Wichita State University Faculty Senate
February 25, 2002
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
Faculty Senate: Minutes, February 25, 2002
MEMBERS PRESENT: Acker, Behrman, Brooks, Carroll, DeLillo, Edwards, Goldy,
Lause, Hiltner, Hodson, Hundley, Iacovetta, Klunder, Kraft, Kuhn, Lancaster, Lewis, LieraSchwichtenberg, Ma, Matson, Mau, Miller, Muma, Murphey, Paarmann, Parker, Quantic,
Ravigururajan, Rokosz, Roussel, Russell, Schommer-Aikins, Smith-Campbell, Williamson,
Yeager, Zhang
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bees, Celestin, Chopra, Hemans, Hershfield, Herzog, May,
Scheuerman, Sheikh-Ahmad
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Clark, deSilva, Forlaw, Hughes, Markovich
Ex-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: AVPAARR Zoller
GUESTS: Martha Shawver, Ron Kopita, Tisha Cannizzo
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
1. Accepted appointment of John Conlee to the Exceptions Committee
I. CALL TO ORDER: President Carroll called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.
II. INFORMAL STATEMENTS & PROPOSALS: None
III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Accepted the minutes of February 11, 2002 as
presented
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February 25, 2002
IV. PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
A. BOR MEETING: President Carroll reported on the SB 345. She noted that the 2%
Performance indicators of two years ago are now included in SB345, and include new
elements, including a sliding scale approach, and addition of those monies into the base
for the next year. Qualified Admissions created serious discussion among the university
presidents, as the previous information was incorrect. They are collecting the data to
determine which admission exceptions are most likely to result in success for the student.
Regent Ferguson wanted to know how many were enrolled, and how many of those
finished the year successfully. President Carroll noted that a number of entering freshmen
do not have to enter through qualified admissions, including those over 21 years old. She
also reminded Senators of the Elections and that nomination forms are due 2/28/02 and
the nominations for the President's Award for Distinguished Service are due 3/4/02
B. LEGISLATIVE FORUMS: President Carroll introduced Dr. Eric Sexton, Director of
Government Relations for WSU. He works with the Kansas legislature to help them to
understand the needs of WSU. His explanation of the process, included a detailed outline
of the legislature, and the likelihood that the legislature will have to meet into May or
June this year. The university economists will meet March 6 to deal with the information
that state revenues may be down over $600 mil. Social services, k-12, and post-secondary
education will have to absorb this loss. Dr. Sexton reported that there is little interest in
increased taxes at this time. The legislature has recently heard the concerns of all of the
universities. President Carroll asked what our limitations were with respect to dealing
with the legislators? Dr. Sexton replied that he had to let the KBOR know his plans
because he is representing WSU and that anyone can visit with them as long as they do
not say they are representing WSU, they may say where they are employed and he stated
further that because of our freedom of speech faculty to speak out and he encouraged the
faculty to let the public know the good things that we do for our students. In response to a
question by AVPAARR Zoller, he said it was not a good idea in contacting legislators to
use WSU letterhead, WSU Fax or e-mail services. Senator Ramona LieraSchwichtenberg asked what the “normal” budget shortfall was for Kansas. Dr. Sexton
replied that in the past, most “shortfalls” were dealt with through reallocations. (Dr.
Sexton distributed information sheets about the Universities Budget Needs which are
available in the Office of the Faculty Senate)
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Rules Committee: Chair Lancaster presented the name of John Conlee for membership
on the Exceptions Committee, Appointment was accepted.
VI. OLD BUSINESS: None
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VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Distinguished Scholarship Invitational: Benson Tong. Chair, of Scholarship and Student
Aid Committee, reported on major problems in processing scholarships. 1. DSI--Distinguished
Scholarship Invitational held in November. A number of awards are given, many of which have
very specific criteria, most of which target leadership qualities. Dr. Tong noted the committee
would like to recommend that Faculty Senate secure the needed faculty for judging and that the
criteria for judging needed to be looked at as well as training for the Students who participate in
the judging process. A lively discussion ensued. The Gore Scholarship process requires a
“role-playing” segment. Senator Quantic asked if the role-playing segment was the problem.
Senator Murphey also questioned the validity of role-playing in the determination of leadership
qualities. Senator Williamson suggested that this segment did help to identify those who could
express themselves orally. He agreed that simulation was only part of determining leadership
qualities. Senator Behrman asked, are we actually discovering leaders? She also pointed to the
Gore Scholarship as the lead into this approach of determining winners of a number of other
scholarships given to Gore runners-up. Senator Behrman suggested that WSU focus their search
to identify better students. Dr. Tong also wants the students who will serve on the judging
committees to be better prepared. Senators Schommer-Aikins and Klunder expressed frustration
with the judging process.
2. Financial Aid: Dr. Tong reported that financial aid office has a very busy schedule. The
committee would like to propose four different review boards, to deal with different
constituencies. These boards would then meet once a month at a specified time.
Both of the committee concerns will be taken to Executive Committee.
B. Student Success Courses-- Marty Shawver, AVPAARR reported on the Student Success
Course created five years ago. These courses were designed by faculty representatives of the
colleges and intended to help solve retention problems. Each lost student cost the university
about $20,000.00. Since fall of 1997, the course consisting of 1/3 academic skills, 1/3 personal
management skills, and 1/3 career development, has been offered. In general, Dr. Shawver
reported that there was some improvement in retention, but no real increase in grades. They offer
18 sections in the fall and 12 sections in the spring. The courses are taught by advisers. Schools
have very different views concerning which students should take the course. Business has
suggested that all of their students take the course, while LAS suggests the course to poor
students
VIII. AS MAY ARISE:
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm
Respectfully Submitted:
Helen Hundley, Secretary
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