UFS#6
Approved February 17, 2004.
January 20 Minutes
Indiana State University
Faculty Senate 2004-05
Time:
Place:
Officers:
3:15 p.m.
HMSU, Dede III
Chairperson H. Hudson, Vice Chair S. Lamb, Secretary Sr. A. Anderson
Senators: J. Allen, C. Amlaner, V. Anderson, E. Bermudez, M. Brennan, J. Buffington,
K. Byerman, J. Conant, N. Corey, A. DiSalvo, B. Evans, A. Ford, B. Frank, J. Gatrell,
D. Gravitt, E. Hampton, M. Harmon, D. Hews, P. Hightower, C. Hoffman, N. Hopkins,
J. Hughes, R. Johnson, J. Kuhlman, C. MacDonald, C. Montanez, T. Mulkey, S. Pontius,
V. Sheets, S. Shure, Q. Weng, P. Wheeler
Absent: M. Bahr, D. Burger, R. McGiverin, M. Ould-Mey, S. Sharp
Ex-Officio: B. English
Visitors: S. Barton, M. Boyer
I. Administrative Report
B. English: relayed enrollment data—when compared to this time last year the Spring
2005 total enrollment is down by 370.
II. Chair Report
Chair Hudson:
1) “Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed your holidays. Already I can hardly recall
them. The semester is off and running. It will be a very busy semester for the
Faculty Senate, as these remarks will indicate. Last semester we dealt with several
controversial issues. With your continued careful consideration and commitment to
the work of faculty governance, we will be able to accomplish the work that will
come before us.
2) You (and all faculty) will soon be receiving a letter from me encouraging your
contribution to the Faculty Scholarship. This was established by the Senate several
years ago, and has only just achieved the level of funding needed to award the
scholarship. This year will be the first time. The SAC has developed a procedure
for awarding the scholarship. Please give generously to support our students. The
fund currently contains $18,109; it takes 25,000 to endow a scholarship.
3) You (and all faculty) will soon be receiving another letter from the Executive
Committee encouraging your response to the Satisfaction Survey which will
shortly be distributed by the AAC. Thanks to the AAC, especially Frank Bell and
Nora Hopkins, for their hard work revising the survey. Last year, in preparation
for this year, the Executive Committee charged AAC to make revisions. The AAC
has consulted local experts in survey design, looked at national surveys, and come
up with an improved instrument. The information gleaned from it will be
particularly useful to us as we set agendas and develop charges for standing
committees.
4) The President has given the go-ahead for the next steps in the laptop
implementation (but not before some rather lively discussion in the cabinet, I
think). Ed Kinley will be asking me to forward the names of at least six faculty to
serve on the implementation committee. We want to forward the names of
individuals representing a range of perspectives on this initiative. If you are
interested in serving, please let me, or a
member of the Executive Committee know. Ed has told me he plans to complete
the initial phase of information gathering by March. He, and the committee, will
be fully armed with all the questions raised here and in our standing committees. I
anticipate that he will be reporting back to the committees and responding to their
queries, as well as presenting that information to us.
5)
The deans’ reviews have commenced, according to the new procedures
approved by the Senate last spring. As called for there, the Provost has
communicated to the Senate Chairperson the schedule of reviews. Dean Foster
will be evaluated this spring; Deans Green and Michelfelder next year; and Deans
Bentil and McCallister in 2006-7.
6)
Earlier this month, members of the Executive Committee and standing
committees attended a retreat to further implementation of the Lilly grant for
promoting engagement, excellence, and community engagement. There was
useful discussion of how to achieve quality programs and student
accomplishments through experiential learning and community engagement.
There was also discussion of how best to support faculty and recognize work in
experiential learning and community engagement, particularly through tenure and
promotion. The verdict was pretty unanimous, and in keeping with the findings
of standing committees last year—it is a matter for departments to take up as
appropriate to their mission and discipline.
7)
The Trustees met last week. The agenda was light. They approved the new
Support Staff Council by-laws (Congratulation on this accomplishment, Don).
The main item was raising rental rates for residence halls and university
apartments. The description for this item read, in part, “the increase is needed to
fund compensation adjustments and increases in cost of health benefits.”
8)
The Executive Committee has been asked to forward to the Provost suggestions
for how we might encourage faculty attendance at commencement. The
Handbook does call for faculty attendance, but enhancing the role of faculty and
opportunities for interaction with students will probably do more. Please
communicate any suggestions to Exec.
9)
Executive Committee anticipates receiving the update on pay-for-performance
before the end of the month, as promised. It will then be reviewed by FEBC and
the Senate, as in past practice.
10) And, lastly, I want to welcome our new Senators: John Conant filling the seat of
Joe Tenerelli, Charles Amlaner filling the seat of Paul Burkett, and Elie Bermudez
filling the seat of Frank Bell. We thank you for your willingness to serve. There
have been several adjustments to the Standing Committees as well. The new
Senate membership and committees are posted on the Senate web site.”
III. SGA Report
Jessica Robertson: nominations for the new student trustee will be accepted Feb 7Mar 4; elections will be held Feb 21-23; general planning is underway for a new recreation
center.
IV. Fifteen Minute Open Discussion
1) Inquiry as to the current status of the pay for performance process. Chair Hudson
said that no response to her memo has been received from the President—hopeful for
a response before the end of the month. Responding to a question, B. English
affirmed that President Benjamin is committed to a 2% salary increment for 2005-06
and that the 2% would apply - - from the top down -- to all employees.
2) Noted that academic deans were not in attendance at today’s meeting.
3) Admissions turn around time—is it really 48 hours? Provost will respond.
4) Effects from enrollment decline discussed—noting the loss of international student
enrollments. Current practice is that distance education students are charged in-state
tuition.
5) Budget implications may result in some cancelled searches after the cutoff date.
V. Approval of the Minutes
Minutes of the December 16, 2004 meeting were approved. (Evans, DiSalvo 34-0-1)
VI. New Business
1) Senate Parliamentarian election: V. Sheets was elected by acclamation. (Lamb,
Shure 24-0-1)
2) Senate Executive Committee: Paul Hightower was elected for Spring 2005 by
ballot vote.
VII. Recommendations
Graduate Council: Graduate Studies Financial Awards Policy and Satisfactory
Academic Progress Guidelines
Guests were invited to the table by acclamation.
Approved as edited. (Hopkins, MacDonald 34-0-1)
M. Boyer provided background on the document: a prior version had been drafted
that incorporated federal and local financial aid requirements. However, the availability of
new expertise within the Office of Student Financial Aid resulted in modification to the
previous document. Elements of the existing policy and practice that has been in place for
many years has been incorporated into the document under consideration today.
A brief discussion followed. Concern expressed that students holding full-time
employment might be granted an assistantship, however, the focus is more on academic
progress.
VIII. Old Business
None.
IX. Standing Committee Reports
AAC: met twice; finalized the triennial Professional Satisfaction Survey.
AEC: met three times; made awards.
CAAC: no report.
FAC: met once; working on the Handbook language for special purpose and faculty;
received a subcommittee report on spousal hires.
FEBC: first meeting for this semester is planned for February 1.
Grad Council: completed work on the Graduate Studies Financial Awards Policy and
Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines on today’s agenda; working on the
transfer credit policy; search for an assistant dean is ongoing.
SAC: met once; completed work on the Faculty Scholarship application and the
scoring process.
URC: completed fall proposals; deadline for spring applications is Monday, Feb 1.
The meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m.