Wichita State University Faculty Senate meeting  Monday, May 12, 2008

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Brooks, Byrum, Campbell, Carruthers, Decker, deSilva, Gordon, Hager, Hershfield, Ho, Klunder, Lancaster, Liera-Schwichtenberg, C. Moore-Jansen, P. Moore-Jansen, Myose, Rillema, Rokosz, Roussel, Russell, Scherz, Schneegurt, Spurgeon, Vanderburgh

MEMBERS ABSENT: Celestin, Coufal, Craig-Moreland, Duncan, Forlaw, Hamdeh, Jarnagin, Miller, Ravi, Riordan, Taher, Turk, Yeager, Vildirim

MEMBERS EXCUSED:   Bolin, Close, Myers, Smith-Campbell, Uhing

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: 

Summary of Action:  


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

II.      Informal Statements and Proposals:            

Senator Russell: gave a handout about campus first amendment policies (inspired by puzzlement regarding two events at the beginning of the academic year).  The administration has agreed that things like WelcomeFest are not an appropriate venue for First Amendment activities.  Presidential waiver on rules regarding approving First Amendment events was not used for the College Democrats’ issue, and it is not likely to be used (authority delegated to Dean of Students, but she is reluctant to use it).  Recommendation that  Senate continue to work with Administration to clarify policy and regularize its implementation.  The content restrictions on First Amendment activities are surprisingly narrow (refer only to printed and distributed materials).  He recommend revising that policy. 

III.  Approval of the Minutes:  The approval of the minutes of the meeting Monday, April 28, were postponed.

IV.  President's Report:  

President Carruthers thanked the Executive Committee and Senators, especially those rotating off, for their service.  She noted that Prem Bajaj sent letter to thanking  the university for being so kind to his family in their time of loss.  She noted that the Administration has made it clear that they want to support e-learning.  She made the recommendation that next Senate take up the issue of formulating the structure of that program.  She also suggested that  with the mrInterview  technology for surveying faculty, doing votes via internet.  A good way to get the pulse of the faculty; could use data to formulate policy, then let Senate decision be final, without always taking issues to the General Faculty.

COFSP considered idea that there might be “shared outcomes” among Regents institutions.

She said the 2008 annual report of the Budget and Planning, Executive Committee  will be posted soon.

V.  Committee Reports:|

A.  Standing Committee Annual Reports:

         1.  Rules --. Nominations to fill Senate vacancies.  Debbie Soles (Philosophy); approved.  Steve Skinner (Electrical Engineering); approved.  Annette LeZotte (Art and Design); approved.

         2.  Faculty Senate Standing committee annual reports:

                  a.  General Education --  http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/GErpt.htm.  Move to accept report (Campbell, Gordon); passed.

         .         b. Tenure and Promotion --  http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/T&Prpt.htm **  Paul Harrison, chair presented the report.  Senator Rillema (DeSilva-2nd) to accept the report.  Report accepted.  Then Paul Harrison brought the following motion to the floor ---“The use of external reviews is required in all promotion and tenure reviews to demonstrate earned recognition in professional circles.  External reviews are not required for Professor Incentive Reviews.”                     
            Senator Lancaster stated that this motion aligns faculty with Provost’s expectations and strongly endorse this resolution.  Senator Brooks suggested that this is the wrong meeting to do this, that this should be looked at, at length, by next Senate and that different colleges have different opinions.  Senator Byrum said he is in favor, that it brings clarity to the notion of/need for research.  Senator Gordon agreed and was also in favor, would lead to greater uniformity/standardization across the university.  It is odd that some departments with PhD programs don’t use external reviews.  President Carruthers wondered if this is a time to make the Senate vote representative, without going to General Faculty.  Senator P. Moore-Jansen noted that this applies to undergrad only programs, too and the Senate should move on this quickly.  We have talked this to death.  Senator Hershfield agreed that this is not the right meeting, but let’s move forward, get this over with. Senator Schneegurt: Agrees with motion, but against the idea of just using raw survey data as measure of faculty.  Senate is too slow, so a mechanism for increasing speed of action is good, but need a more scientific way of gathering information.  Senator Gordon moved (Klunder- 2nd) to Table the T&P committee’s motion for further consideration later.  (Passed). 

        c..  Faculty Support --  http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/FSrpt.htm  **  Tom DeLillo, chair presented information regarding sabbaticals that the committee felt that the Senate should be award of --Whether or not we can do anything about it, we ought to publicize the fact that not everyone who is approved for sabbatical can take one, because of the Regents’ 4% FTE pool.  Motion: Accept report (Klunder/Hershfield); passed.   

        d..  University Curriculum  --  http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/UCrpt.htm   Motion: Accept report; passed.

        e.  Scholarship & Student Aid --  http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/SSArpt.htm   Motion: Accept report; passed.  

VI.   Old Business:   --- none
                   
            .

VII.   New Business:             

 A.   Mary Herrin, Vice President for Administration and Finance -- Budget update

  Still unavailable.  Will send info to post on Senate website, probably after June KBOR meeting.

VIII:   As May Arise:  Senator Brooks requested a  Round of applause for outgoing president!

Meeting of 2007-08 Senate adjourned at 4:18pm.               

The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 pm

Respectfully Submitted,
William Vanderburgh, Secretary