Faculty Senate Minutes May 5, 1999

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Jerry Polson, Jan Moore, John McArthur, David Norris, Diane Dixon, Glenda Zumwalt, Randy Prus, Bryon Clark, Bob Hays, Wayne Jones, Elizabeth Kennedy, Saundra DiPento, Walter Britt, Patricia Stubblefield, Wayne Dixon, Bob Oliver, Kitty Campbell, Dennis Miles, Vicki Anderson, Theresa Hrncir, and guest Jon Reid.

Jerry Polson opened the meeting at 2:05 p.m. His first concern was for some motions for policy changes as suggested on a memorandum from Andy Robson to Dr. Mary Hitchcock(PDF), dated April 30, 1999, copies of which were distributed to members.

A discussion followed regarding changing the present "drop course" policy to allow only one drop date after which the assigned grade is an automatic "F". The other policy was to change the grade system to allow for plus (+) and minus (-) grades to present a finer distribution to grades. No vote and no action taken.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:

Bob Oliver distributed the Budget Committee Report(PDF) and then explained the progress made on the charges for the year:

  • How many faculty members are paid "above card" and the rationale for that pay.
  • How many are on 12-month contracts and the rationale.
  • An attempt to evaluate budgets regarding summer school and to cut summer school costs.

Personnel Committee:

Randy Prus discussed their report, which he had distributed and which included.

  • Health Insurance surveys
  • Faculty Development Faculty survey
  • Distance Learning Policy
  • Annual Leave/Sick Leave

Planning Committee

Glenda Zumwalt distributed their report(PDF) and discussed the contents including:

  • Impact of Planning and Resource Council on the department and schools.
  • How planning can be facilitated at the department and school levels.
  • Investigation of the planning and development possibilities for IETV course offerings.

University Affairs Committee

Diane Dixon reported for her committee and commented on the following areas:

  • Evaluation forms for administrators and results of first evaluation effort.
  • Program Review
  • The Grant Policy
  • Recommendations for next year (1999-2000)

Committee on Committees:

Pat Stubblefield distributed their task list for academic year 1999-2000(PDF), which included:

  • Prepare charges for the standing committees
  • Appoint members for each committee no later than June 1999
  • Revise memberships and where necessary realign committee structure to conform with SOSU’s new organizational composition.
  • Work with each committee and committee chair to ensure efficiency and eliminate redundancy in the committee structure.

Pat Stubblefield introduced Dr. Reid and distributed the function and membership statement(PDF) for the proposed Human Subjects Research Review Committee, which is to be a permanent standing committee.

Dr. Stubblefield moved that we incorporate the committee as presented and the motion was seconded by Elizabeth Kennedy. The motion passed.

Institutional Research and Assessment Committee

John McArthur distributed the function statement and discussed it and the activities as follows:

  • Assessment
    • Entry-level Assessment
    • Mid-level Assessment
    • General Education Assessment
    • Undergraduate Program Assessment
    • Graduate Program Assessment
    • Student Satisfaction, Alumi, and Dropout Assessment
  • Review of 1997-1998 IRAC Recommendations and Administrative Response

There was a discussion regarding Assessment which covered:

  • Cost of Assessment
  • Program Review
  • Frequency of Assessment

General Education Committee

Bryon Clark distributed handouts of their report(PDF). They met four times this year. Their major topics and actions were listed:

  • Preparation for NCA visit
  • Developed computer proficiency exam which was approved
  • Developed matrices matching courses in the general education program with objectives and outcomes and with outcomes measured by ACT CAAP.
  • Developed a list of recommendations for Institutional Research and Assessment Committee (IRAC)
  • Recommendations for 1999-2000
    • Continue development of functional assessment plan for general education program
    • Include only those students who have completed all general education at SOSU in the assessment program
    • Match objectives and outcomes of the general education program with specific courses.
    • Match ACT CAAP outcomes with specific general education program courses.
    • Investigate ways to increase student motivation in order to be able to gather meaningful data.

The discussion that followed was centered on the above recommendations.

Executive Committee

Dr. Jerry Polson reported that this committee has been meeting monthly with the president and covered the following subjects:

  • The coordination of the Easter holidays at SOSU with the Durant Public Schools
  • A reorganization plan for the Faculty Senate to better represent the schools as they are now configured under the new University structure. The old structure with four schools had six senators from each school. The current structure with three schools still contains the same number of departments as before. We can keep the same number of senators with the reduction in the number of schools or reduce them to eighteen (six per school).

Glenda Zumwalt moved that we accept the recommendation to allow the School of Arts and Sciences twelve senators. Seconded by Walter Britt. The vote was held with only one in opposition and the motion carried.

Sam Bigham moved that we table the memorandum dated May 3, 1999, Subject: Faculty Grievance Policy, until fall semester 1999. Seconded by Glenda Zumwalt. Motion passed.

Jerry Polson adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m.