The Executive Committee met on October 5, 2005 and heard a presentation by The Oliver Group, a possible consultant for the President evaluation. A formal proposal will be requested from The Oliver Group and at least one other consultant before a final decision. The committee will meet again on November 11, 2005.

The Board of Regents met on October 5, 2005. New officers were elected: Hunter Bates, Chair; Cynthia Rogers, Vice Chair; and Gary Abney, Secretary. Several reports were received including the following: President Glasser, William Clements for the EKU Foundation, James Street (project update and capital plan), Debbie Newsom (Budget update), J Rezaie (SACS and Strategic Planning), J. Foster (Capital Campaign). Action included approving 1) an amendment to the Board Bylaws (separating the functions of Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Finance and Planning Committee), 2) personnel decisions, 3) a uniform tuition rate of $350/credit hour for J & S on-line program, 4) permission to pursue the development of a joint Educational Doctorate Program with WKU, 5) amendments to the faculty handbook (previously approved by the Faculty Senate), 6) an amendment to the campus residence requirement, and 7) degree candidates for December 2005 graduation.

REPORT FROM COSFL: Senator Ware
The following were elected as new officers: President Carol Bredemeyer (NKU); Vice President Terry Irons (Morehead); Treasurer Carolyn Siegel (EKU); and Secretary Tucker Landry (KSU).

An issue referenced in an October Special Newsletter to KTRS participants was brought up. Western Kentucky University's Faculty Senate expressed displeasure that the university is required by statute to make annual payments to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System (KTRS) as a result of legislation enacted in 1994 creating the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). The newsletter mentioned a possible lawsuit; however, they are not pursuing this avenue as the payments arrangement appears to have legal standing. What is being evaluated is the source of the funds for the payments. It appears that universities are not required to deduct this amount from retirement program participants as is being done at present, so the question arises as to whether the dispute is with KTRS or with the universities. A study was done and the approximate impact of funding the KTRS payments amounts to $2,000 per ORP participant. The Murray faculty senate is hoping to get the state legislature to impose some caps on the amount taken to fund this.

Mark Wattier, new Faculty Representative to the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) announced that:

Following the COSFL meeting, representative Wattier distributed an e-mail inquiry to COSFL representatives asking for feedback on changing CPE program productivity review from every two years to every four years. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

REPORT FROM THE PROVOST: Senator J. Chapman
Senator Chapman reported that the Strategic Plan is in final draft form and is posted on the Strategic Planning website. Please look over, evaluate it, and share any comments with your constituents. Senator Chapman commended Dr. Rezaie for her leadership on the strategic planning process.

At the last Senate meeting, Senator Chapman proposed giving 50 $5,000 faculty recognition awards with the $250,000 that has been made available for recognizing outstanding faculty achievement. Two forums were recently held to gain faculty input. One group was for the awards, and one group preferred the funds to be dispensed as merit. If used for merit, the money disappears. However, if distributed as non-recurring awards, the fund could be available on an annual basis. Senator Chapman will continue to discuss the issue with the Welfare Committee.

REPORT FROM STUDENT GOVERNMENT: Mario Anderson reported for Kyle Moon
SGA recently sponsored a concert with rapper Fat Joe. In addition, SGA held a Vice President forum to answer students' questions on academic advising on campus.

EKU students recently participated in "Listen Up Legislators" where students across the Commonwealth were encouraged to contact the different representatives and senators in support of higher education.

A diversity forum is scheduled tonight at 5 p.m. in the Combs Building Grise Room. Senate representatives will speak and answer questions about different multi-cultural issues and events.

SGA is creating an official "Cheer Squad" for EKU in an effort to boost attendance at EKU athletic events. SGA also plans to hold rallies for students and faculty outside Alumni Coliseum prior to every home game.

SGA is working closely with Media Resources to make channel 76, the campus TV channel, available 24 hours a day. The future goal is to tape all campus events and air them on channel 76.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Rules Committee. Senator Johnson reported that the Rules Committee continues to work on the creation of a Senate Curriculum Committee. The proposal for the Undergraduate sub committee is basically ready, but we are awaiting a response from the Graduate Dean and Graduate Council.

The committee also continues to work on the Senate Rules, Internal Procedures, and the Faculty Handbook.

In addition, a motion will be brought forward later in the meeting to bring the Faculty Handbook section on class syllabi up-to-date.

Rights & Responsibilities Committee. Senator Robles was elected as chair of the committee.

The committee met a couple of weeks ago with the Academic Integrity process committee and discussed the Academic Integrity process. The committee will submit the Academic Integrity Proposal for review at the next Executive Committee meeting.

Elections Committee. Senator Randles announced that the Board approved the Senate's motion for a Vice Chair position and nominations will be asked for later in the meeting.

Senator Randles announced that February's For the Good of the Order topic will be to discuss ways to streamline the May Senate election process.

Faculty Welfare Committee. Senator Collins reported that the committee has spent a lot of time discussing the faculty achievement awards issue. The other topic occupying a lot of time is whether or not to move forward with a faculty ombudsman.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Lectureship Proposal. Senator Robles moved, seconded by Senator J. Chapman, to approve the lectureship motion. The majority of the Senate were in favor and the motion carried.

Motion to Approve Promotion and Tenure Report. Senator Collins moved, seconded by Senator Yoder, to approve amendment 1. (Click here to view complete PDF file of amendments proposed by the Chairs Association.)

Amendment 1. Public record of exceptions to tenure and promotion policy: Recommend a change in language but not intent of #7, page 6 Summary "The Provost and deans shall ensure that exceptions agreed upon are documented at the time of a faculty member's initial appointment, or there after, in a full-time, tenure track position are recognized and applied in the review of applications for promotion or tenure."

The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion for amendment 1 carried.

Senator Collins moved, seconded by Senator Ault, to approve amendment 2.

Amendment 2. Flexible tenure timelines for family and professional development conflicts: Recommend "Policies include flexible timelines for tenure that includes entitlement of all tenure track faculty (male or female) to stop the tenure clock for a maximum of two one-year periods for specified* family obligations and/or professional-educational development. These extensions would be available whether or not the faculty member was on leave and policy would make explicit that taking such extensions would not impose any greater demands upon the faculty at the time of the tenure decision. (*Criteria to be established in the policy governing this change if adopted.)

The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion for amendment 2 carried.

Senator Collins moved, seconded by Senator Hyndman, to approve amendment 3.

Amendment 3. Flexibility in University Promotion and Tenure Committee membership: Recommend "Membership on college and university level Promotion and Tenure committees shall be limited to tenured faculty members with the rank of Associate or Full Professor."

The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion for amendment 3 carried.

Senator Collins moved, seconded by Senator Reed, to approve amendment 4.

Amendment 4. External evaluations: Recommend "Departments may mandate external review for promotion and tenure if they so choose and are approved by their college Promotion and Tenure Committees."

The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion for amendment 4 carried.

Senator Collins moved, seconded by Senator Konkel, to approve amendment 5.

Amendment 5. First year evaluations: Recommend "Formal evaluations of first-year tenure-track faculty be completed in the second year of employment; but, that informal feedback to the faculty member be provided by the chair and/or the appropriate department committee prior to the University renewal decision deadlines."

Senator Kristofik moved, seconded by Senator Sanchez, to postpone amendment 5 to be re written and distributed to senators prior to the December Senate meeting. The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion to postpone carried.

Senator Collins moved, seconded by Senator May, to approve amendment 6.

Amendment 6. Promotion prior to tenure: Recommend removal of provision to mandate tenure and promotion reviews to be held concurrently.

Senator Jones moved, seconded by Senator Kristofik, to postpone amendment 6 to the December Senate meeting. The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion to postpone carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

New Joint Degree Report. Dean Marlene Helm was in attendance to give an updated report on the progress of creating a joint Ed.D. degree with Eastern and Western.

Senate Vice Chair. Senator C. Jackson nominated Senator Johnson for the position of Senate Vice Chair. The actual election will be held at the December meeting.

Council on Academic Affairs. Senator Chapman

Senator Chapman moved, seconded by Senator Eakin, to approve the Aviation major revision to rename the option. The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion carried.

Syllabus Motion. Senator Johnson moved, seconded by Senator Collins, to approve the motion to update the syllabus motion in the faculty handbook. The majority of the Senate were in agreement and the motion carried.

Clinical Lectureship. Senator Fister moved, seconded by Senator Shasby, to approve the addition of a clinical faculty line. Senator Siegel declared the motion substantive and postponed discussion to the December meeting.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:

The topic of discussion was "Streamlining Senate agendas and meetings".

Senator Dieckmann suggested that standing committee reports should be distributed with the agenda and attachments. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Senate that all reports should be submitted prior to the meeting and distributed along with the agenda and attachments. The individuals submitting reports should be available at the Senate meeting to answer questions.

Senator Jones suggested changing the order of the Senate discussion to have unfinished business listed first on the agenda.

ADJOURNMENT:

Senator Chapman moved to adjourn at approximately 5:30 p.m.

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