Wichita State University Faculty Senate meeting  Monday, November 26, 2007

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Acker, Bolin, Campbell, Celestin Close, Decker, deSilva, Gordon, Hager, Hamdeh, Hemans, Hershfield, Jarnagin, Klunder, Lancaster, Liera-Schwichtenberg, C. Moore-Jansen, P. Moore-Jansen, Myers, Myose, Rillema, Riordan, Rokosz, Ross, Roussel, Russell, Schneegurt, Scherz, Skinner, Spurgeon, Uhing, Vanderburgh, Yeager, Yildirim

MEMBERS ABSENT: Byrum, Coufal, Jeffres, Smith-Campbell. Taher, Turk

MEMBERS EXCUSED:   Bolin, Brooks, Carruthers, Craig-Moreland, Duncan, Forlaw, Hathaway, Thibeault

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:  Associate Provost Pendse

Summary of Action:   
        1.  Elected Dan Close to fill the seat vacated by Senator Proctor
        2.  Referred the questions about faculty types/roles to Faculty Affairs Committee
   
    

I.       Call of the Meeting to Order:  President Carruthers was ill, so the meeting was called to order at 3:30pm by Vice President Campbell.

II.      Informal Statements and Proposals: 
Senator Lancaster mentioned the Shocker Women’s Volleyball in Lincoln.  Go Shox!  Senator Schneegurt: noted that there are faculty on campus in roles (e.g., clinical faculty, research asst/assoc/full professors--non-tenure track, but not unclassified professionals such as research associates) which are not recognized in P&P documents.  KU and KSU define these and other non-trad faculty.  The Senate voted to Refer the matter to faculty affairs committee to look into the matter (they should request written materials from Schneegurt).   Senator Russell alerted the senate to information about   Campus groups and free speech concerning two events this semester (Campus Republicans and illegal immigration demonstration, Campus Democrats and flags to memorialize fallen soldiers).  Presently, no restrictions on unprinted materials.  Problems with enforcement: provide info channel, streamline procedures, mechanism for presidential exception.  What are inappropriate venues for first amendment activities (WelcomeFest, Commencement, others)?  SAC has but should not have the responsibility to decide these questions.  Senator Gordon who is chairing an ad hoc study regarding Academic freedom policies at WSU mentioned that this shouldn’t put into place policies which end up harming faculty.   

III.  Approval of the Minutes:  Minutes of October 8, 2007, accepted as presented.   Minutes of October 22, 2007, accepted as presented.

IV.  President's Report:   
   Vice President Campbell  requested a KBOR update from Provost Miller.  He noted that the University Presidents had each been asked for a 10-min presentation on how they would use investment funds, to be based on a concept paper written in summer 2007, which in turn was based on KBOR’s five strategic questions.  What would WSU do with $13 Million over the next 5 years.  Administration had a very short time to prepare and was therefore unable to consult widely as it would have liked.  WSU would invest in meeting KS workforce demands: teachers, accountants, engineers, nurses.  Enhance co-op; invest in staffing to produce these professions; over the long term, invest in staffing biosciences, early childhood development, and Health Professions e.g. dentistry.  WSU’s was the most effective of the six presentations to the board.  Those presentations will be used to formulate KBOR’s legislative agenda: preserving the base (HEPI+6%) and investing in special projects.  In total, three small projects from regionals, then WSU and KSU, KU an afterthought.  WSU’s focus on its urban-serving mission and economic development was very well received.   Look for Provost Miller’s essays on Student Learning and Accountability, and on Workforce Development (refining, not re-forming, WSU) on the Academic Affairs web.

       V.  Committee Reports:
                A.  Rules--  Larry Spurgeon, chair  presented the name of Dan Close to complete the term vacated by C. Proctor.  His nomination was accepted.  He then presented information on  policy revision updates. Election rules for senate; make constitution and Fac Sen rules consistent on defining faculty.  Spurgeon outline some initial proposals for changing the way the university elects senators.  The main proposed change is to give a seat to each department (within size restrictions).  Much discussion.  A white paper will be circulated

        VI.  Old Business:  none

 

VII.  New Business:   none
           

VIII:   As May Arise: 
                VP Campbell reminded the Senators of the General Faculty Information Session on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, 1:30pm, HH 209.  Will include report from senate, report from Provost.  Holiday Party at 3pm in RSC.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm

Respectfully Submitted,
William Vanderburgh, Secretary