Academic Senate: MINUTES 03/18/2003

Present: Ms. Colleen Bender, Dr. Susan Brown, Dr. Rich Christen, Rev. James Connelly, Mr. Walt Dawson, Dr. Will Deming, Dr. Thompson Faller, Dr. Laura Genik, Dr. Greg Hill, Dr. Mark Kennedy, Mr. Larry Larsen, Dr. Larry Lewis, Dr. Marlene Moore, Dr. Amelia Ahern-Rindell, Steve Royce, Dr., Dr. John Schouten, Ms. Heidi Senior, Dr. David Sherrer, Br. Donald Stabrowski, Dr. Agnes Tenney, Rev. David Tyson, Dr. Anita Wynn,

Absent: Dr. Dakshina Murty, Dr. Bohn Lattin, Dr. Zia Yamayee

Invocation: The invocation was given by Heidi Senior.

Minutes of February meeting: Approved as distributed.

Standing Committee Reports

Executive Committee: Dr. Thompson Faller gave the report. The committee discussed the best way to make certain that information about items passed by the Senate was circulated to individuals who needed to know. Brother Donald acknowledged that it is the responsibility of the Provost’s office, however, since the information is in the Senate Minutes, that seemed an appropriate place for information seekers to find the data. We will put a reminder on Campus Pipeline to direct people to the Senate Minutes.Another issue from a previous meeting was resolved when the Registrar agreed that grades will be due no later then 1300 rather than 0900 on the Monday following exams, except for graduating seniors.An information item: the Articles of Administration are anticipated to be ready at the spring meeting of the Board of Regents. A reminder that the election of Senate officers and members of the Committee on Committees will take place during the April meeting. New senators are to be elected and will attend the April meeting.

Committee on Committee: Dr. Steve Royce gave the report.No new business

Committee on Rank & Tenure: Dr. Dakshina Murty is teaching a class at this time. He sent a report that the committee is working through the post tenure review matters and the report will be out by the end of March.

Committee on Teaching & Scholarship: Mr. Larry Larsen gave the report.No meeting of the committee since the last Senate meeting.

Committee on Faculty and Welfare: Dr. Agnes Tenney gave the report. At the last meeting Dr. Heynderickx agreed to present the budget to the Senate today and it is an agenda item.

Committee on Curriculum & Academic Regulations: Dr. Mark Kennedy gave the report. No meeting of the committee since the last Senate meeting.

Presidential Advisory Committees

Committee on Student Media: The report was given by Dr. Rich Christen. The committee has conducted interviews with applicants for the student media positions for next year and has made recommendations to the President.

Committee on Athletics: The report was given by Dr. John Schouten. The committee has proposed a process for early registration for athletes. Student athletes will be able to preregister but only at the time scheduled for their class and during the semesters when they are engaged in play.

Committee on Health & Safety: The report was given by Dr. Anita Lee Wynne.The committee has a meeting scheduled for the 21st and we will be looking at the emergency managementplan.

Committee on Computers & Telecommunications: The report was given by Ms. Heidi Senior. The next scheduled meeting is Thursday.

Student & Faculty Court: The report was given by Dr. Laura Genik. No meeting of the committee since the last Senate meeting.

Other Reports

Deans Report: The report was given by Bro. Donald Stabrowski. Faculty were reminded that any university faculty could apply for the entrepreneurship scholarship and they were encouraged to do so. Karen Nelson gave the Deans interesting information about the current freshman class. For instance about 80% of these freshman have had both parents graduate from college.The Deans discussed the international advanced placement credit which is now rivaling the older advance placement credit in use and Jim Lyons will study what similar schools are doing with this credit. Founder’s Day activities were also discussed.Beginning tomorrow the schedule will be on Campus Pipeline. Senior awards will now be given during Founder’s Day.Christina Scheuer will be the valedictorian.The highest GPA (University Scholars) in the School of Engineering is Richard Kilian, in the School of Education it is Jennifer Youngers, in the School of Business it is Andrea Dually and in the School of Nursing it is Steve Groke.

ASUP: The report was given by Walt Dawson. A decision has been made to down size the ASUP senate from 44 members to 25 members to make the student senate more efficient and motivated. Senate votes will now require 50% rather then 2/3 to pass. April 14^th is the last meeting and then the new officers will take over. New officers are: President Brendan Hochstein (current treasurer), Vice President Rigo Brioschi, Secretary Michelle Martin, Treasurer is Keaton Norquist.A decision about the senior gift is being made and it will probably be a scholarship.

New Business

Budget Presentation by Roy Heynderickx: Document was given to the senators describing changes for next year. In summary:
1.Tuition will increase by 6%, parents and students have been notified. It was noted that many other universities who were more endowment dependent have had to increase tuition by larger percentages since their endowments have made less money this last year.
2.Room and Board will increase 6.7%.
3.There will be 2% available for salary increases to be distributed by the Deans as seen fit.
4.Retirement contribution will increase from 9.5% to 10% next year.
5.Benefits will hold steady, no changes will be made.One small change will be made if you are single on our health plan you pay zero on a monthly basis, if you are a two party you will pay $5 every month out of your health plan, if you are a family you pay $10. The 5 and 10 will move next year to $8 and $15. An approximate 10% increase in the premium.
6.Library acquisitions will increase $50,000 this next year, but it is just an inflation increase and will purchase the same as we have in the past.
7.Computer upgrades will increase from $700,000 to $750,000 just to maintain what we have to do.
8.Physical plant budget moved to $400,000.This needs to grow to nearly $2million over the next couple of years to maintain the campus.
9.Revenue sources and financial aid issues are being addressed.

Announcements

Fr. David Tyson reminded us that we need to be sensitive to the issues surrounding the war with Iraq with both our students and their families. He expressed concern about the kind of anxieties they might experience. It was also suggested by a Senator that faculty find ways to incorporate discussion of the war in their classes where appropriate.

Adjournment: 4:50 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Dr. Anita Lee Wynne, Secretary to the Senate