Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
December 7, 2006

Senators: Josh Butler, Esther Broughton, Judy Goodhart, Barbara Borst, Tim Casey, Tim Hatten, Bill Tiernan, Jane Arledge, Ellie Baldwin, Keith Fritz, Steve Werman, Bill McCracken

Guests: Carol Futhey, Cathy Barkley, Shannon Robinson

Minutes Secretary: Jessica Cowden

I. MINUTES APPROVAL

The motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the Faculty Senate minutes from November 16, 2006 as amended with the understanding that the discussion concerning the structure of the standing subcommittees be revisited. (Casey/Arledge)
Discussion:
" Arledge requested that the Senate minutes from November reflect discussion concerning the possibility of merging of the ad hoc benefits committee with the existing Salary and Benefits subcommittee.

The motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the Faculty Senate minutes from November 2, 2006. (Casey/McCracken)

The motion was made, seconded, and passed to receive the Curriculum Committee minutes from October 26 and November 9, 2006. (Casey/Arledge)
Discussion:
" Hatten informed the senate that there may be some curriculum changes on the horizon. The Senate Executive Committee, members of the Curriculum Committee, and others will convene to discuss possible solutions and reprioritizations. The group will begin meeting after the first of the year.
" Casey inquired as to how the senators felt about the most recent Curriculum Committee minutes. The consensus was that the minutes were received too late to adequately review them in time to discuss or approve them at this meeting. If the Curriculum Committee wishes for the Senate to act upon the minutes promptly, it is necessary to receive them in a timely manner.
" There was also some discussion about the common misunderstanding concerning the curriculum submission deadline. Vice President Futhey informed the Senate that the October deadline is a preferred deadline, but that curriculum changes can still be made, approved, and instituted by the following year even if they are submitted to the Curriculum Committee as late as May.

II. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE - CASEY

" The future and goals of the Senate were discussed.
" The online task force has been formed and has begun meeting. The request was made for Casey to distribute a list of the representatives.
" The Graduate Council has begun meeting again.
" Curriculum Committee has adopted a new format for their minutes. Casey encouraged the senators to look over the new format and give feedback.
" Shared Governance was also discussed. The Board may be open to considering some wording clarification as it pertains to this issue. Possibilities for alternative phrasing include "collaborative processes" or "co-creating."
o President Foster considers the Department Heads as well as the Faculty Senate to be the two main vehicles for shared governance.
o An expert may come in and host a series of open meetings to discuss the issue.
" There was also some discussion concerning what the faculty can do to improve retention. Initial suggestions include changes in the advising system and clubs and student life related groups working together to foster connections between students.
" There is a potential class action lawsuit in the works against CHEIBA.

Discussion:
Arledge asked VPAA Futhey if there is any statistical evidence to back up the common perception amongst the faculty this year that students are having more problems with attendance, completing assignments, failing courses, and overall apathy. McCracken identified the oil field jobs as being a contributing factor for his students at WCCC. Werman speculated that it could also be attributed to the fact that the economy is relatively strong and unemployment rates are down. Early Alert showed that this is a larger problem amongst males than females. Casey suggested that Sonia Brandon run some numbers to see if there is any empirical data to support this perception, especially W, D, and F rates. Futhey also reported that the Advising Center's data shows that there are a large number of students who are also relocating or planning to relocate, which could contribute to apathy. There have also been over 300 total withdrawals so far this year, which is roughly 5% of the total student population. It is difficult, however, to compare that amount to previous years as data that specific has not been collected traditionally.

III. WCCC DORM ISSUES

WCCC students are reporting a number of problems with the housing policy that requires students to reside in the dorms during their first two years at MSC. Many students are faced with no other option than to withdraw from the program rather than stay in the dorms. Students, for example, who live and work outside of the Grand Junction area cannot afford to stay in the dorms. McCracken suggested that there should be a loophole in the policy to allow for these students' special circumstances. Many other schools that he looked into require a one-year stay or none at all, always with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.

Futhey suggested that the Senate invite Andy Rodriguez, Chip Thomas, and Andy Breckel to speak to them about the policy.

Another suggestion was made that perhaps the Community College doesn't need to have a residency requirement as there are usually commuter schools.

McCracken made the motion that it should not be mandatory for AAS degree seeking students to stay in the dorms their sophomore years and that the freshman be taken on a case-by-case basis.

The motion was rescinded until a discussion could be held with those in charge of dorm policies.

IV. OLD BUSINESS

Butler requested that the Department Heads receive clarification on the curriculum policies. Futhey agreed to do so.

Vice President Futhey addressed the Senate:
" End of the term lunch for new faculty members will be held tomorrow at Chez Lena.
" Scheduling for next fall is currently underway. Volunteer faculty members may be asked to teach a late start pilot course to begin four weeks into the semester.
" A pilot of the Early Alert System will continue next semester. Students on probation will be available on the same roster as the incoming freshman.
" One handbook revision has been submitted. The Handbook Committee will meet in late January to discuss.
" Department Heads are scheduled to discuss contract preps especially for part time faculty. A more rigid deadline may need to be adopted. The college is also asking for input on setting a policy for establishing enrollment for a course (especially online courses) on census day and the pay will not be affected by adds or drops after that time. The alternative is to wait until the end of the semester and pay faculty in one lump sum after the completion of the course.
" New Scantron machines are being purchased.

Cathy Barkley also addressed the Senate:
" Exemplary faculty review process being fine tuned one more time and will be distributed to the Dept Heads tomorrow.
" The first phase of the external review will be completed tomorrow. Six programs have been reviewed so far this year. Overall faculty/student relations are very positive. The student/teacher ratio is very good. Advising and assessments in need of improvements. Reports will be available for everyone to review.

Arledge asked about the new room scheduling software to be implemented in the fall. Futhey reported that the software will help us to better use our spaces. Some reshuffling may occur, but not necessarily. Preferences will be recorded. There is an optimizer feature, and override options as well.

Meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Cowden
Minutes Secretary