Faculty Senate Minutes - 10/23/2003
Missouri Western State College
Faculty Senate Minutes
October 23, 2003
Call to order:
Senate President Barry Nelson called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
Senators present:
Caldwell, Cluff, Haney, Hegeman, Hennessy, Hunt, Mikkelsen, Ottinger, Wacek, Williams, Senate President Nelson, Senate Vice-President Tapia, Past Senate President Greiert, Senate Secretary Andrews,
Senators absent:
Senator Blessing, Senator Wagner
Ex-officio members present:
MWSC President James Scanlon
Guests present:
None
Approval of minutes:
Minutes of October 2, 2003 approved (Senator Cluff/Senator Ottinger)
Approval of agenda:
Agenda approval (Senator Williams/Senator Hennessy)
Report from MWSC College President:
President Scanlon reported that the budget withholds may be finished for the immediate time. He stated that a total of $964,000.00 has been withheld from the "03" budget and that over the last three years MWSC has experienced a total core cut and withholding in the amount of $6.8 million dollars. Current funding from the State covers about 42% of the total cost of fiscal year compared with 60% to 70% at one time. Year "05" is still a concern as state revenues apparently are showing small increases but projections for "05" indicate the state could run a deficit of $400 million to $1 billion. Higher education may once again feel cuts.
He reported that the 7 open forums covering various topics relating to the Strategic Plan have been completed. Comments from the participants will be on the MWSC web site and will be used to shape and reshape the Strategic Plan.
If approved by the Board of Regents, Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes, will receive an honorary degree from MWSC at the December 20th graduation.
The annual audit for MWSC has just been completed and President Scanlon indicated that everything was found to be in order.
Bids for the new residence hall and commons building are expected to be approved at the Board of Regents meeting October 23, 2003. The residence hall will house 400 beds along with teaching and learning areas for students. He indicated he was very happy with the bids and expects building to begin in November "03". They are to be completed by August "05" and are completely funded by student usage without state funding.
Senator Hennessy asked if tuition had been raised and President Scanlon indicated it is not being raised for the Spring semester. Some clarification of how tuition is shown in the Spring schedule was suggested for student clarity.
Senator Hennessy also inquired about the Kansas City Chiefs visit to our campus. President Scanlon reported that the decision may be made as soon a November but could be later as some reports suggest. He indicated he was hopeful about the decision in favor of Western.
Report from Faculty Senate Executive Committee:
Faculty Senate President Nelson reported that the executive committee had met three times since the last senate meeting.
President Scanlon and Vice-President Arnold met with the committee on Wednesday, October 22. Several areas were discussed including faculty positions; scheduling issues for Spring classes, communication with school deans and department chairs; composition of the ad hoc peer review committee; plans for the executive committee to meet on a monthly basis.
Faculty President Nelson, Vice-President Tapia and former Senator Church attended CGAC. Two issues were presented, the new grievance procedure was approved and the motion on MFA as a terminal degree was returned to the English Department for further study by E/FL/J and the LAS school dean.
Senator Williams attended MAFS meeting along with President Nelson and VP Tapia. Their report indicated that "value-added education" was promoted with education funding possibly being tied to this process in the future. (Executive Committee Report attached)
Senate Vice-President Tapia commented that he believes we should become more political and invite elected officials to certain faculty senate meetings. He related the need for assistance with insurance issues, which have affected all of higher education. He also discussed salary adjustments across this state.
Past Senate President Greiert indicated his concern over what appears to be miscommunication concerning scheduling of academic offerings.
Senator Williams made a report on the Academic Calendar for Fall "05" Spring and Summer "06". Important dates include proposed Fall start date of August 29; Columbus Day Holiday Oct 10th or a substitution of a Fall Holiday; Spring Break March 12-19 (a week earlier than current); Summer 1st four week session, M-Th plus one Friday (June2) and 2nd four week session, (classes will be held Friday, July 7th).
Old Business:
During the October 2, 2003 Senate meeting the following motion was introduced:
"Senator Caldwell introduced SB 02-04 concerning changing the 66 hour rule to allow up to 72 hours within academic majors. (Senator Caldwell/Senator Blessing)
MOTION: to amend the "2002-2003 MWSC Policy Guide,"SECTION TWO: ACADEMIC AND INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES; number VI. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT; part B. Curricular Constraints; number 2. Baccalaureate degree programs, as follows:
(a) change the second bulleted statement which currently reads
"Major degree programs will require no fewer than 30 and no more than 66 credit hours."
to
"Major degree programs will require no fewer than 30 and no more than 72 credit hours."
(b) change part b. under the second bulleted statement, which currently reads
"Credit hours earned for the following courses will all count toward the maximum of 66 credit hours for major degree programs."
to
"Credit hours earned for the following courses will all count toward the maximum of 72 credit hours for major degree programs."
(c) change the first sentence of part d. under the second bulleted statement, which currently reads
"Major degree programs may exceed the 66 credit hour maximum only if a convincing case has been made for exceeding this limit."
to
"Major degree programs may exceed the 72 credit hour maximum only if a convincing case has been made for exceeding this limit."
Consideration of SB 02-04 (printed above) concerning changing the 66-hour rule to allow up to 72 hours within academic majors was discussed. Questions from Senator Williams, Senator Hegeman, Senator Hunt and Senator Mikkelsen ended with a motion to amend and send back to the Senate Curriculum Committee. (Senator Mikkelsen/Senator Cluff) (vote unanimous)
Senator Caldwell asked about the MWSC Policy Guide and was assured by Senate President that President Scanlon had reported the document would be available the following morning October 24, 2003.
Senator Hegeman and Past Senate President Greiert expressed concerns about the timeliness of documents being completed by the Human Resources office.
Senate Secretary Andrews emphasized that Vice-President Arnold's positive position was that no changes would be made to the MWSC Policy Guide without going through CGAC and would be completed only at the end of the fiscal year.
There was also discussion concerning who should or does check the MWSC Policy Guide after it is actually published.
The following Fringe Benefits recommendations from the October 2nd meeting, as listed below, were brought up for further discussion:
Recommendations Formatted as Motions Resolutions
MOTION: that the Missouri Western State College 2002-2003 Policy Guide, Section Three: Personnel Policies, part VI. Benefits, be appended with the following:
"T. CULTURAL AND ATHLETIC EVENT TICKETS
Faculty members may purchase tickets for a cultural or athletic event at the gate at the reduced faculty rate in force at the time of the event, when providing proper identification."
MOTION: that the Missouri Western State College 2002-2003 Policy Guide, Section One: General College Policies, part IV. Campus Services: Policies and Procedures, part L. MWSC Motor Vehicle Registration Policy, paragraph 10 regarding MWSC Vehicle Registration Annual Fee Schedule, Registration Fee-Original Vehicle table be amended as follows:
Replace: Students $20.00
Employees $20.00
Employees, Non-college organizations $20.00
With:
Students $20.00
Employees $10.00
Employees, Non-college organizations $20.00
RESOLUTION: in recognition of the valuable service rendered to the college for a modest recompense by faculty members who are not "continuing, full-time," that they be allowed to park their automobiles in parking areas marked "reserve."
RESOLUTION: that the final passage, including approval by the President, of any addition, modification, or change in the MWSC Policy Guide be communicated to all employees of MWSC by email using the "empinfo" list-serve
The recommendations from the 2002-2003 fringe benefits committee were discussed and resulted in three motions as recorded in the following "New Business" section.
New Business:
The Senate Recommendations from the October 2, 2003 meeting were modified as
follows to Senate Bills;
Motion:
"T. CULTURAL AND ATHLETIC EVENT TICKETS
Faculty members may purchase tickets for a cultural or athletic event at the gate at the reduced faculty rate in force at the time of the event, when providing proper identification."
was introduced as SB03-04 (Senate Vice-President Tapia/Senator Mikkelsen)
The second portion of the original resolution which follows was defeated during discussion and not included as a part of the new separated Bills:
Motion: that the Missouri Western State College 2002-2003 Policy Guide, Section One: General College Policies, part IV. Campus Services: Policies and Procedures, part L. MWSC Motor Vehicle Registration Policy, paragraph 10 regarding MWSC Vehicle Registration Annual Fee Schedule, Registration Fee-Original Vehicle table be amended as follows:
Replace: Students $20.00
Employees $20.00
Employees, Non-college organizations $20.00
With:
Students $20.00
Employees $10.00
Employees, Non-college organizations $20.00
The next new bill was introduced as SB04-04 and follows;
Motion: in recognition of the valuable service rendered to the college for a modest recompense by faculty who are not "continuing, full-time," that they be allowed to park their automobiles in parking areas marked "reserved" (Senator Mikkelsen/Senator Williams)
The next bill was introduced as SB05-04 and follows;
Motion: that the final passage, including approval by the President, of any addition, modification, or change in the MWSC Policy Guide be communicated to all employees of MWSC by email using the "empinfo" list-serve. (Senate Vice-President Tapia/Senator Caldwell)
The next bill concerning Peer Review was introduced as SB06-04 and follows;
Motion:
a) that an ad hoc Peer Review Integration Committee be established,
composed of three Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty, three Professional
Studies faculty, the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, the
Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Dean of Professional Studies,
with the express purpose of formulating a general college model (in
addition to other needed auxiliary guidelines) for faculty peer review by
integrating various recommended peer review principles and guidelines
which were developed by academic departments and submitted to the faculty
senate during academic year 2002-2003.
b) the peer review model and any relevant/auxiliary guidelines shall be
principally used by the Faculty Senate Promotion and Tenure Committee, as
well as the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, in
considerations and recommendations relevant to faculty promotion or tenure
applications.
c) faculty members of this committee shall be elected by the faculty
senate at its meeting of November 20, 2003.
d) the committee shall submit its progress report to the faculty senate on May 6, 2004.
e) that the faculty committee members consist of one professor, one associate professor, and one assistant professor from each of the two schools. (Senate Vice-President Tapia/Senator Hunt)
Adjournment:
Senate was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. (Senator Williams/Senator Ottinger)
Respectfully submitted,
Larry D. Andrews, EdS
Professor
MWSC Faculty Senate Secretary
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