Meeting Minutes: January 25, 2018

Faculty Senate Minutes

Regular Meeting

January 25, 2018

The Faculty Senate was called to order by J. McDonald, Chair on Thursday January 25, 2018, in FSHN T101 at 3:30 p.m. Forty-three (43) members were present with  fourteen (14) absent and eight  (8)  nonvoting members present.

Minutes of  January 11, 2018 meeting were approved as circulated.

1. Announcements (Information items).
   1. Information Items.
      1. The Graduate Studies Committee has approved updated Bylaws for the M.S. In Electrical Engineering (Vancouver) which are available on the department’s website
      2. The Research & Arts Committee has reviewed and approved the 5-year self-study review on the International Business Institute
2. Announcements (Reports)
   1. Remarks by J. McDonald
      1. Update from prior constituent concerns regarding what contributed to the negative cash balance that occurred in FY 2013-14. Approximately $50M in forgiven debt was detailed. Administration has created a University fiscal Health Advisory Committee to oversee budgetary practices and fiscal responsibility.
      2. Carry forward balances are requested to  be held to help reduce expenditures & boost revenues
      3. To address questions regarding why buildings are being built while cutting programs.  It was reported by law state capital funds need to be kept separate form state operating funds.  It was noted by the chair
      4. Update on process of  Activity Insight data being uploaded and it occurs once a week.
      5. 2013-14 Accreditation Report will be posted on the Senate website.  The Accreditation Study is scheduled for April, 2018
      6. Faculty definition are in the process of updated and to address faculty who do not fit in the categories of Faculty, AP or Civil Service. Updates will be brought forward to the Senate
      7. Workload policy – the provost’s office is encouraging all colleges to establish a workload policy
      8. Article regarding a bill in front of the Legislature to have a representation of faculty on the Board of Regents. The concern is having the status of an those employed by the university sit on the BOR. The option may be that WSU has an ex-officio non-voting position be created.
   2. Remarks by VP Colleen Kerr, Best Practices for Public Policy Engagement & Advocacy
3. Additions or Changes to the Agenda.  None
4. Agenda Items (Action Items)
   1. Recommendation from the Research & Arts Committee to approve the proposal  for the Institute for Senior Living (ISL)  (Exhibits H   H1   H2   H3   H4   H5   H6   H7  ) – T.Barry/B. John Mariadoss  (note: This was a Discussion Item on 11.16.17 and Action Item postponed by R&A Committee until 1.25.18
      1. Motion Carried
   2. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the Undergraduate Major Change Bulletin #7 (Exhibits  K   K1 )– G. Crouch
      1. Motion Carried
   3. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve Graduate Major Change Bulletin #6 (Exhibit   L ) –T. Salsbury/D.Potts
      1. Motion Carried
   4. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve a Revised PhD Plan Requirement in  Materials Science and Engineering  (Exhibits  N  N1   )–T. Salsbury/D.Potts 
      1. Motion Carried
   5. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics ( Exhibits O  O1  )–T. Salsbury/D.Potts  
      1. Motion Carried
   6. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve a new Graduate Certificate in Public Health ( Exhibits P   P1  )–T. Salsbury/D.Potts  
      1. Motion Carried
   7. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the Master’s in Political Science  ( Exhibits  Q   Q1    Q2)–T. Salsbury/D.Potts  
      1. Motion Carried
5. Agenda Items (Discussion Items).
   1. Recommendation from Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the Undergraduate Major Change Bulletin #8 (Exhibits  R   R1 )– G. Crouch
      1. No Discussion
   2. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the UCORE Bulletin #3 (Exhibit S  ) – G. Crouch
      1. No Discussion
   3. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve Rule 90, Student Withdrawal From a Course in accordance with Rules 68 & 70
      (Exhibit T ) – G. Crouch
      1. No Discussion
   4. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve Graduate Major Change Bulletin #7 (Exhibit  U ) –T. Salsbury/D.Potts
      1. No Discussion
6. Constituents’ Concerns.
   1. A constituent concern regarding what caused and what is the status of the security breach that occurred last Fall on Blackboard. The chair will follow up with the Blackboard Company.
   2. It was reported that the evaluation Blue Forms on Activity Insight is blocked. J. McDonald requested to please contact her when issues or concerns arise and she can follow up on them.
   3. The status was requested regarding the previous concern brought up at the October 19, 2017 meeting, that the business center model in CAHRNS going to become implemented university wide. If so, it would be beneficial to have an external audit to assess if this is a workable and efficient /cost effective model.   It was noted by the chair that this has been brought to the attention of the administration, and that officers will request feedback or an update from the president.
   4. A concern was brought forward that we are being told our accounts will be frozen and there will be no pay raises or hires because there are insufficient funds. The raises reported for athletic coaches and program  funding was questioned.  County partners are also voicing concern on fiscal issues. It was noted this is on the agenda for the president for January 30.
   5. Has space for the Jones and Wadleigh classrooms been decided? It was noted that the Space Allocation Committee is reviewing this.
   6. Any additional concerns can be emailed directly to Chair.
7. Adjournment.                                                     

                      The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

                                              Amy Nielsen, Executive Secretary