Ken Elder, Diane Dixon, Brett Elliott, Stan Alluisi, Chris Moretti,, Margaret Avard, Buddy Pierce, Lucretia Scoufos, Wayne Dixon, Dan Althoff, James Britton, Andy Tiger, Dan Benco, Jane Elder, David Christy, Gerrie Johnson, Wayne Jones, Saudra DiPento, Paula Allen, William Fridley, Vicki Hudson, Charles Matthews
Brandon Burnette, Michael Miles
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 by Chair Ken Elder.
Ken Elder introduced the new members of the Faculty Senate. The new members were Paula Allen and Charles Matthews from Arts and Sciences, and Vicki Hudson and William Fridley from Education and Behavioral Sciences. Margaret Avard and Lucretia Scoufos from Arts and Sciences and Andrew Tiger of Business were reelected for new terms.
Brett Elliott made a motion to approve the May 11, 2005 minutes and Dan Benco seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Ken then invited Jerry Polson, Director of Distance Learning, to speak about the Distance Learning Council. Jerry told the Senate that Fall 2004 there were 20 sections of internet courses with 525 students enrolled, Spring 2005 there were 19 sections with 425 students enrolled and Fall 2005 there was 43 sections with 1135 students enrolled. The administration is considering advertising regionally/nationally but we need to have more students in the internet courses. There is a $45/credit hour surcharge for on-line courses. Currently the students enrolled in the courses are regular Southeastern students. He said that opening the limits of the courses this fall increased the enrollment by 109 students. He mentioned that Rogers State University has 50% of its courses on-line. In order to better the role of the Distance Learning Council in enhancing on-line courses, he proposed a change in the Distance Learning Council. He proposed it to be like the General Education Council and wanted Committee on Committees to look at the proposed change in membership.
Ken thought that if we don’t move forward with this, the administration will make a task force. Gerrie Johnson, who was the chair of the Distance Learning Council last year, told the Senate that the President said that if Distance Learning Council doesn’t move forward, he will bring in an outside unit to do it.
Ken Elder then told the Senate that the Executive Committee met this summer and made issues for the Shared Governance Forum. He handed out the issues. The Executive Committee has not received a written response yet. The Forum is scheduled for November 8th.
Many people were not pleased when the cap was raised for on-line courses August 10. Ken Elder asked the Senate if they wanted V.P. Snowden to come to the next Faculty Senate meeting and explain why he lifted the cap on the on-line courses. The Senate indicated that they did want V.P. Snowden to come.
There was some discussion about the change in the Archivist position. Ann Haycock wants her office to be responsible for adding/revising the information to the Faculty Senate and University Committee websites. The website needs to be in compliance with ADA. The election of archivist was deferred until we understand the role of archivist now.
Dan Benco nominated himself for Treasurer. There were no other nominations. Stan Alluisi made a motion that Dan Benco be treasurer and Vicki Hudson seconded. The motion passed by acclamation.
Wayne Dixon nominated Vicki Hudson for Parliamentarian and she declined. Wayne Jones nominated Stan Alluisi and he declined. Wayne Jones nominated Lucretia Scoufos for Parliamentarian. There were no other nominations. Buddy Pierce made a motion for Lucretia Scoufos be Parliamentarian and Vicki Hudson seconded. The motion passed by acclamation.
Jane Elder nominated Diane Dixon for Recorder. There were no other nominations. Buddy Pierce made a motion that Diane Dixon be Recorder and Vicki Hudson seconded. The motion passed by acclamation.
Ken handed out a survey of committee preferences and explained what some of the past issues that each committee had dealt with. The Senate then filled out a form to indicate committee preferences for internal Senate committees
Chris Moretti handed out the Promotion and Tenure proposal that Personnel Policies made last spring. Comments by V.P. Snowden were highlighted. V.P. Snowden suggested that the criteria for promotion and tenure should be submitted to the Dean and VPAA first and then to Senate. When asked about that, V.P. Snowden said it could go to Faculty Senate first then go to the Deans and VPAA. Chris then had a revised version of the proposal. He added section G about after the criteria being endorsed by Faculty Senate and then going to the Deans and VPAA. The Dean or VPAA may address the Senate and request reconsidering an endorsement. The Senate thought that V.P. Snowden could address the new proposal at the October Faculty Senate meeting.
Diane Dixon reported that Committee on Committees nominated Doug Wood to replace Michael Turnage on Graduate Council and wanted the Senate approval. Wayne Jones made a motion to accept that nomination and Wayne Dixon seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Dan Althoff asked if we can add the on-line issue to the Forum. Ken said it was too late to add it but the audience can bring it up.
Andy Tiger asked if the Senate could do anything to speed up the process for hiring a secretary (need many signatures). Ken wasn’t sure if Faculty Senate would be the appropriate body to deal with that. He thought perhaps Academic Council or perhaps a charge of Personnel Policies.
Ken told the Senate that appointments must be made for the Student Conduct Committee. It must be made by October 1. The committee composition had been changed. There is an additional staff member and a reduction in a faculty member. It was recommended by VP Sharon Robinson’s office to have Gleny Beach (A&S), Kyle Thomas (Bus), and Judy Sexton (EBS). Buddy Pierce made a motion to accept those recommendations and Paula Allen seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00.
Diane Dixon, Faculty Senate Recorder.