Meeting Minutes: March 10, 2016

Faculty Senate Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 10, 2016

The Faculty Senate was called to order by Richard Zack, Chair on Thursday March 10, 2016, in FSHN T101 at 3:30 p.m. forty (40) members were present with nine (9) absent and nine (9) nonvoting members present.

Minutes of February 25, 2016 meeting were approved as circulated.

1. Announcements (Information items).
   1. Information Items.
      1. The Graduate Studies Committee has approved updated Bylaws for Anthropology. These are available on the department’s website.
      2. The Graduate Studies Committee has approved updated Bylaws for the Special Education Program. These are available on the department’s website.
      3. Minor Change Bulletin #8 (Exhibit B)
2. Announcements (Reports).
   1. Remarks by the Chair.—R. Zack
      1. The Chair thanked everyone who has done so much work on the Senate committees this year. You are very much appreciated!
      2. In response to a constituent concern about having secure email accounts for exams now that the courier service was eliminated at the Access Center, we are working with the Access Center. More information will be forthcoming.
   2. Remarks by Interim President Bernardo
      1. A brief overview on budget re-allocation, student enrollment and research conduct policies was provided. A question and answer session followed.
3. Additions or Changes to the Agenda.
   1. Motion was made to stop where we are in the agenda and resume the process after remarks from the Interim President Bernardo were concluded.
      1. Motion carried.
4. Agenda Items (Action Items)
   1. Recommendation from the Research and Arts Committee to approve the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (Exhibits C, C1, C2)
      1. Motion carried.
   2. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve a revision in Rule 57, Student Petitions on Deadlines/Withdrawal Limits (Exhibit D)
      1. Motion carried.
   3. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve Undergraduate Major Change Bulletin #8 (Exhibits E E1)
      1. Motion carried.
   4. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve UCORE Bulletin #¬¬ 7 (Exhibit F)
      1. Motion carried.
   5. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the proposal on Extending the BS Economic Sciences to Global Campus (Exhibits H, H1 H2)
      1. Motion carried.
   6. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the proposal on Extending Bachelor of Fine Arts to Tri-Cities (Exhibits I I1 I2 I3)
      1. Motion carried.
   7. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the proposal on New Degree in BS in Software Engineering, Pullman & Everett Campus (Exhibits J J1 J2 J3)
      1. Motion carried.
   8. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve Graduate Major Change Bulletin #8 (Exhibit K)
      1. Motion carried.
   9. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the proposal for College of Education on Discontinuation of Degrees No Longer Offered (Exhibits L L1)
      1. Motion carried.
   10. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the proposal to Align Program Name with Degree Name, College of Education (Exhibits AA, AA1)
       1. Motion carried.
   11. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve Graduate School Policies and Procedures Update- (Exhibits BB, BB1, BB2)
       1. Motion to remand back to GSC to review and address the concern regarding the extra fee for
          doctoral status.
          1. Motion carried.
   12. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the proposal to approve the revised requirements for Master in Science in Plant Biology (Exhibits CC, CC1)
       1. Motion carried.
   13. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the proposal to revise the graduation requirements for PhD in Plant Biology (Exhibits DD, DD1 DD2)
       1. Motion carried.
5. Agenda Items (Discussion Items).
   1. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve Graduate Major Change Bulletin #9 (Exhibit M)
      1. No Discussion.
   2. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the proposal for revised Graduate Requirements for a PhD in American Studies (Exhibits N N1)
      1. No Discussion.
   3. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the proposal for revised Graduation Core Requirements for Doctor of Nursing Practice (Exhibits O O1 O2)
      1. No Discussion.
   4. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the proposal for the MS in Electrical Engineering at WSU Vancouver (Exhibits P P1)
      1. Discussion: A concern was raised that only two faculty were to be hired and would that be adequate to handle the work load. It was noted that this was sufficient and that adjunct faculty would be hired as needed.
   5. Recommendation from the Graduate Studies Committee to approve the EPPM Assessment of Student Learning in Degree Programs (Exhibits Q Q1 Q2)
      1. Discussion: A question arose regarding what kind of burden would be placed on Faculty to comply? It was noted that the GSC Co-Chairs will follow up on this and report back at the next meeting.
   6. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve a revision in Rule 52, waiving prerequisites and post-enrollment prerequisites (Exhibit R)
      1. Discussion: A concern was raised regarding the wording would put faculty, especially new faculty, under duress to comply and waive prerequisites. It was noted this was thoroughly vetted by AAC and if additional changes in the wording was desired, Senators are asked to
         please provide revisions in writing the committee.
   7. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve a revision in Rule 90, Insert Course Number 701into the rule (Exhibit S)
      1. No Discussion.
   8. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve a revision in Rules 70, 20 and 21, Admission to Classes, Permission to Audit and No Credit for Auditing (Exhibit T)
      1. Discussion: It was noted the rule should be 71, not 70 as the agenda showed. A concern was raised on its effect on students.
   9. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve Undergraduate Major Change Bulletin #9 (Exhibits U U1)
      1. No Discussion.
   10. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve UCORE Bulletin #8 (Exhibit V)
       1. No Discussion.
   11. Recommendation from the Academic Affairs Committee to approve the proposal on Extending the BS in Biology to Tri-Cities (Exhibits X X1 X2 X3 X4)
       1. No Discussion.
   12. Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee to approve changes to the Faculty Manual in Section II.F Disciplinary Process/Procedures ( Exhibits Y Y1)
       1. No Discussion.
   13. Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee to approve changes to reorganize the Faculty Manual regarding policies from the Executive Policy Manual (EP) and the Business Policies and Procedures Manual (BPPM)- (Exhibits Z Z1)
       1. Discussion: A concern arose on regarding a lawsuit precedence from another university regarding harassment of faculty for unsuitable language within the classroom. It was noted that faculty cannot be fired without a hearing by a panel of their peers in accordance with the Faculty Manual on disciplinary process/procedures.
   14. Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Steering Committee to allow the Faculty Senate Steering Committee to carry out all necessary functions of the Faculty Senate during the period of May16 through August 15, 2016
       1. Discussion: A question arose regarding what kinds of items the Steering Committee would approve during the summer? It was noted necessary administrative items would be approved. Any curriculum proposals would be brought before the full senate in the Fall.
6. Constituents’ Concerns.
   1. A request was made to have an information sharing format on the Faculty Senate website wherein Faculty could provide best practices of ideas, thoughts, methods regarding the reallocation process. It was noted the Senate website could accommodate this request.
   2. A concern was again expressed regarding that technology fees are very small and laboratories can’t use those fees to upgrade needed technology. The request was made to bring to the attention of legislative representative to seek support in amended the rule.
   3. A concern was again brought to the Senate regarding janitorial services being restored. It was noted this issue has been brought to the attention of the President and Provost’s office a few months ago. Executive officers will again follow up on this issue.
7. Adjournment.
   1. The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
      1. Sheila Converse, Executive Secretary