Minutes of September 5, 2002 Meeting
MSC Faculty Senate

SENATORS: Tom Acker, Sherri Arosteguy, Barbara Borst, Michael Gizzi, Phil Kavanagh, Steve Murray, Doug O’Roark, Gayla Jo Slauson (for Jim Buckley), John Sluder, Cindy Thomas, Russ Walker, Carrie McVean Waring, Mary Zimmerer.

GUESTS: Sam Gingerich, Myra Heinrich, Gene Starbuck, Sarah Swedberg, Hasson Tavossi.

Doug O'Roark (Senate President) opened the meeting at 3:30.

I. Announcements

The Board of Trustees and FACT meetings are on September 12 and 13 in Alamosa. CFAC will meet on September 20. The annual Faculty Development Conference organized by the state colleges will take place on September 27 and 28 here at Mesa.

II. Additions to Agenda

Governance of the state colleges will be discussed after item 3 in the original agenda. The state-wide general education common core will be discussed after item 2.

III. Meeting Minutes

A motion was made to receive the Graduate Council minutes of April 23, 2002 (Arosteguy/Thomas). The motion passed.

A motion was made to receive the Curriculum Committee minutes of April 11, 2002 (Sluder/Gizzi). The motion passed.

The May 2, 2002 minutes of the Faculty Senate were received for approval at the next meeting.

IV. Colorado Common Core of General Education Courses

Sam Gingerich (Vice President, Academic Affairs) was asked about Mesa's progress in having its general education courses nominated for inclusion in the state-wide "common core" that is being created by CCHE to facilitate transferability. He reported that there were no big complaints from faculty even though the process is burdensome. Working groups composed of faculty from across the state are scheduled to meet on September 27 to review the nominated courses. Handouts were distributed showing a nomination form and a list of Mesa courses nominated.

V. Reaccreditation of Mesa by the North Central Association

Gene Starbuck (Self-Study Coordinator) gave a progress report on the reaccreditation process. A chart was distributed showing the membership of the various self-study committees. The first two chapters of the self-study have been drafted and will be going to the review committee on September 13. Committees organized around each of the five NCA accreditation criteria are working on the remaining chapters in the self-study. As part of the information collection effort, faculty will receive surveys covering a wide range of topics. Gene noted that the survey information helps us "make our case" and asked Senators to encourage faculty to complete these surveys. For those who return the survey, there will be a drawing for gift certificates for the college bookstore.

Gene reported that assessment was a concern of the NCA team during the last reaccreditation visit, and is of special interest to NCA now.

VI. Governance of the State Colleges

Mike Gizzi (FACT representative) told the Senate that independent governing boards for each of the three state colleges would be discussed at the next FACT meeting. Both Adams State College and Western State College want independence and have considerable community support. Doug asked the Senate for opinions and ideas about the most desirable outcome for Mesa. Concerns were voiced about the financial costs of a legislative liason, a lack of political clout, and a governing board drawn only from the local community.

After discussion, Doug stated that he would report that: 1) we have strong support for dissolution of the state college system; 2) we are interested in having an independent board as long as the membership is drawn from across the state; and 3) we are interested in other options, such as becoming the University of Western Colorado or being associated with CU, CSU, or UNC.

VII. New Promotional Brochure

The Senate was asked to approve a new brochure (Mesa State College… Shaping the Future of Western Colorado) intended for legislators, potential donors, and influential community members. The brochure identifies four strategic initiatives (the new economy, arts and culture, teaching/learning, and natural resources/public policy) and includes a condensed version of the goals from the 1999 document Mesa State College: A Shared Vision. A motion was made to approve the brochure with the provision that editorial suggestions may be submitted (Kavanagh/Sluder). The motion was approved.

VIII. Affirmative Action Policies

Sam Gingerich gave the Senate drafts of a new Section 21 Anti-Discrimination Policy and Section 20.8 Affirmative Action Grievance Process that require Senate approval before they can be added to the MSC handbook. Carrie Waring agreed to form an ad hoc committee to review these sections and make a recommendation to the Senate. The committee will be composed of three or four people including one senator.

Mary Zimmerer (EEO/AA Officer) reported that the policy has been reviewed by the state attorney general and is very similar to policies on other campuses. Questions and discussion centered on due process and the informal resolution of complaints. A question was raised about the omission of protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Sam stated that President Gallagher decided that only those protections required by law would be included. Doug advised Senators to review the documents very carefully.

Senators were also given a copy of the 7/11/02 draft of the college's Affirmative Action Plan. The Senate can provide comments on this plan to the Human Resources Committee.

A motion was made at 5:05 to adjourn (Slauson/Sluder). The motion passed.