XLI, No. 12
MINUTES OF THE FACULTY SENATE MEETING
March 07, 2007
The Faculty Senate of Southeast Missouri State University met on Wednesday, March 07, 2007, in the Missouriana Room of the University Center. The following Senators were present: Michael Cobb (Chair), Martha Zlokovich (Chair-Elect), David Smith (Membership Committee Chair), Rick Althaus, Mary Elizabeth Ambery, Marc Fulgham, Beth Easter, Benjie Heu, Priscilla Hornby, Kathryn Farwell (Alternate), Daniel MacLeay, Jim McGill, Carolyn Rainey, Jayanti Ray, Stephanie Chamberlain (Alternate), Sophia Scott, Marc Strauss, Lucinda Swatzell, Larry Underberg, Haohao Wang, Janice Ward, Pat Willingham, Xuesong Zhang, and Min Zou. Also in attendance were Dr. Jane Stephens (Administrative Liaison) and Nelson Elliott (Student Government Liaison).
Absent, and not represented by their Alternates, were Mary Ann DeLine, Kim Dillivan, Beth Easter, Bonnie Stepenoff, and Rebecca Summary.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Approval of minutes Vol. XLI-11 was moved by Senator Strauss and seconded by Senator Underberg. The motion carried.
REPORT FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE LIAISON
Provost Stephens reported that they are currently searching for a Dean of Liberal Arts. They have interviewed one candidate and have two more expected to interview within the next couple of weeks. Provost Stephens also reported that they are using a search firm to try to find a Chair for the Department of Nursing.
REPORT FROM THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT LIAISON
Student Government Liaison, Nelson Elliott, reported that the Student Government (SG) passed a resolution supporting the Faculty Senate in their exploration of the 21st Century Teacher Certification. He indicated that the students think it would be a great way to recognize teachers who utilize advanced technology and bring it into the classroom. Dr. Cobb indicated that a copy of the resolution had been received and will be placed in the Faculty Senate archives.
Mr. Nelson Elliott reported that the SG is holding a dance marathon on April 28th in the Recreational Center – North. He indicated that the hope is to get the entire University involved in one big community project. The goal is to raise $10,000.00 for the Children's Miracle Network. He distributed registration forms to the Senators.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Senator Cobb distributed a document titled, “Effective Teaching or Effective Pleasing” that he wrote expressing his views on student evaluations. The document is attached for viewing. Discussion was held by the Senate on student evaluations and the contents of the document “Effective Teaching or Effective Pleasing”.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
Membership
Senator Smith reported that the Faculty Handbook indicated that elections for 2008
need to be concluded by April 30. He indicated that he will begin working on elections
when he returns from Africa. Department elections need to be held by April 24th so
that the election for chair-elect can take place on April 25th.
Senator Smith reported that he brought the suggestion of posting the Faculty Senate
meeting attendance to the Membership Committee. He indicated that the Committee was
unsupportive because they felt that it would be unduly harsh and against collegiality.
Professional Affairs
Senator Althaus distributed a copy of the minutes from the last Professional Affairs
meeting. He indicated that during the last meeting the Committee decided to incorporate
three questions regarding Post-Professorial Merit. Since then, the questions have
been removed. Senator Althaus explained that the President stated during an Executive
Committee meeting that if we even ask about Post-Prof in this survey, he will drop
his plans to pursue additional funding for the Post-Prof increment. Senator Althaus
indicated that the President said the issue could be opened next fall. Senator Althaus
reported that the survey should be posted within the next couple of days.
Senator Althaus reported that Professional Affairs is continuing to work on the nondiscrimination
statement. They sent a letter to the President requesting that he ask the legal staff
for some language that would indicate the University's inclusiveness while not, in
the eyes of the lawyers, increasing the University's potential legal exposure.
Senator Althaus reported that the Committee also discussed the Twenty-First Century
Teacher Certificate, Student Evaluation of Instruction Policy, and the Intellectual
Property Rights Task Force.
Academic Affairs
Senator Min Zou reported that the Dean of Students had suggestions/revisions for the
Bill, “Temporarily Out of Class Status”. The revisions will be incorporated and brought
to the Senate to be voted on at the next Faculty Senate meeting.
Documents
Senator Jayanti Ray distributed a resolution on behalf of the Documents Committee
reconciling Chapter 1 and the appendix of the Faculty Handbook. Dr. Althaus indicated
that the revisions to Chapter 1 can be deleted from the resolution because action
has already been taken to correct it. The resolution will be voted on at the next
Faculty Senate meeting. Senator Ray reported that the Documents Committee is searching
for ideas on ways to boost the activity on the Faculty Senate Forum.
Governance
Senator Swatzell reported that the Governance Committee has wrapped up their work
on the grievance policy. The Provost indicated that she has received the grievance
policy and will forward it to the lawyers after she gets approval from the President.
Senator Swatzell reported that the Governance Committee is finishing up the faculty
self survey.
Compensation
Senator Willingham reported that the Compensation Committee met last week with the
President. Senator Willingham indicated that the proposal will include some mix of
the following elements: base merit, equity adjustments, and a suggested increase in
the dollar value of the Post-Professorial Merit award. She explained that it will
have to be approved on March 28th, because the compensation packages are on the March
30 Budget Review Committee agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
The Documents Committee will bring forward a resolution to the next Faculty Senate meeting titled “Reconciliation of Chapter 1 and 8 of the Faculty Handbook”.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to consider.
The Provost suggested that the Senate carefully consider the statement being removed from the Bill, “Temporarily Out of Class Status”. The statement removed read, “The nature of qualifying emergencies and appropriate documentation is left to the discretion of the Learning Enrichment Center”. The Provost added that the statement could be crucial. She indicated that we need to be careful about where the responsibility lies and suggested talking to the Dean of Students before making any decisions.
The Senate moved to executive session.
Senator Althaus made a motion to approve a Bill seconded by Senator Ray granting emeritus
status to Dr. Adelaide Parsons. The motion passed.
Senator Althaus made a motion to suspend the rules to bring forward a Bill recommending
emeritus status for a retiring faculty member. The motion (Scott/Willingham) was seconded
and approved.
Senator Althaus made a motion to approve a Bill seconded by Senator Underberg to grant
emeritus status to Dennis C. Seyer. The motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
The motion to adjourn (Fulgham/Ambery) was recognized and approved at 4:35 p.m.
The next Faculty Senate Meeting will be March 28, 2007, in the University Center Missouriana
Room at 3 pm.
Approved March 28, 2007