Faculty Senate Minutes – Sept. 11, 2014

Lorie Paldino took the minutes

Faculty Senate President’s Report: Vin Clark made a statement emphasizing that the FS wants to work in cooperation with the Faculty Association and Ed Affairs.  He wants people to understand that together, the three make for a strong presence.  He said, “You may have heard talk about a conflict between the Faculty Association and the Faculty Senate. Without discussing the source of this, I want to assure you I support the Faculty Association, I believe that unity is essential, and I intend to work for a harmonious relationship among all the organizations representing the faculty.”

Election of Representative on Adjunct Handbook Committee:  The adjunct subcommittee requested that administration resurrect the adjunct handbook as one facet of improving communication between adjuncts and administration.  Staff Development then requested that the senate elect a FT’er to serve on this committee.  The adjunct subcommittee does not think it is necessary and recommended that the senate ask Staff Development to continue its work and allow us to provide feedback on the end product.

Proposed Emerging Technology Communications degree:  A collaborative degree program that professors from four different areas of the college (journalism included) created over the course of two years was stopped by administration prior to the proposed degree program reaching Ed Affairs.  While Ed Affairs is pursuing the situation on its own, the senate felt strongly that it, too, should investigate this potential breach of procedure.  An investigative task force will look into the matter and make a recommendation to the senate.

Reading Readiness Update and Discussion: The Reading Readiness Committee concluded its work.  It is recommending that the college pursue “college readiness,” not just reading readiness.  Members of the Reading and English Departments will work cooperatively with Counseling to provide a unified set of  resources for student success.  The college readiness program will initially be for degree-seeking students only.  It should start Spring ’16 and will run for three years.  After that time, the success of the program will be evaluated.  It means holds will be reinstated for reading and writing courses.  Those disciplines who asked for reading as a pre-requisite will continue to make that requirement.

Task Force Election Results & Reporting to Senate: The FS and FA worked cooperatively to run a successful election of faculty members to the 13 Strategic Plan Task Forces.  The senate passed a motion asking those elected representatives to submit regular reports in writing to the FS.  It is believed the FA will request the same.

Announcement of Vote to Change Bylaws:  The senate will vote on 9/15 on the proposed changes to the by-laws regarding voting.

 

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