Faculty Senate Minutes April 21, 2005

SENATORS: Cindy Thomas, Jill Cordova, Larry Madsen, Bill McCracken, Phil Kavanagh, Ellie Baldwin, Tim Hatten, Barbara Borst, Gayla Jo Slauson, Tony Schountz, Tim Casey, Rich Cowden

MINUTES SECRETARY: Jessica Cowden

GUESTS: Tim Foster, Carol Futhey, Gary Looft

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Concerns over how the SOAR sessions are being run are currently being addressed by Pat Hampton and Royia Ruffin. The suggestion was made to have individuals available to assist with registration while the faculty focuses solely on advising the students.

Gayla Jo gave a brief report on the April Board of Trustees meeting. Emeritus status was awarded to three retiring faculty members: Charles “Bud” Bailey, Prasanta Misra, and Denise McGinnis. (Jim Rybak was given emeritus status earlier this year).
Several changes were made to the Handbook: the e-mail policy was moved, the faculty/staff will be notified every time Handbook revisions are made, the normal minimum hiring requirement is a Master’s degree or higher, and a raise “shall” be given with promotion. The Handbook committee asked the Board to table the issue of a guaranteed sixth-year contract for further review. The Board will look at future revisions following the established cycle.

President Foster briefly addressed the Faculty Senate concerning salaries. A consulting group out of Boulder will be evaluating faculty salaries and merit systems. They will be on campus periodically starting in May, a committee will be formed in the fall and implementation of the committee’s recommendations will begin next year. Foster also assured the Senate that MSC is moving towards a point where tuition will begin covering costs more effectively.

II. MEETING MINUTES

The motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the Graduate Council minutes from March 1, 2005. (Cowden/Thomas)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the Curriculum Committee minutes from February 24, 2005. (Schountz/Cowden)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the Curriculum Committee minutes from March 10, 2005. (Cowden/Thomas)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to receive the Curriculum Committee minutes from March 31, 2005. (Thomas/Borst)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to receive and approve the Faculty Senate minutes from February 17, 2005. (Cowden/Thomas)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to receive and approve the Faculty Senate minutes from March 3, 2005. (Schountz/Cowden)

III. ELECTION OF SENATE OFFICERS – NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Elections will be held at the next Senate meeting. The nominating committee is comprised of Phil Kavanagh, Gayla Jo Slauson, and Ellie Baldwin.

It was also decided that the Senate President should issue a statement via e-mail at the end of each year detailing the events and accomplishments made by the Senate that year. Cowden will also contact each of the standing committees to have them do the same.

IV. EARLY SCHOLARS PROGRAM (POLICIES FOR CONCURRENT STUDENTS)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to pass the following resolution: “Whereas the Faculty Senate supports the principles and procedures of the Early Scholars Program policy but express serious concerns about funding and resources allocation for the implementation of the program. Therefore be it resolved we approve the policy and request that the administration guarantee the self funding of any and all concurrent course delivery and department costs for liaisons and assessment procedures.” (Casey/Slauson)

V. SENATE BYLAWS

Casey presented the updated Senate Bylaws. Several amendments were suggested: specific wording, UTEC representation, etc.

The motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the document with the proposed changes and send it forward to the faculty for an electronic vote. (Cowden/McCracken)

Meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jessica Cowden
Minutes Secretary