Academic Senate: Minutes 3/17/2009

I.   Call to order and announcements: meeting came to order at 4:05 PM

II.  Roll call-- Present: Brian Adams, Robin Anderson, Genevieve Brassard, Allison Able, Maria Ciriello, Colton Coughlin, Carol Dempsey, Todd Easton, Aziz Inan, 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: Karen Eifler, Mark Ghyselinck, Jacquie VanHoomissen

III.  Invocation offered by Brother Donald Stabrowski, CSC

IV.  Approval of minutes from 02/17/09 meeting

V.   Standing Committee Reports:

            i. Executive Committee: Dr. Aziz Inan

                ·   Executive Committee met March 3. Members are needed for chairing senate committees and for replacing outgoing senate members.

                ·  Faculty will vote online on the proposal to change the Constitution and By-Laws.

            ii. Committee on Committees: Dr. Todd Easton

               ·  The committee appointed two people to the online evaluations committee

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

               ·  Work is continuing.

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

              ·  Spring cycle of Butines have been awarded and distributed.

              ·  Not all the Butine money was spent.

              · Proposals were very good; late proposals were not funded.

              ·  Committee is working on faculty development day for May. The theme will be on good teaching.

              ·  The committee is meeting next week to vote on the faculty awards for teaching and scholarship.

          v. Committee on Faculty Welfare: Dr. Anissa Rogers

              ·  The committee met on March 3 and Jim Kuffner updated all on benefits.

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

              ·  New political science course will be introduced in the fall: Political Theory

              ·  Mathematics has revised their BA requirements; reduced upper division requirements from 34 credits to 25.

VI. Presidential Advisory Committees:
            i. Committee on Student Media: Mark Ghyselinck

              · No report.

            ii. Committee on Athletics: Dr. Elise Moentmann

              ·  The committee has not met.

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

              ·  The committee met on March 11. Most of the old business was discussed again.

              ·  Construction continues on campus.

              ·  Skateboarding sub-committee has not met yet.

              ·   Heat issues in the dorms are being taken care of.

              ·  Drain cleaners are not to be used.

              ·  Smoking policy on campus is 50 feet from any doorway.

              ·  Cleaning staff in the ChilesCenter have been provided with alarm keys.

            iv. Committee on Information Technology:

              ·  The committee is continuing to work on its reports and making progress.

            v. Committee on Sustainability: Dr. Lauretta Frederking

              ·  The committee met on March 2. Focus of the meeting was how to meet the challenge of another Earth Day. Steve Kolmes is planning a spectacular conference next year on water. This year the Earth Day will be a grassroots event and is scheduled for April 15 that will focus on the University’s new River Campus. The day will be a celebration of our new River Campus. This date will be one week prior to Earth Week which is during reading week.

VII. Other Reports:

            i. Fr. William Beauchamp:

              ·  Good progress on the budget is being made.

              ·  All construction projects will be completed in July.

              ·  Waiting for approval from the EPA to begin work on the new land.

              ·  Graduation speaker and honorary degrees have been finalized, and an announcement is forthcoming.

              ·  Provincial chapter will occur on the campus the last two weeks of June.

              ·  Freshman student Juan Garcia is missing and we are concerned about this.

            ii. Dean’s Meeting (Brother Donald):

              ·  We have 5 university scholars: Rachel Prusynski, Kaylin Gaston, Weston Mullins, Matthew Leinweber, and Jessie Labrie. Rachel Prusynski will be the valedictorian.

             ·  Awards breakfast will take place on Founder’s Day.

             ·  Karen Nelson provided the recent results of the freshman survey that was given in late August.

             ·  Brenda Greiner returned from a conference and updated the deans on

             ·  The Registrar brought forth several points: the federal government is taking a look at who is receiving loans and if the recipients are in the courses and programs they are suppose to be in; Bobbi also demonstrated how difficult it is to make changes on banner when once the schedule is finalized.

             ·  In February Tom Greene, Maria Ciriello, and Brother Donald attended the Northwest annual meeting. Ron Baker from Northwest Accreditation will speak to the deans at their May retreat.

             ·   Monthly sessions with technology; deans would like an update on what is available

             ·   Deans chose Joanne Warner to replace Maria Ciriello on the senate.

             ·  Alex Santana will be the University representative for orientation.

            iii. ASUP

             ·   Elections took place last month; Colton Coughlin--President; Alyssa Schmidt-Carr—Vice President; Samantha Riofta—Secretary; Steve Waters—Treasurer; Tarra McCurdy—CPB Director.

             ·  The endowment fund proposal passed.

             ·  Green fund proposal did not pass.

             ·  ASUP is hoping to replace Espresso machine.

             ·  ASUP is hoping to renovate the outdoor basketball court behind Villa Maria Hall.

             ·  ASUP is hoping the day care can be open to students; Anissa clarified that the center will be open to students. The issue is going to be space.

             ·  ASUP has reconstructed their committees: more importance is given to the chairs and organized councils.

             · ASUP is hosting a last lecture: Dr. Jim Seal.

             ·  Work is being done on the budget for next year.

             ·  Senators have responded to Harold Burke-Sivers about skateboarding problems—suggestions have been offered.

VIII. New Business:

             ·   Constitutions and By-Laws Proposal: No discussion; senate voted; proposal was approved unanimously. The proposal now goes to the faculty for a vote and then to the Board of Regents in May for their approval.

             ·   Fiscal Presentation by Denis Ransmeier: Balanced budget was presented. There are modest increases in: tuition, payrolls, and tuition aid. Fall back plans have been presented to the Board of Regents as requested by the Regents. There are multiple budget plans. The University is proceeding with optimism and caution.

             ·  CAR Proposal: Master of Science in Finance: Proposal was presented by Caroline Mann; Arjun Chatrath offered additional comments; senate voted; proposal was approved unanimously.

IX. Announcements:

             ·  Father Bill made 3 announcements: He has sent a letter to congressmen and senators concerning Obama’s budget control and the possible reduction of the amount of charitable gifts deduction; apprised the Senate of Obama’s proposed elimination of guaranteed loans, making them all direct loans; local Oregon legislature is being stormed by all the private schools over the proposed elimination of equal opportunity grants; UP will have representation in theses efforts.

            ·  Reminder: senate elections will take place next month.

X. Adjournment: 5:03 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.