Academic Senate: MINUTES 11/20/2007

II.   Roll call;
Present : Fr. Beauchamp, Br. Donald, Sr. Maria Ciriello, Jovelyn Bonilla, Karen Ward, Dann Pierce, Karen Eifler, Jeff Gauthier, Chris Hallstrom, Sr. Angela Hoffman, Carol Dempsey, Elise Moentmann, Anna Costa, John Schouten, Sue Decker, Aziz Inan, Diane Vines, Fr. Stephen Rowan, Jackie Waggoner, Anissa Rogers, Fr. Mark Ghyselinck, Todd Easton, John Orr
Not present: Zia Yamayee, Brett Tobalske, Mark Utlaut

III. Invocation offered by Karen Eifler

IV. Approval of minutes from October meeting

V. Standing Committee Reports:
       i.  Executive Committee, Dr. Jeff Gauthier;
Beginning planning for next year’s Senate Executive Committee. Elections are in April 2008. If you are interested in any of the positions that will be open (all of them!) please consider running. It would also be good to contact a current member of the Executive Committee so they know you are interested. We would like this to be as open and genuine as possible.

   ii.    Committee on Committees, Dr. Todd Easton:
Received a letter of resignation from Karen Eifler, creating the vacancy on which we will vote later in the meeting under New Business.

   iii.   Committee on Rank & Tenure, Dr. Mark Utlaut: no report

   iv.    Committee on Teaching & Scholarship, Dr. Sue Decker:
             a.    Butines have been awarded and posted on the Senate web site and portal. Recipients have been notified. Not all the money available was applied for in this round; those funds will be rolled over into the next round of Butine applications.
             b.    November 29: nominations for Teaching and Scholarship awards due to Sue Decker.
             c.    November 30: Faculty colloquim presented by Mark Utlaut on “The Nature of the Universe.” Wine and cheese are always part of colloquia.
             d.    Posed desire expressed by some faculty members to reinstate the Teaching and Scholarship awards at commencement. Response: Commencement is for the students and the change has shaved significant time off the ceremony. Current system creates good excitement at the Faculty Gala on Tuesday following Commencement.

   v.   Committee on Faculty Welfare, Dr. Elise Moentmann: had a final meeting with Roy Heynderickx and Jim Kuffner was present.

   vi.   Committee on Curriculum & Academic Regulations, Ms. Caroline Mann. Has not met, but will meet next month to consider two proposals.

VI. Presidential Advisory Committees:
    i.   Committee on Student Media: Met on 11/2. Log, Beacon and KDUP seem to be moving along very well. All equipment is working for the first time in anyone’s memory. Beacon seeking new blood to replace the many seniors currently working there.
    ii.   Committee on Athletics: will present findings on gender equity in January.
    iii.   Committee on Health and Safety: Met and discussed recycling buildup, bike and skateboard policies, Portsmouth crosswalk, 4-way stop by Mehling, speed limits. Sue Decker raised issue of longstanding large pothole that should be addressed and speed of Physical Plant vehicles driven by students
    iv.    Committee on Information Technology: Has met twice since last meeting with Rich Hines as temporary chair. Identified areas of concern: 1) Communication with all constituents; 2) Need for hardware and software training for all faculty, especially new faculty; consistency with software in computer classrooms; equitable and efficient use of Smart Carts; making faculty aware of under-utilized resources and services; better faculty use of Learning@UP. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact members of the committee.
    v.    Committee on Sustainability: working at ways to honor agreement to lower greenhouse gases, reduce waste, inform and work with community signed by Preseident Beauchamp. Also looking at ways to get more faculty involved with Focus the Nation Event on January 31.

VII. Other Reports:
    i.    President’s Report: Fr. William Beauchamp
       a.    Rich Hines has agreed to serve as interim VP for Information Services. Working with an adept group of professionals. VP for Finance – possible candidates to serve interim position are currently in conversation with the President. A national search for the permanent slot is likely. There may be some re-alignment of duties for these two positions depending on the skill sets of the people who eventually fill them. 
       b.    Special meeting of Executive Committee today. Issuing $91 million in bonds to cover upcoming large capital improvements. EC authorized agreement on Triangle property and President is cautiously optimistic about closing on that. 
      c.       Interest in faculty lunches seems to be waning—at least attendance is waning—down to 2 at the most recent one.
      d.      Encouraged nominations for the Miltner Award due soon to Fr. Beauchamp. Specifics are in an announcement on the portal.
      e.       Focus the Nation: we are encouraged to get involved in this nationwide event. UP is the focus site in the Northwest.
      f.        Kim Dae-jung will be on campus in mid-April to give an address en route to Harvard.
      g.       The President’s new car is a recent gift from a dealer! The University does not buy him cars!
   ii.          Deans’ Meeting Report: Br. Donald Stabrowski
      a.       Met with Laurie Kelley of PR, who showed samples of new stationery, cards etc with new, simplified headings and imprints.
      b.      Martin Monto visited with deans re: summer school. Paid special attention to Core requirements. Trying to ensure that there are enough courses to justify students’ time here on campus in the summer.
      c.       CSC priests from India—starting a new university in northern India.
      d.      Karen Nelson shared demographic data with the deans.
      e.       What is advising? Needs change as a student progresses through their programs.
      f.        Bobbi Lindahl gave a series of upcoming dates and deadlines.
      g.       Brenda Greiner presented on status of freshmen.
      h.       Robin Anderson briefed deans on one of two new majors PSOB is currently designing.
      i.         ROTC shared overview of their programs.
      j.        Peg Hogan asked for suggestions of faculty who might be interested in contributing to a book to concur with Fr. Doyle’s visit here this spring.
      k.      Bill Reed came to ensure that each department has a Founders Day liaison in place.
      l.         New web page will be launched in January or February—easier to navigate, more inviting and informative. Part of the new branding initiative that has arisen from many focus group discussions with various constituencies.
   iii.         ASUP
      a.       Now have 28 of 31 senators’ seats filled. A good, lively group.
      b.      Had 18% voter turn out for online voting to share capital campaign improvements. Top interests expressed: re-do of Pilot House, re-new St. Mary’s public space, bio-diesel storage bin—would be used to fuel Physical Plant.
      c.       Added Awareness Committee via resolution to increase reach of ASUP, increase student awareness of local and global issues.
      d.      Had a good exchange visit with Notre Dame. Found that UP is way ahead of ND on recycling. Residentiality: exploring idea of having all single-sex dorms, requirement to have all students live on campus first two years to increase sense of community.
      e.       Exploring idea of selling special shirts to fund improvements for Howard Hall.
      f.        Working on student input to Focus the Nation.

VIII. Old Business:

IX. New Business: Special Election for Senate Executive Secretary to cover remainder of Karen Eifler’s term through April 2008. Eifler resigned because she will be on sabbatical in Spring 2008. Todd Easton nominated Carol Dempsey; Sue Decker seconded. She was elected unanimously. Jeff thanked Karen for her months of service.

X. Adjournment: adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Note: All members of the University community are welcome to attend any meeting of the Academic Senate. The meetings begin promptly at 4:00 pm. Minutes from meetings will be posted on the Senate web site within 48 hours of each meeting.

Next Meeting: January 15, 2008 in BC 163 at 4 p.m..