WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

Regular Meeting – November  21, 2005

Bill Lyne, President called the 2005-2006 Faculty Senate to order at 4:06 p.m.  Twenty-six (26) people were present, including twenty-two (22) Senators, two (2) ex officio members, one (1) recorder, and one (1) guest (See attached roster).  Buff Schoenfeld sat in for President Morse.

Approval of Minutes of  November 7, 2005

Senators approved the minutes of November 7, 2005 with minor corrections. 

Items from the Chair

President Lyne reported on several matters: 

1)  Stephanie Bowers will speak to the January 9^th Senate and update members on Foundation activities.

2)  Lyne learned in a meeting with Jim Shaw that a “supplemental” request submitted from departments was considered along with “seniority” when assigning parking spaces;

3)  Western will maintain its recently updated peer institution list, although the Carnegie Foundation may be considering changing its university classifications.

Items from the Administration

·    Provost Bodman announced that President Morse has begun to set up an accreditation planning group.  This is a steering committee that will seek faculty to form subgroups on “assessment” and “student learning outcomes, QSR and writing, etc”.  Bodman listed Carolyn Dale, Kathy Knutzen, Victor Nolet, John Richardson, Dean Ghali, Dean Salzman and Joe Trimble who will begin a multi-volume report responding to at least nine accreditation standards.

AGENDA - ACTION ITEMS

Reading of Standing Committee Minutes (Exhibit B):   

The following minutes were reviewed and accepted by the Senate

Academic Coordinating Commission, 11/1/05

The Senate welcomed Thomas Downing, Chair of Academic Coordinating Commission.  Downing reported that ACC had supported a proposal that “117” be reserved for the FYE courses.  Downing also confirmed that following extensive discussion, the ACC had voted to approve Fairhaven’s new name of “Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies”.  Bodman commended Downing for his work.

Academic Technology Committee, 10/26/05 – Topics:  RefWorks; ITS Status & Goals; Tech Advisory Structure; AIC; E-Portfolios; Lab Utilization Study

University Planning Council, 10/26/05 – Topics:  Review of Charge

Other University Committees:   The following minutes were submitted for Senate review:

Central Health and Safety Committee;  Transportation Initiatives Task Force.

STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TASK FORCE:  Andrew Bodman, Jeff Newcomer, Co-chairs

Co-chairs Bodman and Newcomer reported on the Strategic Action Plan Task Force which plans a draft for campus perusal by the end of January.

DISCUSSION

Entry requirements in Colleges and Departments

Senators discussed the status of entry barriers to the majors and seek data on why individual departments are using GPA or barriers courses, what types of students are defaulting to General Studies, how many departments are limiting majors, and what is the faculty/student ratio in these departments; and how prepared are students?  Data is sought to the following question to enable continued discussion:  What is the actual capacity of the majors?

Constituent Concerns

Senators brought concerns from constituents, which addressed:  faculty review of building design; the question of classroom scheduling the day before thanksgiving; the possibility of general early enrollment in spring for Fall Quarter; a request that emergency exit notices be posted in every building on campus; and information on the role of the Senate in collective bargaining.

Adjournment

Senators moved to adjourn at 5:58 pm following a reminder that the first Winter Quarter meeting will take place on January 9^th, 2006.   Written by Rose Marie Norton-Nader, Recorder, 11/21/05

                                                                                                            _______________________

                                                                                                            Lorraine Kasprisin, Secretary

Roster 2005-2006 Senate

Article III.  Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is empowered to speak and act for the Faculty in University affairs with particular responsibility in the areas of curriculum, academic programs, Faculty salary, Faculty status, scholarly activities, and all matters relating to the welfare of Faculty, the education of students, and the academic mission of the University.

The Faculty Senate is limited to 30 voting members elected by the Faculty, and the President of the University, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University, and a college dean appointed by the Provost serving as Provost's Council representative as ex officio non-voting members.    (Faculty Handbook, page 55)