Faculty Senate Minutes February 17, 2005

SENATORS: Jill Cordova, Bette Schans (for Cindy Thomas), Tim Hatten, Gayla Jo Slauson, Phil Kavanagh, Rich Cowden, Tim Casey, Tom Acker, Barbara Borst, Larry Madsen, Bill McCracken, Tony Schountz

MINUTES SECRETARY: Jessica Cowden

GUESTS: Jane Arledge, Carol Futhey, Dusti R. Davis, Nathan King, Matt Pocoles, Lance Manganello, Jeena Higgins, Jim Carey, Steve Murray, Jared Wright, Erin Rooks, Danielle Martin, Janice Danforth, President Tim Foster, Kerry Youngblood, John Sluder

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kavanagh submitted a budget proposal for the Senate.

Kavanagh pointed out that, under the new Trustees handbook, the candidates for the Trustee election must be full-time tenured faculty members.
The motion was made, seconded and passed to adopt the procedure for nominations that would include self nomination as well as nomination by others with the approval of that person being nominated and then forward those nominations on assuming they are full-time tenured faculty in accordance with the Trustee Manual for a very timely election to be run by Academic Affairs. (Casey/Cowden)

At the last Board meeting the tenure candidates gave presentations before the Board. The suggestion was made for next year that the Board make tenure decisions at their February meeting and have tenure candidates address the Board at the March meeting. It was pointed out, however, by Slauson and Cowden that many of the Board members enjoyed and appreciated the presentations because it allowed them to put a face to the candidates and they were very impressed with the MSC faculty and their talents. Casey also pointed out that the presentations clarified a lot of things for the Board including distinction between the disciplines, etc. He suggested that perhaps the faculty occasionally give similar presentations to the Board outside of the tenure process to achieve the same effect while avoiding the pressures associated with tenure.

II. MEETING MINUTES

There were no minutes to receive or approve.

III. WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE – A PRESENTATION BY PRESIDENT FOSTER AND UTEC DIRECTOR YOUNGBLOOD

President Foster and Kerry Youngblood gave a presentation on the development of the Western Slope Community College. With the current arrangement, MSC has two-year and four-year programs wherein students attend the same classes on the same campus all under the umbrella of Mesa State College. The proposed change would make a distinction between the two by forming a separate entity called the Western Slope Community College. The projected enrollment at WSCC would be approximately 1100 students. Some of the benefits of forming a community college include being able to more effectively provide both a liberal arts education and applied studies. Some of the concerns include the lack of funding necessary to support the administration of two schools, including a separate financial aid office, president, etc. as well as having two schools competing for outside funding, which is limited even under the current arrangement.

Further discussion included how this would change the faculties’ duties and the make-up of their courses, how many additional courses would need to be offered at UTEC, and whether or not the open enrollment status of the community college would lower overall standards. The biggest change, identified by President Foster, was in the realm of advising and differentiating between two-year and four-year degree seeking students.

IV. STRATEGIC PLAN

Schountz had some feedback from his faculty and their concerns about whether or not Mesa State’s focus on providing education to Western Slope industries would preclude other industries from relocating here for fear of insufficient educational resources. They would like to see less emphasis on tailoring programs towards courting current companies, corporations, etc. Kavanagh pointed out that the goal of the college is not to target specific jobs for which MSC students are trained and primed, but rather the entire job market. After further discussion, it was agreed that it should be made clear in the Strategic Plan that MSC trains students not exclusively to enter the local job market, but rather to go outside the region as well if they so choose.

V. DEAD WEEK (ASG PROPOSAL)

ASG is seeking that a request be sent to the Board of Trustees to establish a policy that no homework be collected or tests/quizzes administered during the week before finals week. Kavanagh suggested that the faculty be encouraged to do so rather than establishing it as policy. Cowden also suggested exploring other options that would allow students more time to study prior to finals (ie. holding finals Tuesday through Friday) rather than issuing a blanket statement.

Respectfully submitted,

Jessica Cowden
Minutes Secretary