The Faculty Senate of Eastern Kentucky University met on Monday,
September 10, 2001 in the South Room of the Keen Johnson Building. Senator
Schlomann called the first meeting of the academic year to order at 3:30 p.m.
Joanne Glasser,
President Elect; Teresa Belluscio; Kacey Coleman; Ken Johnston; Elizabeth
Wachtel; Nick Bertram, Student; and Erin Michalik, Student.
APPROVAL
OF THE MINUTES:
The April 30, 2001 minutes were approved with the following correction.
On page 3 under the Faculty Regent report, the eighth paragraph down should
read as follows: "The University budget was approved for the coming
year. The budget approved listed monies to address salary inequities, including
$150,000 for classified staff, none for contract staff, and $50,000 for
faculty, with additional monies requested through CPE pending." The
minutes were approved with the noted correction.
The
April 30, 2001 organizational minutes were approved as written.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Senator Schlomann announced that President Elect Joanne Glasser will meet
informally with the Faculty Senate members and guests from 2:30 p.m. to
3:30 p.m. on October 1 in Walnut Hall before the scheduled 3:30 p.m. Faculty
Senate meeting.
Senator
Schlomann mentioned that she and President Hughes would like to invite the
senators to the fall Faculty Senate dinner at the Mule Barn at Arlington
on Friday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. This year the members of the Board
of Regents have also been included in the invitations.
REPORT
FROM THE PRESIDENT: Senator Kustra
Senator Hughes welcomed the Senators back. He also welcomed President
Elect Glasser and indicated that the two of them are working closely together
during the interim period.
Senator
Hughes announced that Eastern has been approved for an on-line master's
degree in Loss Prevention and Safety.
Senator
Hughes reported that he will be making a recommendation to the Board of
Regents at its October meeting to modify the order of capital priorities
previously submitted. The modifications will be to move the new Business
and Technology building to the number one priority and the Student Wellness
Center to the number two priority.
Senator Hughes
requested the Senate to forward two names of individuals to appoint to
the new alcohol task force and to the new centennial committee as soon
as possible.
REPORT
FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Schlomann
The Executive Committee met for a called meeting on June 26 and met again
on August 27 for a regularly scheduled meeting. At
the June 26 meeting, The Executive Committee appointed the newly formed
Ad Hoc Committee on Compensation and Benefits to develop a long range
plan to correct salary inequities. The rest of the meeting focused primarily
on a budget report presented by Ken Johnston which would later be presented
to the Board of Regents. That report summarized the current status at
that time and also projected estimates of the budget.
The
second meeting was a regularly scheduled meeting on August 27. The September
10 Faculty Senate agenda was the primary discussion at this meeting.
REPORT
FROM THE FACULTY REGENT: Senator Thompson
Senator Thompson indicated that the Board is unanimous in expressing
pleasure in its choice of Dr. Eugene Hughes as Interim President. They seek
his advice both individually and collectively and they have spoken often
of appreciating his wisdom and his encouragement and his sense of humor.
The
Board was very pleased with the response of faculty and staff at the forums
held with candidates for president. In spite of the fact that the forums
were held during the first week of classes, many people did participate
and fill out the evaluations.
REPORT
FROM COSFL: Senator Falkenberg
The first COSFL meeting for the 2001-2002 year will be in Louisville on
Saturday, September 22. All of the faculty representative bodies of the
COSFL membership have now endorsed the COSFL statement on shared governance
that the Senate endorsed last spring.
Senator Falkenberg
indicated for the new Senate members that COSFL stands for the Coalition
of Senate and Faculty Leadership.
REPORT
FROM STUDENT SENATE: Nick Bertram
Mr. Bertram thanked the Senate members for the opportunity to attend the
meetings and he issued a standing invitation to the Senate chair to attend
any of the Student Senate meetings.
Mr.
Bertram introduced Erin Michalik as Chair of the Student Senate.
Organizational funding was a priority last year, and is a priority this
year. The Student Senate has $60,000 that they will be sending out to other
student organizations. Mr. Bertram indicated that the budgeting process
starts in the next couple of days when he and the student organizations'
presidents meet.
The
Student Senate has passed an alcohol policy. Mr. Bertram indicated it is
important for the University community to have a consistent alcohol policy.
The new policy is one that sets very clear standards and expectations and
most importantly has a very clear educational component. The policy will
be directed to the new alcohol task force that Dr. Hughes is in the process
of creating. Mr. Bertram expressed his belief that there should be a universal
policy that treats students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni and
visitors fairly.
Mr. Bertram reported that the Student Senate is still discussing some concerns
regarding the newly adopted plus/minus grading system.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS:
University Research Committee
Motion: Senator Schlomann stated that this was a motion that was
brought to the floor at the April 30 meeting and was postponed until the
September meeting for action. As a representative from the Committee was
not able to be present today, the Senate members were in agreement to postpone
until the October 1 meeting.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Elections
- Faculty
Rights and Responsibilities. Need to elect one member. Senator Callahan
was nominated, nominations were closed by acclamation and the Senate
members voted in favor of her nomination.
- Committee
on Committees. Need to elect one member. Senator Polmanteer was
nominated, nominations were closed by acclamation and the Senate members
voted in favor of her nomination.
- Budget
Committee. Need to elect one member. Senator Kristofik and Senator
Rainey were nominated. By ballot vote, Senator Rainey was elected to
serve on the Budget Committee.
Provost Report: Senator Marsden
- Senator
Marsden announced that there are two assessment workshops scheduled
for 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on September 12 and 13 in the East Room of
the Keen Johnson building. Faculty can attend the morning of one and
the afternoon of the other, in order to work it into their schedules.
- Senator
Marsden reminded the Senate members that he and Senator Schlomann will
be sending out a joint memo shortly regarding the new mid-term grades
policy.
- Senator
Marsden indicated that he, Senator Schlomann and President Hughes are
currently working on a policy which will live up to the intent of a
faculty senate motion approved last spring with regard to the market
adjustment funds ($50,000) which were set aside in the budget for faculty
salary adjustments. He indicated that it should be possible to come
up with a policy that stays true to the motion passed and yet will still
be consistent with the long term salary adjustment policy which should
be instituted later this year.
- Sick
Leave Policy. Senator Marsden indicated that this was brought
back to the Senate from the Board of Regents for input from the Senate.
Ken Johnston was present to explain the proposed changes to the Senate
members. The new policy basically would state in writing that the university
has the option to request a second doctor’s opinion, at the University’s
expense, for anyone requesting an extended period of sick time. At the
Senate’s recommendation, the sick leave policy will be modified
and brought back to the Senate again before action is considered.
- Council
on Academic Affairs Materials.
- Writing
Proficiency and UWR Proposal. Senator Marsden moved approval of the
proposal, seconded by Senator Harley. The motion was approved by the
Faculty Senate.
- After
a student takes the UWR three times and fails to meet the minimum
pass score then he or she must take ENG 099 (this should not add
more than one section per semester.
- Expand
the Writing Center to accommodate those that would be recommended
based on previous taking of the UWR and not meeting a minimum requirement
pass score after the first taking (should not require more than
one extra GA). Money to cover the expense would be provided by Trust
Funds for Enrollment and Retention.
- Senator
Marsden moved approval of a new B.S. major and minor in Earth Science
(Teaching) and a new BS major and minor in Physics (Teaching), seconded
by Senator Siegel. The motion was approved by the Faculty Senate.
- Senator
Marsden moved approval of a new certificate program in Real Estate,
seconded by Senator Harley. The motion was approved by the Faculty Senate.
- Senator
Marsden moved approval to suspend the Specialist in Education Degree
with a focus in Student Personnel Services in Higher Education, seconded
by Senator Slater. The motion was approved by the Faculty Senate.
- Foundation
Professor Process Proposal. Senator Marsden introduced the proposal
to modify the procedures for selecting Foundation Professors. Senator
Harley indicated that the reason for the requested change is to make
the process simpler in an effort to encourage more faculty to apply.
Senator Harley moved approval of the motion, seconded by Senator Miranda.
Senator Schlomann indicated that as this is a substantial motion, action
on the motion will be moved to the October 1 meeting.
Senator Schlomann did indicate that under item 3, there should be a
comma after the word department. A corrected version of the proposal
will be available on the web prior to the next meeting.
- Adding
Disability Statement to Course Syllabi. Senator Marsden indicated
that the disability statement should be listed on course syllabi. Teresa
Belluscio, from the Office of Individuals with Disabilities, and Kacey
Coleman, the University attorney, were present to answer questions concerning
the disability statement; and Ms. Coleman indicated the importance of
including the statement in the course syllabi as a means of protection
for the instructor.
ADJOURNMENT:
Senator Marsden made a motion to adjourn at 5:10 p.m.
Meetings