised University Mission Statement
Joe Rives, Vice President for Quad Cities, Planning, and Technology, told senators that since his last
visit to Senate, he took Faculty Senate’s wording suggestions for the University Mission Statement
to constituent groups and received unanimous endorsement from the Civil Service Employees’
Council, Graduate Council, Quad Cities Faculty Council, and Quad Cities Student Government
Association. He is seeking endorsement from SGA-Macomb tonight and the Council of
Administrative Professionals on Thursday.
The proposed revision would change the University Mission Statement to read, “By enacting our
values and supporting the creating a synergy between instruction, research, creativity and service,
Western Illinois University prepares and supports a socially responsible, diverse student, faculty, and
staff population to lead in the global society.” Originally, the Board of Trustees had requested
constituent consideration of removing “prepares and” from the Mission Statement, but Senate
rejected this suggestion and suggested an alternate change.
Motion: To accept the proposed revision (Pynes/McNabb)
MOTION APPROVED 20 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB
III.
Reports of Committees and Councils
A.
Council on Admission, Graduation and Academic Standards
(Bill Polley, Chair)
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1.
Request for 3.0 Graduation Requirement
a.
History: Pre-Law
Dr. Polley explained that CAGAS considered only the 3.0 requirement for the prelaw option and approved it with no objections. He added that if History students do
not receive a 3.0, they can still graduate by switching to a different option.
NO OBJECTIONS
B.
Council on Curricular Programs and Instruction
(Jim LaPrad, Chair)
1.
Requests for New Options
a.
History: Pre-Law
Senator Miczo noted that the feasibility study narrative indicates the option will
“focus on the historical originals of Anglo-American legal traditions” and quotes the
American Bar Association regarding preparation for law school: “The ABA
recommends that students take an undergraduate program that will develop their
analytical and problem-solving skills, critical reading ability, writing skills, oral
communication and listening skills, and general research skills, among others.” She
asked why History did not list under Directed Electives any Communication courses
that might enhance some of these helpful skills, such as Persuasion and Rhetorical
Theory and Criticism. She explained that rhetorical debate is part of the history of
the legal system in this country and is specifically mentioned in some of the ABA
guidelines. She also asked how the History: Pre-Law proposal compares with
similar options at other universities. History department Chair Virginia Boynton
explained the department chose courses within the College of Arts and Sciences, but
she is open to adding additional directed elective courses. She said the department
tried to choose courses that add some aspect of legal culture, and agreed that the
courses named by Senator Miczo sound like they may fit into the option. Senator
Miczo stated she feels those classes would well prepare students for legal writing
and that they would offer a lot to the option. Dr. Boynton asked if the courses are
taught regularly, and Senator Miczo responded they are taught every semester.
Senator Durkin asked if they require prerequisites that History students may not
have taken; Senator Miczo responded that Persuasion has no prerequisite, and she is
confident that the Rhetoric prerequisite could be waived for History: Pre-Law
students. Dr. Boynton stated she has no objection to adding the two courses within
Directed Electives. Senator Miczo stated the courses are included in the
Communication minor and could also be handled through advisement to enhance the
writing and public speaking skills of History: Pre-Law students.
Chairperson DeVolder stated that the History: Pre-Law proposal will go forward as
written unless it is objected to; in order to make an amendment to the proposal, it
would have to be restored to the agenda for further discussion and vote. Senator
Rippey expressed her concerns with writing curriculum on the Senate floor. She
believes that if History wishes to pursue directed electives with other departments,
they should bring a change through the normal process so that the entire department
is aware of it rather than just a coincidental member of another department and the
History chair bringing the change forward. She believes that this would undermine
the curricular departmental process that was in place when the directed electives
were originally chosen. She stated that if the proposal was brought forward in
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ignorance of other possibly beneficial courses, it can be brought back through the
process with additional courses added in future. Senator Rahman noted that English
and Journalism offers a Professional Writing minor that might also be helpful to
History: Pre-Law students. She stated her agreement with Senator Rippey that she
would not like to see the proposal changed at this level and in this particular way.
Senator Yoder asked if it is more than coincidence that the History: Pre-Law and
Political Science: Pre-Law options were brought forward at the same time, and if
there is a way to better serve students more efficiently with a sharing or combination
of the two. CCPI Chair LaPrad responded that last year his Council and Faculty
Senate engaged in lengthy discussions regarding the Pre-Law option brought
forward by Philosophy. He said CCPI realized that issues would possibly arise when
other departments brought pre-law options forward as well. Senator Pynes
elaborated that last year it was noted that when a student receives a degree in
Philosophy: Pre-Law, the student will have still received a discipline-specific
education in case he or she does not want to go on to law school. He said that
interdisciplinary pre-law majors have been found to score at the bottom of law
programs. He pointed out that students may be primarily interested in legal theory or
government work, and depending on which of the many kinds of law they are
interested in, they may wish to pursue that discipline-specific pre-law option so that
they would also gain a background in that particular discipline.
NO OBJECTIONS
b.
Political Science: Pre-Law
Senator Hunter noted that the feasibility study copy is unsigned. Parliamentarian
Kaul explained that CCPI will not move options and certain other curricula forward
without an approved feasibility study; Dr. LaPrad added the Provost’s signature on
the attached memo indicates the program’s feasibility study has been approved.
NO OBJECTIONS
C.
Council for International Education
(Barbara Ribbens, Vice Chair)
1.
Requests for Discipline-Specific Global Issues
a.
GEOG 466, World Regions, 3 s.h.
Dr. Ribbens explained the course is repeatable for different regions. Senator
Rahman asked if the region selected could be within the United States. Geography
Chair Sam Thompson responded the regions taught in GEOG 466 would be outside
the U.S. Parliamentarian Kaul asked if the course needs to include a comparison of
different regions. Dr. Ribbens explained that a global issues course must consider
the interdependence of cultures or societies, and this could be included within the
discussion of one region.
b.
REL 456, Religion and War, 3 s.h.
DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC GLOBAL ISSUES COURSES APPROVED
2.
Requests for General Education Global Issues
a.
GEOG 110, World Regional Geography, 3 s.h.
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b.
c.
REL 110, Introduction to Eastern Religions, 3 s.h.
REL 111, Introduction to Western Religions, 3 s.h.
GENERAL EDUCATION GLOBAL ISSUES COURSES APPROVED
B.
Committee on Committees
(Gloria Delany-Barmann, Chair)
SENATE COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES:
Summer School Committee
Brian Powell, Phil. & Rel. Studies
Saisudha Mallur, Physics
Denise Gravitt, Engineering Tech.
Ron Bauerly, Mgmt & Marketing
Renee Polubinsky, Kinesiology
Dean Halverson, Educ. Ldrshp. (QC)
Michael Lukkarinen, RPTA
Ellen Ehrgott, Comm. Sci. & Dis.
new position
new position
new position
new position
new position
new position
new position
new position
2012
2013
2012
2011
2013
2012
Fall ’10 only
2013
A&S
A&S
B&T
B&T
E&HS
E&HS
E&HS
FA&C
One opening remains on this committee for Fine Arts and Communication. There were no
nominations from the floor. The slate of candidates was elected by acclamation.
IV.
Old Business – None
Motion: To adjourn (Rippey/McNabb)
The Faculty Senate adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Lynda Conover, Senate Secretary
Annette Hamm, Faculty Senate Recording Secretary
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