Faculty Senate Minutes 2014-15
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Minutes
Fort Lewis College Faculty Senate
29 April 2015, 2:30-3:30 pm, 130 Noble Hall
Senators present: Nancy Cardona, Beverly Chew, Ginny Davis, Betty Dorr, Mary Ann
Erickson, Kathy Fine-Dare, Michael Fry, Kris Greer, Andy Gulliford, Tony Holmquist, Erik
Juergensmeyer, Melissa Knight-Maloney, Michael Martin, Carrie Meyer, Kenny Miller, Dugald
Owen, Ellen Paul, Jen Rider, Kaori Takano, Deborah Walker, Laurie Williams
Senators absent: David Blake, Sandy Gilpin, Justin McBrayer, Astrid Oliver
Guests: Brad Clark, Erin Lehmer, Bill Mangrum, Barbara Morris, Amy Sellin, Carol Smith,
Kelly Stanley
President Dugald Owen called Senate to order at 2:30 pm.
I. Announcements
Two events this week:
Friday 4-5:30 Celebration of Undergraduate Achievement and
Saturday morning is Commencement
II. Consent items
A. Minutes
Approved by consent.
III. Action items and reports
A. APC policies (Cathy Simbeck)
1. Development of an Undergraduate Certificate Program
Mary Ann Erickson moved; Beverly Chew seconded. No discussion. Motion
passed; 1 against, 1 abstention.
2. Requirements for Award of an Undergraduate Certificate
Mary Ann Erickson moved; Beverly Chew seconded. Discussion. Kenny Miller
asked about the word “discrete” regarding credits. It just means that minors
cannot also get a certificate. Motion passed; 2 abstentions.
3. Faculty Qualifications policy.
Beverly moved; Mary Ann seconded. Discussion. Mary Ann asked if it is the
intention of the policy to follow HLC guidelines. Cathy said yes. Erik
Juergensmeyer pointed out the word “guidance” in the HLC document and the
phrase “possess a degree relevant to what they are teaching.” He would like the
FLC policy to be changed to include the spirit and wording of the HLC document
instead. Erik noted that the word “typically” got changed to “must” in the FLC
policy version—re: faculty holding a master’s degree. He would like to see the
word “typically” replace the FLC policy version which has the word “must.” He
believes the spirit of the HLC document will be followed. He made a friendly
motion; Kathy Fine-Dare seconded. Provost Barbara Morris says that this HLC
document was guidelines for a more robust conversation and that it was put out a
year ago. Andy Gulliford is impressed by HLC’s note that faculty have oversight
of the curriculum and he would like to see our administration allow that. Provost
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Morris noted that she had similar concerns and was told by her liaison that faculty
should have the terminal degree in their field. Dean Maureen Brandon added that
she attended sessions about the small pool of teachers in rural locations… and she
was told that the expectation was that the school should hire somebody to teach a
distance course/online. Provost Morris said they were told that there could be no
“grandfather” policy, for long-time faculty to be allowed to stay on, even if they
have received tenure here. Dean Brandon said she heard the same thing in her
meetings with HLC. Carrie Meyer supports Erik’s suggestion of changing
“within the discipline” to “relevant.” It allows for flexibility to approve folks to
teach a course, i.e. someone with an exercise science degree be allowed to teach
the biology anatomy course. Erik wants to strike from the FLC policy the line “in
which [they] will teach” to “relevant to what they are teaching”, which comes
from the HLC document. Carrie says the HLC website has the same wording as
the document that senators are using for terminology. Friendly amendment:
passed; 1 abstention.
Andy would like more discussion on the interdisciplinary parts of the FLC policy
draft. He is concerned about programs such as environmental studies. He wants
language to help HLC understand that we have to be flexible with the faculty we
have. Dean Brandon says there is a sentence that says “terminal degree in fields
that contribute to an interdisciplinary program” because they were very conscious
of FLC’s interdisciplinary programs. Andy would still like to see the language
from the HLC document incorporated. Kris Greer moved; Andy seconded to add
a friendly amendment to add the highlighted HLC wording to the FLC policy.
Kenny wonders how it changes the document because it doesn’t say “teaching
experience.” Laurie Williams agrees. Also moved on the document will be the
examples of types of experience, i.e. teaching, licensure exams. Kenny notes that
“teaching experience” is not “tested.” Kris likes the word “tested” in terms of
experience. Beverly asked about adding teaching evaluations or teaching
performance review. Provost Morris wonders about adding something about
“research” and is concerned that just “teaching” experience may not be enough.
Cathy added the phrase “performance review.” Motion passed; 1 against.
Kathy is concerned about #4 and the wording “significant body of work.” She’d
like to see “peer review of scholarly and creative contributions to the fine arts or
interdisciplinary fields.” Dean Brandon says the original wording comes from the
HLC policy. Kathy made it a friendly amendment; Erik seconded. Nancy
Cardona is concerned that writers aren’t covered by the term “fine arts.” Tony
Holmquist is also concerned because graphic design is also not considered a “fine
art.” Erik suggests to add wording: “[a field] relevant to what they are
teaching.” Dean Brandon says that she assumed “fine arts” included writing and
visual arts. The wording “expressive arts” will be added. Motion passed.
Jen Rider asked about language competency, especially in terms of recognition by
tribal elders or how we will measure that. Dean Brandon does not know what it
would look like.
Beverly’s motion to accept this document: passed.
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B. Resolution on approval of gtPathways/LAC courses
Nancy moved to consider this resolution; Michael Martin seconded. Provost Morris says she
prepared a document to address concerns. Handed out “Background and Criteria for Approving
gtPathway Courses spring 2015.”
Nancy moved to extend the meeting 15 minutes; Laurie seconded. Motion passed.
Erik noted that #4, the appeals process is a point of concern for several members of the LAC
council. Beverly is most concerned that things changed, the process, while the LAC council was
already considering courses. Andy is concerned that courses were prevented from going forward
to the LACc even though they meet the mission and strategic plan of the college and most of the
other criteria. The fact that these courses are being blocked by the administration is baffling.
Kathy noted that some are troubled about the inconsistencies in the evaluating of courses, see
English Dept courses. Of the 15 or so rejected courses, they focus on diversity and
interdisciplinarity, which if they are not approved would mean the LACc would have to reevaluate the criteria for the LAC program.
Nancy showed us a chart of English Department courses that show how the criteria were applied
inconsistently. She does not understand how the criteria were used. Provost Morris suggested
that an error may have been made. Kathy recognizes the work that the administration had in
evaluating all the courses and the misunderstandings that might occur at the faculty level. She
would like to see an appeals process, class by class.
Andy emphasized the importance of diversity and helping our students understand it.
Motion for the resolution passed; 2 abstentions.
-elp
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