Academic Senate: Minutes 2/17/2009

II. Roll call-- Present: Brian Adams, Robin Anderson, Genevieve Brassard, Allison Able, Maria Ciriello, Colton Coughlin, Carol Dempsey, Todd Easton, Karen Eifler, Aziz Inan, Mark Ghyselinck, Laura McLary, Caroline Mann, Elise Moentmann, Susan Decker, Diane Vines, Hans Nordstrom, Anissa Rogers, Fr. E. William Beauchamp, CSC, Karen Ward, Jackie Waggoner Shannon Mayer, Laurette Frederking, Fr. Stephen Rowen, Br. Donald Stabrowski, CSC, Jackie Waggoner, Karen Ward. Absent: Jill Hoddick

IV. Approval of minutes from 11/18/08 meeting

V. Standing Committee Reports:

i. Executive Committee: Dr. Aziz Inan

·The Executive Committee has had four meetings: Dec. 2 and Jan. 20 for regular business; Jan. 23 to receive the report from Susan Baillet and Gary Malecha, pertaining to the faculty constitution and by-laws; Feb. 3 for the annual conversation with Fr. Bill Beauchamp.

·Aziz also met with Brother Donald on Jan. 15 to review the work of the ad hoc senate committee on the constitution and by-laws, and to discuss the next steps to be taken.

·Announcements about the changes to the constitution and by-laws have been posted on the Pilots website and in UPBeat in preparation for the senate and faculty vote in March and April, respectively.

ii. Committee on Committees: Dr. Todd Easton

·The committee has not met.

iii. Committee on Rank & Tenure: Dr. Jill Hoddick

·No report.

iv. Committee on Teaching & Scholarship: Dr. Susan Decker

·The committee is meeting next week to decide Butine proposals and awards

·The committee is working on the faculty development day that will take place in May.

v. Committee on Faculty Welfare: Dr. Anissa Rogers

·The committee met with Denis Ransmeier for a budget update

·Child care center has been approved and will open, hopefully, in Aug.

vi. Committee on Curriculum & Academic Regulations: Ms. Caroline Mann

·The Committee did not meet in January.

·Two proposals have been received for the committee’s consideration, and they will be presented at the March meeting.

VI. Presidential Advisory Committees:

i. Committee on Student Media: Mark Ghyselinck

·Committee met; those in charge of the Log, Beacon, KDUP gave an update on the status of their groups

·Names of those interested in chairing each of these areas for next year will be forwarded to Fr. Bill within the week.

ii. Committee on Athletics: Dr. Elise Moentmann

·The committee has been meeting in three different subcommittees: gender equality, academic integrity, and compliance and regulations. These subcommittees will be making recommendations to Fr. Bill.

iii. Committee on Health and Safety: Dr. Hans Nordstrom

·The committee met Jan. 14 and Feb. 11

·The committee reviewed all the current building projects on campus: bell tower should be going up in March; residence halls are going up and some concerns have been voiced about interaction with students and neighbors; commons renovations will begin soon.

·Fire marshal inspections have been completed but some return visits will be occurring.

·The committee will also be doing internal inspections.

·More traffic issues are beginning to arise with the nice weather approaching; subcommittee is now in place to discuss skateboards, etc.

·The fall MRSA outbreak surfaced again for discussion; Physical Plant would like to have a policy in place for dealing with biological outbreaks and other related issues.

iv. Committee on Information Technology:

·The committee met Feb. 3.

·The subcommittees are working on their various reports.

·If an IT problem arises after hours, then the protocol is to call Public Safety and they will assist in calling the right person.

v. Committee on Sustainability: Dr. Lauretta Frederking

·committee met Feb. 3

·The committee is working to develop a plan for a green university.

VII. Other Reports:
i. Fr. William Beauchamp:

·The Board of Regents met in January for a “retreat.” The theme was the University of Portland’s Mission as a CatholicUniversity and the role of the Board. Archbishop John Vlazny and Fr. Paul Locatelli, SJ gave presentations.

·The Board discussed the economy, and approved the tuition, room, and board rate for next year.

·Annual giving is at an all-time high; applications have increased by about 1,000 from last year and are at a record rate; endowment is down; more financial aid will have to be given; financial aid will be awarded electronically for the first time this year.

·The administration is exercising great care with the budget; no salary increases for the coming year but that will be reviewed in the fall with increases allotted to those at the lower end of the salary scale; new positions have been frozen.

·Funds are in place for Shiley Hall and the new resident halls. The Commons will be fully renovated next year; the Bell Tower is the result of a gift given to the University.

·Board asked that the University look at all different scenarios regarding what is budgeted and what the outcome may be with respect to enrollment, and how the differences will be made up monetarily.

·The University has opportunities to attract students from nearby States, ie., California and Washington.

ii. Dean’s Meeting (Brother Donald):

·The deans have met regularly.

·Jason McDonald met with the deans to provide an update.

·Jim Lyons discussed development; this has been the best year for annual giving.

·Kirk Mustang of Bon Appetit gave update on the Commons and to assure everyone that the changes will be completed by the fall.

·Mike Pelley from International Students met with the deans to  explain procedures that take place when international students come in to that office.

·The monthly update on Information Technology was provided by Jim Ravelli and Jenny Walsh.

·Karen Nelson gave an update on the faculty survey that was taken in the fall.

·Bobbi Lindahl gave an update on scheduling.

·Brenda Greiner gave an update on the freshmen students.

·Topic of online evaluations has been stalled but will resume conversation; an ad hoc committee will be appointed.

·Tomorrow they will meet to determine the valedictorian.

·Deans are participating in Strength Quest.

iii. ASUP

·Currently a full senate this semester; only 3 seats are open.

·A record number of resolutions have been passed.

·ASUP is looking into re—structuring their committees to be more efficient.

·Two initiatives are being discussed: 1) endowment for ASUP; 2) green fund policy—have a $10.00 fee that students would pay for projects.

·Elections are coming up; large pool of applicants exists; speech night is tonight at 8 PM in Mago Hunt; elections are Feb. 24-25.

·Senior Gift—this year the goal is to give money toward a mascot; already raised $2,000.00 has been raised toward the mascot.

ASUP will be starting a new tradition of having a senior shirt to raise funds.

VIII. New Business:

Report was given by Susan Baillet and Gary Malecha pertaining to the Ad Hoc Committee work done on the Senate Constitution and By-Laws.

The Senate will vote on the proposal in March, followed by a vote by the faculty. The proposal then goes to the Board of Regents for approval.

IX. Announcements:

March meeting will be in BC163

April meeting will be in the Hall of Fame Room in the ChilesCenter

X. Adjournment: 5:02 PM

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.