BSUFA MEET AND CONFER AGENDA
APRIL 9, 2014 – 4:30 – 6:30 PM
DEPUTY 301A
OPENING QUERIES
Are you considering retrenchment/re-organization?
No
Are any faculty members currently under investigation? Nature of investigation (no name needed).
No
Have any investigations been completed? Results?—Marybeth mentioned last time that an investigation had
been completed, no information available.
UPDATES
Enrollment update- James described the very preliminary data for next fall based on applications, AAR
registrations, and housing deposits (potentially down slightly). James also indicated the importance of retaining
students to keep us on track in terms of our enrollment numbers. Mike Murray commented on faculty indicating that
they thought the new AAR structure worked well. Graduate enrollment by dept. was requested by the IFO.
Facilities update- Bill described the ongoing projects- focused on problems with communication and construction
noise issues with the Benson project, which is only a small slice of the inconvenience the campus will feel once the
larger projects get rolling (Memorial and Decker). Looked for ways to have better communication so students won’t
be told to complain directly to the President. Once suggestion was to use social media to keep students more
informed, consider the use of a construction webcam. Print shop/mailroom moving to Deputy second floor, Intl.
Studies office moving to Birch Hall.
Positions update - AA / EEO position – no updates on that position; Patrick mentioned that two searches had
failed (microbiology and physiology) and that other searches were at various stages in the process, with some just
getting started. Jeff Ueland asked if the Biology positions would be offered again next fall as Probationary
positions, and Patrick indicated that the intention was to offer those as probationary positions in the fall. IFO
requested adjunct list and supporting rationale for the next M & C.
Budget update / NTC - Bill Maki- Bill handed out the budget information that was going to be presented on
Thursday. Several questions were asked about specific line items.

NTC update - President Hanson- information will be forthcoming once a report comes from the
reinvention group May 1st.

Athletics- no mention
Campaign update- at about $27 million, nothing new since last update.
CARRY OVER AGENDA ITEMS
1. Update on Student Preparedness for University Success
President Hanson - (12-19-13)
Some questions were asked- e.g. connection between this committee and SEMP- seems to be some overlap.
President indicated there shouldn’t be much overlap. Need to develop long-term strategy to help underprepared
students.
2. Course evaluation proposal
Martin Tadlock - 1-29-14
Patrick mentioned that this was in here to solicit feedback. No written feedback was provided.
Chris indicated it was DOA, that the faculty were not willing to consider this. Jeff Ueland asked how
is this better than current practice. Patrick mentioned that it was intended to be campus-wide to
take the burden of administering a survey away from faculty, and that it was intended to be part of
all courses with more than 20 students.
NEW ITEMS
3. White Whale update- Scott provided handouts, discussed plans. Chris reiterated that Depts have final approval
over departmental websites.
Scott Faust
4. New checklist for unclassified appointment
Marybeth Christenson Jones
Marybeth requested feedback- one comment was made regarding having HR more involved in ensuring that
individuals eligible for prior consideration are identified at the appropriate stage in the process.
5. Relocation of BSUFA office
Chris Brown
Bill indicated that several options have been explored, and the current status will be provided once individuals
currently using the space have been consulted.
6. Timeline calendars for tenure/promotion 2014-2015
Attachments
Patrick Guilfoile
Request for feedback on the proposed timelines. Concern was expressed over departments having time to
provide feedback on tenure, etc.
7. Academic Assess. Cmte membership/ Release Time for Assess Faculty Patrick Guilfoile /Chris Brown
Patrick indicated this was a request for two faculty to participate on the committee in lieu of the assessment
coordinators. The work of the coordinators has diminished greatly, and so it was not felt that this was necessary.
Jeff wondered if it was important to continue with the coordinators while we still are in the assessment academy.
Patrick stated it was a measure of success that they were no longer needed.
8. Load/Overload guidelines for arranged courses
Attachment
Patrick Guilfoile
Guidelines were presented for feedback. Jeff questioned the meaning of “regularly scheduled” would provide
some alternative language.
9. Summer Chair 3-way sign off
Chris Brown indicated that all extended chair summer duties required a three way sign off from the
Chair/Dean/BSUFA.
Chris Brown
10. Advising Success Center and Career Services
James Parker
James described the plan and rationale for combining these offices, and indicated that no positions would be lost.
There will need to be greater cross-training for staff in both areas if they are merged.
11. Directory Information (attachment)
Attachment
James Parker
James provided the proposed changes to what constitutes directory information. 200 students currently request
exemption from reporting directory information.
12. Hard pre-reqs for BUAD
Chris Brown
Patrick mentioned this is something that could be considered for Spring of ’15. This requires work on the part of
Records to move student information from DARS to ISRS. It also would require the participating departments (for
Business, this would include accounting, mathematics, and economics) to thoroughly review transfer
equivalencies, to simplify pre-requisites to reduce the change of a student not being able to register as a result of
an error, and willingness on the part of instructors to review equivalencies in a timely manner. Agreed that
Business and other interested departments could speak with Patrick and Michelle if they are interested in this.
There is concern that this could negatively impact enrollment.
13. Laurel House with cost breakdown
Bill indicated he would provide the information he has available at this point.
Bill Maki
14. Graduate Assistant update & Graduate committee role
Chris Brown / Bill Maki
Question about the role of the Graduate Committee in making recommendations about Graduate Assistant
positions. Appeared to be a conflict in what had been stated (that the Graduate Committee should make a
recommendation) and graduate committee members’ understanding that they were not to be involved in this
process. Martin will clarify.
15. Scheduling Consultant update
Patrick Guilfoile
Patrick indicated that a consultant is being hired in a limited role to make recommendations about improving
scheduling in one department, with a focus on minimizing course conflicts for students.
16. Fixed Term prior consideration
Chris Brown / Marybeth Christenson Jones
This was addressed in the context of the checklist for unclassified positions- we indicated that we are following
the contract on this.
17. Load report
Chris Brown
A hard copy was supplied to Chris regarding faculty teaching courses for no load credit. Patrick forwarded an
electronic version the following day.
18. 19B money usage
Bill Maki
The IFO agreed that tangible items purchased with 19B or other University funds need to be shipped to the
University. Questions were addressed about the appropriate method of paying for items, whether there had been
a denial of purchases. IFO questioned who makes determination if request is or is not related to a faculty
member’s field of study. No faculty member has been denied use of 19B funding for purchasing equipment or
software.
19. Initial Salary Placement Formula
Chris Brown
We indicated we are following MnSCU guidelines for placement, and that initial salary was not equal for starting
positions in all departments. We indicated we would follow up with further information about the process for
making a salary determination.
20. Graduate Education
Chris Brown
Question about the status of graduate education- would the administration use the program indicators to eliminate
programs with low enrollments. Patrick stated that the indicators were intended for departmental self-reflection to
consider how they could make those programs more sustainable, and that there were no plans to use the
indicators at this time for program prioritization. He also indicated that if the budget situation does become
problematic decisions about resource utilization would need to be made.
21. Handicap Parking Reimbursement
Chris Brown
Bill indicated that this was in progress. All those that paid additional parking fee were contacted regarding
reimbursement.
REGULAR SCHEDULED MEET & CONFER MEETINGS – APRIL – MAY 2014:
APRIL 30, 2014 - 4-6 pm - Deputy 301A
MAY 7, 2014 - 4-6 pm - Deputy 301A
Cancelled