skip to main content Indiana State University University Faculty Senate EC#20 Approved March 20, Minutes Indiana State University Faculty Senate 2006-07 Time: 3:15 p.m. Place: Hulman Memorial Student Union 227 Present: Chairperson S. Lamb, Vice Chair B. Evans, Secretary C. Hoffman, B. Frank, A. Halpern, J. Hughes, M. Miller, T. Mulkey Absent: S. Davis Ex-Officio: Provost Maynard Guests: J. Kuhlman (Grad. School), C. MacDonald (Grad. Council), A. Craddock (Gen. Ed.) I. Administration Report – Provost Maynard 1) President Benjamin is attending alumni events out of town. 2) Evaluations of faculty for renewal are in progress. For approx. 15 cases, differences in recommendations will be resolved by the end of March. Required conferences are underway. 3) Searches – We have had additional losses because of resignations and failures to hire preferred candidates. Some offers are pending. When possible, we will be flexible with deadlines. II. Chair Report - S. Lamb The March 15 Undergraduate Admissions Report for Fall 07 shows that applications are 116% of what they were last year at this time, admissions are 108 % of last year, and the elusive confirmations are 57% of what they were last year. The state AAUP meeting will be held April 7 at the University of Indianapolis. The main speaker will be Donald Wagner, a nationally known expert on distance education. If you are at all interested contact Richard Schneirov. Brian Morton informs me that the A&S Faculty Council passed the following resolution o n Mar. 14, 2007: The Faculty Council of the College of Arts and Sciences by a vote of 12-1-7 strongly disapproves of the elimination of majors in philosophy, physics, sociology, and art history. 1. Only the most severe financial constraints or a directive from the state level would justify eliminating majors in core disciplines. Given that virtually no cuts have been made in the nonacademic units at ISU, we are clearly not facing such financial exigencies. 2. We believe such a move would be counterproductive in increasing our enrollment, since prospective students and their parents would conclude that ISU is in a perilous financial condition and hence enroll elsewhere if they see no physics, philosophy, sociology or art history majors in our catalogue. This resolution was sent immediately to CAAC for input to the Executive Committee. I would like the Provost to update us on the search for the VP for Enrollment Management and Marketing, and, again, I would like to know whether the WEB Advisory Committee is functioning. EC # 20, 3/20/07 Page 2 III. Fifteen Minute Open Discussion Updates (requested from Provost): 1) VP Enrollment Management and Marketing – T. Ramey is Chair Credential reviews - begin within two weeks Airport Interviews – early April (8-10 candidates) Finalists to campus - late April - early May 2) Web Advisory Committee: Not currently functioning, but relevant questions will be raised again. The Advisory Committee has been discussed in ITAC. 3) Laptop Scholarship Last year: ~1400 qualified students admitted by March 1 (~ 700 later enrolled) This year: ~ 1800 " " admitted by March 1 ( If ratio holds: ~ 900 enrollments ?) Numbers suggest that better-qualified students are applying and will enroll. 4) Budget Prospects Current projections anticipate a stable freshman class and a "flat" budget. Projections have been based on conservative estimates. 5) Programs of Distinction Trustees had some concerns and wanted larger investments in some programs. Additional $700K will be made available An announcement is likely in conjunction with the April Board meeting. Other Points discussed: 1) H. Chait Letter in Tribune Star Concerns expressed that the letter is at odds with the basic concept of a "university" and that the writer's assertion: "convenience and appearance trumps program quality" may do damage to the University image. 2) Searches Additional losses from resignations and failures to attract new faculty are likely because of current low morale. Existing on-campus salary inequities are compounded by higher salaries for new hires. IV. Minutes – #19 (3/13/07): APPROVED (Miller, Frank 8-0-0) EC # 20, 3/20/07 Page 3 V. Old Business Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures: Brief discussion and editing of proposed changes APPROVED (Frank, Evans 8-0-0) VI New Business 1) General Education Task Force – Amended text: GE Task Force March 20, 2007 Charges The Provost in partnership with the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate will appoint a General Education Taskforce with the following charges: 1. Recommend learning outcomes for the General Education program informed by the current four common goals of the General Education program and outline how these outcomes can be assessed in a straightforward and sustainable manner. The NCA Statement on General Education, Criteria for Accreditation, and Core Components provide the required framework. The taskforce is encouraged to consider the essential learning outcomes identified by the Association of American Colleges and Universities in their publication College Learning for the New Global Century. 2. Recommend a structure for the General Education program that: - increases quality, student success, and academic challenge - places student learning at the center - emphasizes inquiry and active learning - builds upon the Indiana Core Transfer Library and other state initiatives or requirements - supports the reallocation of resources for strategic academic priorities - promotes coherence and common intellectual experiences (more of a common core) 3. The Taskforce recommendations will flow through CAAC, the Executive Committee, and the Faculty Senate for possible modification and consideration for endorsement. The Taskforce will present recommendations to the campus and Provost by January 15, 2008. Membership will be selected in consultation with CAAC and the General Education Council and be approved by the Executive Committee. ACCEPTED (as amended - above) (Frank, Mulkey 8-0-0) Noted: Recommendations from the Task Force will go to the Senate. EC # 20 3/20/07 Page 4 New Business (cont'd) 2) Graduate Faculty Membership – Proposed Handbook revision – Discussion item J. Kuhlman and C. MacDonald were invited to the table and noted changes in the latest revision. The Committee raised a number of concerns and made suggestions for further revision. The revised document will be on the agenda for the meeting of April 3. 3) Graduate Assistantship and Scholarship/Fee Waiver Award Guidelines J. Kuhlman and C. MacDonald addressed significant revisions in the current document (many had been suggested by the Exec. Comm. at a prior meeting). APPROVED (Frank, Miller 7-0-0) J. Hughes and S. Lamb thanked the guests for their conscientious work and for inclusion of revisions suggested by the Committee. The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. (Hughes, Mulkey 7-0-0) Respectfully submitted, C. Hoffman, Secretary Last modified: September 09, 2008  Copyright © 2009 by Indiana State University.