West Campus Faculty Senate Minutes
October 14, 2004
PRESENT: Maryke Lee (presiding), Gene Adams, Jennifer Britton, Randy Grosch, Shannon Hellard, Gloria Hines, Terri Johnsen, Dan Kimble, Terry Long, Brian Macon, Sue Matthews, Stan Melnick, Mary Sugeir
GUESTS: George Dow, Fran Frierson
CALL TO ORDER: President Maryke Lee called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. It was requested that the word “bogus” under New Business be changed to “inauthentic”. Minutes were approved as amended.
OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Revisions: A motion was made to have the following revisions made to the Constitution: 1) List department names; 2) change at-large position for College Wide Faculty Association; 3) delete part-time professors and other professionals from Section 1A. Motion passed.
Honors Issues: Susan Matthews reported that almost 500 students are listed in the system as having received Honor’s degrees when their names were never submitted by the Honors Program. The problem has been reported to the CLO and has yet to be fixed. Stan Melnick proposed that the Faculty Senate ask the CLO to fix these records and restore authenticity of the Honors degrees.
Atlas Issue: The Senate asked that the college look into ways this situation is handled at the university level and take the information gathered to Curriculum Committee and the CLO.
Overloading of Classes: The senate discussed the effect overloading classes is having on student learning. Concern was expressed that faculty bear the burden when there is a need for increased revenue. Susan Matthews asked that it be noted that faculty got a raise but also dealt with increased enrollment in classes. Dr. Gastenveld added that the Provost’s have been newly charged with enrollment management and that they are tightening up on enrollment. She also reported that a new Cognos report will help deans plan by letting them know how many students have paid by a certain date.
PROVOST’S REPORT:
· Renovations are continuing on schedule in Buildings 3 and 5. In trying to be proactive, the PEC demolition has begun early.
· Construction workers have found unexpected difficulties and have had to leave faculty in those buildings with air conditioning. The provost’s office have identified areas in the LRC that faculty can work but they will still have access to their offices.
· Dr. Gastenveld asked that faculty be patient, things will be much better very soon.
· December 17 (evening) and 18 have been identified as make-up days for Friday evening and Saturday classes lost during the hurricanes. Grades will not be due until 12 noon on Sunday, December 19.
NEW BUSINESS:
· DLAG membership: Listing was distributed to senators.
· Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement: Faculty will be involved in the pilot.
· Interim Progress Notification Edits: Packets were distributed.
· Recommendation for Course Outline Process: Packets were distributed and faculty were asked to send feedback directly to President Lee.
· Nominations: Gloria Hines reported that Graeme Lindbeck, Paul Licata and Tim Williams are on the ballot for Vice President/President-elect. Senator at-large nominees are Fran Frierson, Steve Muller and Joan Alexander. Lana Powell has been nominated as the Business, Behavioral and Social Sciences representative. Fitzroy Farquharson has been nominated as the Mathematics representative. Either Terry Long or Geroge Rausch will be the Engineering representative. Suzanne Lynch will be the new LRC representative. Stan Melnick moved to have the candidates for vice-president submit bios for distribution to faculty before the election since many of the new faculty may not know all of the nominees.
Stan Melnick made a motion that the two at-large positions at the College Wide Faculty Association be open instead of having one be the secretary of the campus Faculty Senate. Both motions passed.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
· President Lee reported that the senate’s request for an increase in the parking fine will go the Board of Trustees for approval in December.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
At-Large: Senators discussed rumors that the Provost has asked faculty to change grades. President Lee will discuss with the Provost.
Engineering: Shannon Hellard discussed the validity of Rate My Professor.com. Faculty noted that anyone is able to challenge any rating. It was discussed that student evaluation of instruction be placed on atlas for review.
ADJOURNMENT:
President Lee adjourned the meeting at 3:05 p.m.
The next meeting will be November 11 at 1:15 p.m. in Room 1-151.