Meeting Minutes: October 8, 2020

Faculty Senate Minutes

Regular Meeting

October 8, 2020

1. Prior to the call to order, Melanie Neuilly, Catherine Cooper, and Jill McClusky provided an update on the WSU Salary Study (PPT).
   1. The Faculty Senate was called to order by D. Turnbull, Chair on Thursday October 8, 2020, in Lighty 401 and via Zoom at 3:53 p.m.  Sixty-one (61) members were present with fifteen (15) absent and fourteen (14) nonvoting members present.
2. Minutes of September 24, 2020 meeting were approved as circulated.
3. Announcements
   1. Information Items
      1. Faculty Senate Officers met with the provost on September 29, 2020.
      2. Minor Change Bulletin #2 (Exhibit B)
      3. The Graduate Studies Committee has approved new bylaws: Kinesiology. These are available on the department’s website.
   2. Reports
      1. Remarks by the Chair – Dave Turnbull:
         1. We continue to move forward on the search for the vice provost for enrollment management. A welcome to all newly elected senators. An update on Executive Policy #2 is on the senate website and from the comments received, we have provided those questions and concerns to VP Chris Keane, of which we will be meeting with him on Friday. Please be aware that Chris Keane will be present at the Faculty Senate October 22^nd meeting to answer questions and concerns on this new proposed policy.
4. Additions or Changes to the Agenda – none
5. Agenda Items
   1. Action Items
      1. (Item # 2020.09.24_1_Steering) Recommendation from the Steering Committee to approve the Faculty Senate Committees (Exhibit 1A)
         Motion Carried.
      2. (Item # 2020.09.24_2_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the Revision to Rule 15, Credit by Examinations (Exhibit 2A) –D. Handy
         Motion Carried.
      3. (Item # 2020.09.24_3_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the UCORE Bulletin #1 (Exhibit 3A) –D. Handy
         Motion Carried.
      4. (Item # 2020.09.24_4_Provost) Recommendation from the Office of the Provost to change the Spring Academic Calendar for Spring 2021 (Exhibit 4A)
         Discussion: Several concerns were raised on this recommendation. The following plan is being proposed for the Faculty Senate’s consideration:
         1. Start the Spring 2021 semester on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 (rather than on Monday, January 11, 2021) and eliminate spring break.
         2. Identify and implement three (3) 1-day academic breaks (classes are not taught); the 1-day academic breaks will be allocated one day per month during the months of February, March, and April.
            1. Pending proposal approval by the Faculty Senate, the dates will be identified in collaboration with the Vice Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Achievement, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and the Office of the Registrar.
         3. Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 15, 2021, will continue to be observed as a class holiday and University Offices will remain open.
         4. Motion: Start the Spring 2021 semester on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (rather than on Wednesday, January 20, 2021) and eliminate spring break.
            1. Motion Carried.
         5. Motion:  Identify and implement three (3) 1-day academic breaks (classes are not taught); the 1-day academic breaks not on Mondays will be allocated one day per month during the months of February, March, and April.
            1. Motion Failed.
         6. Motion: Identify and implement three (3) or four (4) 1-day academic breaks (classes are not taught); the 1-day academic breaks will be allocated one day per month during the months of February, March, and April.
            1. Motion Carried.
         7. Motion: Pending proposal approval by the Faculty Senate, the dates will be identified in collaboration with the Vice Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Achievement, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and the Office of the Registrar so there are no three-day weekends and instruction will be allocated equally across all types of instruction.
            1. Motion Carried.
         8. Also noted that Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 15, 2021, will continue to be observed as a class holiday and University Offices will remain open.
         9. Motion: to approve Item # 2020.09.24_4_Provost as amended.
            1. Motion Carried.
   2.  Discussion Items
      1. (Item# 2020.10.08_5_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the Undergraduate Bulletin #1 (Exhibits 5A, 5B) –D. Handy
         No Discussion.
      2. (Item # 2020.10.08_6_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the Revision to Rule 67, Dropping a Course (Exhibit 6A) –D. Handy
         No Discussion.
6. Constituents’ Concerns
   1. A concern was raised regarding the rapidity for faculty to respond regarding the proposed Executive Policy #2.
7. Adjournment     
                                                 

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

                                              Matt Hudelson, Executive Secretary