Faculty Senate Minutes - 3/6/2003
Missouri Western State College
Faculty Senate Minutes
March 6, 2003
Call to order:
The meeting was called to order by President Steven Greiert at 4:05 p.m.
Senators present:
Brenda Blessing, Ben Caldwell, Steven Greiert, Susan Hennessy, Marilyn Hunt, Mark Mikkelsen, Barry Nelson, Michael Ottinger, Keith Rhodes, John Tapia, Randye Williams, Sharon Wagner, Carolyn Windsor
Senators absent:
Larry Andrews, Bill Church, Richard Cluff, Mike Smith
Ex-officio members present:
President James Scanlon, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs David Arnold
Guests present:
Mary Korneman, Dave Stouffer
Approval of minutes:
Minutes of the February 20, 2003 meeting were approved with one correction: New Business,
third paragraph, second sentence, change “will not” to “might be”(Blessing/Hunt).
Approval of the agenda:
The agenda for the March 6, 2003 meeting was approved (Wagner/Mikkelsen).
Report from college president:
President Scanlon reported on the status of the “university bill” and indicated he is optimistic about the Senate’s response to the bill. On the House side, the Omnibus bill will become three separate bills, each one dealing with one of the three colleges requesting a name change from college to university. As far as the budget, Scanlon reported that Higher Education may see a 5% or more core cut in FY2004, which would translate to a $1 million cut for Western. Senators Tapia and Mikkelsen asked Scanlon about Western’s process for developing the budget and whether program cuts might be possible. Scanlon responded that there will be no program cuts at Western and that the budget committee will be meeting later in this fiscal year to make preliminary plans for cuts in the core. Mikkelsen asked about the composition of the committee and Scanlon responded that committee members will come from the strategic planning committee
Report from vice-president for academic and student affairs:
Vice President Arnold reported on the following:
1) Regarding budget, Arnold will be meeting with the chairs of the departments tomorrow to assist with personnel planning (new and continuing faculty) for next year and the year after. He also reported that SPIFF monies are available for departmental needs. Senator
Mikkelsen asked when departments would know about faculty positions and Arnold
responded they would know within a week to 10 days. Senator Greiert indicated his
support for a two-three year plan;
2) The Enrollment Management Report is a work in progress and Arnold would like
faculty input about the recommendations stated in the report;
3) Chris Van Ness was hired as the Grants Director, effective February 28, 2003.
An email will be sent to all employees regarding his appointment. Arnold thanked
President Scanlon for his support for this position and for the Office of Grants and
Sponsored Programs;
4) Arnold complimented the English Department for their “Writing Day” which brought
over 200 students to Western. Scanlon commented that activities such as this will
assist with the recruitment of students.
Report from faculty senate executive committee:
Senator Nelson reported the results of the senate election. Their names and the number of votes received are as follows:
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Ben Caldwell, 57; Jennifer Hegeman, 52; Marilyn Hunt, 48;
Mitch Haney, 42; Robert Bergland, 37; Geo Sipp, 33;
Stacia Bensyl, 26; Kelly Henry, 17
Professional Studies: Victoria Wacek, 61; Robert Klostermeyer, 58;
Larry Andrews, 46; Brenda Blessing, 45; Carolyn Windsor,
37; Shiva Nandan, 31.
As a result, the following senators (listed in alphabetical order) were elected:
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Ben Caldwell, Mitch Haney, Jennifer Hegeman, Marilyn
Hunt
Professional Studies: Larry Andrews, Robert Klostermeyer, Victoria Wacek
Nelson also reported that Bonnie Gregory, Professional Studies, had indicated a willingness to serve in the vacant position in the Promotion and Tenure Committee. Motion to approve Bonnie Gregory’s appointment to the position (Nelson/Blessing). Motion passed unanimously.
Nelson indicated that the names of faculty who have volunteered to serve on the Task Force to Review Institutional Committee Structure have been given to Vice President Arnold. They are: Deborah Freedman, Reza Hamzaee, Shiva Nandan, and Pat Scott.
Senator Greiert distributed copies of the faculty senate budget for AY2002-2003, indicating a
balance of $214.89. He stated he is pleased that the budget will be increased for next year, allowing at least two senators to attend the MAFS meetings. Greiert reported on the joint fringe benefits committee meeting and distributed copies of a statement from support and professional staff, entitled “Children in the Work Place”(Attachment A). He requested senators review the statement and plan to discuss it at the next senate meeting. Greiert also reported on the status of the ad hoc grievance report and indicated plans to bring it to faculty senate for their consideration hopefully before the end of the semester.
Senator Mikkelsen asked about the dates for election of officers and Nelson responded that the election will be held on April 3, 2003.
Report from faculty senate fringe benefits committee:
Dave Stouffer, Chair of the committee, distributed copies of the committee report (Attachment B). Greiert asked whether recommendation #2 applied only to faculty members and Stouffer responded that it did. There were no other questions from senators about the recommendations at this time. Greiert inquired whether the committee had suggestions for changing the charges for next year and Stouffer responded that they did not. Senator Mikkelsen asked about changes in health insurance for next year and Stouffer indicated that Ron Ollinger will be reporting to the committee within the next three weeks. Senator Blessing expressed concern about the process for notifying employees about plan changes and the impact on retirees. Greiert indicated that at the MAFS meeting which was held in early February, he had spoken with Nancy Sublette of the MSU Benefits Group (formerly the MSU Consortium). She informed Greiert that currently Truman State University and Central State University pay the whole health insurance package for retirees. He thanked the committee and Stouffer for their activities and for the report.
Old Business:
SB06.03 (Hennessy/Blessing): Amend the MWSC Policy Guide, Pages 62-63:
“SECTION VI: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (May 2002):
from: B. Curricular Constraints (Form C)
2. Baccalaureate degree programs
b. Credit hours earned for the following courses will all count
toward the maximum of 66 credit hours for major degree
programs.
•
•
• Foreign language courses required by B.A. degree
programs.
c.
d.
• B.A. programs will require 16 credit hours in a foreign
language.”
to: B. Curricular Constraints (Form C)
2. Baccalaureate degree programs
b. Credit hours earned for the following courses will all count
toward the maximum of 66 credit hours for major degree
programs.
•
•
• Foreign language courses required by the B.A. degree
programs.
c.
d.
• B.A. programs will require 12 credit hours in a foreign
language.”
Discussion among senators ensued. Motion by Senator Mikkelsen to amend the motion, changing the last statement by adding the words “at least” prior to “12 credit hours in a foreign language.” Seconded by Nelson. Senator Greiert called the question. Vote taken. Motion to amend the motion passed unanimously. No further discussion by senators on the amended motion. Vote taken. Motion as amended passed unanimously.
New Business:
Senator Nelson moved the senate support the proposed policy, “Children in the Work Place”.
Senator Tapia asked where the policy would go in the Policy Guide as it appears to be unclear. Mikkelsen suggested the senate indicate support of the policy as a resolution rather than a bill.
Senate discussion ensued. Nelson withdrew his motion and requested senate discuss the policy further at the next meeting. Nelson moved that the policy come forward as a resolution. Mikkelsen seconded. No further discussion or questions. Greiert indicated the proposed policy will be discussed at the next senate meeting.
Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. (Williams/Caldwell).
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Windsor
Faculty Senate Secretary
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