Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

University of Southern Colorado

April 16, 2001

AY 2000-2001

The regular meeting of the Faculty Senate was held on Monday, April 16, 2001, at 3:04 p.m. in the Ether Arthur Conference Room – Library 106.

Members Present:

G. Abrahamson, M. Avina, K. Brown, J. Browne, J. De Palma, J. Dorsch, M. Druelinger, J. Fogelquist, J. Goodman, V. Hansen, M. Hoots, E. Medina, G. Miller, E. O’Leary, G. Orr, N. Osborn, P. Otis, H. Regassa, W. Sauer, P. Sefovic, D. Sullivan, T. Taylor, L. Valerio, and W. Wright

Members Absent:

A. Tate, S. Calhoun-Stuber, P. Frye, R. Joyce, M. Lucero, and S. Ebersole

Parliamentarian:

E. O’Leary

Guests:

T. Guerrero, B. Montgomery, J. Cornelison, S. Hudock, J. Derr, J. Seilheimer, J. Griffin, D. Spenny, R. Saul, and C. Foust

CALL TO ORDER

Senate President Browne called the meeting to order at 3:04pm.

II. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The agenda was approved without objection.

III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Without objection, the minutes from the March 19, 2001 Faculty Senate meeting were approved.

INFORMATION AND ACTION ITEMS

Faculty Senate President J. Browne

J. Browne welcomed everyone in attendance and announced that this is the last meeting of the AY00-01 Faculty Senate. He also stated that the AY01-02 Faculty Senate will meet immediately after the current Faculty Senate adjourns at the end of this meeting.

A draft of the USC Strategic Plan will be provided to the campus community for comment before the end of the semester. In addition, the Strategic Planning Committee is planning to conduct roundtable discussions to provide further opportunity for faculty and staff comments during the Fall 2001 Convocation in August of 2001.

B. President – Dr. Guerrero

The President expressed appreciation to all senators completing their terms, and to new and continuing senators, welcoming them to the new-year.
Administration has been looking at faculty salary increases, and has created a model projecting a 4% faculty salary increase. This 4% is contingent on reallocating $426,000 in other areas of the University budget and through cost savings in operating expenses. He will meet with the academic units on campus to provide faculty an overview of the University’s 2001-2001 budget.

C. Provost – Dr. Montgomery

Dr. Montgomery stated that requiring mid-term student grade reports has been discussed in both the Academic and Dean’s Councils.

Dr. Montgomery brought a proposal from the Enrollment Management Council to institute midterm grade reports, especially for first-year students. J. Browne indicated that APSB should study the issue and report back to the Senate.

D. Records Office – Jennifer Cornelison

M. Hoots motioned to accept the potential summer graduation list that was circulated. W. Sauer seconded. There was no discussion and the motion carried. Ms. Cornelison stated that April 20^th is the deadline date for fall graduation planning sheets.

APSB – Mr. Paul Sefcovic

P. Sefcovic asked for Faculty Senate approval on the draft copy of the "Rights and responsibilities for creative works" that was submitted to the Faculty Senate at the last meeting. Discussion took place regarding several items. J. Browne stated that the draft was more faculty-friendly in comparison to the current policy in the Faculty Handbook. W. Wright moved, seconded by N. Osborn, to accept the draft. J. DePalma asked for clarification of use of university resources, especially the reference to faculty office, computer and standard software (e.g., Microsoft Word). There was further discussion of Section A.3.2 of the draft. P. Sefcovic suggested the second sentence "if allowed by software licensing" be modified and accepted as a friendly amendment by W. Wright. Section A.12.3 was edited to eliminate a typographical error. The amended motion passed. The draft will be forwarded to the Handbook Committee for faculty referendum.

P. Sefcovic brought forward the midterm grade issue, and indicated discussion had favored incorporation into the early-alert system (EAS). A lengthy discussion followed on how the EAS could be implemented. Dr. Montgomery spoke to the value of early faculty intervention for students having academic challenges. She stated that with first-time student enrollment up, retention is extremely important for maintaining adequate enrollment. Hoots mentioned the need to create an easy system for faculty to use. Miller suggested getting faculty input on the current EAS. Valerio suggested at least three assessments for faculty to evaluate at-risk students. There was apparent consensus to defer this issue until next year to allow APSB to study practicality of enhancing the EAS by requiring mid-term grades.

F. CAPB – Ms. Kathy Brown –

K. Brown distributed copies of the CAPB report.
W. Wright moved to amend a sentence in the CAPB report, seconded by Orr, to "maintain the Physics program at the necessary minimum level" (with 3 faculty members), and spoke to the necessity of the Senate supporting the Physics program.
J. Spenny made the point that Physics’ programs everywhere in the US tend to have low enrollments. K Brown moved, seconded by G. Orr, to accept the amended CAPB report. The motion passed with no additional discussion.
H. Regassa moved, seconded by Hoots, that Section C. (Business) be changed to indicate the prerequisite for Accounting 301 is either Acct. 200 or 201. There was no discussion and the motion carried.
The Faculty Senate accepted the CAPB report as amended.

G. Handbook Committee – Dr. Wolfgang Sauer –

J. Goodman distributed a draft proposal for rewording language in the Faculty Handbook proposing a method by which membership on committees could be reduced. Discussion took place and J. Goodman noted the urgency of moving this proposal forward. After additional discussion, W. Wright moved, seconded by J. Dorsch, to table further discussion on this issue until the Faculty Senate Retreat in August. Motion passed.
J. Browne talked about the need to improve the quality of work life at the University in relation to both the assignment of service and teaching loads. He also asked the Handbook Committee to address a faculty member’s concern discussed during a recent meeting of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee regarding the permissibility of Deans, or the Provost, in changing the grade assigned by a faculty member.

H. Committee on Committees – Mr. Gayle Abrahamson

The Administrative Evaluation has been completed.

I. Faculty Compensation Committee – Dr. Mel Druelinger

The Budget Board met and discussed budget reallocation and issues of faculty salary compression and faculty salary equity adjustments. W. Wright, budget board chair, said the Board has recommended to the administration to hold to the 4% projected salary increase for faculty, despite the projection of a tight budget.

General Education committee – Dr. Sam Ebersole – no report

SBA Representative – Mike Hoots

M. Hoots commented that the person who serves on the SBA is exposed to the big issues of the day, and we have a much greater influence on this board than originally thought.
J. Browne recognized M. Hoots for being an outstanding Faculty Senate Representative to the SBA and a "rousing" round of applause was given to him by all in attendance for his service.

L. CFAC Representative - Dr. Pauletta Otis – No Report

Unfinished Business – None

New Business – None

VII. Adjournment - Without objection the Senate meeting was adjourned at 4:34pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Sullivan Pamela Parrack

Secretary Recording Secretary