During the 2002-2003 academic year, the Academic Senate passed the following action items:

September 17, 2002

C on C Vacancy Policy
Committee on Committees (C on C) action: In addition to setting the agenda, a concern was raised about the make-up of the Committee on Committees. One of the members of that committee has taken a position at a different university. The questions was raised about the appropriate way to fill that vacancy or whether it should be filled at this time. Based on discussions with the committee Chair, the Executive Committee determined that, the main body of work of the C on C being already completed, there would not be a need to fill this vacancy at this time. Discussion arose from the floor of the Senate about the wisdom of this decision. While acknowledging that much of the committee work was done, events requiring action of the C of C often arise throughout the year. Specific concerns included the overall makeup of the committee, which now has only CAS members, and the lack of a formal procedure to deal with the event of a change in C on C membership.
Motion: That we have an election to replace the vacancy on the Committee on Committees.
Action: Passed with only two nay votes.

Rank and Tenure Term Length
Rank and Tenure Committee (R and T) members terms of office: A concern was raised last spring about the change of length of terms of office from 3 years to 2 years now appearing in the Senate Constitution. After review by the University attorney, the decisions was made that the intention of the vote last spring to alter the R and T committee did not intend to include a change in the length of terms of office.
Action: The terms of office for members of the Rank and Tenure Committee will be 3 years as previously published.

Core Curriculum request: The Executive Committee received a request from a faculty member for more information sharing about the Core Curriculum. This item was referred to the Core Curriculum Committee with no further action taken.

Faculty Student Dating
Proposed Policy of Faculty/Student Dating: Dr. Tenney reported that the policy was developed based on a request from Bro. Stabrowski related in part to feedback from the Northwest Accreditation team.The policy statement was read to the Senate. Discussion ensued about the definition of “dating” and attempts were made to arrive at a consensus on a definition. Several wording options were proposed. It was agreed that the main issue was that the relationship involved an interaction between people in which there was a power difference and where a misuse of authority occurs. Concern was raised that there could be times when conflicts of interest could and had occurred that would not be covered by this policy as stated. Referrals were made to ethical behavior statements of some professional groups.The Senate was reminded that the role of the Senate is to provide a “sense of the Senate” in an advisory role to the Board of Regents and that the final decision would rest with the Board.
Motion: That we accept the Policy as written.Action: Passed with 2 nays.

October 23, 2002

AD HOC Committee
According to the bylaws, at the regular October meeting, the chair of the Senate, with the advice of the Committee on Committees, will appoint an ad hoc committee to recommend any necessary changes in faculty representation on the Senate for the upcoming year. Their report will be presented at the November meeting.
Action: Based on recommendations from the Committee on Committees, the following members have been appointed: Mehmet Inan, Mindy Logan, and Fr. John Kurski. In even number years, a committee to consider changes on the bylaws must also be appointed.
Action: Based on recommendations from the Committee on Committees the following members have been appointed: Ellen Arwood, Joanna Kaakinen, and Kate Regan.

School of Nursing Proposals
Proposal for Alternative Entry Nursing Master’s: Discussion included requirements for the RN licensing exam in Oregon, other similar programs that might be available to students in Oregon, and what would happen to a student who was admitted to the program but did not complete the master’s degree component. The Senators were assured that a cohort of 16 students would be required to offer the program. The program is planned to begin Fall 2004. 
Action: The proposal passed unanimously. 

Proposal for Medical-Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist Track: Discussion included the large number of new courses and the implications for resources including faculty. This issue was addressed to the senators’ satisfaction by Dean Misener. The program is planned to begin Spring 2006.
Action: The proposal passed unanimously.

November 20, 2002

Introduction of Fr. William Beauchamp: Fr.Beauchamp introduced himself to the Academic Senate. He is the University’s senior vice president, formerly of Notre Dame. He has responsibilities in a variety of areas, including development/University relations, athletic programs, investment of University trust funds, legal affairs, and curriculum development

Ad Hoc Committee on Senate Representation:
The committee proposed the following apportionment of senators among the College and the schools:
Business: 2 senators for 24 faculty
CAS: 10 senators for 90 faculty
Education: 2 senators for 13 faculty
Engineering: 2 senators for 21 faculty
Library: 1 senator for 7 faculty
Nursing: 1 senator for 11 faculty
TOTALS: 18 senators for 166 faculty
The proposal passed.

Committee on Curriculum and Academic Regulations:
Proposal to replace German Certificate with a major in “German Studies”: passed; effective fall 2003.
Proposal for changes in Political Science curriculum: passed; effective fall 2003.
Proposal to drop the Interdisciplinary B.A. degree and, in its place, establish both B.A. and B.S. degrees in “General Studies”: passed; effective fall 2003.

January 15, 2003

Philosophy Department Proposal
Proposal for new courses to meet the metaphysics requirement: Mark Kennedy, Chair of CAR presented the proposal. The faculty of the Philosophy Department presented a proposal to CAR to address concerns they had about the metaphysics course.Philosophy 330 Metaphysics is no longer a core requirement (It is now only required for the BA degree in the College of Arts and Sciences). Review of the course suggested that the current course was not fulfilling what is needed for metaphysics knowledge. The proposal is to substitute five courses (Philosophy 331-335) that would be in more depth. These courses are briefly described in proposal.The courses relate to the university core in terms of the questions that they try to answer.There is a common theme running through them and they share the same outcomes. When full syllabi are developed there will be more detail with respect to the assessment techniques.CAR passed the proposal unanimously. It would go into affect in the fall of 2003, if the senate should pass it. Discussion followed related to whether each of these courses would essentially address the same core questions but in diverse ways. It was also pointed out that, by focusing on the expertise of diverse faculty members, there would be more richness and better teaching in this content area.
Action: The proposal passes unanimously.

Core Proposal

Proposal to change the University core requirements for transfer students: Mark Kennedy, Chair of CAR presented the proposal. The essence of the proposal is that all students, including transfer students, would meet the core requirements. This would result in the elimination of the current THEO 350 and PHIL 350 courses for transfer students. Discussion centered on the openness of the Theology and Philosophy departments to courses accepted in transfer, and this was satisfactorily resolved.
Action: Proposal passed unanimously.

February 19, 2003

School of Education Proposal
Proposal to reduce credit hours to align the BA in Elementary Education and BS in Secondary Education with the University requirement of 120 hours: Dr. Mark Kennedy, Chair of CAR, presented the proposal. The concern raised in the Committee related to dropping the upper division English class for the Elementary Education teachers.The School of Education acknowledged the concern and stated that they would monitor students writing abilities. With the embedding of writing elements in the core, there will be many opportunities in other courses to write, so it should not be a problem.Sr. Ciriello, Dean of the School of Education, also noted that education majors take two sets of tests in order to receive a license to teach and both test writing. Senators also raised a question about why the number of hours needs to be reduced since the University has 120 credits as a minimum not a maximum and other programs have more than 120 hours. Sr. Maria Ciriello, Dean of the School of Education, replied that this would facilitate opening up credits beyond the 120 for students who wanted additional electives or a minor. There is also a move in education to have secondary education graduates have a major in their specialty and this would also facilitate that process. Sr. Ciriello was asked why the decision was not to leave the same number of hours in the degree requirements, but simply delineate some as elective. She replied that doing so would require students to take more than 15 hours a semester and 15 semester hours was all a student could manage and still do a good job.
Action: The proposal passed with two Senators in opposition. It will go into effect in the fall semester of 2003.

March 19, 2003

Budget Report

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.

April 16, 2003
Election of Officers to the Executive Board were proposed. The slate passed with a unanimous vote. New Executive Board members are:
Chair: Anita Lee Wynne
Secretary: Bohn Lattin
Committee on Rank and Tenure: Dakshina Murty
Committee on Curriculum and Academic Regulations: Mark Kennedy
Committee on Teaching and Scholarship: Larry Larsen
Committee on Faculty Welfare: John Schouten
Committee on Committees: Steve Royce

Nominations were made for committee members to the Committee on Committees, the committee members were then elected by eligible voters. The 2003– 2004 members are:
Dr. David Sherrer
Dr. Nora Martin
Dr. Richard Gritta
Dr. Elaine Shapiro