Wichita State University Faculty Senate meeting  Monday, February 11, 2008

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Bolin, Brooks, Byrum, Carruthers, Close, Decker, deSilva, Gordon, Hager, Hamdeh, Hemans, Jarnagin, Klunder, Lancaster, Liera-Schwichtenberg, Miller, P. Moore-Jansen, Myers, Myose, Rillema, Riordan, Rokosz, Ross, Roussel, Russell, Smith-Campbell, Spurgeon, Taher, Thibeault, Turk, Uhing, Vanderburgh, Yildirim

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Craig-Morland, Duncan, Hershfield, C. Moore-Jansen, Ravi, Yeager

MEMBERS EXCUSED:   Campbell, Celestin, Coufal, Forlaw, Scherz, Schneegurt

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:  Provost Miller

Summary of Action:   
    !.  Accepted the appointment of Lop-Hing Ho to replace Acker
   
    

I.       Call of the Meeting to Order:  The meeting was called to order by President Carruthers at 3:30 pm

II.      Informal Statements and Proposals: 

                Senator Lancaster reminded the Senate that baseball season begins February 22. 

    President Carruthers is attempting to convince the administration to close the university whenever USD 259 is closed due to weather.  Several senators mentioned this might cause problems especially with clinical courses and suggested that Faculty make their own call.
 

III.  Approval of the Minutes:         

IV.  President's Report:      

            President Carruthers announced that Larry Spurgeon is now on the crisis management planning task force.  She gave an update on cell phone policy reporting that the matter is not resolved .  The Senate voted to table the issue.  She mentioned that in future meetings,   Mary Herron (April 9) will present a  budget report; Elizabeth King,  Foundation update and that  HR will explain changes to spread of pay to align with tax code.   

        At the KBOR meeting coming up, the agenda includes discussion of caps on increases to tuition and other methods of limiting increasing costs to students; COFSP  will discuss the  150 day academic year.

        President Carruthers was ask by a faculty member to have the Senate consider a No Smoking ban within 25 feet of  buildings.  It was decided to wait until the State makes its recommendations.   

        She also informed the Senators that Senate election process will begin soon and that it will be conducted Electronically.  

        The Budget and Planning committee is  meeting. 

       V.  Committee Reports:
            A.  Rules:  Larry Spurgeon presented the name of Lop-Hing Ho to complete the term vacated by Acker --- accepted    

        He then presented the name o Edwin Sawan to fill engineering seat vacated by Skinner.  There was some discussion if  Prof. Sawan was l.0eft.  The matter will be investigated. 
 

VI.  Old Business:
        A.  +/- grading proposal --  President Carruthers presented a motion from the Executive Committee proposing a +/- grading system for WSU.  She reported that she met with the Graduate Council and they seemed favorable to the idea.  They meet 2/22 an she hopes they will endorse the proposal.    Much discussion followed from the senators regarding the pros/cons of the proposal.  It was suggested that each Senator visit with their departments and bring those discussions to the next meeting.   http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/grading-plus-minus.htm

VII.  New Business:  
       A.  Electronic Elections --  Secretary Vanderburgh displayed how the electronic election process will be performed.  Nominations for Senator -at-Large positions will begin Monday, 2/18.  He encouraged senators to inform their departments about this change and participate in the election process.

VIII:   As May Arise: 
               

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm

Respectfully Submitted,
William Vanderburgh, Secretary