April 22, 2005

Call to order: The meeting was called to order by Patton at 2:11 p.m.

Members present: Don Alexander, Jason Cooper, Jim Martin, Brook Miller, Michael Patton, Stephanie Puleo, Elizabeth Thrower, Samantha Webb, Jill Wicknick, Eric Vaccarella (not a voting member on this year’s Senate).

Approval of March 11 minutes: unanimously, 2:12

Old Business
A&S Dean search: Revisions discussed to the memo generated out of the faculty assembly. Memo updated to take into account the procedure so far, to thank the administration and the committee for a good search so far, and to suggest areas for faculty input into the final decision.

Survey Committee: They are still analyzing the date gathered in the survey. So far, there have been 65 responses. Preliminary data suggests the lowest rated items are assessment procedures, salaries, use of adjuncts and retention. The highest rated items are the library, Student Support Services and the SAC. The question was raised about how to summarize and report the survey’s findings. The plan is to render the data in percentages, and present them item by item and globally for the President and Board.

Programmatic Issues: Revisions were discussed to the draft memo relating to programmatic concerns.

Constitution and By-Laws Revision: Two revisions were suggested to the Constitution and By-Laws. Puleo moved to consider the revision, with Thrower seconding. In Article II, Section 3 (Membership), it is now stipulated that “Members of the Senate may serve for longer than the standard term when completing a term of office requires them to do so.” In Article III, Section 2 (Officers/Election of Officers), it is stipulated that “The President’s term shall be two years; the Secretary’s term shall be one year.” After much discussion, both amendments carried 10-1, including 2 proxies. Further, an error in Article III, Section 4 (Faculty Senate Committees) was corrected: The incorrect word “composed” was changed to the accurate “comprised.”

New Business
Committee assignment: Miller volunteered as Senate representative to the Grievance Committee. Thrower volunteered to be Alternate.

Budget Report: Patton reported on the budget. As of April 22, the Faculty Senate has spent most of its budget, primarily on the Board of Trust reception, items for the Faculty/Staff lounge, and travel to ACUFP.

Announcements:
There will be a final Senate meeting to elect next year’s officers, date and time TBA.

Adjournment: Wacker moved to adjourn, Thrower seconded. Meeting adjourned at 3:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Samantha Webb
Alternate Secretary (for Charlotte Daughhetee)