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Faculty Senate Minutes: October 30, 2025

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE

The Faculty Senate met on Thursday October 30, 2025, in Faculty Senate Conference Room French Admin 344B and via Zoom. Sixty-four (64) senators were present, two (2) vacancies with twenty-seven (27) absent, and fourteen (14) non-voting participants. The meeting was called to order by Ken Roberts, Senate Chair, at 4:14 pm

Guest Presentation (30 minutes): University Budget and Finance Review – Leslie Brunelli, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration – University Finance & Operations Presentation

Chronical of Higher Education Article – Higher Ed May be in trouble if the Government is shut down for much longer – October 30, 2025

  1. Call to Order: 4:14 pm
  2. Approval of minutes from the October 16, 2025 Faculty Senate meeting (PDF)
    • Approved by unanimous consent
  3. Additions or changes to the agenda
    • None
  4. Updates
    1. Remarks by Faculty Senate Executive Committee
      1. Faculty Senate Chair – The university-wide co-design survey is now live. It was shared via WSU Insider and other channels. Faculty are encouraged to participate, as it’s a key tool for gathering input. Though listed as a 5–10-minute survey, it features open-ended questions allowing detailed feedback on the current system and suggestions for improvement.
      2. Immediate Past Chair – Nothing to report
      3. Chair Elect – Nothing to report
      4. Executive Secretary – Nothing to report
    2. Legislative Affairs – Stephen Bollens shared that the Council of Faculty retreat included discussions with higher ed leaders about the state’s fiscal challenges. The group agreed that faculty/staff compensation and the fund split should be top priorities in the upcoming legislative session. Overall, the retreat was positive, with more updates to come.
    3. Board of Regents – Faculty Regent orientation next week in Pullman. Will have more to share after the November 13-14 Board of Regents meeting
  1. Information Items:
    1. (Item #2025.10.15_556_Steering) Notice of Intent to move the established Department of Social Work from the College of Nursing to the College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences (CESHS) (Exhibit 556A, 556B, 556C, 556D)

Note for agenda items: Senators are encouraged to bring questions about discussion items to the Senate meeting. You are also welcome to contact committee chairs if you have specific questions that they would like addressed before the senate meeting. Additionally, senators are encouraged to ask questions about exhibits before items are advanced to action items.

  1. Agenda Items:
    1. Action Items:
      1. (Item #2025.10.09_551_Steering) Proposal to Discontinue Bachelors of Fine Arts in Art at WSU Tri-Cities (Exhibits 551A, 551B, 551C, 551D, 551E, 551F)
        • Motion approved; 54 Approve, 2 Reject
      2. (Item #2025.10.09_552_Steering) Amendments to Faculty Senate Constitution and Bylaws (Exhibit 552A)
        • Motion approved; 54 Approve, 2 Reject
      3. (Item #2025.10.16_553_CoC) Proposal to revise the Faculty Compensation Committee Composition (Exhibit 553A)
        • Motion approved; 54 Approve, 0 Reject
      4. (Item #2025.10.16_554_CoC) Recommendation of New Members to Faculty Compensation Committee (Exhibit 554A)
        • Motion approved; 53 Approve, 0 Reject
    2. Discussion Items:
      1. (Item #2025.10.09_557_FAC) Proposed Updates to Faculty Manual on Workload (Exhibits 557A, 557B, 557C)
        • L. Herbert raised question and concern: What is the purpose of the Faculty Manual? Concerned if it can be changed frequently, it may not serve as a reliable resource for faculty.
          • J. McDonald – Emphasized that the Faculty Manual is a living document, meant to be regularly amended based on practical experience and evolving needs. Faculty work differs from what is often reflected in the BPPM and executive policies, reinforcing the need for a distinct Faculty Manual.
          • Current edits provide a balanced approach:
          • Provides protection for faculty who may be underperforming, allowing time for improvement.
          • Enables the university to address cases where faculty may have disengaged from their roles.
          • Faculty Manual updates are published twice a year; January and July timeframes.
        • T. Klein – raised concerns about the structure and flow of the document. Specifically, as it pertains to definitions and flow of understanding. Also, course buyout is mentioned but course release is not; how will the distinction be addressed?
          • D. Call – Acknowledges that while some structural elements (like definitions and course release) can be adjusted for better flow, the main goal of the document is to codify faculty rights regarding workload. Emphasizes that while colleges are working on their own policies, departments will ultimately define standards for performance, and the faculty manual aims to ensure clarity and protection of those rights.
        • A. Goodman: Could you provide the overall goal of the workload policy?
          • D. Call – To establish a level of transparency and equity in assigning workloads at WSU. To ensure that faculty are not asked to do more than what aligns with their FTE status.  To clearly define categories of work and the expected effort in each.
          • Motion to move item to 11/13 Faculty Senate agenda as action item with minor edits to review.
      2. (Item #2025.10.30_558_GSC) Recommended Approval of the Graduate Certificate in Prevention Sciences (Exhibits 558A, 558B)
        • No discussion; move to 11/13 Faculty Senate agenda as action item.
      3. (Item #2025.10.30_559_Steering) Recommendation to return the University Requirements Petition Subcommittee under the Provost Office (Exhibit 559A)
        • No discussion; move to 11/13 Faculty Senate agenda as action item.
      4. (Item #2025.10.30_561_AAC) Undergraduate and Professional Major Change Bulletin No. 3, Requirements (Exhibit 561A)
        • No discussion; move to 11/13 Faculty Senate agenda as action item.
  1. Constituent Concerns:
    • Concern raised about WSU College of Medicine’s involvement with a course linked to the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM).
  2. Adjournment: 4:51 PM