Academic Senate: MINUTES 09/16/2003

Present: Mr. Amerigo Brioschi, Dr. Jim Carroll, Sr. Maria Ciriello, Dr. Karen Eifler, Dr. Mark Eifler, Ms. Michelle Martin, Dr. Carol Dempsey, Dr. Terry Favero, Dr. Jeff Gauthier, Dr. Laura Genik, Dr. Greg Hill, Dr. Mark Kennedy, Dr. Jack Kondrasuk, Dr. Bohn Lattin, Mr. Larry Larsen, Dr. Larry Lewis, Dr. Marlene Moore, Dr. Dakshina Murty, Dr. Steve Royce, Dr. David Sherrer, Ms. Diane Sotak, Br. Donald Stabrowski, Sr. Angela Hoffman, Dr. Anita Wynne

Absent: Dr. Larry Lewis, Dr. John Schouten

Invocation: Given by Fr. Sherrer

Standing Committee Reports

Executive Committee: Dr. Anita Wynne presented the report.Minutes of the April meeting were accepted upon correction.The Executive Committee met on the 2^nd of September to set the agenda for today’s meeting. Dr. Wynne mentioned that the new Articles of Administration had been approved. They are in the faculty handbook.She pointed out that the By-laws do not correspond to the new Articles of Administration.These By-laws need to be consistent with the new Articles of Administration. Therefore, a new By-laws committee (Dr. Malecha, Dr. Faller, and Dr. Albright) has been appointed for the purpose of bringing them in line.They will also look at the suggestions of last year’s By-laws committee. Any questions can be directed to the new By-laws committee. Dr. Wynne also announced the creation of a committee to oversee apportionment in the faculty senate. The apportionment committee makes sure each faculty member is represented.The members of the committee are Mehmet Inan, Kate Reagan, and Joanna Kaakinen.Apportionment issues or questions should be directed to this committee. Finally, Dr. Wynne mentioned that the Executive Committee accepted John Schouten’s resignation as the chair of the Faculty Welfare Committee.Dr. Jack Kondrasuk was appointed as the new chair and approved by the senate.

Committee on Committee: Dr. Steve Royce announced that his committee met in May, August, and last Friday. The committee made recommendations regarding appointment of faculty members to presidential advisory committees and to the presidential search committee. The committee also made suggestions to Dr. Wynne regarding appointments to the two committees mentioned in her report above.

Committee on Rank & Tenure: Dr. Dakshina Murty reported that committee members were currently deciding when to hold their meetings.

Committee on Teaching & Scholarship: Mr. Larry Larsen stated that the committee had not met officially. They plan on holding two forums on September 26^th at 2:30 andOctober 3^rd at 11:30 to go through the procedure and the guidelines for applying for the Butine Grants.

Committee on Faculty and Welfare: Dr. Jack Kondrasuk stated that this committee plans to meet on the September 22^nd . If anyone has concerns about faculty welfare, please let the committee know. In order to address any faculty concerns over the discussion of the By-laws, Dr. Wynne asked the Faculty and Welfare committee to select a liaison to meet with the newly created By-laws committee.

Committee on Curriculum & Academic Regulations: Dr. Mark Kennedy reports that the committee has not met, but they will have their first meeting on 30 September. Dr. Kennedy has sent a couple of proposals to committee members.

Presidential Advisory Committee Reports

Committee on Student Media: Dr. Jeff Gauthier stated that the committee plans to meet soon.

Committee on Athletics: Dr. Jack Kondrasuk mentioned that the committee plans to meet on Monday 22 September. They will discuss early registration for athletes, and the plans for the Clive Charles soccer complex.

Committee on Health & Safety: Sr. Angela Hoffman said that the committee plans to meet Tuesday 23 September at 1:30.Dr. Wynne said that she was looking forward to seeing the emergency protocol that the committee is planning.

Committee on Computers & Telecommunications: Dr. Jim Carroll stated that meetings have been scheduled. The first meeting will be on Thursday 18 September.

Student & Faculty Court: Dr. Laura Genik reported that they have yet to meet.

Other Reports

Deans Report: Bro. Donald thanked the faculty for their efforts in making the opening of the term a success.He discussed enrollment issues. The university has probably 50 or 60 more students than planned.Retention of upperclassmen has caused the increase, rather than accepting more freshmen. Fewer transfer students were accepted at the beginning of the year because the School of Nursing plans to receive new transfers in January.There have been increases in total student numbers in Nursing and Education, while Engineering and Business have decreased. Admissions are creating recruitment strategies to compensate for the lower enrollment in these schools. Bro. Donald mentioned that quality of the Freshman class is up 2 points in SAT scores, and about the same in GPAs. Bro. Donald stated that strategic planning continues. All of the reports are in except for two non-academic departments.The first draft of that plan will be out during the beginning of October in order for the faculty to provide more input as well as to allow them an opportunity to ask for any possible clarification. The final draft will be done by the January board of Regents meeting. Bro. Donald reminded the senate that Dr. Margaret Hogan will be installed as the first chair in ethics, the Lorraine McNerney-Rhoda Hanson Chair, on September 18^th at 4 PM. Bro. Donald mentioned that the deans had met with Regina Largent, Bobbie Lindahl and Karen Nelson. Freshmen retention is up to about 84% in comparison to 79-80% five years ago.Ninety percent is the goal for retention. According to Bro. Donald, Regina Largent reported that many non-returning students did not come back because of academics. He stated that the university will continue to discuss strategies to retain good students. Karen Nelson has complied five or six years of student surveys that she has started to chart and summarize.This information can be found on Karen Nelson’s website. Bro. Donald reported encouraging news.The increase in the number of students who attend graduate school, professional school after graduation has increased steadily over the years. According to Bro. Donald, he and the deans met with the officers during the second week in September to begin the budget process for next year. The deans probably are soliciting or looking for items that are unusual, that are not in the budget.Bro. Donald said that about 10 or 12 faculty replacements are planned for next year. Bro. Donald reminded the senate that the last visit from Northwest was two years ago.He was pleased to announce that the university was one of four, out of forty-four schools, that were not required to have a two year focused visit by Northwest. The university is, however, required to provide Northwest with a two year process report.Northwest has asked for a report on 1) how we have continued assessment; 2) an update report of what we have done concerning planning since their last visit; and3) a strategic plan for computers. Sr. Maria is now assembling that report. Bro. Donald said he was encouraged by looking at the progress the university has made over the past two years. This report should be available by the middle of October.According to Bro. Donald, Brian Fessler, a major in the Air Force detachment here and an expert in computers, is working with Rich Hines on the strategic plan for computers. Other brief notes: the Board of Regents will meet during the third week in September. On Saturday September 20^th, thirty-four counselors from Catholic colleges will spend the day and evening at the university.

ASUP: Secretary Michelle Martin mentioned that ASUP was currently holding elections. Thirty-one candidates will be elected.24 of the 25 seats filled in the ASUP senate. The seat not filled will be the non-traditional representative.Ms. Martin asked the senate to let any student over 25 who might be interested in the position to contact her.Amerigo Brioschi (ASUP Vice President) stated that ASUP has held two meetings this year. He stated that ASUP is still in transition because of last spring’s constitutional change that downsizes the senate of 44 to 25. The senate of 25 meets for the first timeSeptember 22^nd . At the first two meetings this year the senate heard guest speakers Mike Walsh and Harold Burkesivers discuss the alcohol related incident in Shipstad. Students asked many questions and the discussion was well received. Next week’s agenda will cover the recent election.

New Business

There was no new business scheduled.

Announcements

 Bro. Donald stated that some faculty did not get invitations to Father Tyson’s farewell dinnerSeptember 19^th 2003.He told the senate that all full-time faculty were invited.

Adjournment: at 4:30