Faculty Senate Minutes
Thursday, April 2, 2009
3:15 PM to 5:00 PM, Chesapeake 105
1. Attendance: Please check-in on the attendance roster.
In attendance, Senate officers and delegates—Mark Hubley (FO President), Swazette Young (FO Vice
President), Len Sekelick (Liberal Arts), Vince Cipriani (WDCE), Kathi Linville (Nursing), Nicholas Plants
(at large), Barbara Sanders (Student Development Services), Alan Mickelson (Learning Resources),
Michelle Klein (Sciences and Engineering), Eldon Baldwin (at large), Rosanne Benn (Educational
Development), Christy Wright (Learning Resources), Daniel Jones (at large), Nelson Kofie (Social
Sciences), and Charles Thomas (Computer and Engineering Technology). Others in attendance—Bill
Rodgers and Peter Ezekwenna.
2. Review the Agenda for the 4/2/09 meeting.
The agenda was approved as written.
3. Review the Minutes of the 3/19/09 meeting.
The minutes were approved as written.
4. Calendar
Spring 2009 important dates
A. College closed or no classes
i) Presidents’ Day, college closed, Mon. 2/16
ii) Spring Break, college closed, Mon. 4/6—Sun. 4/12
B. Other important dates
i) Last day to withdraw from 15-week classes, Fri. 4/17
ii) Final exam week, Thu. 5/7—Wed. 5/13
iii) Grades due, Fri. 5/15
iv) Commencement, Thu. 5/21
April/May important dates
E. Senate meetings
i) Thu. 4/2, 3:15—5:00 PM, Chesapeake 105
ii) Thu. 4/16, 3:15—5:00 PM, Chesapeake 105
iii) Thu. 5/7, 3:15—5:00 PM, CAT???
F. Board of Trustees meetings
i) Thu. 4/2, 7:00 PM, Kent 262
ii) Thu. 5/14, 7:00 PM, Kent 262
G. College-wide Forum
i) Tue. 4/21, 2:00—3:30 PM, LSC B
ii) Tue 5/5, 2:00—3:30 PM, LSC B
iii) Tue 5/19, 2:00—3:30 PM, LSC B ???
H. Academic Council
i) Thu. 4/23, 3:00—5:00 PM, CAT 133
ii) Thu. 5/14, 3:00—5:00 PM, CAT 133
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5. Attachments
A.
B.
C.
D.
Minutes from the 3/19 meeting
Draft statement on reorganization
Memorandum regarding smoking policy
Salary & Benefits proposal
6. Reports
A. Senate President
Mark Hubley said that he, Nick Plants, and Eldon Baldwin had drafted a letter regarding reorganization.
Copies were distributed. In brief, the letter expresses concerns about the reorganization proceeding
without a clear underlying philosophy. Janet Carlson said the underlying philosophy needs to be student
success. Hubley said that may well be a consideration, but he has not heard things expressed in that
way. Christy Wright asked what was being said on the reorganization blog. Hubley said there are
concerns about how reorg will affect specific departments. These concerns are made worse if there is
not a clear rationale for changes. Is reorganization/reduction in departments primarily intended to make
us look like other community colleges? Hubley asked if the Senate wanted him to send the letter to
President Dukes. There was a motion to send the letter to Dukes, and the motion passed on a
unanimous vote.
Alan Mickelson had questions for Dukes: (1) When will the VP for Academic Affairs be selected? (2) The
latest Board of Trustees minutes suggested the Board will vote on supporting the Compensation Study in
principle; what are the principles on which they are voting? Hubley said he would investigate these
questions.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Senate Vice President
Academic Council
Representative from President’s Leadership Team
College-wide Forum
i) Representative from Faculty Organization
ii) Human Resources Committee
iii) Budget Advisory Committee
iv) Campus Culture Committee
v) Learning Committee
vi) Technology Steering Committee
vii) Strategic Planning Committee
viii) Assessment Committee
ix) Facilities Committee
F. Chairs’ Council
G. Adjunct Faculty
H. Representative from the Student Governance Board
7. Old Business
A. Salary & Benefits proposal
8. New Business
A. Discussion with Vice President Dunnington
Sandy Dunnington began with comments about reorganization. She was going to recommend that
selection of department chairs be postponed until reorganization was clear. This would give any newly
structured departments time to assess the situation and make their own recommendations about chairs.
Charlie Thomas asked Dunnington her opinion of what Dukes’ plans are. Dunnington said that Dukes is
weighing two models. She expects Dukes to present her plan in late April/early May. Hubley expressed
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the desire that whatever plan is put forward that it is presented with a clear purpose and that changes are
based on evidence of success. Dunnington said that the various options had been researched
extensively, for example looking at how they work at other colleges. Hubley said that reorganization has
been a topic of discussion for nearly two years; from the faculty perspective little appears to have
happened until this semester, but now things are happening very quickly. Dunnington said that some
changes may be phased in. Some changes, such as department reorganization, might not occur until
after July 1. Eldon Baldwin said he has not heard much about changes outside Academic Affairs. Are
changes being considered in other areas? Dunnington said changes in other areas are being considered.
There are also discussions about moving things in or out of Academic Affairs. For example, how will
advising be managed if/when faculty become part of the system? Academic Affairs is proposing to bring
in distance learning from Technology. Dunnington said that Dukes will continue to seek feedback. The
organizational structure is the prerogative of the president, and it is often the case that reorganization
occurs without any broad discussion.
Dunnington said that general education is a continuing topic of discussion. In the fall we need to look at
every general education course and continue to examine the general education core requirements. It has
recently become apparent that many of our general education courses were approved without attention to
state requirements. This situation needs to be remedied. In addition, our general studies option has
more required credits than the state allows. Barbara Sanders asked who will be in charge of general
studies? That program does not have a home.
Hubley raised the issue of mentoring. He mentioned a discussion with Dawn Wadud in which there was
confusion about the future of the mentoring program. Hubley said it was his understanding that there is
still the intent of getting all full-time faculty involved in academic advising of our students. Dunnington
said that she has concerns about the current mentoring program. Unless she sees better outcomes she
will have difficulty supporting the program in its current form. Hubley suggested we need a system that
requires students to meet with their mentors. Plants suggested that we need to think out of the box:
perhaps a four-year model is not right for us? Hubley suggested that many of our students (maybe the
ones who most need advising) are on a four-year plan with the intent of transferring. Dunnington said
that whatever happens will be integrated with Colleague. Baldwin asked if there is a mechanism that will
require students to meet with advisers before registration. Dunnington said she will look into that.
Dunnington concluded by mentioning that she was going to a meeting to discuss moving the library back
into Accokeek Hall. The contractors say the building will be ready for occupation by June and use by
students in the fall semester. In addition to the library, the TV studio will move in, graphic art, the
foundation, and perhaps technology resources. There will be a large area for new technology
development and training.
B. Smoking on campus
Hubley distributed a memo about smoking policies and said it will be discussed at a future meeting.
C. Last day to withdraw from class.
9. Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings
A. Discussion of tenure and promotion processes
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM.
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