1.0 Call to Order
2.0 Call of the Roll:
There were two substitutions: Bryan Dutton
for Irja Galvan; and Hank Bersani for Linda Keller. The following
senators were absent: Wangeshi Gatimu, Tina Fuchs, Judy
Bullington, Meredith Brodsky, and Dean Bethea. President Joel
Alexander was absent; Vice President Laura Riollii-Saltzman
administered the meeting in his place.
3.0. Corrections to and approval of the minutes from the previous senate meeting/Agenda Adjustments. Minutes approved. There were no agenda adjustments.
4.0. Reports of the Presidents
4.1 Senate President
Vice President Laura Riolli-Saltzman reminded all senators that
new senator positions must be decided by the next meeting. She
reminded all senators to check Joel's email which provided this
information. The following errors in this email were noted: Carol
Harding's term is not ending; Rodriguez-Perez' term is. Laura
reminded us that the Executive Committee elections will take place
May 23. The nominating committee for this committee will be
decided upon after all new senate positions have been decided.
Laura also reminded senators to review the large email of Executive
Committee-approved course changes that Joel sent last week.
4.2 President of Western Oregon University President Youngblood was not present.
4.3 Student Body President Obie Garza was not present.
5.0 Consideration of Old Business
5.1 Laura distributed the new "on-line course" routing form. Given that few faculty had seen this yet, it was moved to consider this form as "old business" at the next meeting. This motion was approved.
6.0 Consideration of New Business
6.1 New masters degree in School Counseling. The anticipated presentation/speaker for this new program was not present and materials about this new program had not been distributed prior to the meeting. Given this, it was moved that materials be distributed as soon as possible to all senators so that this program could be considered as "old business" at the next meeting. This motion was approved.
7.0 Reports of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senators
Bob Turner summarized the recent April IFS meeting in Eugene
and provided extensive handouts. Please review these handouts
for specific details.
Bob's highlights of this meeting included the following points:
(a) An OUS proposal to replace the existing 12-18 credit hour
plateau with a per-credit fee system was discussed. The
implications of this proposal may have serious impacts on financial-
driven student perceptions of taking what may be perceived as
"superfluous courses" outside the major (i.e. Western's strong
liberal arts core).
(b) Individual campus salary reports were discussed. OUS has
stated a commitment to bring all salaries up to national standards
over a period of four to six years.
(c) Faculty are encouraged to get involved via any of the following:
Scholars' Network, inviting candidates/legislators to campus,
working through the President/Provost in terms of most effectively
dealing with the OUS Board.
(d) The Sizemore initiative was a serious topic owing to the large
impact it will have on public education, higher education, and state
employees. Bob reported that recent exit polls predict this
measure is favored by 3:1. Please review materials provided. I
have, as suggested, sent out copies of the Leglislative Fiscal
Office's memo. detailing the potential impact of this initiative to ALL
Division Chairs, the President, and Provost. Beyond this general
information, faculty, as state employees, are not to use state resources
in their responses to this initiative. Nevertheless, GET INVOLVED.
8.0 Reports of Faculty Senate Sub-Committees
8.1 Academic Requirements: None
8.2 Curriculum Committee:
Brian reminded everyone that the final
meeting before the target catalog date (May 1 for final draft) is next
Tuesday, April 18. He also reminded everyone that any proposals
must pass through Faculty Senate/Exec. Committee after
Curriculum.
8.3 Graduate Study Committee: None
8.4 Honors Committee: Bob announced the recipients of this year's Mario Pastega Award - Ed Dover and Del Schalock. Each will receive an award in full. Honors thesis presentations will occur on Wednesday, April 19.
8.5 International Education/Services Committee: None
8.6 Academic Information Committee: None
8.7 Jenson Lectureship Committee:
Janeanne reminded everyone
about the upcoming spring lectureship. Any faculty interested in
hosting the speaker in class should contact Janeanne.
8.8 Honor Code Committee:
Laura distributed this year's final
report from the committee to be considered by the faculty senate.
It was moved to consider these materials as "old business" at the
next meeting. This motion was approved.
The Meeting was adjourned.