Scott Beaver, Dean Braa, Sue Dauer, Cheryl Davis, David Doellinger, Bryan Dutton, Mark Girod, Scott Grimm, Bob Hautala, Solveig Holmquist, Elaina Jamieson, Robert Monge, Katherine Schmidt, Tad Shannon, Tracy Smiles, Dana Ulveland, Jason Waite, Zenon Zygmont.
Ex-Officio: John Minahan, Kent Neely, Evan Sorce.
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 11 May 2010 (document A)
Doellinger changed "gray method" to "grading method." No other changes. Change to be made and minutes approved.
III PRESIDENT'S REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate (document B)
Announced President Schmidt's last meeting.
Executive Committee approved new course, "Introduction to Toxicology."
WOU Finance Information Committee scheduled for Wednesday, 06/02/10. Looking for a senator representative to attend. Requested volunteer.
Evaluation update. The Writing Center tutors are currently assembling evaluation packets and plan to have all packets ready for pickup (any time during the day) Thursday morning for division office managers.
E-mail came out regarding online evaluations for online courses.
Incomplete forms available via Academic Requirements Committee website. Mary Harden sent form via e-mail to all faculty members last week.
Met with the Finance Senate Committee Thursday (the Writing Intensive Committee). It was a summation of the year rather than looking forward. Issues and concerns raised by the Chair, Cornelia Paraskevas, included the following: There is no tangible benefit teaching writing intensive courses because they do not count favorably toward tenure promotion. The committee has no authority or profits for overseeing established W courses and recommending changes. There are no workshops offered for new and experienced faculty of W courses. This is all reasonable and maybe next year the new chair will look at those things.
New senators not here two weeks ago introduced: Jeanine Rockwell-Kincannon, Kevin Helpie, Tad Shannon.
New senator orientation in September. This provides overview of the senate and helps members navigate documents on the Portal (on-line). Offers best practice methods for communicating information to and from divisions.
One more person needed from newly constituted senate to join Committee on Committees for next year. Goals for next year: 1) Review revised charges brought by all committees--they will be brought to floor next year. 2) Facilitating a Rules Committee to establish common bylaws for the Senate Committee. 3) Examining representation relating to FTE. Jeanine Rockwell-Kincannon volunteered.
Academic Excellence Showcase. Bryan Dutton, Chair, Lisa Cater, Jean Dean, Lisa Maroney, Betty Orwick, Jack Templeton, and Rob Winningham.
John Minahan.
Spoke about economic forecast from the Office of Economic Analysis. They show WOU to be $511 M down this quarter. Governor shows $560 M. Governor ordering maintaining wage freezes. Next week there will be a meeting to discuss plans for the campus regarding hard economic times, and Minahan requests input from the faculty. Enrollment and housing strong. Budget is okay.
Evan Sorce, ASWOU.
Last week in office. Applications for next year located outside ASWOU office. Plans on one more bookstore committee.
Kent Neely.
Shared some plans for the future including possibility of new course offerings at new locations. Other universities are looking for new markets beyond existing borders, i.e., Internet. Looking for new classes to serve new needs and serve students who need additional education. WOU will address five-year followups for new offerings.
Institutions are now expected to include information about materials that students will be required to have in relation to courses in the class schedule. WOU will look into how to address that. It is primarily to make students aware of costs associated with classes.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Revise Add/Drop Form presented by Mary Harden.
Motioned by Scott Grim. Seconded by Dean Braa.
Motion to endorse the amendment to Add/Drop Form to add the words "do not" to the three override statements.
Motion passed.
V NEW BUSINESS
Change/Additions to Program Change Form, Robert Monge (presenting for Laurie Burton) documents C, D & E.
Showed overhead of form. Changes to facilitate faculty to be more specific and clarify program changes.
To be first item of Old Business on 07/13/10.
Curriculum Committee Redistribution, Scott Beaver (for Klay Kruczek) document F.
Showed overhead of form. Committee on Committees decided to change representation of Curriculum Committee so that it is strictly divisional, (in the spirit of the U.S. Senate), with one representative from each of the divisions in each of the colleges. The only change that really happened is that the Division of Teacher's Ed. From the College of Education proposal was to change the representation from 2 members to 1. The Division of Teachers' Ed. is on board. All questions will be referred to Mark.
Question raised regarding how the columns were added as there were discrepancies.
Corrected document will be submitted. It will be posted in time for committee meetings next week.
This will be second item of Old Business on 07/13/10.
Honors Committee Redistribution, Scott Beaver (for Klay Kruczek) document G.
Honors Committee reviewed its own composition and put forth this proposal. Committee on Committees reviewed it carefully and considered it for an hour before voting unanimously to send it forward.
Changes Proposed: College of Ed. representative is going from 1 to 2 to specify the Division of Teachers' Ed and adding a seat in either Health and Physical Education or Special Education. The at-large seats are changing to be divisional specific to Psychology and either Business or Computer Science. Proposal is to eliminate the seat of the freshman representative. Any questions will be referred to the head of the committee, Bob Hautala.
Bob Hautala stated intent was to ensure representation university-wide.
Third item of Old Business to be addressed 07/13/10.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Elections.
Newly elected senator position: Jeanine Rockwell-Kincannon.
Election for Executive Officers (paper ballot):
Current nominations: Gavin Keulks for president; Bob Hautala for vice president; Tracy Smiles for secretary; Cheryl Davis for at-large member; Jason Waite for at-large member.
Jason Waite voiced concern raised by Humanties colleagues about transparency of the nominating process. Concerned that there was no division meeting to suggest nominations.
President Schmidt reminded that during the last two senate meetings she announced nominations so that senators could take information back to divisions. Nomination Committee urged people to send names.
Results: President, Gavin Keulks 16; Vice President Bob Hautala 16; Secretary Tracy Smiles 16; At-large 16 votes each Cheryl Davis and Jason Wait.
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
Joel Alexander - Reported on OUS assessment. Request for individuals from each campus interested in assessment coming forward and joining a workshop for OUS protocol. Reported on proposed high school standards (math). University professors concerned about high school math.
Reported on U of O favoring bonds. Concerns regarding cost of educating students. Universities are more efficient in educating students at lower cost than community colleges. However, university professors have lower salaries, etc., and overall doing more for less cost.
Dean Braa asked whether universities could go to state legislature instead of Board of Education or have independent bonding authority.
Joel Alexander indicated those models have not been worked out.
John Minahan stated bonding would be preferable. Community colleges issue their own bonds, but he does not see getting bonding authority. COPs (bonds for infrastructure). Would have to depend on Marion/Polk Counties for taxation. State funding is probably the best.
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
None
IX ADJOURNMENT
Current officers released. New officers instated.
Moved Dean Braa, Seconded Scott Beaver
4:20 pm
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
3:31 pm
Cheryl Beaver, Scott Beaver, Dean Braa, Sue Dauer, Maria Dantas-Whitney, Cheryl Davis, David Doellinger, Bryan Dutton, Michael Freeman, Mark Girod, Scott Grimm, Bob Hautala, Solveig Holmquist, Henry Hughes, Elaina Jamieson, Mike LeMaster, Robert Monge (for Camila Gabaldon), Katherine Schmidt, Tracy Smiles, Dana Ulveland, Jason Waite, Zenon Zygmont
Ex-Officio: Kent Neely.
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 27 April 2010 (document A)
Approved without correction.
III PRESIDENT'S REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate (document B)
Scott Beaver gave a report. He met with Provost Neely Thursday afternoon. After hearing concerns of many faculty at meetings, it was requested that Provost Neely order paper SIRs for this term. Provost Neely said it that sounded reasonable, but he would check into logistics and timeline of it. Provost Neely, Wanda and Julie did that and found the paper SIRs could be ordered and processed in time so they would be here before the last week of classes. Provost Neely ordered the paper SIRs and they should be here within seven days and then the process begins to get those going. Campus-wide announcement will be sent out concerning cessation of paper. It is planned to move to the online SIR as soon as possible, at most by the end of the next bargaining cycle. Scott Beaver thanked Provost Neely for his efforts in this matter.
President Schmidt announced the Executive Officer Nomination Committee, including, Mark Girod, Scott Beaver, Elaina Jamison and Jeananne Rockwell-Kincannon.
President Schmidt reviewed executive officer positions and things most important in those positions not found in the bylaws. Showed document on overhead which can be found online. Item #6 for the president, representing faculty, usually a between 8-20 hours, depending on time of year. Item #7 (in bylaws) for vice president to serve as a visible parliamentarian. Requires 3-4 hours a week for one-year commitment. Secretary 6-8 hours per week and one year commitment. If committee for next year chooses to employ a minute-taker, the responsibility goes down to about 4-6 hours per week. This includes executive committee meetings and senate attendance. For at-large members (not found in bylaws) concerns mouse facilitator during meetings and requires about three hours per week and a one-year commitment. Past president has been advising on management matters. It is about two hours a week and he shows up for meetings. This is available online.
Elections to be held in two weeks. All new senators will be voting that day.
Will be electing Committee-on-Committee members today and need one more candidate in the newly constituted senate category. That element will be postponed until two weeks because several divisions have not voted and they do not have senators yet.
Introduced new senators: Tracy Smiles, Maria Dantas-Whitney, Cheryl Beaver, Mike LeMaster, and Michael Freeman
Provost Neely announced there was no report from provost council. It will meet on Thursday.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Proposal: Music Theatre Emphasis, Michael Phillips (doc C).
Dean Braa moved to accept; Elaina Jamieson seconded.
Motion passed to approve Musical Theatre Emphasis to become an option in the existing BA/BS in Theatre.
Memo: Native American Language Policy, Wanda Clifton-Faber (doc D).
Dean Braa moved to accept; Scott Beaver seconded.
Motion passed to endorse Native American Language as a second language policy.
V NEW BUSINESS
Revise Add/Drop Form. Mary Harden indicated need for a change in wording of the form because of problems with faculty forgetting to check off boxes in Reason Box. This would reduce amount of time students are going back and forth if boxes are not checked.
David Doellinger mentioned grading method so students cannot modify form.
This will be the first item of "old business" in two weeks.
Incomplete Grade Policy. Mary Harden indicated that since Summer 2008 there have been 1815 incomplete grades recorded and 930 not removed from books. The problem is excessive paperwork in files when an instructor forgets to fill out form and students do nothing to fix. The result is failing to complete the course. It is suggested that students missing essential coursework for legitimate reason and are doing average or better, should be given the average grade at the end of the term with provision that they have up to 12 months to improve their grade. Incentive will be for students to improve GPA and diminish excessive paperwork. This puts responsibility on students to complete this.
If students who miss essential coursework with below average grades would have 12 months to complete coursework, but if work is not completed, grade will be changed to an F. If student graduates with incomplete courses, it will be permanent.
Instructors and students responsible to form contract for completion of coursework. It is instructor's discretion if student has legitimate excuse to be given extension to complete work and possibility of improving grade. If instructor does not initiate a grade change, it does not change. Gives students incentive to hurry to get work completed.
Hilda Rosselli was concerned if this would be able to be implemented by fall and be included in all handbooks. Would policy be able to come into agreement within all departments and have consistency? Would this influence students to try to get out of major course work at the end of term?
Mary Harden reiterated the issue driving this issue is the number of incompletes in files. This is the only institution (school) that does not convert Incompletes to F's.
Scott Beaver wanted clarification of difference between not completing a course whether a student is doing well or not completing it because they are doing poorly.
Dean Scheck commented that records peppered with I's show a student has no follow-through. I's that stay permanently are "mercy F's" and a way for students to avoid F grades.
Mark Girod concerned about more students debating grades.
Provost Neely suggested that I's be awarded for extenuating circumstances to give the student time to make up course work.
Mary Harden will consider taking back to committee to discuss further. Maybe there should be more stringent conditions.
Committee-on-Committee ballots were distributed to senators for 2010/2011 election. Ballots collected and counted. 17 for Jason Waite/0 write-ins. 17 for Katherine Schmidt/0 write-ins. 17 for Bryan Dutton/0 write-ins. Someone volunteered Amanda Smith to be the senator for the newly constituted senate, but that result cannot be counted.
President Schmidt wanted to remind all that they are planning to make committee more functional, proactive and recognizable in two years.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
None
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
None
IX ADJOURNMENT
Moved Dean Braa, Seconded Jason Waite.
4:19 pm
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 13 APRIL 2010 (document A)
Approved without correction.
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
The executive committee approved new courses from Music Ensemble and Linguistics as well as minor changes to courses from Rehabilitation Counseling, Education, and French.
Robert Monge will replace Camila Gabaldon as Secretary for the May meetings and we will have a hired note taker for those meetings.
The Pastega Awards have been announced. Congratulations to Mark Girod and Karie Mize. The recognition ceremony is May 5 and all are encouraged to attend.
The deadline for revised committee charges was last week and those will be forwarded to the Committee on Committees who will then give recommendations to the Senate.
The executive Committee met last week with the Committee on Committees and will be meeting next week with the Writing Intensive Committee.
Scott Beaver gave a report on the joint committee on evaluation. They met with Provost Neely last week to address the fact that the SIR is a contractually agreed on instrument and invited the provost or a representative of his choice to work in parallel with the committee on establishing a replacement instrument for the next contract.
This year, we will still need to go with SIR; the question is whether the version will be paper or electronic. With the electronic version, there is concern is about lower than normal response rate when there already is a low response rate, particularly for those faculty applying for tenure and promotion.
Wanda Clifton- Faber clarified that we will be administering the online version during dead and finals week. Labs will be made available so that faculty can take their classes over to do the evaluations.
President Schmidt reminded the senate that we still need 2 at large members for the executive nominating committee.
Elaina Jamieson volunteered.
President Schmidt reminded the senate that we will need an additional person in 2 weeks.
We also need 2010 committee on committee members.
Jason Waite has volunteered as outgoing executive committee member.
The executive committee members are writing position descriptions, to clarify for future holders of these positions what their roles might be.
Mark Girod clarified that incoming senators need to attend the May senate meetings. President Schmidt verified this.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
We closed registration period up 2.3% in enrollment, which puts us in excellent condition going in to the next biennium.
Our students were the only 2 Fulbright students out of OUS this year.
There will be interviews for Foundation positions soon and he wants to clarify that they are not multiplying positions. When Paul Moredock (the former Vice President for Advancement) left, they did not replace him. Instead Danielle Nelson was named as Director of Advancement and Ghie Carlson was named as Director of the Foundation. Danielle Nelson will be interviewing assistants to deal with the annual fund and the alumni association. They are hiring more people for approximately what they previously spent.
The Auction will be coming up soon and Peter Courtney will chair the committee.
President Minahan thanked the faculty for their efforts around here.
Three individuals were given awards at the national level for advising.
Dean Braa inquired about the status of the three largest universities as public corportations. President Minahan responded that it is still on the table, but not at all a done deal.
Evan Sorce added that the Oregon Student Association is also opposed to it and has been active in its opposition.
Bob Hautala asked for clarification about an Oregonian article President Minahan had mentioned during his report. President Minahan described a recent cover page story which detailed how WOU leads in minority retention.
Those kinds of things, in combination with 2 Fulbright scholars, moves us beyond a regional.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present.
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
First, has a donation box for the Mark Youngsma memorial plaque and tree. They will also be selling Papa Murphy's discount cards next week.
He has been working on voter registration. ASWOU's goal was 200 and have registered around 100.
Working on textbook committee and are looking at how the relationship between publishers and professors works.
There will be a forum next Tuesday on Oregon Cannabis Tax act. Several professors will be presenting and they are hoping to also include law enforcement officers.
ASWOU elections are next week.
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
Not present.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Proposal: Geropsychology Minor, Rob Winningham (document B)
A proposal from the psychology division for 27 hour minor with 1 required course, 12 hours of additional psychology.
There will be 11 hours of interdisciplinary course work that they can choose from.
Mark Girod moved to approve, Dean Braa seconded.
Passed unanimously.
Proposal: Catalog Expiration Policy, Nancy France (document C)
Dave McDonald presented for Nancy France.
Before presenting, he gave additional information about the advising awards won by Marita Cardinal and Karen Sullivan-Vance.
The proposal would expand the current 5 year catalog window to 7 years, which is more in line with other institutions.
Dean Braa moved to approve, Elaina Jamieson seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
V NEW BUSINESS
Proposal: Music Theatre Emphasis, Michael Phillips (document D)
This creates a new emphasis within the existing BA/BS degree. It keeps the current core and allows students the option of choosing hat their 24 credits of electives be the Musical Theatre Studio sequence.
Bob Hautala inquired about why they would eliminate electives. Michael Phillips responded that it is already kind of happening as students take classes in the areas they are interested. This lets them choose a set path.
Scott Grimm added that putting this in the catalog is a draw for students. Since they began talking about it, ½ of their auditions have been for Musical Theatre.
It gives the students something that they can put on their resume.
Memo: Charter Additions Proposal, Camila Gabaldon-Winningham (document E)
This proposal was withdrawn.
Memo: Native American Language Policy, Wanda Clifton-Faber (document F)
The Provost is hoping for affirmation from the Senate on this proposed language for accepting tribal languages to fulfill second language requirements.
Dean Braa asked if it will help recruit more students.
Wanda Clifton-Faber responded that they hope so.
Bob Hautala commented that the wording reads as though Native Americans are foreign.
Dave McDonald explained that part of the challenge is semantics between three potential ways of describing a language requirement. All of the terminology options are offensive to someone. This language was crafted with tribal representatives and codifies what we have been doing in practice, it doesn't change it.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
none
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
none
IX ADJOURNMENT
Moved David Doellinger, Seconded Elaina Jamieson.
4:09
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 13 APRIL 2010 (document A)
Approved without correction.
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
The executive committee approved new courses from Music Ensemble and Linguistics as well as minor changes to courses from Rehabilitation Counseling, Education, and French.
Robert Monge will replace Camila Gabaldon as Secretary for the May meetings and we will have a hired note taker for those meetings.
The Pastega Awards have been announced. Congratulations to Mark Girod and Karie Mize. The recognition ceremony is May 5 and all are encouraged to attend.
The deadline for revised committee charges was last week and those will be forwarded to the Committee on Committees who will then give recommendations to the Senate.
The executive Committee met last week with the Committee on Committees and will be meeting next week with the Writing Intensive Committee.
Soctt Beaver gave a report on the joint committee on evaluation. They met with Provost Neely last week to address the fact that the SIR is a contractually agreed on instrument and invited the provost or a representative of his choice to work in parallel with the committee on establishing a replacement instrument for the next contract.
This year, we will still need to go with SIR; the question is whether the version will be paper or electronic. With the electronic version, there is concern is about lower than normal response rate when there already is a low response rate, particularly for those faculty applying for tenure and promotion.
Wanda Clifton- Faber clarified that we will be administering the online version during dead and finals week. Labs will be made available so that faculty can take their classes over to do the evaluations.
President Schmidt reminded the senate that we still need 2 at large members for the executive nominating committee.
Elaina Jamieson volunteered.
President Schmidt reminded the senate that we will need an additional person in 2 weeks.
We also need 2010 committee on committee members.
Jason Waite has volunteered as outgoing executive committee member.
The executive committee members are writing position descriptions, to clarify for future holders of these positions what their roles might be.
Mark Girod clarified that incoming senators need to attend the May senate meetings. Presidnet Schmidt verified this.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
We closed registration period up 2.3% in enrollment, which puts us in excellent condition going in to the next biennium.
Our students were the only 2 Fulbright students out of OUS this year.
There will be interviews for Foundation positions soon and he wants to clarify that they are not multiplying positions. When Paul Moredock (the former Vice President for Advancement) left, they did not replace him. Instead Danielle Nelson was named as Director of Advancement and Ghie Carlson was named as Director of the Foundation. Danielle Nelson will be interviewing assistants to deal with the annual fund and the alumni association. They are hiring more people for approximately what they previously spent.
The Auction will be coming up soon and Peter Courtney will chair the committee.
President Minahan thanked the faculty for their efforts around here.
Three individuals were given awards at the national level for advising.
Dean Braa inquired about the status of the three largest universities as public corportations. President Minahan responded that it is still on the table, but not at all a done deal.
Evan Sorce added that the Oregon Student Association is also opposed to it and has been active in its opposition.
Bob Hautala asked for clarification about an Oregonian article President Minahan had mentioned during his report. President Minahan described a recent cover page story which detailed how WOU leads in minority retention.
Those kinds of things, in combination with 2 Fulbright scholars, moves us beyond a regional.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present.
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
First, has a donation box for the Mark Youngsma memorial plaque and tree. They will also be selling Papa Murphy's discount cards next week.
He has been working on voter registration. ASWOU's goal was 200 and have registered around 100.
Working on textbook committee and are looking at how the relationship between publishers and professors works.
There will be a forum next Tuesday on Oregon Cannabis Tax act. Several professors will be presenting and they are hoping to also include law enforcement officers.
ASWOU elections are next week.
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
Not present.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Proposal: Geropsychology Minor, Rob Winningham (document B)
A proposal from the psychology division for 27 hour minor with 1 required course, 12 hours of additional psychology.
There will be 11 hours of interdisciplinary course work that they can choose from.
Mark Girod moved to approve, Dean Braa seconded.
Passed unanimously.
Proposal: Catalog Expiration Policy, Nancy France (document C)
Dave McDonald presented for Nancy France.
Before presenting, he gave additional information about the advising awards won by Marita Cardinal and Karen Sullivan-Vance.
The proposal would expand the current 5 year catalog window to 7 years, which is more in line with other institutions.
Dean Braa moved to approve, Elaina Jamieson seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
V NEW BUSINESS
Proposal: Music Theatre Emphasis, Michael Phillips (document D)
This creates a new emphasis within the existing BA/BS degree. It keeps the current core and allows students the option of choosing hat their 24 credits of electives be the Musical Theatre Studio sequence.
Bob Hautala inquired about why they would eliminate electives. Michael Phillips responded that it is already kind of happening as students take classes in the areas they are interested. This lets them choose a set path.
Scott Grimm added that putting this in the catalog is a draw for students. Since they began talking about it, ½ of their auditions have been for Musical Theatre.
It gives the students something that they can put on their resume.
Memo: Charter Additions Proposal, Camila Gabaldon-Winningham (document E)
This proposal was withdrawn.
Memo: Native American Language Policy, Wanda Clifton-Faber (document F)
The Provost is hoping for affirmation from the Senate on this proposed language for accepting tribal languages to fulfill second language requirements.
Dean Braa asked if it will help recruit more students.
Wanda Clifton-Faber responded that they hope so.
Bob Hautala commented that the wording reads as though Native Americans are foreign.
Dave McDonald explained that part of the challenge is semantics between three potential ways of describing a language requirement. All of the terminology options are offensive to someone. This language was crafted with tribal representatives and codifies what we have been doing in practice, it doesn't change it.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
none
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
none
IX ADJOURNMENT
Moved David Doellinger, Seconded Elaina Jamieson.
4:09
Online Documents for Senatorial Review (www.wou.edu/president/facultysenate):
A: Draft of Minutes: 9 March 2010
B: Proposal: Policy Change for M.A. Program in History
C: Proposal: Academic Re-Start Program
D: Proposal: Geropsychology Minor
E: Proposal: Catalog Expiration Policy Change
F: Memo: LACC Committee Update
G: Memo: New Residence Hall
I CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
3:32 pm
In attendance:
Joel Alexander, Scott Beaver, Dean Braa, Sue Dauer, Elisa Maroney (for Cheryl Davis), David Doellinger, Bryan Dutton, Kim Jensen (For Maureen Dolan), Camila Gabaldon, Mark Girod, Bob Hautala, Sandy Hedgepeth, Henry Hughes, Elaina Jamieson, Pete Poston, Katherine Schmidt, Gay Timken, Dana Uveland, Jason Waite, Zenon Zygmont
Ex-Officio: John Minahan, Kent Neely, Evan Sorce
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 9 MARCH 2010 (document A)
None.
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
The executive committee approved course changes for INT, ART, and ED.
Robert Monge will be taking over as the Secretary and Senator from the library in May.
The Pastega Awards will be announced Wednesday, April 14.
All Committee charges are due on April 22.
The Executive committee met with the LACC committee and will next meet with the Committee on Committees.
We need another member for the Executive Committee Nominating Committee.
We also need member for the committee on committees.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
Enrollment is up 8.5% (approximately 325 FTE). We are in the odd position of having funding for this year and next, but having numbers on the downside within 2 years.
He recently has been thinking about the reality our students live in. Determining truth is harder than ever these days and he hopes that faculty do well in teaching our students how to distinguish it. The distinction between true and false is often blurred in today's world and he realizes how hard it may be to have rational discourse in a world where students hear this all of the time.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present.
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
They are starting voter registration drive and would like faculty assistance with that. Some faculty have been contacted about giving 5 minutes of class time and will be getting a follow up.
This week is 1st amendment week. There are lots of good forums and the 1st amendment wall. An example of a recent forum is whether we have gone too far with 1st amendment rights.
At the OSA meeting the key issues discussed were Tuition and funding, the Oregon opportunity grant, and textbook spending. They are prioritizing textbooks at a local level. Currently there is a working group, but it doesn't have faculty representation, which is key. If anyone is interested in talking to them and can address selection issues please let him know.
Two other issues addressed were cultural competency training for staff and gender neutral areas at universities.
A student, Mark Youngsma, passed away a few weeks ago and they are working on raising money to plant a tree and place a plaque near Campbell Hall. President Schmidt encouraged Evan to bring a donation can and faculty to bring money to donate in 2 weeks.
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
The Provosts' Council met Thursday, 8 April at Portland State University.
Curricular proposals were presented by
Eastern Oregon University
- BA/BS in Public Administration
- Undergraduate Certificate in Public Service
Southern Oregon University (these were returned to the University)
- New location - MBA in Guanajuato, Mexico
- New Location - MBA in Hanoi, Vietnam
- New Location - MIM in Hanoi, Vietnam
Five Year Follow Up Review Programs- a number of programs have not come up for review. And it has been discovered that we do not have a good rubric for reviewing.
- EOU - Music "Business Administration"
- OHSU - Biomedical Engineering
- OIT - Respiratory Care; Manufacturing Engineering Technology; Renewable Energy Engineering"
- OSU - Construction Engineering Management; Engineering
- SOU - Music (Conducting)
- UO - Marine Biology; Medieval Studies
Learning Outcomes Assessment Task Group will be bringing forward a list of recommendations following the previous year's work.
A faculty survey is being conducted regarding the conversion from quarters to semesters. You have received an email notification from Carol Harding that links to the survey. He encourages faculty to make their voices heard.
Pet Poston inquired about where the savings from this kind of conversion would go. Provost Neely responded that there is a large cost associated with converting, so it would be a while until savings were realized.
Mark Girod asked whay the change was happening. Provost Neely responded that we are one of the few states still on quarters. It is really an issue of pedagogy, transferability, etc.
Solveig Holmquist added that textbooks are designed for semesters, so they could be better utilized in a semester system.
Provost Neely noted that intercollegiate athletics also are impacted.
Solvieg added that many types of intercollegiate activities are impacted. For example, her choir must compete after only 2 weeks in the term against choirs who have been practicing together for much longer.
Evan Sorce added on the topic of textbooks, that students would have to buy fewer. He also added to his earlier request for faculty on the textbooks committee that he particularly hopes that the Math department would give representation to textbooks committee, since the new system they are using has reduced the ability to sell back/buy used textbooks.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Proposal: Policy Change for M.A. Program in History, Ben Lowe (document B)
Proposal to allow the history department to administer their own written comprehensive exams. They already administer their own oral comprehensive exams.
Joel Alexander moved to approve, Dean Braa Seconded.
Pete Poston inquired about the origin of this as a graduation requirement and how chemistry could set something similar up. Provost Neely responded that they would need to make a proposal to the Academic Requirements Committee.
Bob Hautala clarified with Ben Lowe that they were not changing the format or content of exam.
Passes unanimously
Proposal: Academic Re-Start Program, Associate Provost McDonald (document C)
Policy for students with a 5 year or longer separation from the university have the opportunity to have a "restart".
They can choose 1-3 terms to have not included in their GPA. These terms would still be on their transcript, but not in their GPA. The requirements are that they must have a2.5 GPA, be enrolled full time, have a major, and have support of advisor and chair. Adding this policy catches us up with other schools that have similar policies.
Pete Poston moved to approve, Jason Waite seconded.
Bob Hautala asked for clarification about what it would mean if they met the elegibility.
Associate Provost McDonald responded that those grades would no longer count against their GPA. They would still be on their transcripts and they would have to re-take any classes they needed for their major or the LACC.
Evan Sorce asked how many students would utilize this.
Associate Provost McDonald responded that he guessed it would be a small number.
Passes unanimously
V NEW BUSINESS
Proposal: Geropsychology Minor, Rob Winningham (document D)
Psychology is proposing a 27 hour geropsychology minor comprised of 1 required class and 12 other classes chosen from a list. They are hoping that internship would be a part of it. It is an interdisciplinary degree, with lots of options depending on what fields students want to go into.
Dean Braa asked what kind of jobs students might expect to go into with this degree.
Rob Winningham responded with a long list of areas, including long-term care administration, senior center administration, occupational therapy, home health care, social work, hospice, palliative care, and many others.
Proposal: Catalog Expiration Policy, Nancy France (document E)
She is proposing that the catalog expire after 7 years, rather than 5. Most students are taking more than 5 years to finish their degrees. This change will mostly impact students who are part time or take a break. Full time students already tend to choose catalogs from their junior or Senior year. Other OUS have at least 7 years (one has 8).
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Memo: LACC Committee Update, Tom Bergeron (document F)
Mostly an update. Have a proposed set of guidelines for LACC courses if curriculum committee is approving them.
They conducted a survey related to learning outcomes and in analyzing results the learning outcomes appear to be being addressed in LACCs.
They have taken a closer look at writing component, have analyzed and taken a look at solicited papers.
There are a few more meetings set for this year and they will have recommendations at the end of the year.
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
None
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
New Residence Hall, Part II: Living and Learning, Tina Fuchs (document G)
Tina FUchs gave an overview of the programatic aspects of the new Live and Learn Residence Hall.
In the new residence hall, students will be part of a community, where they live in same area and have staff, curricular and co-curricular activities dedicated to that program.
There are many benefits to this type of program. Students in live learn communities tend to have higher scores for peer academic discussions, faculty mentoring relationships, transition to college, civic engagement, academic self-confidence, are more likely to participate in internship/practicum, faculty research, etc.
The residence hall will have 10 communities, with the following themes:
1. The arts
2. Future educators
3. Global village
4. Outdoor adventured
5. Pre-nursing (Mike LeMaster will be working with this group)
6. Green House (5 communities)
Preferably, there would be a faculty mentor for each community.
Each community will have 30-33 people, will be a mix of upperclasmen and freshmen and will be co-ed, which is a change for us.
At the end of February 53 students were signed up for this residence hall. They are adding more now, but are holding places for new students.
Faculty/staff member expectations:
Help with guidance
Mentor/collaborate with RA for programming and support
Balance between academic and non academic activities
Passion for theme
Present, available
Faculty benefits - captive audience, first priority access to classrooms/meeting rooms, opportunity to interact with students outside of the classroom, create new experiences for students, possibly a financial incentive (meal card?).
IX ADJOURNMENT
Jason Waite moved to adjourn, Dean Bra seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 4:46 pm.
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 23 FEBRUARY 2010 (document A)
Approved without corrections.
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
Exec approved the following: LIB 609 prerequisite change, CSE 699 changed 1 to 3 credits (this was an error in the original paperwork)
The Pastega Award Deadline is 3/12/2010.
Report from Scott Beaver:
The online evaluation team met for the 2nd time yesterday. They have determined that they don't have the expertise to independently generate questions and are going to try to look at ETS and psychometric data from U of O for ideas. They will invite Provost Neely to the next meeting.
The executive committee also met the international students and services committee.
This year they have been focusing on study abroad:
They have been reviewing "at sea" programs.
Financial aid can now be used for non-WOU programs if students want to study abroad.
They are also working on publicity, including posting opportunities to take courses for LACC credit while abroad.
They have been working on a draft of their charge and will be changing the affiliated directors to ex-officio instead of ad-hoc members.
President Schmidt gave a brief Robert's rules review and reminded the senate that Robert's Rules were created to protect the rights of both the members and the group.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
He went before reset committee, which is the committee on higher education restructuring.
There also was a board meeting, where the discussion was about finance. They are looking at next biennium.
The first page of his handout is the strategy to move finances. We have been working to move toward offsetting in-state with out of state and international tuition. Through this, 16% of our student population generates 28% of our revenue.
The second page was presented by Mark Weiss.
He has been trying to model it. The first major assumption he is working with is that federal funds will go away. DAS anticipates next biennium to be $2.4 billion below EBL (current service level).
In March, the administration expects to be asked for a plan for 25% reduction. This year were asked for 30%, ended up with 11%.
A 15% reduction is probably realistic.
The major assumption in the model is PERS increases. The 3rd is annual salary increases (5% = placeholder for model - not an offer).
He anticipates ending this year with about a 16% fund balance. Next year, that fund balance will used (11.4 million), which means we are looking at 19-20million dollar deficit in the longer run.
President Minahan added that we are going to keep trying to increase number of freshmen, particularly from out of state and international origins. He is concerned, though that this is just doing what we are already doing. We need to find new ways to generate revenue.
We need to increase numbers in our graduate programs and look for new programs that will generate numbers. Beyond that, he's not sure, because we do not control some of these other variables.
State funding is 30-35% of current budget; he anticipates that will drop, possibly by 10%. The PERS piece is growing of the problems that need to be fixed.
Mark did this model and made it dynamic - many schools are requesting it. If everyone goes down, we will be on the last end that goes down, but will still go down
Good news - he had long lunch with one of our benefactors and earned a scholarship.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present.
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
There was an OSA meeting on Saturday, where they talked about the funding issue. They also discussed the Frohnmeyer report and wrote out 6 points that expressed their position(opposed).
There was a peace march on campus yesterday (42 people turned out). It was a neat experience.
ASWOU working committees are getting responses back.
Recently, he has heard of issues with dead week coming up. ASWOU is hoping to see what the "rules" are and educate students and faculty on those.
Derek, a political science student, has been working with Evan on sustainability on campus. Their focal point is HSS. In the last few weeks, have noticed that pretty much everything being thrown away is recyclable. They want to remove classroom trash cans and put big cans in the hallway. In the hallway, they can have trash with recycling receptacles. They are working on an ASWOU grant, also have gotten over $100 through individual donations. They think it will decrease time spent by janitors and the consumption of plastic liners.
Questions:
Zenon Zygmont inquired if they had spoken with janitorial staff?
Not yet. They have spoken with Dean Scheck and wanted to get opinions from other groups (including faculty) first.
A goal is to give students the incentive to recycle. Part of it is what drives change. From surveys and a petition they have seen interest.
They are hoping to implement this for spring term.
Evan Sorce continued his report:
OSA is still working on textbook affordability. They tried to change it at legislative level. Since that did not work, they are looking at doing it at the local level. One possibility is creating a state-wide book exchange.
Also many math text books are available online. OSA is Looking into that option
Many students have to choose between food and books, which limits their ability to be successful
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
The Provosts' Council met Thursday, 4 March at Portland State University.
Overview: Movement across Oregon is toward professional Science Masters degrees.
Curricular proposals were presented by
Oregon State University for:
- Master of Natural Resources
- Graduate Certificate in Management for Science Professional
- The Master's proposal was recommended for approval and will go before the Academic Strategies Committee for action.
- This could serve as a foundation for other institutions to offer professional science masters degrees.
- It is an online certificate.
- The Graduate Certificate was accepted.
Portland State University
- Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management of Technology
- Graduate Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship -
This also demonstrates the change that is going on
- Graduate Certificate in Technology Management
- The Council accepted the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship.
- The other two proposals were returned to the institution for clarification as the two degrees had a number of similarities.
University of Oregon
- Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture
- The proposal was recommended for approval and will go before the Academic Strategies Committee for action.
Eastern Oregon University
- Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing
- The Graduate Certificate was accepted
- Delivery of the EOU MBA Program to the EOU/Mt Hood Community College in Gresham, OR
- The proposal was accepted.
Southern Oregon University
- External Review report for a new program, Master of Science in Applied Computer Science.
- The review was accepted and the program proposal was recommended for approval and will go forward to the Academic Strategies Committee for action.
The Provosts' Council membership and/or their representatives attended a workshop the previous day that addressed the new standards of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. All found it quite beneficial in clarifying procedures. WOU was represented by Kent Neely, Mark Weiss, Hilda Rosselli, Steve Scheck and Wanda Clifton-Faber. They were encouraged that they have taken appropriate first steps to address these.
Bruce Schafer from the Chancellor's Office gave a progress report from the Applied Baccalaureate Planning Initiative. Considerable discussion followed regarding the roles that universities and community colleges would play. Some community colleges think that they should be able to offer a baccalaureate degree in conjunction with applied baccalaureates. An advisory memo expressing the opinion that baccalaureate degrees should be offered by Universities was crafted by Sabah Randhawa and Kent Neely for the initiative committee.
Larry Galizio of the Chancellor's Office and Roy Koch, Provost, Portland State University provided a progress report on the feasibility study for conversion to semesters. Initial conversations revealed a number of logistical challenges (e.g., articulation agreements, registrar practices, advising guidelines and so forth) that would have considerable costs. No precise estimation of costs has been reached. No determination was made of the potential impact on learning or pedagogical practices. Cost estimates for other conversions have been in the millions of dollars.
The Academic Strategies Committee met Friday, 5 March 2010. Reports were received regarding different subcommittees including the Latino Student Success Resource Team, the Central Oregon Student Success initiative and the Graduate Education initiative. A progress report was given from the Provosts' Council regarding their work to align individual institutional missions with that of the Oregon University System. A full report will be presented to the Committee at its April meeting.
FYI: The OUS Chancellor's Office has developed a new Fact Book publication. It is available electronically at www.ous.edu/dept/ir/reportsfb2009/FactBook2009.pdf.
This Friday, campus will be hosting Cesar Chavez Conference. It will bring 1500 students from 40 different high schools. This year, the conference is closed to the general campus because of the demand for the keynote speaker - Edward James Olmos.
Scott- University of Cincinnati cost was high. Have they realized any savings?
Change has not been in place long enough to see savings.
Other institutions have made the change and have not reported sig savings. Main result is pedagogical.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Teacher Education Proposals
These proposals are a result of enrollment management, which suggests there is a retention crisis. Additionally, national policy on teacher education is calling for reform and a survey of our graduates support the need for change.
After campus wide tension, a systematic program of partnership and collaboration emerged resulting in these proposals.
Program Proposal: Early Childhood Only Education, Mark Girod (document B, C, & D)
Dana Uveland moves to approve this proposal, Henry Hughes seconds.
Motion passes unanimously
Program Proposal: Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Mark Girod (document B, C, & E)
Dana Uveland moves to approve this proposal, Scott Beaver seconds.
Motion passes unanimously
Program Proposal: Elementary/Middle Education, Mark Girod (document B, C, & F)
ED would be glad to work with humanities on focus areas.
Scott Beaver moves to approve this proposal, Peggy Pedersen seconds.
Motion passes unanimously
Program Proposal: Honors Program, Sharon Oberst & Gavin Keulks & Jeff Myers (document G & H)
In addition to the sponsors, there was a student member of the honors program in attendance to represent program.
Sharon Oberst gave some background on the proposal:
Since spring 2008, members of honors committee have been working on retention rate. Right now there is a minimum 50% drop out rate. Through surveys and representatives, the students indicated that flexibility and electives in offerings would help.
Committee looked at ways to improve the program and determined that the best way to do that would be to reallocate 6 credits, three from Natural Sciences and three from philosophy. Bob Hautala solicited feedback on this proposal. The committee looked at that feedback and voted unanimously to support it.
Jeff Myers indicated that there are currently 15 credits from lab sciences. These consist of three lecture and two lab hours per class. Comparable classes in their division are valued at 4 credits. The division and committee decided that it would be easy to reduce the honors requirement by reducing the credit hours from 5 to 4, a move that would bring them in to alignment with other classes. This change will not change the number of contact hours, only the paper work.
Gavin Keulks described the changes in the number of philosophy credits. In the program, philosophy had been 9 hours and a reduction to 6 is part of this proposal. There has been a lot of discussion with humanities on this topic.
Philosophy is the only department or division in the honors program that has more credits than the standard LACC and the feeling is that 9 credits of philosophy are unnecessary to most major's career path. In 1996, the Senate did approve a change from 9 credits to 6 credits. That was later there was a changed back to 9 credits at the committee level. The change back to 9 credits never went to senate.
Their student survey (mentioned by Sharon) return rate was 70%. While students do not guide curriculum, their interest in taking classes drives whether they are offered or not. Additionally, the Honors program has received requests to put classes from some divisions (that formerly were part of the curriculum) back in. One way of doing this is by adding the honors elective category.
They have been working on this for 2 years and have a document logging communication about the proposal and process. Representatives met with the senate executive committee to determine the process this would need to go through. The executive committee, in turn, brought in representatives from various committees and consulted with the curriculum committee, who voted unanimously that this was the appropriate process.
Gay Timken moved the approve this proposal. Scott Beaver seconded.
Dean Braa inquired whether the philosophy professors had a chance to speak to their division and to the honors committee.
Susan Daniel responded that when the proposal came to the division meeting, the philosophy program asked to be placed on the agenda as well. The day of the meeting, there was a complaint that the philosophy department was not put on the agenda 2 days prior to the meeting. Eventually, [having them on the agenda] was voted on and approved and they were allotted 10 minutes. They were also invited to honors committee meeting on Thursday. Mark Perlman and Ryan Hickerson both attended. Susan asked Mark Perlman to address that, since she was unable to attend.
Mark Perlman commented that at the meeting the discussion was more about the process than the proposal because content was already decided.
President Schmidt inquired as to whether the question had been answered.
Dean Braa responded that he was not sure. Mark Perlman clarified that, yes, he had a chance to discuss it with the committee.
Gavin Keulks asked if he could respond to the comments made.
President Schmidt said no, the question had been answered.
Gay Timken remarked that it seems like there have been several division meetings where this was discussed and, while we do not always like the outcome of discussions, at some point a change happens.
Susan Daniel responded that she had reviewed humanities minutes and only found 1 meeting where the program had been discussed.
Motion passes 16 ayes, Dean Braa and Zenon Zygmont abstain. One senator needed to leave before the vote.
Proposal: Graduate Policy Change (document I, J, & K)
This proposal is to endorse degrees from countries that are a part of the bologna process. Not having had this in place has meant that we have had to reject some students because of the 4 year requirement.
Scott Beaver inquired if it was a correct assumption that these three year degrees are more applied.
Linda Stonecipher replied yes, that is the case. In the countries where these degrees are offered, the LACC-type classes are met at the high school level.
Dean Braa moved to approve. Bryan Dutton seconded.
Motion passes unanimously.
V NEW BUSINESS
Proposal : Policy Change for M.A. Program in History, Ben Lowe (document L)
The history department would like to administer their own comprehensive exams. Their exams are already different from the requirements of other programs. The main issue is that this would allow summer comprehensive exams. When the program was introduced, they specifically tried to address different demographics, including the working students, who could return each summer to complete the program. As it stands, (without summer comprehensive exams) the students would have to return during another term to take the exams.
Proposal: Academic Re-Start Program, Associate Provost McDonald (document M)
Small segment of students who left the university under academic duress. Often they will mature and return to the university.
Proposing:
That students, upon return (after meeting readmission criteria), after 2 terms in a row of full time enrollment, with a minimum 2.5 GPA, declared major, letter of recommendation from a faculty member, and endorsement of department chair could choose not to have some terms included in their GPA. Those terms would still be on their transcripts, just not used in calculating their WOU GPA. The students could not cherry pick terms or grades and keep good grades an entire term or consecutive terms would be ignored and they would have to re-take those classes.
Bryan Dutton inquired when the letter would be required. Dave McDonald responded that it would be in the third term after readmission.
Scott Beaver asked if there was a waiting period before the students would be eligible to do this. Dave McDonald responded that they would have to wait at least 5 years. Zenon Zygmont inquired if he had considered shortening that time. Dave responded that he is open to it, but 5 years is what is used by others.
Scott Beaver inquired about credits earned at another school in the interim. Dave responded that their re-admission would be based on other work; this would be based on WOU only. Gay Timken asked how the re-admission would be determined. Dave McDonald responded that it would be done in the same way it is now. The registrar looks at WOU and other work before re-admitting.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
None
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
None
IX ADJOURNMENT
4:52
Ex-Oficio:
John Minahan, Kent Neely, Evan Sorce
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 9 FEBRUARY 2010 (document A)
Approved
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate (document B & C)
The executive committee approved 805 courses in ASL, Education, Interpreting, Math, Special Education Rehabilitation Counseling, and Teacher Preparation deaf education.
The Union executive board recommended postponing online course evaluations until spring to the Provost. He has agreed.
Arrangements can be made for evaluations to occur this term, if you prefer want to do it this term.
Updated and revised committee charges are due April 22, 2010.
The executive committee spent a significant amount of time discussing the Honors program curriculum change process. That committee should be commend for bringing this issue to the executive committee. After input from many committees, including the curriculum committee, graduate committee, academic requirements committee and committee on committees, it has been determined that the process for these proposals will be to go through the executive committee directly to senate. This will be included in their updated charge. Laurie Burton (curriculum committee chair) was present to answer any questions about the process from the curriculum perspective. There were none.
The executive committee will meet with the International Education Committee on 5 March.
We have a few positions that need to be filled:
Student Media board needs a new representative
We will also need a substitute secretary for at least the last two meetings of the year. We are hoping to hire a minute taker, so this position would primarily be serving as a member of the executive committee and editing the typed minutes.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
Special legislative session likely to close without loss of fund balances.
We (WOU) will be looking at one-time funding opportunities for special projects.
University Advancement has been being re-organized. It really has two functions: growing endowment and annual giving/ alumni relations. Instead of having these under the same person, the duties have been split. Danielle Nelson is working on alumni relations and they have hired a part time person to grow board/endowment. The goal is to have 3-5 people on the ground fundraising.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present.
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
Apologized for having missed meetings. He is starting two committees: one on catering (separate rate for campus community) and one on the bookstore. They are hoping to revamp the bookstore, making it more profitable and upgrade the online systems.
For any faculty that wanted them, he had tickets for a Friday night concert, including Root down (Reggae) and the Caleb Ray Band (alternative rock).
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
Nothing from Provosts council; they will be meeting next week.
He attended a special workshop with NWCCU on Wednesday. A key point of our interim report to NWCCU was how we are becoming data driven.
The OUS system is going to be audited for financial efficiencies. One model they are working with is a recent audit at the University of Maryland system.
Some recommendations are:
• An individual is supported for only 120 credit hours, which is the minimum required for a major. Thereafter they would pay a higher rate based on the lack of state subsidy.
• All students would have part of their education from another institution.
WOU will be one of the first institutions to be audited. This fits with the NWCCU changed standards. A shift in the standards is to measuring outputs. If a university declares a mission they must demonstrate in a quantitative fashion that it has fulfilled it.
Last week's workshop was region-wide workshop. It was primarily on how to deal with first standard.
Today, we will be given a progress report about what has been done. The new standard allows the institutions to identify what realms it will be measured by. We will be expected to identify core themes.
Generally four will be:
1. Liberal arts learning environment for our students.
2. Diversified campus community
3. Represent that we are a stable and sustainable institution
4. Student readiness (have we done the work to prepare students for a profession - either through a LA base or through specific training e.g., teacher education)
He has assembled a university advisory council who will meet monthly beginning on Friday. They will be doing the next level of planning and information gathering.
Michael Ellis from university computing gave a demonstration of a key performance indicators (KPI) dynamic dashboard, which is in the portal. His caveat was that the data currently included is fake and is only meant to serve as a model.
The dashboard aligns data based on day of term, not date. Indicators may have one of three different colors of arrow: red, yellow, green. If arrow is pointing up, this year's number is greater than last year's. Hovering over the question mark gives a definition of what is being measured. For some of the data, you can drill down and you may be able to include multiple years.
Eventually the data will be automatically updated with data from banner.
Provost Neely noted that it will be determined who will have access to the data, but that at least division heads will have it available.
IV OLD BUSINESS
None
V NEW BUSINESS
President Schmidt introduced this set of proposals, noting that they are broad and far-reaching. She asked Laurie Burton to speak to the process that they had been through in the curriculum committee.
Summary from Laurie Burton:
These proposals came to curriculum committee in December, January and February. In December, they were new business and there was concern about a perceived lack of collaboration. Voting occurred in January. There was a feeling was that collaboration had not occurred and that vote failed.
After that Teacher Education did a great job of communicating with divisions and creating compromises.
All of the proposals passed unanimously in February.
Mark Girod presented background information for all of the proposals and handed out a packet to the senate (Document E):
This is likely the most widely vetted set of proposals to come before senate in a long time.
Four points driving this and four guiding principles are on cover page.
There have been major changes in field of education - it is a different place and university based teacher education has to respond to that.
With this change, they are hoping to create a sense of professional practice among their majors. Having majors with only courses at the 400 level does not make sense.
The reality of what is detailed on page 12 is that there is huge pressure is on certain areas and we need to train students to complete in this environment.
This would chance the program from 4 terms to 3. The admissions process would still be there, but would be changed to a 2-tiered process, with first tier much earlier on.
The report contains policy papers stating need for this change. Among them are: enrollment management (major attrition),
increased competition in Oregon, data from the Oregon mentor project, and data from graduates.
I looking at a credit hour analysis, the current model is 75% LAS. The proposal would change that to 63%, which is still high compared to other institutions. SOU, for example, is 55% LAS and Michigan state (# 1 ranked) is 57% LAS.
Will still have more credit hours than most of these other institutions
He is pleased to have the unanimous support of curriculum committee.
Laurie Burton added that all of the information is available on the archives linked from curriculum pages.
Gay Timken commend the teacher education faculty. It is timely and, while we may not like everything about it, doing good teacher education is not easy and it is good to be examining how we can get it done
Bob Hautala asked when Education would begin advising pre-education students.
Mark Girod responded that they have already began transferring the advising pre-education students from the advising center.
Students have to meet certain indicators (4 of 5) then are transferred to an education advisor.
Pete Poston inquired about the decrease in credits in science.
Mark Girod explained that with the ability to double-dip with the LACCs, it is essentially a wash.
Dean Braa asked if implementing lower level courses and advising will help with the pipeline attrition.
Mark responded that, yes, that is the hope.
Program Proposal: Early Childhood Only Education, Mark Girod (document D, E, & F)
Early childhood only had 6 majors last year. Teacher education is trying to encourage these students to move toward the early childhood/elementary degree.
Program Proposal: Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Mark Girod (document D, E, & G)
This represents 80% of their students. To earn this degree, they currently have to complete 194-99 credits with no electives.
The proposal will change this to 187-190 credit hours, including some elective credits built in.
Most of the students (98%) earn BS degrees. This change allows a little room for language credits in hopes of promoting more bilingualism in our emerging teachers.
Details are on page 55. Course proposals and syllabi are not included in packet.
Program Proposal: Elementary/Middle Education, Mark Girod (document D, E, & H)
Program Proposal: Honors Program, Bob Hautala & Gavin Keulks (document I & J)
This proposal is redistributing credits. Six credits are being moved around to create an honors elective category.
The process began in 2008 and the proposal has been distributed widely.
They are trying to make curriculum a little more flexible for students and to allow programs that are not part of the established curriculum to offer courses within the program.
The six credits are a result of a reduction of 3 credits in philosophy and reflect a change in credit hours (5 to 4) in the sciences.
Mark Perlman
Objects to the fact that it is being dealt with today. Thinks it should have gone through the normal curriculum process.
Gavin Keulks responded that this has been through a process. The result of which determined that all senate committees are on the same level. All curricular experts have been in favor of treating them as a parallel committee to graduate committee.
Also, the curriculum committee voted unanimously that this was the correct process.
Mark Perlman argued that the idea that this was presented to the divisions, is false, saying that the idea was floated, but never revisited.
Bob Hautala reminded him of an email sent to all faculty containing the proposals.
Gavin Keulks also commented that after this meeting, divisions would have the opportunity to discuss the proposal.
Susan Daniel indicated that she feels that [the philosophy faculty] have not had the opportunity to present their viewpoint, despite requesting it. She feels as though this is parallel to the education proposals, where decisions were made without collaboration.
Gavin responded that Carol Harding put the honors program on the [humanities division meeting] agenda several times last fall and that the Humanities comments were delivered by a Philosophy faculty member.
Bob also pointed that move from 9 to 6 is a return to what the philosophy credit hours were in 1995.
Gavin added that faculty senate voted on the change to six credits and that, without faculty senate approval, it has moved back up.
He continued that philosophy is virtually absent from other honors programs in the state. It is a point of distinction in our program.
Susan said that she still doesn't feel as though she is being heard and would like it to be discussed in an open forum. Her opposition is not to this proposal, it is to the fact that it was not discussed.
President Schmidt reminded the senate that there are 2 weeks until this comes back as old business. She recommends that Carol Harding be contacted about discussing this between now and then.
She also informed the senate Robert's Rules will be followed for the discussion of this when this appears in old business and asked senators to prepare a statement if they plan to say something on the topic.
Gavin recommended reading supporting materials, which contains rationales for decisions. He does not feel that the identity of the honors program is changed with this. Honors programs are unique in that they are not a program with regular faculty.
At this point there was one more item of new business, which needed to be introduced. President Schmidt asked for a motion to extend the meeting.
Joel Alexander moved to extend the meeting. Scott Beaver seconded.
Motion passes unanimously.
Linda Stonecipher presented a memo requesting a change in the graduate program admission policy.
Currently our policy says to be admitted a student must have a 4-year baccalaureate.
Most European students complete a 3 year degree, which is agreed upon under the Bologna accord.
This means that right now students from Europe and African can't enroll in our programs.
The graduate committee voted to approve 3 year degrees from countries that align with the Bologna Accord and is asking the senate to do the same.
The institute for international education did a survey of graduate schools in 2008. Only 15% of respondents don't accept bologna degrees.
Bologna students are the 3rd most important source of students to the US and we are currently losing out on those.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
none
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
none
IX ADJOURNMENT
5:04pm
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 26 January 2010 (document A)
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
The Teacher education senators are unable to attend today's meeting as they are in a meeting regarding their curriculum proposals.
The executive committee approved course change proposals from Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Linguistics, Religion, and Physical Education.
The Academic Infrastructure Committee now has a website; a revised charge is forthcoming.
The Office on Violence Against Women is applying for $300,000 grant. They need a senator to serve as a representative. Volunteers? Suggestions? Please let President Schmidt know.
The executive committee postponed our meeting with the international studies committee. Instead they met with several committees regarding the process for changing the Honors curriculum. In addition to that meeting, the curriculum committee will be making a recommendation on the process at their meeting on February 16.
Finally, the study abroad program would like to encourage faculty to allow study abroad representatives into their classrooms.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
President Minahan is ill. Mark Weiss presented on his behalf.
He distributed 2 handouts.
The second quarter financial report was on docket for last board meeting. In it, they project a slight increase in fund balance, which is predominantly due to Chancellor's office additional allocation of state funds, which was received as a result of the tax measures passing. We are also benefiting from lower interest rates on new construction projects.
A perfect storm is indeed approaching.
Yesterday, projections for revenue forcasts for this biennium were decreased.
½ will come from reserves the other ½ will have to be found by the legislature.
OUS put together an issues brief position paper, which WOU helped craft.
Fund balances are at risk to fill the hole ($100 million) this biennium.
Brief includes arguments as to why this is a bad idea.
Additionally, as we look to next biennium, we have several significant impacts for WOU.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
Not present
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
At the last Faculty Senate, he reported about the "Tri Board" meeting at Portland State University in January. Since then a report has been made available on-line and he wishes to provide it for the record. Included in that report is a publication of the American Association of Colleges and Universities entitled "Raising the Bar: Employers' Views on College Learning in the Wake of the Economic Downturn." It can be found at:
http://www.aacu.org/leap/documents/2009_EmployerSurvey.pdf.
Other information relevant to the role of liberal education can be found at the AAC&U's website:
http://www.aacu.org/leap/public_opinion_research.cfm.
Research from the a fore mentioned report that was used as part of the meeting was done by Heart research .
IV OLD BUSINESS
Program Proposal: Military Science, (document B)
The proposal drops two history courses and adds a military science course. An additional political science course has also been added as an option. The writing requirement will remain any writing class higher than 135.
Scott Beaver moved to approve, Zenon Zygmont seconded.
David Doellinger commented that the history department has discussed this a lot and respects the ability of departments to make their own curricular decisions and understands that they are under pressure. In principle they are concerned about history classes being replaced by military history class with MIL prefix.
Dean Scheck addressed the change. A military requirement is that this course needs to be taught from the perspective of a military and by a military certified instructor. This is the most effective way for the minor to be able to affect that change. He respects the history perspective.
Susan Daniel asked for a description of the new course and courses being replaced. President Schmidt read the new course descriptions.
David Doellinger added that the content of the courses being replaced places war in a social/economic/political context.
Susan inquired as to whether any thought/ effort was made to have a team taught course?
David responded that the history department feels that this is their (military science's) minor and they can do what they want within their minor. As historians they feel history needs context. They would not be interested in the team teaching. The issue the history has with this change is really with the military for requiring this, not with this particular change.
Motion passes with one nay (David Doellinger) and one abstention (Dean Braa).
Curriculum Proposal: General Science, Phillip Wade (document C)
Adds a new science methods course GS 325. The proposal wasput together in conjunction with teacher education and its basis is a mandate that changed the Oregon Science standards and how these courses are taught. It will be a slight reduction in FTE and will integrate several sciences into one course, integrating more scientific inquiry.
Eventually they may take old science methods courses off the books, but for now, are just adding this one.
Dean Braa moved approval, Pete Poston seconded.
Motion passes unanimously.
Program Proposal: Social Science, David Doellinger (document D)
Revising social science major so that the required theory and methods course does not have to be from their area of concentration. The second part of the proposal adds five courses to theory and methods options, based on faculty expertise.
Dean Braa moved to approve, Henry Huges seconded.
Bob Hautala inquired as to whether students would be required to take some theory in their concentration are, the answer to which was no.
Dean Braa added that not all types of methods are available in all areas of social sciences (e.g, statistics), so a student interested in a particular method would need to take a methods course outside of their concentration area.
Motion passes unanimously.
Program Proposal: M.A. Interpreting, Elisa Maroney (document E & F)
This is a 47 credit interpreting masters, delivered in hybrid format. They have determined that there is a need for it and there currently is only one graduate program in interpreting in the US (at Gallaudet). This program would be beyond what that program does, as that program only trains entry level interpreters.
WOU has always been cutting edge in this area. We began training interpreters in 1976, just 2 years after these type of programs began anywhere. They did a national survey and had more than 470 response. Sixty six percent respondents were interested in a graduate program. Forty eight percent of those wanted both interpreting and teaching interpreting, thirty two percent wanted just interpreting.
Dean Braa moved to approve, Bryan Dutton seconded.
Dean Braa asked if they had resources to teach all of this. Elisa responded that they don't, but could make it work because the program is hybrid and they could recruit adjuncts from all over the US to teach online.
Motion passes unanimously.
Program Proposal: M.A. Teaching Interpreting, Elisa Maroney (document G, H, & I)
This is a 65 credit degree program in teaching interpreting (hybrid format). Currently there is only one gradute program (at Northwestern) started in 2005 and only 3 individuals have graduated from that program.
Sixty interpreter educators will retire in next 10 years and 140 will be needed. Patrt of this need is that starting in 2012, to sit for national certification will require a bachelor's instead of an AA.
Twenty percent of survey respondents were interested in Teaching Interpreting alone.
Henry Hughes moved to approve, Gay Timken seconded.
Motion passes unanimously.
Program Proposal: Fire Services Administration, LaRon Tolley (document J)
Proposal to eliminate a minor.
Reason is that currently 97-98% are at a distance and are taking all of the courses online or through a condensed format. They can complete major courses through WOU, but most go elsewhere to complete the minor, as we do not have any minors taught in these formats. Eliminating the minor would enable them to take more courses at WOU, keeping them here as well as their tuition dollars.
One of our main competitors is our partner, EOU. EOU has put all of their courses online and provide multiple options of courses students take there and transfer back here.
Given the economic climate, this program is "under a microscope" due to being under enrolled.
The main motivation for this change is to keep students here.
LaRon Tolley serves on National Fire Science Curriculum Committee and has seen the programs at other college. He is using the examples those programs have set to make this recommendation and truly believes that this is the best option for the program.
President Schmidt presented the following information from the curriculum committee minutes, to give the senate a sense of their deliberations.
4.4.4 Program Changes
The committee noted the following list of majors which don't require minors and discussed the interdisciplinary nature of these majors
- Math / CS double major
- All Teacher Ed majors
- All Bachelor of Music majors
- Interdisciplinary Studies
Both the chair and the Assistant Registrar expressed concern that dropping a minor from the FSA major did not reflect current practice and created a "slippery slope" precedent. The chair suggested that she would prefer to table the motion and bring it to her division for discussion.
The rest of the committee discussion focused in on the idea that because this is a specialized degree it would be appropriate to drop the minor.
Sandy Hedgepeth moved to approve the changes, Rob Winningham seconded.
LaRon Tolley confirmed that we are the only OUS institution currently requiring a minor and that the number of credits in the major would remain the same.
Bryan Dutton inquired as to whether there had been a consideration of offering the degree as something other than a BA/BS.
LaRon responded, yes. Some institutions offer a BA/BS (EOU). Others offer a Bachelors of Fire Service Administration. Yet others offer a Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Fire Service.
Katherine Schmidt asked if thought had gone into being more explicit about what classes need to be taken. LaRon replied yes, it could be spelled out to make them more explicit, but it would exclude the possibility of them taking social science or psychology classes that might be available through distance format. Now the students go on the recommendation of their advisor (him).
Susan Daniel expressed the humanities concerns that the first concern should be for student's education, rather than losing money. And that they would like to see what the program would be without a minor. She mentioned that they were also concerned about the precedence of removing the minor.
Dean Braa addressed the precedent issue, reminding the senate that we already have programs without and most universities don't require minors, so we could be in trouble if we are requiring all majors to have minors.
Scott Grim described the BFA in theater, which was put together without minor. But, extra courses were built into the degree because they needed them. He would feel better if there was some built in explanation for those credits.
David Doellinger inquired where Fire Service Administration is housed on campus, noting that it used to be in social science.
Then FSA and Interdisciplinary studies moved directly under direction of Dean Scheck.
Dean Braa called the question. Henry Hughes seconded.
In favor:
Zenon Zygmont, Rob WInningham, Sandy Hedgepeth, Scott Grim, Cheryl Davis, Dean Braa, Camila Gabaldon
Opposing:
Bryan Dutton, Scott Beaver, Pete Poston, David Doellinger, Jason Waite, Gay Timken, Henry Hughes, Susan Daniel
Abstaining: Elaina Jamieson, Katherine Schmidt
Motion does not pass. 7 in favor, 8 opposing, 1 abstention.
Memo: Modification of Add/Drop Deadlines, Associate Provost McDonald (document K)
Memo is driven by desire to increase retention of students. This endorsement would move the last day to drop to the end of the 4th week and create a withdrawal policy.
Bob Hautala moves to endorse ,David Doellinger seconds.
Sandy Hedgepeth inquired as to the impact on financial aid.
Dave MacDonald replied that it actually may help students with financial aid, as we may shrink the need to repay aid.
Susan Daniel commented that students might not have a grade for a particular course by the time the drop date has passed and may not have the information that they need.
Dave MacDonald replied that yes, this will have to continue to be cooperative between faculty and students.
David Doellinger inquired about situations where a student's registration is held up.
These situations are very rare, but the registrar could waive any penalties
Zenon Zygmont mentioned a rumor that students would be able to add during first week without a signature.
Dave MacDonald responded that this is not true. This change only removes the financial penalty in the first week.
Motion passes unanimously.
Memo: DEP 805 Course Approval Process, Scott Beaver (document L)
This would allow the executive committee to approve changes to 80X courses, rather than bringing them to the full senate.
Bryan Dutton moved to approve, Dean Braa seconded.
Motion passes unanimously.
Memo: Inter-Institutional Faculty Senate Resolution, Ike Nail (document M)
IFS feels very strongly that the 5 points listed are important.
There seem to be some end runs around the normal process
What we are asking for is a reaffirmation of the process that has been in place for years.
Want to make sure that a reorganization without input does not occur.
Dean Braa moved to accept, Elaina Jameison seconded.
Dean Braa commented that this is a good thing.
Camila Gabaldon noted that, while the library faculty agree with the core principles of this document, they did not want to endorse a document as poorly written as this one.
Motion passes. with 2 nays (Camila Gabaldon and Pete Poston)
V NEW BUSINESS
none
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
none
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
none
IX ADJOURNMENT
4:56
In attendance:
Joel Alexander, Scott Beaver, Susan Daniels, Sue Dauer, Cheryl Davis, David Doellinger, Bryan Dutton, Camila Gabaldon, Mark Girod, Bob Hautala, Kevin Helppie, Henry Huges, Elaina Jamieson, Pete Poston, Katherine Schmidt, Elisa Maroney, Peggy Pederson, Dana Uveland, Jason Waite, Zenon Zygmont
Ex-Officio:
Mark Wiess (For John Minahan), Kent Neely
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 12 January 2010 (document A)
Approved
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
Executive committee approved proposals from chemistry (which in review did impact the biology program, but was referred to executive committee by the senate), English, Dance, Interpreting, and Criminal Justice.
The Pastega Awards committee is now fully staffed with faculty. Bob Hautala, Irja Galvan, Kit Andrews and Hank Bersani will be serving. We have one student representative and will be contacting ASWOU about another.
The committee met with the honors committee. Their primary activities this year are reading thesis proposals and determining the process for finding the Jensen lecture series lecturer.
Challenges have been the filling of at large positions and revisions to honors curriculum.
Next time we will meet with the International Services committee.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
Not present
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
Not present
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
Provost Neely first ceded the floor to Mark Weiss. Mark Weiss, indicated that President Minahan sends regrets for being unable to attend today's meeting. He is with an athletic director candidate on campus today. Mark will entertain questions if there are any. There were none.
Provost Neely reported that just before the winter break there was a tri-board meeting. This board is made up of the boards of OHSU, the Community College system, and state board of education. The first half of the meeting was devoted to how universities are addressing learning outcomes that will benefit industries. Oregon is one of the LEAP states who are working to establish common learning outcomes. They are trying to determine what about a 4 year liberal arts education will prepare a student to be not just a good citizen, but also an economic asset to the state. One disturbing comment during this meeting came from the owner of a very large corporation who found it puzzling that there couldn't be common curricula and methods for general education at all institutions.
All three units have now adopted the international baccalaureate criteria and general education outcomes for community colleges.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: Music Ensemble, Ike Nail (document B & C)
This proposal makes explicit what has implicitly been done. WOU ensembles have improved in quality and really are no longer open calls for admission. Proposal is to add "admission by audition" to the catalog. This stops students from registering, then dropping when they realize the level is higher than they anticipated. The proposal also adds a non-addition ensemble so that those who may not be at the level of the other ensembles still have an outlet for their musical interests.
Joel Alexander moved to approve, Sue Dauer seconded.
Passes unanimously.
Program Proposal: Biology, Bryan Dutton (document D)
Proposal increases number of lecture contact hours from 3 to 4 hours in each of their introductory courses. Credit would go from 4 to 5. They are removing some courses to make room for the credits and shifting some second year courses to accommodate chemistry changes.
They surveyed students about increasing lecture hours and they were in favor; it also aligns with other OUS institutions.
This sequence is an LACC option, so a note will need to be made in the catalog. It will not change the number of LACC credits needed; there are already 15 credit sequences.
Scott Beaver moved to approve, Pete Poston Seconded.,
Passes unanimously.
Program Proposal: ASL/English Interpreting, Elisa Maroney (document E)
Changes prerequisites from a 200 level to a 300 level. This class is conducted in ASL and students are now required to have 3 years of ASL before entering program.
Joel Alexander moved to approve, Dana Uveland seconded.
Passes unanimously.
Program Proposal: Military Science, Roy Susuico (document F--revised)
This proposal has been sent back to curriculum committee, we will see it again later.
V NEW BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: General Science, Phillip Wade (document G)
This proposal adds new general science class for education/pre education majors which will replace multiple other classes, with a net reduction from 6 fte to 4 fte for each class. In March the Oregon Science standards were altered, a new core was added as was a new vertical articulation for sciences, which means each of these areas will be taught in all grades as opposed to a focus on specific areas in specific years.
Program Proposal: Social Science, David Doellinger (document H)
They are revising 2 components of social science major.
Currently students need to do a concentration area within social science and also need to do a methods or theory course in their area of concentration. The proposal decouples area of concentration from methods and theory courses with the goal of having a strong core for social science majors.
The second component of change adds new theory and method courses which reflect new hires and interests.
Program Proposal: M.A. Interpreting, Elisa Maroney (document I & J)
Proposing a Masters degree in Interpreting. It would be the only one in the west. This program would provide interpreters working an opportunity for professional development and growth (Gallaudet is for entry level interpreters). They did a survey in planning this program and determined that there is demand for it. It will be a 47 credit degree.
Program Proposal: M.A. Teaching Interpreting, Elisa Maroney (document K, L & M)
This would be a Masters degree in Teaching Interpreting. It also would be the only one west of Boston. This would be a different method of delivery than the Boston program, which is primarily online. It is a 65 credit degree. To complete this degree, students would complete the courses for the MA in Interpreting, then some additional coursework. This program would also would have a different exit requirement from the MA in interpreting.
Program Proposal: Fire Services Administration, LaRon Tolley (document N)
Proposal eliminates the requirement of having a minor within the degree. Because of the nature of the program the majority are part-time students and employed full time off campus. Because our distance learning options are limited, those students end up meeting minor requirements elsewhere and transferring the credits in.
This degree dates back to 1978, when WOU became one of only 7 sites to partner with the National Fire Academy to offer this degree. We are the only one of those 7 to require a minor. To deliver content, WOU has partnered with EOU and University of Anchorage. The partnership with EOU is becoming more competitive than cooperative. Many students are taking the minor at EOU and transferring it back. A student currently can graduate with only 21 to 30 credits actually from WOU. The agreement with EOU lets their credits count as ours. We have lost several students to EOU in recent years, as their major requires the same number of credits, but with more flexibility since they do not require a minor.
There was some concern about removing the minor expressed by faculty.
By eliminating the minor, hopefully the major can be expanded to make it more robust. A timeline for this would be as soon as possible.
Memo: Modification of Add/Drop Deadlines, Associate Provost McDonald (document O)
Our add/drop/withdrawal policies are currently out of sync with other institutions.
This proposal would move the last day to drop to the end of the 4th week and create a withdrawal policy (currently only medical reasons are valid for a w). This shortens the window to drop a class, but adds withdrawal option.
He also proposes dropping all current penalties for add/drop in the first week. Right now, there is a financial penalty for dropping in the first week, even if class has not even met. After week 1 there would be a 25% penalty plus $20 transaction fee.
Faculty raised the concern that the memo changed both theadd and drop deadlines until the end of the 4th week. David McDonald said that he would be open to the idea of modifying that date and agreed to keep the add deadline as it currently is: end of 2nd week.
Additional New business:
Joel Alexander- when he presented the IFS resolution at the last meeting, it was with the intent of having it voted on for endorsement.
We will vote on endorsing the resolution at our next meeting.
Katherine Schmidt proposed to move the Executive Committee proposal from Committee reports to New Business. Camila Gabaldon Seconded.
Passes unanimously.
The proposal is that the executive committee can act on 800 level courses without bringing them to full senate. This is just a clarification, as these courses could appear to be a program change, which would typically go to the whole senate.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive Committee, Scott Beaver: DEP 805 Courses
See above.
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
none
IX ADJOURNMENT
4:43pm
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 24 NOVEMBER 2009 (document A)
Jason Waite will be added to the attendance.
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate (document B)
The executive committee approved several minor course changes, as well as a few new courses.
We need representatives for the Pastega Awards Committee ( 1 COE, 1 LAS, 2 at large faculty positions).
Bob Hautala volunteered for an at large position, but we still need representatives. Please send an email to your divisions to fill the rest of these positions, as this committee needs to convene ASAP.
The online evaluation instrument team is now a joint team with the union. We still need to fill vacancies from CS, HPE, CA, BUS, and NS. If you do not have a representative on the team, this is your last chance, the committee will continue with the staffing it has.
Executive committee met with the Academic Infrastructure Committee, Dean McKiel and Bill Kernan.
This year, they are dealing with three main issues:
1. Wi-fi (this is mostly resolved),
2. Updating and revising the needs assessment document,
3. Collecting data about S&S budget differences between COE and LAS
Executive committee has also requested that they set up a webpage.
The next committee to meet with executive committee will be the honors committee.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
Joel Alexander took over IFS at last meeting; he will do a good job and represent us well.
The Harlem Globetrotters will be here later in the term.
Enrollment is up 392 students over last year; we will be up at least 4% could be 8%.
The tax measures, if they do not pass, will result in a 10% budget reduction for WOU. This would come out of reserves and would institute furlough days for administrative staff. There will be no reduction in our central student services or courses due to this.
The Frohnmeyer proposal has hit some speed bumps and will not be a part of the leg special session. Board will consider in spring or summer and it will be a part of next session.
There have been a few changes in the Cottage. They have decided not to search for a new VP for the foundation. Instead, they will split the duties between two positions. An email detailing this will be sent out soon.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
Not present
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
Not present
IV OLD BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: Dance, Deborah Jones (document C) (not present)
This would add LACC designation for several courses and add "by consent of instructor" to another.
Motion to approve by Scott Grim, seconded by Bryan Dutton
Passes unanimously
Program Proposal: Educational Media Endorsement, Mary Bucy (document D)
Revamping the program, adding new courses to bring the program up to date, align with standards, infuse technology,
Motion to approve by Dana Uveland, seconded by Scott Beaver
Passes Unanimously
Program Proposal: MSEd Information Technology, Mary Bucy (document E)
Revised and brought up to date. Removing old courses, add portfolio option as an exit option. Also adds new 3 and 1 credit content area electives.
Motion to approve by Dana Uveland, seconded Dean Braa.
Motion passes: 20 Ayes, 1 Nay, 0 Abstentions
Program Proposal: MAT (document F) Steve Wojcikiewicz
Changes MAT program, streamlines it and matches more closely to other programs.
Faculty had questions about the reduction in credits and wanted to hear about the curricular, not just market, reasons for the change. Steve responded that the program would have more focused classes on areas in which they need preparation, allowing for better grasp of the content. Also, several of the credits removed were field experience hours, of which TSPC only requires 15.
This takes the program from the third largest in the state to the 4th smallest (in credit hours).
Joel Alexander moved to accept the changes, Dana Uveland seconded.
Passes Unanimously.
Program Proposal: MSEd in Language Arts (document G) Steve Wojcikiewicz
Changes to allow some core content to be taken in COE, this helps with contexts, scheduling, and number of courses offered. Was developed and approved with Humanities
Dean Braa moved to accept the changes, Henry Huges seconded.
Passes Unanimously .
V NEW BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: Music Ensemble, Ike Nail (document H & I)
No representative present
Curriculum Proposal: Chemistry, Pete Poston (document J)
They are proposing to change organic chemistry component of the chemistry program. This would take the lab hours out of the course hours, changing the course to 3 credits instead of 4. Lab hours would be offered in winter and spring. This matches up with other OUS institutions and helps students transfer.
There was some discussion about how this seemed to be a minor program change that did not impact other programs and the question was raised as to whether the Executive Committee could handle this.
Bob Hautala moved that this be removed from old business and that the executive committee deal with it.
Pete Poston seconded.
Passes unanimously
Program Proposal: Biology, Bryan Dutton (document K)
Proposal increases number of lecture contact hours from 3 to 4 hours in each of their introductory courses. Credit would go from 4 to 5. They are removing some courses to make room for the credits and shifting some second year courses to accommodate chemistry changes.
They surveyed students about increasing lecture hours and they were in favor; it also aligns with other OUS institutions.
This sequence is an LACC option, so a note will need to be made in the catalog. It will not change the number of LACC credits needed; there are already 15 credit sequences.
Program Proposal: ASL/English Interpreting, Elisa Maroney (document L)
This is a course change that will result in a change in the program prerequisites. The title is changing to Linguistics of ASL and the number will be 353. The description is also changing.
The prerequisites will change from ASL 6 to ASL 9 and Ling 210. The rationale for this is that students who took this last year had difficulty because it is conducted in ASL and the content was very difficult without a foundation in linguistics. For a frame of reference, 76% of the students who took ASL 8 and Ling 210 passed the course with a B or better, which is a requirement to get into the program.
Program Proposal: Military Science, Roy Susuico (document M)
They are trying to upgrade the minor. Army policy has changed and this will help them come into alignment. The will drop two history courses and add a military science course. An additional political science course has also been added as an option .
They are also changing writing courses from any writing class above WR 135 to any writing course above WR 135 or an approved writing intensive course.
Several titles and descriptions have been updated to align with what is being taught and courses that are no longer taught have been deleted.
There was significant discussion about the intent of the writing requirement and whether a writing intensive class really took the place of a writing course given their intent that "cadets know how to write." The conclusion was that the change in the wrting requirement would be dropped from this proposal.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Infrastructure Committee, Joe Harchanko
Report on Wi-Fi pilot project.
They had 3 objectives:
1) Increase access
2) Demonstrate utility
3) Investigate feasibility of different models on campus
They feel they have met all 3 objectives.
They conducted a survey of pilot project participants: 80% of respondents placed value at high or very high. The full results are included in the handout he distributed.
At the end of the project, they hoped to develop a campus wide, consistent policy. All 3 deans have agreed to support this and currently 87 faculty are using Wi-Fi.
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
Joel Alexander
As a reaction/revision to the Frohnmeyer repoprt, Chancellor has developed a working document.
The report came about largely due to the fact that we have 6000 line items that must be judged by legislature. Most other state entities do not have this many. Many other university systems get a percentage and do not have to do line item approval. This has advantages, but creates some inefficiencies.
There are several possibilities: one separate entity, several entities, branch campuses. All of these would need to have accountability to legislature.
U of O and PSU have set up performance accountability matrices so that they would not have to be line itemed to the degree they currently are.
IFS had a report form OHSU to hear about the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a public corporation. One major issue is that there may be more revenue scrambling.
IFS has developed a resolution that would include all of the schools in the process going forward.
There were many questions about the implications and causes of the report and potential paths forward.
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
none
IX ADJOURNMENT
4:55
Western Oregon University is committed to providing students from all backgrounds a personalized educational experience that successfully prepares them for our diverse and dynamic world. WOU actively seeks to enroll and graduate students from all the world's cultures so that our campus community can effectively teach and grow in its understanding and celebration of the many diverse cultures, beliefs, traditions, histories and heritages in our communities both locally and abroad.
We will accomplish the goals and objectives in our strategic plan and institutional aspirations by proactively
Faculty Senate Minutes
24 November 2009, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Columbia Room
Online Documents for Senatorial Review (www.wou.edu/president/facultysenate/blog):
A: Draft of Minutes: 10 November 2009
B: Proposal: Art Curriculum Change
C: Proposal:Humanities Curriculum Change
D: Paperwork: Humanities Curriculum Change
E: Proposal: Art Curriculum Changes
F & G: Paperwork: Art Curriculum Changes
H & I: Proposal: Piloting Online Teaching Evaluations
J: Proposal: Dance Curriculum Change
K: Proposal: Educational Media Endorsement Program Request
L: Proposal: MSEd Information Technology Program Request
M: Proposal: MAT Program Request
N: Proposal: MSEd Language Arts Program Request
O: Memo: LACC Ad Hoc Committee Update
P: Memo: Service Recognition and Plastic-Water-Bottle-Free Zones
I CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
3:30pm
In attendance:
Scott Beaver, Sue Dauer, Cheryl Davis, David Doellinger, Bryan Dutton, Mark Girod, Scott Grimm, Bob Hautala, Sandy Hedgepeth, Solveig Holmquist, Henry Hughes, Elaina Jaimeson,Klay Kruczek, Katherine Schmidt, Carl Schroeder, Gay Timken, Dana Uveland, Zenon Zygmont, Jason Waite
Ex-Oficio:
Kent Neely, Evan Sorce
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 10 NOVEMBER 2009 (document A)
Approved with corrections to minor
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate (document B)
In the last executive committee meeting, changes to the MS Education Health degree and art course deletions (photography is no longer an option) were approved.
The Academic Excellence Showcase letter was delivered electronically.
In discussion of the proposals that will be discussed today, it was determined that a library faculty member will be a part of the advisory committee for the Edcational Media Endorsement.
The executive committee also met with the Mary Harden, Chair of the Academic Requirements Committee (ARC) and Nancy France. Challenges for the ARC they presented included a lack of continuity in minutes from previous years and the approval of LACC courses. The LACC course approvals is a particular challenges, as the ARC doesn't have a set place in the approval process, there are no guidelines in place for this, and the ARC does not have representatives from all divisions.
On 1/8/2010 the Executive Committee will meet with the Academic Infrastructure Committee (AIC).
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
Mark Weiss presented on behalf of President Minahan.
All faculty are invited to holiday celebration on 12/9.
A focus of this report was the recently-released Frohnmeyer report. University of Oregon's ex-President Frohnmeyer was asked by the Chancellor to determine how the larger institutions would deal with inadequate state funding. His report diagnosed problems in funding and recommends a different governance structure akin to that at OHSU. Consideration of the four smaller schools is conspicuously absent and the Presidents of those schools are concerned. President Minahan has been involved in discussions on this topic around the state. There has been a lot of attention to this report and is likely more to come.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present.
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
He is starting to work with IFC; their next meeting is 12/3.
The students passed a resolution that President Minahan will sign and endorsing and supporting the American Dream Act.
He has already received the booklists for next term and thanks the faculty for supporting this.
The students are about to start a major voter education campaign for the tax measures. They will be bringing in pro and con speakers for the measures.
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
Good news. When he met with both colleges and spoke about efforts to recruit and retain Latino students, both colleges expressed interest in classes for basic Spanish.
There will be 2 classes offered by DEP in Spanish winter term. Beginning Spanish language and culture will be on Tuesday evenings and Conversational Spanish (for those who may have rudimentary and want to brush up) will meet on Fridays at noon.
The last 2 weeks have been busy for OUS. He has attended meetings with the CIA and OUS re: new degree program and with NWACC on new standards
Wanda Clifton-Faber and the provost attended a meeting with NWACC to review the new standards, which will likely be passed.
The Provosts' Council met at Portland State University, Urban Center, 12 November.
* Discussed and recommended approval for new PhD in Cancer Biology at Oregon Health and Science University.
* Process for developing a Peer Comparator list is under redevelopment following the need to update that of OIT.
* Sabah Randhawa, Provost, Oregon State University and Marvin Kaiser, Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Portland State University, reported on progress in developing Professional Science Master's Degrees (PSM)at their institutions. All Provosts voiced support for developing such degrees and many (including WOU) noted that they had already developed or were developing such degrees.
* Reports were given by Bob Tuner, OUS staff and WOU Professor Emeritus, and Karen Sprague, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, University of Oregon, regarding steps to comply with directives within SB342. Dr. Turner spoke about the alignment of International Baccalaureate credits across the 7 OUS campuses and the 17 Oregon community colleges.
* Senate Bill 342 which aligns International Baccalaureate credits for OUS institutions and identifies general education outcomes and criteria.
o A unified policy about recognition and awarding of college credit for IB classes taken in high school (Attachment: IB Alignment Policy v6 11 02 2009.docx)
o General ed outcomes were established by an OUS wide committee (including WOU's Carol Harding, Michael Ward, Diane Tarter and Lonnie Guralnick) and with consensus by all committee members (Attachment: IB alignment policy context letter 11 02 09.docx)
Provosts met with the Community College Council of Instructional Administrators, University Place, Portland State University campus 13 November.
* Provosts and their Community College counterparts (CIA) affirmed and endorsed the work that had taken place to fulfill the charges on SB342 and SB442 (Attachment: General Education Outcomes and Criteria - FINAL 9-2-09.pdf). Now the proposals will go before the Joint Boards Articulation Commission (JBAC). JBAC is a policy and action-oriented group, established in 1992 by the Oregon Board of Education and the Oregon Board of Higher Education.
* A good deal of discussion followed a presentation by Larry Galizio (new OUS staff member) regarding the possibility of converting both OUS institutions and community colleges to semesters. SB442 mandated that the conversion possibility be studied. (Attachments: Semester conversion pros-cons.doc, Semester conversion OSBHE Chronology.doc, Semester conversion info from other states.doc)
* Similarly, more conversation surrounded the issues of rural access and success another aspect of SB442. Mr. Galizio will pursue that issue as well.
Last week there was a meeting about HB 3093 between OUS and community colleges
This bill mandates that a plan be developed to deliver applied baccalaureate degrees (Attachment: HB 3093 Applied Bacc - A-Engrossed.pdf). These are currently offered in all but 11 states. Essentially these degrees are for people with AAOS degrees who have worked out in the world, but need a BA. In this case, they would come back to the university to get the general education.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: Humanities, Jason Waite (document C & D)
Request is to change from 64 to 75 credits. Result of assessment of portfolios. The have found a growing reliance on LACC double dipping, creating less upper division work.
The 64 credit major is left over from before double-dipping was allowed.Last week the question of how long the degree takes was raised. The answer is it depends on the student. The degree can go rather quickly. A student starting as a Freshman takes about the same timeto complet as with other majors.
Approval was moved by Henry Hughes
Seconded Gay Timken
It was unanimously approved.
Curriculum Proposal: Art, Jodie Raborn (documents E, F, & G)
Add drawing as a focus area for major/minor, reorganize sequence, ad classes
Approval was moved by Bryan Dutton
Seconded Sandy Hedgepath
It was unanimously approved.
Proposal: Online Teaching Evaluation Pilot, Wanda Clifton-Faber (document H & I)
Proposing a beta test of an online system during winter term, instead of paper and pencil with SIR, saves significant funding and lots of paper.
Carl Schroder moved that we beta test of an online evaluation system during winter term.
Seconded by ?
Faculty Had the following questions:
Q: What questions would be used for winter term and how to get students to do the evaluations.
A:There are already 13 questions since we are using a revised version of U of O's forms. These could be used. She (Wanda Clifton-Faber) has asked for premier parking spaces from the parking committee to be used as an incentive for completing the evaluations.
Q: Is there a place for comments?
A: Yes, there are 2 places.
Q: Will we eventually do it every term?
A: Yes.
Q: If an instructor makes it a requirement that they complete one, is there any proof that students have done it?
A: It may be possible to generate something saying that they completed it.
Q: Our target is currently 50%. Can you report whether 50% of enrollees have completed the survey?
A: Possibly.
Q: Is this academic year's evaluation typically given in winter?
A: Yes. These would be the evaluations used in tenure and promotion,.
Q: So the 13 questions would be the ones given?
A: We are trying to get over the 45 question current instrument
Mark Girod Commented that there are many issues here, but if we do this we should do this correctly. If it means bringing together a body of faculty and taking time then we should do that.
Gay Timken commented that we also need to find a way for PRCs to understand a changed system. Can we as a body provide some guidelines for PRCs?
Wanda commented that we could make exceptions for pilot to those going up for tenure.
Cheryl Davis had questions about timelines and how it would actually be implemented, stating that it feels a little rushed because we are at the end of fall.
Wanda Clifton-Faber responded that we have to order SIR forms next week.
Cheryl responded that those timelines make it feel as though we are not going to have time to do a thorough job.
Jason Waite added that the timeline really speaks to whether we should move forward; We would have a very limited amount of time.
Wanda responded that we are coming up with a prototype,not the "drive model."
Klay Kruzcek inquired as to why this has to be done in winter.
Scott beaver responded that it is contractual and has not been opened as a bargaining point.
Zenon Zygmont observed that many faculty decisions are made before this data would be available.
Dean Rosselli addedthis data would go into annual reports, post-tenure reports, etc. The data would be used in next year's tenure and promotion files.
Mark Girod presented a proposal from the executive committee that senators would return to divisions and recruit representatives to serve on a new committee to develop questions.
Bryan Dutton suggested this as a friendly amendment to Carl Schroder's motion. Carl accepted the amendment.
The motion passed with 2 abstentions.
Klay Kruzcek moved that we add a student to the faculty committee.
Ryan Hickerson seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
V NEW BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: Dance, Deborah Jones (document J)
No sponsor present
Program Proposal: Educational Media Endorsement, Mary Bucy (document K)
Educational Media Endorsement program has been on the books for many years, but has not been in the catalog since 1996. It has been taught since 1996, but usually by having students take courses elsewhere and transfer them in. The major problem in offereing these ciourses has been finding individuals qualified to teach these courses. Now they have found retiring school librarians who are interested in teaching
Summary of changes:
Rather than having a prerequisite on technology, they have included that in the program and moved children's literature to a prerequisite
Media and information literacy have been divided into two courses because they are two different concepts: evaluating what you are getting and evaluating what you are finding.
Courses have been updated
TSPC now requires two practica, so there are now two in the degree.
Putting together an advisory group will include faculty from our library, staff from the school districts, and COE faculty.
Scott- mentioned that faculty are retiring faculty from schools in the areas. Is there a plan for continuity? Yes, advisory committee would be handling that
Program Proposal: MSEd Information Technology, Mary Bucy (document L)\
This degree is separate from all other MSEd courses and has its own core. The content area electives are wide open, selecting from CSE course work Students have to take 21 credit hours, up to six of which can be skills courses.
This proposal is asking to change courses to align with what is currently taught as well as offer a new exit option.
Currently, students can do either a professional project or comps but the faculty would like to offer a new exit (a portfolio), as many studnets in this program are not teachers.. In the portfolio, they would have to demonstrate a familiarity with literature, how they have mastered national educational technology standards and include a selection of work illustrating how they have mastered skills. Students would have to submit an intent to complete a portfolio early on.
Program Proposal: MAT, Marie LeJeune (document M)
Needed to revise MAT program in teacher education (initial licensure program).It had been out of compliance with graduate hours for the college.
An exit survey helpedthem revise the program to meet gaps and come more into alignment. In this proposal, the MAT will go from 57 to 53 credits, which allows them to be within graduate study requirements. To come up with the cchanges, they studied the other MAT programs and tried to make theirs rigorous, but competitive as well.
Currently, four cohorts are admited per year, 2 in the fall and 2 online. Revised, cohorts will be entering in June and Septembe which gives a Summer break and allows students to be in a field experience for an entire year. This also the delivery of the content in their coursework inn a way that is developmentally appropriate.
Content pedagogy has changed from 2 to 6 credits, which is more in line with other initial licensure programs.
A professional seminar runs throughout the program, which helps scaffold them through their professional project. The exit will be professional project with option for thesis
Program Proposal: MSEd in Language Arts, Marie LeJeune (document N)
Currently, education is not listed as an area that they can takecontent from. This proposal adds education in as an area fromm which they can take courses.This will expand the offerings for students, as many courses are not taught at times when practicing students can take them.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
LACC Ad Hoc Committee, Tom Bergeron (document O)
The provided memo is his report and he is willing to entertain questions.
Gay Timken inquired about how the writing part came about.
Tom responded that feedback the committee received was that writing on campus is not strong. The strongest feedback was that they needed to do more research, which is what is being done with the samples being requested.
Elaina Jamieson asked f bad writing isa common problem at other universities and if informaiton about how we compare is available.
Tom responded that that has not been investigated.
Evan Sorce commented that, for some majors, it is hard for students to get the courses they need, as they are offered only once a year. The requirement of a 300 level writing course would tax students. Many majors already have a lot of writing.
Dean Rosselli asked about the writing portfolio for all students, commenting that it seems pretty big and that she wondered if the committee has any ideas about how that would work.
Tom responded that they are still working on that. They have talked about a fee that would pay readers.
Dean Rosselli commented that LACC committee is very much comprised of people teaching LACCs, since a portfolio would come at the end of the program, it might be useful to include individuals teaching upper division.
Tom responded that it is a pretty big committee. There are 21 people on the committee.
Mark Girod added that programs may already have existing portfolios that would deal with these issues in place of this.
Tom will report again in March.
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
Service Recognition and Plastic-Water-Bottle-Free Zones, Katherine Schmidt (document P)
Have a gift for senators and committee chair people. String attached is that office will be designated as a water bottle free zone.
IX ADJOURNMENT
4:55
]]>II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 27 OCTOBER 2009 (document A)
Minutes were approved, with typos and name misspellings corrected.
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
We would like an additional representative for the Latino committee. Currently Maria Dantas-Whitney and Jason Waite are our representatives. Any one interested, please let President Schmidt know.
We also need alternate for the finance committee with Mark Weiss. This committee is informed of WOU's finances, disseminates information about the finances, and is advisory to President Minahan. Currently Bryan Dutton and President Schmidt are representatives, but because of potential scheduling issues a volunteer to serve as an alternate is needed. Cheryl Davis volunteered.
President Schmidt passed on a reminder about the H1N1 policy from Provost Neely. Faculty need to be flexible. Don't expect doctor's notes for student absences this term.
The Executive Committee met with the Graduate and Curriculum Committees last week.
The graduate committee will be updating thesis guidelines, creating an online handbook, creating guidelines for the exit process and working with the library on an online repository for theses this year.
The Curriculum Committee is continuing to work out bugs in the online proposal system. They have a goal of April for adding an "edit" feature to the online system. They are also hoping to revisit the diversity guidelines.
Both committees are working with DEP on 800 level classes.
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
President Minahan recently sent out an email with budget information in addition to the presentation to the Senate done by Mark Weiss and wanted to know if there were questions about either of those.
At the senate's request, he provided a follow up on OUS fund balance "fishing."
The Legislative Fiscal office has asked for a report. We have opposed it, but had to fill out the paperwork. Some legislatures define fund balances as fat and are looking to use these. A lot of lobbying has been done, though, and it does not look like there are enough votes to take the balances.
President Minahan reports that he is happy to be back from China, though it was a productive trip. We have two new agreements with universities in China. One will bring upwards of 50 students into MIS program. Another will bring two plus two majors into a variety of disciplines. In addition, one of the universities would like us to jointly operate an English language center in China for the students before they come over, which we would likely do during the summer (due to the location of this university). This will present opportunities for our students and faculty in China
In the next 18 months, he would like to add approximately 100 international students, primarily at the Masters level.
President Minahan asked Dave MacDonald to give a summary of a press release that was released by OUS on Wednesday. The release is on enrollment across OUS system. The bottom line is that enrollments are up 5.8%, with all campuses showing increases, though SOU was the least. WOU was at 5.7% (right in the middle). Fewer Oregon residents came to OUS campuses at the OUS level (he attributes this to rise in community college enrollments), so the growth was fueled by non-resident and transfer students. There is also increased retention and diversity. WOU's diversity went up at a higher rate, and he expects we will continue to be the most diverse campus in OUS. Graduate students increased 4% system-wide, at WOU the increase was 17%.
He also distributed flyer for the new health and wellness center that was just produced.
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Not present
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
Apologized for missing meetings. He informed the senate that he has started IFC process and their first meeting will be 11/19 at 7pm in the Oregon Room (WUC). They will also have a training on 11/22 at 5pm. He has also scheduled a meeting on December 3, but that date may be changed.
He has been surveying students about issues that impact them:
Will work with President Minahan on legislation for Federal Dream Act and SAFRA
Additionally, catering seems to be an issue of importance to students. He will work on a plan to have different pricing for students.
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
There has not been a provost's council meeting since his last report. They are scheduled to meet later in the week in Portland. He expects to discuss two senate bills: 342, which deals with aligning the international baccalaureate credits across the system, and 442, which is focused on access for rural students and the conversion to a semester system. On Friday they will meet with their community college counter parts to discuss those bill and House Bill 3090 which focuses on instituting applied baccalaureate degrees at all higher education institutions in the state.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Proposal: Credit by Exam Policy, Klay Kruczek of ARC (document B)
The proposal is to change the credit by exam policy for a little more flexibility for departments to make decisions about courses that students may receive credit by exam.
Dean Braa moved for approval, Scott Beaver seconded.
Passed unanimously.
A second part of this proposal is to insert instructions on the website and in the catalog.
Dean Braa moved for approval, Bryan Dutton seconded.
Passed unanimously.
Proposal: Academic Excellence Showcase Support, Bryan Dutton (document C)
The motion was for the Senate to support the 2010 showcase.
Dean Braa moved for approval, Klay Kruczek seconded.
Passed unanimously.
This motion was for the Executive committee to write a letter in support of the showcase to all faculty, asking that they set aside this class time.
Klay Kruczek moved for approval, Elaina Jamieson seconded.
Passed unanimously.
V NEW BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: Humanities, Henry Hughes (document D & E)
Jason Waite presented for Henry Hughes.
The Humanities major is unique in that it has the potential for 18 LACCs to count toward major (double-dipping), leaving a smaller number of hours that are devoted exclusively to the major. This has resulted in a watering-down of the major, as has been evidenced by the quality of recent senior projects.
This proposal would raise major from 64 hours to 75 and limit the number of LACCs to 7.
Questions included inquiries about how long it takes to finish the major on average (did not know), why credits were being added not just limiting the double-dipping (that was the original proposal, but Curriculum Committee sent it back because this would be in opposition to a current campus policy) and a comment that 75 credits is not an unusually large major.
Curriculum Proposal: Art, Jodie Raborn (documents F, G, & H)
This is a proposal to add drawing as a concentration area in Art. They need to move the numbers around (currently there are no 200 level drawing classes) and hope that by adding more drawing courses, they can improve performance in other areas where more drawing would be preferred (e.g, graphic design).
Proposal: Online Teaching Evaluation Pilot, Wanda Clifton-Faber (document I & J)
This proposal is that we go to an online, 13 question course evaluation form based on U of O evaluation as a pilot project in winter term. Those 13 questions would be revised by faculty. She would like to not administer the paper SIR this winter as it costs over $8000. Senators will receive credentials so that they can show this system to their divisions.
Many questions centered on how to get student participation in an online form, when it is often challenging to get them to fill out a paper form that is handed out. Ideas for incentives (e.g, extra-credit) or more punitive (e.g, hold grades) means were briefly explored.
This system would cost about $2500 and could be used as many times as we want, as opposed to SIR, which coasts $8000 per administration. Eventually, the system could be (almost) cost-free, as we could host it locally. Results would be available quickly and in a usable format (so faculty could make graphs, charts, etc.).
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
none
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
New Residence Hall, Part II: Living and Learning, Tina Fuchs (document K)
Postponed
IX ADJOURNMENT
4:13pm
Western Oregon University
Faculty Senate Agenda
10 November 2009, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Columbia Room
Online Documents for Senatorial Review (www.wou.edu/president/facultysenate):
A: Draft of Minutes: 27 October 2009
B: Proposal: Credit by Exam
C: Proposal: Academic Excellence Showcase Support
D: Proposal: Humanities Curriculum Change
E: Paperwork: Humanities Curriculum Change
F: Proposal: Art Curriculum Changes
G & H: Paperwork: Art Curriculum Changes
I & J: Proposal: Piloting Online Teaching Evaluations
K: Memo: New Residence Hall
I CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
II CORRECTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 27 OCTOBER 2009 (document A)
III PRESIDENTS' REPORTS
Katherine Schmidt, Faculty Senate
John Minahan, Western Oregon University
Joe Hutchinson, Staff Senate
Evan Sorce, ASWOU
Kent Neely, Provosts' Council
IV OLD BUSINESS
Proposal: Credit by Exam Policy, Mary Harden of ARC (document B)
Proposal: Academic Excellence Showcase Support, Bryan Dutton (document C)
V NEW BUSINESS
Curriculum Proposal: Humanities, Henry Hughes (document D & E)
Curriculum Proposal: Art, Jodie Raborn (documents F, G, & H)
Proposal: Online Teaching Evaluation Pilot, Wanda Clifton-Faber (document I & J)
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
none
VII INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE REPORT
none
VIII SUSTAINABILITY THEME
New Residence Hall, Part II: Living and Learning, Tina Fuchs (document K)
IX ADJOURNMENT