Academic Senate: MINUTES 10/11/2005

Present: Ms. Rebekah Babiarz, Dr. Susan Baillet, Dr. Linda Birenbaum, Sr. Maria Ciriello, Dr. Michael Connolly, Dr. Carol Dempsey, Dr. Bruce Drake, Dr. Karen Eifler, Dr. Jeff Gauthier, Dr. Chris Hallstrom, Ms. Ashley Hartmeier, Sr. Angela Hoffman, Dr. Lora Looney, Dr. Kenneth Lulay, Dr. Louis Masson, Dr. Elise Moentmann, Dr. Katie O’Reilly, Dr. John Orr, Dr. Dann Pierce, Ms. Diane Sotak, Br. Donald Stabrowski, Dr. Peter Thacker, Dr. Zia Yamayee

Absent: Fr. William Beauchamp, Dr. Marlene Moore

Invocation: The invocation was given by Angela Hoffman.

Minutes of September 20, 2005 meeting were accepted.

Standing Committee Reports

Executive Committee: Angela Hoffman gave the report. The Executive Committee discussed the history of the Bylaws and Constitution changes.

Committee on Committees: Jeff Gauthier gave the report. The committee appointed two members to the University Librarian search committee and two members to the Pamplin School of Business Dean search committee. They also made an interim appointment to replace a faculty member on sabbatical for Spring semester on the Committee on Academic Regulations.

Committee on Rank & Tenure: Louis Masson gave the report. The committee continues to meet and deliberate.

Committee on Teaching & Scholarship: Carol Dempsey gave the report. The Butine post-funding project reports have been submitted. The guidelines along with old and new cover letters will be posted to the committee’s website this week for faculty review. These will be discussed at two faculty workshops (October 24^th and 26^th) in BC 163. Carol asked members to encourage their colleagues to attend. The committee will meet in November to discuss Butine decisions.

Committee on Faculty and Welfare: Susan Baillet gave the report. The committee will be meeting tomorrow.

Committee on Curriculum & Academic Regulations: Karen Eifler gave the report. The committee has not met.

Presidential Advisory Committee Reports

Committee on Student Media: Jeff Gauthier reported that they have not met yet.

Committee on Athletics: Peter Thacker reported that they will be meeting this Thursday.

Committee on Health and Safety: Linda Birenbaum reported that they have not met yet.

Committee on Information Technology: Diane Sotak gave the report. The committee met and the Chair, Bryon Fessler, provided an overview of work accomplished in the past year. The committee recommended choosing Moodle as the course management system, implementing a pay-for-print system, and moving to an electronic-only directory. The first two proposals were accepted by the Officers. Over 100 faculty members are actively using Moodle.Committee members then provided feedback and asked questions about recent changes. Feedback included concerns about unfunded mandates that departments were bearing (website conversion and maintenance and having to buy and stock toner), mass email policy which requires one person to approve emails before they are sent restricts communication (examples were given where messages were not sent in timely manner), difficulty in emailing different group lists (must be subscribed to each group to send email), and privacy protection protocols for student information. Other feedback involved making the portal more robust, helping non-academic units make use of Moodle, and maximizing wireless access on campus. An overarching question was “Is there a communication plan for technology changes?” There is not.Bryon was asked to present at the next CIT meeting on the technology changes implemented over the past year and how well they are working, and to provide a preview of what is on the horizon. The committee will also be establishing subcommittees.

Student-Faculty Court: Dann Pierce reported that they have not met.

Other Reports

Fr. William Beauchamp: Fr. was absent, so there was no report.

Deans Report: Br. Donald Stabrowski gave the report. The Deans had an update from Bryon Fessler and a demonstration on how to use the email lists. They also met with Roy Heynderickx about the budget. October 20 is the deadline for increases not in previous budgets.Bill Reed spoke about Founder’s Day which is shaping up to have a faculty/seniors breakfast followed by sessions for the day. The Scholarship luncheon will be held at noon on the same day since students are already out of class and donors are visiting for Founder’s Day. Jim Lyons updated them on a new early admissions program. Students applying by November 1st don’t have to pay an administrative fee or include an essay. Last year they had 60 applicants by this date and this year they already have over 900. The students applying are also of better quality. There are 112 universities using this process and UP is trying it this year. Sabbatical letters will go out next week. This year there were sixteen people on sabbatical and next year it looks like there will be fifteen. Br. commented that since departments now plan well for faculty coverage there are less instances of having to refuse a request.

ASUP: Ashley Hartmeier gave the report. Clubs and organizations are competing for the carryover funds. They will use some funds to overhaul the Advantage program (student advertising) by giving them the right equipment – more along the lines of a graphic design operation. They are also using money to pay for more programs and events. ASUP was approached by the New York Times and Panasonic about funding opportunities. The NYT will provide the paper for free on campus and would like to sponsor events. They helped underwrite the homecoming barbecue this Fall. Panasonic is paying a $2500 fee to have a booth on campus. With that money, the carry-over committee approved a request of the Executive Board to go to Notre Dame at the end of November to meet with UND’s Executive Board. This will strengthen relations with our sister school and allow for collaboration on common issues that both schools have.

New Business

Voting on Bylaws and Constitution: Angela Hoffman presented a summary of the changes to Bylaws & Constitution for the past two years. However, after some discussion, it was decided to find transcripts from past meetings to verify whether previous changes were indeed passed and then bring back to the Senate.

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 4:45 P.M.

Respectively submitted, Ms. Diane Sotak, Secretary to the Senate