MUW - Faculty Senate Minutes

Members present: Bonnie Oppenheimer, V.P.–presiding (A&S); Brian Anderson, Sec. (A&S); Jimena Aracena (A&S); Shawn Dickey (A&S); Richard Holden (ED/HS); Ellen Jackson (ED/HS); Dee Larson (BUS); Scott McKenzie (CAI); Glenn Rhyne (BUS); Jim Roth (ED/HS); Cathy Smith (NSLP); Theresa Sparks (NSLP); Cathy Young (LIB)

Guests present: Sam Gingerich (Provost/VPAA); Paul Sharpe (MUW student/Spectator reporter)

Members absent: Tom Velek, Pres. (A&S); Lea Helen Evans (NSLP); Van Roberts (A&S); Robert Swanson (NSLP)

2. Three new agenda items were added: Institutional Research surveys; a request for a new Senate meeting place; IHL Board procedures for presidential searches.

Name	College	$	Conference	Participation
Todd Bunnell	A&S	150	Teaching English as a Second Language (Tampa)	attend
Marty Hatton	A&S	350	Southern States Communication Assn.	present

A. Administrative Council: The Senate president was absent at the last meeting–no report.

* Decorum Survey: The Special Issues Committee has drafted the survey. Discussion: Jackson–The Committee added a question on noise in classroom buildings and the library. We intend to deliver the survey on line. Anderson–Perhaps the last question (re: what should be done about “inappropriate” behavior) could include a list of options, such as W administration, Sodexho, W students (self-policing option). Gingerich–I believe the last question should be left open-ended. The administration has no legal basis for addressing most of these instances of “inappropriate” behavior, but perhaps students can offer creative solutions. Dickey–You may want to add a question on cell phone usage in class and in the halls. Young–Do any of you allow food and drink in classes? It’s become quite a problem in the library. Sparks–We don’t allow them if there are computers in the room. Oppenheimer–Also, we prohibit them in carpeted classrooms. McKenzie–In-Class Planet is an excellent tool for delivering on-line surveys.

A. Gate closings: People have expressed concern that when gates are closed before night classes conclude, they may be separated from their cars. It’s inconvenient and unsafe. The W police policy is to lock driving gates at 7pm and pedestrian gates at 10pm, but people have found that these times vary. Discussion: Aracena–I believe all gates should not be locked until 10pm. The Senate should make such a request of the campus police and see how they respond. Vote: The Senate voted unanimously to have Tom Velek draft a letter to the W police requesting a 10pm locking time.

B. Direct debit for parking fees: It would be more convenient if parking fees were debited out of one’s paycheck. One presently gets the tag at the police station but must walk over to the Comptroller to pay for it, and sometimes people forget. Discussion: Holden–Could the University develop an on-line credit card payment option? Young–If it did, would the parking tags be delivered to us or would we still have to walk to the police station? Gingerich–A request for on-line payment options could be made to Nora Miller (VPFA). Vote: The Senate tabled this item, so members could check to see what on-line payment options already exist on the W website.

C. Dr. Gingerich: The current draft of the Academic Master Plan is posted on the W website. It was discussed at Academic Council and is under campus-wide review now. A campus meeting regarding the program reviews in the AMP is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 7 at 3:30pm in the Nissan Auditorium. Another meeting will follow, which will seek comment on an executive summary of the AMP. The summary will be presented to the Senate in March for its approval. We are still receiving a few comments on the program reviews only. I am encouraging everyone to see the AMP as a planning document with a 5-10 year window. It will help us comply with the IHL Board’s periodic review of “underperforming programs” (undergraduate programs that award under 30 degrees in 5 years; graduate programs that award under 18 degrees in 5 years).

D. Institutional Research Surveys: There are concerns about the burden of administering Institutional Research surveys during class time. Discussion: Aracena–These surveys take at least 30 minutes to administer, so often a whole class period is lost. The department chair doesn’t have input on whose classes are chosen. Gingerich–The surveys are tied in with SACS requirements and the findings are incorporated into university planning. The IR office selects particular classes to get a representative sample of 600 students. Oppenheimer–I would be much happier if we were notified earlier that our class has been tagged for the surveys. Then we could adjust our class schedule accordingly. Vote: The Senate voted unanimously to have Tom Velek draft a letter to the Institutional Research office asking them to notify instructors at the end of the semester previous to the semester the surveys will be distributed.

E. Senate meeting place: Concerns have been raised about Building 65. Discussion: Smith–It’s cold in here in the winter and hot in the early fall/late spring. Could we find a better building? Aracena–It also seems wasteful to only use this building once a month. I don’t know of any other committee/council that uses this building. Gingerich: Keep in mind that there is a history behind this building. The MUW Faculty Senate once desired a meeting place separate from campus. Smith–But if it’s cold on Feb. 24 we might want to meet in Martin Hall, in one of the meeting rooms.

F. Presidential searches: Higher Ed Commissioner Tom Meredith designed a presidential search process to replace the retiring Charles Lee (MSU) that is raising faculty concerns. After seeking limited faculty input, and with only one faculty member on the search advisory committee, the IHL Board will choose a candidate without ever bringing him/her to campus. The search consultant hired to assist the Board states that secrecy allows the highest quality candidates to compete, because they do not fear retaliation at their present jobs. Discussion: Larson–The IHL Board has always had the final say on presidents. How much does faculty input really matter? Anderson–It counts as a point of democracy. Even though presidents are hired to be fund raisers and liaisons with government, faculty want assurance that the individual won’t be dysfunctional on campus. Holden–I don’t see how full secrecy can be maintained in such a high-profile process. Oppenheimer–There are compromises being made at MSU right now. Meredith will soon announce that the finalist for MSU will visit campus and meet with students, staff, faculty and other constituent groups. Anderson–The USM Faculty Senate has just drafted a letter in support of openness in presidential searches. Should we do the same? Maybe we should begin with a survey of faculty to be sure they support this position and send a letter if the survey results warrant it. McKenzie–The survey should be administered as soon as possible. Anderson–I volunteer to write a simple faculty survey and bring the draft to the Feb. meeting.