Attachment H

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

Monday, October 14November 4, 2002

 

Minutes reviewed by University Faculty President James Sayer and Dave Sauter, University Registrar.  Prepared by the Registrar's Office.

 

I.               Call to Order:

            University Faculty President James Sayer called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. in E156 Student Union.  The Faculty Senate meetings are broadcast via videoconference to Lake Campus.

          

Senators:  (those present in bold)

Baker, B., Baker, M., Coleman, J., Crites, G., Curry, D., Dobbins, J., Dustin, J., Goldenberg, K., Goldfinger, M., Goldstein, D., Grandhi, R., Houston, M., Kerr, E., Lemkau, J., Leung, J., Lindsey-North, J., McGowin, A., Molitierno, A, Moore, P., O’Brien, M., Pringle, D., Rowley, B., Rutter, E., Sav, T., Sayer, J., Sayer, C., Steffan, M., Voss, D., Walbroehl, G., Wenning, M., Wilcox, N., Wolff, M.

 

II.             Approval of the Minutes:

The minutes of the June October 14,3, 2002, meeting were approved as written (Attachment H to agenda).

 

III.           Report of President:

·      The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission and First Flight Federal Advisory Board commissioned by President Bush held its only meeting here, outside of Washington D.C., on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the library archives.  Neil Armstrong, who rarely makes public appearances since his famed moon landing, showed up along with John Glenn whose recent return to space was supported by flight surgeons, all alums of WSU’s internationally recognized aerospace medicine residency program.

·      The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded WSU a $915,000 grant for improving the teaching of American History in the Dayton Public Schools.  Faculty from Education and Liberal Arts will work with public school teachers and local and national museums.

·      The N.I.H, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recently awarded WSU a $500,000 grant to improve early detection and prevention of cardiac and stroke risk factors, which are higher than the national average in the Miami Valley.

·      The Alumni kick off weekend on campus was a success, and we also spent two hours each with the editorial boards of the Dayton Daily News, Dayton Business Journal and a number of television stations including channel 7, bringing them up to date on faculty successes in all of our colleges.

·      The Lake Campus  - Dean Anita Curry-Jackson and her staff, Greg Shumm, Tom Knapke and others, helped me present our annual report to the neighboring communities in Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, New Bremen, Minster and others. This provided us an opportunity to galvanize those community leaders and their legislators to support higher education in Ohio.

·      Please vote and kindly ask students, who can, to vote in tomorrow’s election.  Also, if you have not yet done so, encourage your colleagues to contribute to the United Way.  We receive a lot of help from United Way for our community both personally and professionally, and we would like to continue to demonstrate our capacity to respond.   Thank you.

·      Dr. Goldfinger’s question to President Goldenberg – In the last 20 years or so the IUC has been using state money through university budgets to run a lobbying interest in the legislature on behalf of higher education.  During these years of IUC activity, Ohio has sunken to near the bottom in dollars spent per student and near the top in dollars in costs.  Why?

·      President Goldenberg’s response - There is no lobbying; i.e. there is no transferred state money to any legislator. We do have people who work at the university and help policy makers understand higher education better.  It is true that in the last 20 years universities have not been as effective as they need to be in garnering the support of the policy makers, but in the last year they have been far more successful.  I know that our own Vice President of Business and Finance, who has looked at the budget over a period of 30 years, has pointed out that last year, for example, though the universities took a cut, they took a disproportionately lower cut than they would have taken 10 or 20 years ago when we had less budget problems.  In fact, last year we had quite an amount of activity in terms of educating policy makers about higher education, both in the Governor’s office as well as among the legislators.  This was done with a variety of people from every university.  It included myself, the provost, our Vice President of Business and Finance, and throughout the universities in the state some of the faculty have gotten together and talked with legislators.  Similarly, in the next few years we are looking to move toward changing policy so that over a period of time higher education will get more appropriate funding than it has in the past.  For example, both candidates for governor talked about higher education as a high priority.  That has not occurred in prior times.  We realize that when the economy is tough all the agencies are hit.  We are in a particularly precarious time but we know that the economy will recover.  As that occurs, we will continue to make a very strong case for increasing support of higher education. The Board of Regents and the IUC have not often been aligned in past budget difficulties. Right now the corporate and staff members of the OBR and the universities are working together to change the state of higher education.

·      Dr. Sayer’s question – Is there a possibility that the state universities may be hit with a 10% budget cut?

·      Dr. Goldenberg – To the best of our knowledge there is no cut planned right now but it is predicated on the fact that the last two months of revenue stream in the state has had a modest growth and if that continues we have no indication there will be further cuts to higher education.  If for whatever reason that changes in a negative way, obviously, people will be figuring out how to make up that difference.

·      Dr. Moore – If your question is, “Will there be a cut in this fiscal year?”, I think Dr. Goldenberg’s answer is right on target. If you are projecting out to the next fiscal year, and you are talking about the state trying to find sources of revenue to cover one-time funds, then it is a murkier picture.

 

IV.           Report of the Senate Executive Committee: James Sayer

·      We have been very busy preparing agendas for the November 25 faculty senate meeting, and General faculty meeting on Nov. 19. You will be receiving notification on these through the faculty list serve. 

·      On a different note, something to share - Last week I sent an email to Dr. Jory Hancock, the President of the University Faculty at the University of Arizona, expressing our sympathies to the faculty and students at the University of Arizona.  Dr. Hancock responded the following day expressing appreciation for the expression etc., including the statement –“I think it particularly stunning for us to experience this kind of thing because the University of Arizona is known for its friendly supportive climate.  The level of trust and respect for one another is high, and, of course, now some question whether the campus might have done something to prevent this incident.  Caring makes one ask that question.  Certainly I don’t have the answer to that but I think it is important that you took the time to be in touch with us and I thank you very much.”  I hope that during the remainder of this year I will never have to write a similar note to anyone in any university.

 

A.   Guest Report: 2003 Fall Schedule – Dave Sauter

Dave Sauter, University Registrar, provided a status report of Fall 2003 class schedule.  He first reminded the Senate about Fall 2003 changes, including the following: 

·      The quarter will start early, and end before Thanksgiving

·      New GE

·      New timeblock grid with 8:30 start times approved by Senate

·      New guidelines to prioritize class assignments approved by the Senate

·      Continuing to settle into new space, including use of the new computer labs, specialty labs and Millet Hall

·      Of 2655 classes listed on the first draft, all but 102 were placed, which compares typically to 130 – 150 not placed.

 

Observations

o      One third of classes not in timeblocks.

o      Available Times/Days/Spaces  Most of the unassigned 102 classes are in the 20-40 seat range

o      8:30 time slot for general classrooms is unused approximately one-third of the time

o      2:15/3:00/4:30 late afternoon time slot for general classrooms is unused approximately one-fifth of the time

o      Kettering Center is not yet scheduled; review for future credit offerings.

o      Insure that departments have requested IVDL and EC space as needed;

o      Review list of 14 general classrooms not yet scheduled or not used very much: Many available classrooms are the general specialty PC/MAC labs; review current offerings for possible change from traditional classroom to PC/MAC lab.

o      Determine if there are other dedicated spaces that could be used by departments for their classes and events (i.e. Honors, seminar rooms).

o       

Next Steps

o      Work with RSCOB since F03 RSCOB classes number 206 but may be reduced by up to one-quarter of the currently assigned classes as they move from a 3 to 4 credit hour base.

o      Several departments are utilizing a MW daytime schedule, at times using 8:00 start but more often cutting across timeblock.

o      Several departments did not change any meet times from F02; review F03 offerings to determine if slight time shifts free up classrooms from overbooked timeblocks.

o      Review math department innovative M-F class scheduling concept in which MWF classes meet longer and TR classes meet shorter, thereby accommodating two classes within the TR block.

 

Question from Dr. Sayer – Should we assume that everyone would be massaged into using the 8:30 and mid-afternoon time slots more than we have in the past?  Is that the solution to the problem? 

Dave- We will do what will be reasonable.  We have certainly seen some changes coming in on draft two to fit into the timeblocks. 

Dr. Moore – We will look at some that jump across timeblocks and are blocking other courses. These pose problem for others, and ultimately we may have to look at dedicated space.  Overall, it looks much brighter than expected. 

Dave – Some departments have had labs that may be adjustable, startinga little earlier or a little later, opening up the next time block so that the students can then take another class. That is another issue riding over all of this, can the students put their schedules together? Dr. Sayer - I would imagine that with the reduction in the number of time slots during the week, having courses scheduled that run across two timeblocks, with fewer time blocks makes the scheduling problem even more acute than in the past and that really hurts the student.

Dave – Regarding the question of space used for “other things”, our priority will be, after the classes -, academic support, study sessions, and the meetings .  Again, if we have more classes within the timeblock we will be able to schedule in even more. 

B.    Guest Report: Strategic Planning – Robert Sweeney (postponed to November 25, 2002)

C.    Guest Report: Provost Search – Greg Bernhardt

·      Handout referenced. President Goldenberg has met with each of the constituency groups, students, classified, unclassified, faculty, collective bargaining, Faculty Senate, and Faculty President, to be sure that each group and the Deans are aware of what is going on.  There has been a lot of preliminary information and the search is underway.

·      Chronicle of Higher Ed ad appeared on November 1, 2002.  We have spent time since October generating a pool of high quality candidates and will continue this until January 6, which will be our first consideration date.  We will then take 9 to 10 days to narrow the pool down to about 10 qualified candidates.

·      Interviews will be coordinated on February 8 and 9 at the airport after which we will reduce to approximately five candidates to bring on campus at the end of winter quarter, February 10 - 22. The input from all constituency groups will then be considered to forge a recommendation on a minimum of three acceptable candidates to the President and the Sr. Vice-President by the end of March.  The targeted date for an announcement is the first week of April, with the new Provost starting on or about July 1, 2003.  The committee will be meeting this Wednesday. We will be following a traditional interviewing schedule in that we will have them in on the evening on the first day they arrive, perhaps in small groups and then two full days on campus.  In addition, we expect that if the schedule is adhered to, we will have a candidate on Monday and Tues, one on Thursday and Friday, and this will continue for about three weeks to get through the five final candidates.

·      We are accepting nominations and we hope that you would use your various professional contacts throughout the US and the world to make sure that the position is widely spread and the word is out there.  We have about a dozen applications so far, approximately 10 that have come as a result of people seeing the online ads and a few nominations from various individuals from around the nation and Ohio.

 

Question from Senator Goldfinger regarding when names would be published.

Dr. Bernhardts response - This will be discussed with the committee members, and we will be complying with the law but an exact date is not known.

 

V.             Standing Committee Reports and Attendance (Attachment A)

A.   Faculty Budget Priority Committee:  James Sayer, Chair

The committee met on Monday, October 28, 2002, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in 138 Fawcett Hall. With the exception of Dr. Clark-Graham, all members of the committee were present.

The focus of the meeting was the use of and compensation for adjunct faculty at WSU, and the discussion was both far ranging and insightful.  Although a proposal for increasing adjunct salaries had been prepared by the committee chair prior to the meeting, it was decided that it was premature to offer such until additional information about adjunct usage had been secured.

Accordingly, the committee chair will be contacting the deans of the undergraduate colleges to collect information regarding adjunct usage, including number for adjuncts, their ranks, salaries paid, and the numbers and types of courses taught by adjuncts.

The committee will next meet on November 18 with CFO Dr. Fillipic to discuss revenue streams and expenditure patterns.

B.    Non-Bargaining Unit Faculty Affairs Committee:  Carole Endres, Chair  - No report

C.    Undergraduate Curriculum & Academic Policy Committee:  Tom Sav, Chair

·      We are anticipating receiving a large proposal from the College of Business to convert all programs and courses to a four-credit hour base.  If that is received in time the committee will be asked to hold a special meeting on Nov 14 that will allow UCAP to get all the proposals before the Senate for the November 25 meeting.

·      Question raised by Senator Rowley about the push for all colleges and all courses to move to a 4-credit hour base; response from Dr. Sav that there is no push because almost all have converted to the 4 hour base. The College of Business is the only college that is still working towards this.  The Provost responds that those that remain as 3-hour courses should not go across the timeblock.  If they continue at three then they should do so in a fashion that the students can move easily from the three to the four.

D.   Buildings & Grounds Committee:  James Amon, Chair - No report

E.    Information Technology Committee:  Vince Yen, Chair - No report

F.    Student Affairs Committee:  Margaret Clark Graham, Chair - No report

G.   Student Petitions Committee:  KT Mechlin, Chair  

 

VI.           Council Reports

Note that on November 25, we will have a formal report by Graduate/Research council from

Dean Thomas.

 

VII.         Old Business:

A.   Call for Nominations for Professor-at-Large for University Promotion and Tenure Committee (Attachment B).  *Nominations will be taken today with the vote taken at the November 25, 2002 Senate meeting.  Please confirm that your nominee is willing to serve prior to the vote.clarification that eligibility is by Full professor and member of Bargaining Unit

B.    Proposed GE Policy for Continuing Students – David Orenstein  (Attachment C)

·      Allow students who began before Fall 2003 to finish their education on the new GE.

·      Proposal approved

C.    Proposed GE Policy Governing Transfer Students' Completion of GE - David Orenstein    (Attachment D)

·      Policy will enable, per Ohio Board of Regents guidelines, WSU to accept students who have GE transfer module completed at another university as having completed our GE requirements even if they have not completed our WAC component.

·      Goal is that students who complete Gen Ed requirement have a coherent GE and that they meet our goals.  Transfer courses should meet a general goal of WSU General Education, even if the course is not identical.

·      Single GE system to make full use of the DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) for improving advising and enabling students to check their own status, including running a “What if?” DARS for reviewing new majors.

·      Questions regarding Area VI courses having to be a WI course; Senator Rowley shared concern that transfer students would need to take a freshmen level class in some colleges to meet this.

Dr. Rutter commented that the committee has been attempting to get CECS to offer more than just the one WI they have thus far. Colleges can also identify other courses within the programs as WI for the student.

Dr. Orenstein - If the GE transfer module is completed, it is not an articulation between the colleges but is mandated by the BOR.  We do work with the local schools, they know about our WAC requirements.  If they have an Associates Degree, we cannot require them to take a WI course as part of the GE program.  Dr. Howard recommended colleges talk with Charles Long, Director of Adult and Transfer Students, regarding established articulation agreements.

·      Proposal Approved.

 

VIII.       New Business

A.   WAC Program Changes To Accommodate New GE Fall 2003 - Tom Sav (Attachment E)

1.     Match the WAC to the GE requirements

2.     Dual major WI requirements clarification

3.     Change in language to the proposal as to what is being done at present

B.    Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management - Joe Coleman (Attachment F)

·      Has been reviewed and approved by Graduate Council and RSCOB.

·      Senator Coleman moved that rules be suspended to approve the proposal today to enable implementation for Winter 2003.

·      Moved and approved to make Old Business

·      Proposal Approved

C.    Graduate Certificate in School Nursing - Joe Coleman (Attachment G)

·      Motion to place on November 25 Faculty Senate agenda

·      Has been reviewed and approved by Graduate Council.

·      Item moved to Old business for November 25 Faculty Senate meeting.

D.   University General Education Implementation Committee has completed its job.  It will now be a subcommittee of UCAP. The NCA will be returning for an accrediting visit and will be looking for a demonstration of Faculty control over General education.

·      Moved and seconded for new business item D to consider during the November 25 Faculty Senate meeting.

 

IX.           Announcements:

A.   Fall Quarter General Faculty Meeting:  Tuesday, Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m., 163 Student Union

B.    Next Faculty Senate Meeting:  Monday, Nov. 25, 2:30 p.m., E156 Student Union

 

X.             Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.