Faculty Senate Minutes
Western Oregon University
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 @ 3:30
Columbia Room, Werner University Center
I. Call to order and roll call 3:30
In Attendance: Mark Girod, Scott Beaver, Susan Daniel, Sue Dauer, Cheryl Davis, Bryan Dutton, Robert Hautala, Michael Phillips for Sandy Hedgepeth, Shaun Huston, Elaina Jamieson, Klay Kruczek, Roy Bennet, Elisa Maroney, John Minahan, David Murphy, Kent Neely, Dana Ulveland, Jason Waite, Peggy Pedersen, Joe Harchanko, Katherine Schmidt, Mark Van Steeter, Curt Yehnert
II. Corrections and approval of minutes from April 14th, 2009 meeting
Action: Minutes approved.
III. Reports of the presidents
Faculty Senate President Report: Mark Girod
Senate Executive Committee referred a number of items to subcommittees: the Committee on Committees has reviewed the 'D' designation report and will be bringing the outcomes of the review to the next Executive Committee meeting; AIC will deliver a report of the traditional wish list for the next biennium; the New Faculty Awards Committee is now fully formed and working on the two Pastega Awards.
Senate election procedures were shared and senators were asked that new division senators be elected and that current and new senators attend the next two senate meetings.
President John Minahan's report:
The Focus North West visit will take place April 29th. The evaluator will look to see that our university has made assessment part of our culture and that we have made advancements since last year.
Professor Wiengard, visiting professor, with an expertise in learning and teacher education will be staying in the President's house for a couple of months.
A workshop will be put together that will inform faculty and staff about email use.
Our Spring term student numbers have increase by 440 students over last year at this time. We currently have over 5100 students enrolled this term.
Staff Senate, Jennifer Hansen's Report
No report
ASWOU President, Max Beach's Report:
ASWOU will be having campaigns and holding elections next week.
We are also participating in a picture taking campaign that will be going state-wide.
Student pictures and stories will be shared with the legislature.
An ASWOU news letter will be going out to students and faculty.
Twenty students showed up for the Ways and Means Roadshow.
Provost Kent Neely's Report
No Provost's Council Meeting was held last week. A report will be given at the next Senate meeting.
IV. Old Business
Math: Klay Kruczek
In an attempt to assist math education minor students pass the Middle School Mathematics Praxis Exam, the Math department proposed requiring MTH 392 or MTH 111, MTH 494 and MTH 495 in the Mathematics Education Minor.
Action: Senate unanimously agreed to pass the changes in the Mathematics Education Minor.
Music: Joe Harchanko
Students feel as though they would be better prepared for the full sequence of doing a senior capstone project if they have had an experience at the junior level. In order to make that possible, it was proposed to withdraw an upper level elective and substitute the junior seminar to permit a junior recital.
It was also propose that the Bachelor of Music, with an emphasis in music theatre, will be require to take Ethnomusicology. We would also be eliminating the instrumental portion 154/354 sequence.
Action: Senate unanimously agreed to pass the Music proposal.
German Studies: Curt Yehnert
German Studies proposed increasing the credit amount for courses German 199, German 399, and German 499 from 1-3 credits to 1-6 credits to facilitate students' ability to travel abroad.
Action: Senate unanimously agreed to pass the Music proposal.
Political Science: Ed Dover
The Political Science Department proposed the addition of a concentration area (Public Policy and Administration) due to strong student requests, the evolution of WOU's faculty and their interests, and the growth of health policy and administration as a career option. This change does not require any new faculty or resources.
Action: Senate unanimously agreed to accept the Political Science Department's request to add a new concentration area (Public Policy and Administration).
V. New Business
WOU Policy regarding children in the classroom: Provost Neely
Provost Neely shared with Senate a copy of the revised "WOU Policy regarding children in the classroom."
WOU Commitment to Diversity: Provost Neely
Provost Neely shared with Senate the statement of WOU's Commitment to Diversity. Senate members were asked to take this statement back to respective divisions and elicit feedback from faculty. Feedback should be sent to Mark Girod.
VI. Meeting Adjourned
5:00
Leave a comment