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Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2006
Senators: Maureen Neal, Bill McCracken, Jane Arledge, Keith Fritz,
Steve Werman, Josh Butler, Bill Tiernan, Barbara Borst, Judy Goodhart,
Tim Casey, Tim Hatten
Guests: Shannon Robinson, Cathy Barkley, Joseph Richards, Kelly
O'Connell, Heather Exby, Traci Friedman, Matthew Raschke
Minutes Secretary: Jessica Cowden
I. Minutes Approval
The motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the Faculty
Senate minutes from October 5, 2006. (Goodhart/Neal)
The motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the Faculty
Senate minutes from October 19, 2006. (Casey/McCracken)
II. Minutes from Sub Committees
A previous discussion concerning submission of minutes from the
Faculty Senate sub-committees was revisited. It was agreed that
minutes from each meeting should be submitted to the Faculty Senate.
Werman reminded the Senate that a previous policy also required
a year-end summary be submitted from each of the subcommittees as
well. Casey suggested that these policies be put in writing. Arledge
and Hatten proposed that a Senate sub-committee be created on an
ad-hoc basis in order to examine the current structure and function
of the standing committees and determine any necessary changes.
Additionally, the committee will decide how and where the aforementioned
policies should be listed in order to make them official. Casey,
Neal, and Butler volunteered to serve on the committee.
III. Credit by Examination (Cathy Barkley)
Academic Policies has begun clarifying several policies in the
catalogue and other forms and publications, including the process
for challenging a course, CLEP tests, etc.
Arledge reminded the senators that they had asked the Academic
Policies Committee to look into the current grade change policy
and clarify it with the assistance of Pat Hampton.
IV. Online Courses Update
The Curriculum Committee submitted a list of questions concerning
the approval process for online courses. They also requested that
the Senate form a task force to discuss and resolve these issues.
Casey suggested that a permanent standing committee may need to
be formed to examine these ongoing issues considering that traditional
classroom format continues to change and that over 50 online courses
are now available in addition to a possible online degree to be
offered in the near future. The standing committee could look into
how other institutions handle online course delivery in addition
to how they are currently being handled here at MSC. Neal suggested
that the committee/task force could also look at the marketing of
online courses.
The senators agreed that this is an important issue requiring immediate
attention.
The suggestion was made that members of the faculty who had taught
online courses, representatives from Academic Policies, administrators,
students, and IT be included in the task force. Werman suggested
that Ben Kiefer be asked to serve on the committee as well as a
member of the Nursing faculty as theirs will be the first online
degree.
Hatten and Casey encouraged the senators to submit names of potential
committee members to them via e-mail.
The motion was made, seconded, and passed to form a task force
that could potentially segue into a permanent standing committee
to examine online course delivery and the approval process. (Arledge/McCracken)
V. Online Course Evaluation Form
Heather Exby presented the form that has been developed over the
course of the past year in the attempts to gather information about
problems with connectivity and reception of online courses.
" Arledge pointed out that the question is asked about what
the most effective teaching methods, but there is not a corresponding
question concerning the least effective methods. The amendment would
make the form more consistent with the one used for on-campus evaluations.
" Matt Raschke pointed out the BAS degree is not listed as
an option on the form.
The motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the form as
amended. (Casey/Arledge)
VI. Executive Committee Update
Casey updated the Senate on the most recent Executive Committee
meeting:
" A draft of the merit pay proposal from the working committee
was provided to the senators.
o A rating of excellence in all four areas required to be considered.
o The candidate would also write a one-page essay on why they were
deserving of the bonus.
o Department Heads will fill out the initial form followed by a
discussion in Academic Council.
o Ideally the process would be approved in November that the bonuses
could be dispersed April and May.
" Department Head evaluations:
o Carol Futhey reported that evaluations will occur periodically
but the scheduling has not been set yet.
" Health care premiums are slated to increase, perhaps considerably.
Hatten reported from the working group that some changes are being
made (i.e.) one plan is being eliminated and another added, which
will require everyone to re-enroll during open enrollment. 14.4%
increase to the college is expected. The college is hoping to keep
that increase in the single digits for the faculty's share of the
cost. A $30 discount will be offered to those agreeing to submit
to an abbreviated physical examination and blood work up.
" President approved 13 searches for tenure-track positions.
All but one are replacement positions.
" Starting in 2008, all new hires will have the option of
joining PERA.
" Variable tuition rates still in discussion stage.
" Architects will return to campus November 6th. All encouraged
to attend presentations and offer input.
" The Higher Learning Commission will be on-campus November
13 and 14.
" The recent full color course catalogue was the least expensive
one ever printed.
VII. Parking Committee
Hatten asked for a 5 minute extension to the meeting to discuss
some parking issues:
" Several new charges for visitors, guests, etc are being proposed.
The committee is soliciting faculty input and representation on
the committee. Traci Friedman offered her services.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Cowden
Minutes Secretary
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