Meeting Minutes: March 4, 2021

Faculty Senate Minutes

Regular Meeting

March 4, 2021                            

1. Speaker presentations
   1. Legislative Update by Stephen Bollens
   2. Executive Budget Council Update by  Celestina Barbosa-Leiker   
2. Minutes of February 4, 2021 meeting were approved as circulated.
3. Announcements
   1. Information Items
      1. Senate Leadership met with the President on February 22, 2021
      2. The Graduate Studies Committee has approved revisions to the bylaws: Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering Graduate Program Bylaws. These are available on the department’s website 
   2. Reports
      1. Remarks by the Chair – Dave Turnbull:
         1. Leadership met with the president and provost regarding comment and concerns on the OneWSU proposal.
         2. The executive officers will be meeting with the NWCCU representatives either April 19 or 20.
4. Additions or Changes to the Agenda – none
5. Agenda Items
   1. Action Items
      1. (Item # 2021.02.18_61_PHSC) Recommendation from the Professional Health Science Committee to approve the Major Change Bulletin #2 (Exhibits  61A    61B) – J. Mattoon
         1. MOTION CARRIED
      2. (Item # 2021.02.18_62_PHSC) Recommendation from the Professional Health Science Committee to approve the revision of Rule 90f, Grades and Grade Points, and Rule 100, The Grade Point System  (Exhibit 62) – J. Mattoon
         1. MOTION CARRIED
      3. (Item # 2021.02.18_63_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve Undergraduate Major Change Bulletin #6 (Exhibits 63A   63B) – D. Handy
         1. MOTION CARRIED
      4. (Item # 2021.02.18_64_RAC) Recommendation from the Research and Arts Committee to approve the Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach (CCPRO)  (Exhibits 64A  64B) – T.Barry/J. Owen
         1. MOTION CARRIED
      5. (Item # 2021.02.18_65_GSC) Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the Graduate Major Change Bulletin #5 (Exhibit 65) – U.Umesh/G.Wayman
         1. MOTION CARRIED
      6. (Item # 2021.02.04_58_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve revisions to Rules 89 (Final Grade Submittal) and 70 (Cancellation of Enrollment)  (Exhibit  58) – D. Handy
         1. MOTION CARRIED
   2. Discussion Items
      1. (Item # 2021.03.04_68_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve Undergraduate Major Change Bulletin #7 (Exhibits 68A   68B) –D. Handy
         1. NO DISCUSSION
      2. (Item # 2021.03.04_69_AAC) Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the revised Rule 6, Transfer Credits (Exhibits 69) –D. Handy
         1. DISCUSSION: A question arose regarding agreements/arrangements already in place with other colleges be affected?  The answer was no agreements already in place would not be affected and it was noted this was to clarify processes.
      3. (Item # 2021.03.04_71_GSC) Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the Graduate Major Change Bulletin #6 (Exhibit 71) – U.Umesh/G.Wayman
         1. NO DISCUSSION
      4. (Item # 2021.03.04_72_GSC) Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the Graduate School Policies and Procedures Manual  (Exhibits 72A   72B  72C) – U.Umesh/G.Wayman
         1. NO DISCUSSION
      5. (Item # 2021.03.04_74_ FAC) Recommendation from Faculty Affairs Committee to approve the revision in the Faculty Manual (Section III C 9): Faculty furlough and/or temporary salary reduction in a time of budgetary crisis  (Exhibits 74A  74B) – S. Hines
         1. DISCUSSION:  Questions were raised on the process that included enforceability and the logistics of being presented to the Senate. It was noted that the goal was to have a format in place that makes this a more equitable across the boards and fair process for all parties to abide by.
      6. (Item # 2021.03.04_75_ FAC) Recommendation from Faculty Affairs Committee to approve the revision to the Faculty Manual: Calendar Days to Business Days (Exhibits 75A  75B  75C) – S. Hines
         1. NO DISCUSSION
6. Constituents’ Concerns
   
   A concern was raised regarding the appointment of Todd Butler as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences without other candidates or a search being conducted.  It was noted that this is a Provost’s decision and to please reach out directly to the Provost to express those concerns.
   
   A concern was raised regarding faculty struggling with scheduling classes, physical limitations of  in-person classes and that there is conflicting information on how to proceed.  This is causing staff stress as well as concern that instructors are uncomfortable with face-to-face classes without vaccinations.  It was noted that administration is aware this is an ongoing problem and trying to work through the concerns.
   
   The Inlander newspaper has an updated article on the athletic funding and everyone was encouraged to read it.
   
    
7. Adjournment     
                                                 

                      The meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m.

                                              Matt Hudelson, Executive Secretary