FACULTY SENATE
Minutes of April 2, 2012

Call to Order

Karen Stout, Faculty Senate President, called the 2011-2012 Senate to order at 4:05 pm.   Stout welcomed twenty-six (26) Senators along with eight (8) others for a total of thirty-four (34).  (See Roster).

Items from the Faculty Senate President:

Approval of Senate Minutes: Senators accepted the Senate minutes of March 5, 2012 with minor corrections.  (The report from the ASVP Academics should read “$25 per academic quarter”.)

President Stout reported that:

o   A Constituent Concern was forwarded about the cancellation of the Paul J Olscamp award this year since there were only two nominations. Senators discussed possible reasons for this and Stout planned to talk with the Provost to explore if there are any improvements to be made; this might be a transitional year.

o   Stout alerted faculty to http://fratfolder.com/  a website that posts faculty exams and lecture notes.

Reports:

In response to the discussion of academic honesty and availability of faculty exams and lecture notes, President Shepard mentioned that one of his past practices was to place his exams on reserve in the Library so that students not so technologically savvy would not lose an advantage in accessing them as a learning tool.

·         Shepard updated Senators on his off-campus travels to raise funds and reported on the recent meeting of campus leaders to review the budget decision packages.  Shepard added that Western’s reputation and excellence are becoming more widely known and we need to continue to present opportunities to the legislature to capitalize on what Western has to offer despite the State’s broken fiscal structure.

Steven VanderStaay, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, sat in for Provost Riordan.  VanderStaay reported that:  1) there will be an onsite evaluation of programs by the accreditors one year from now;  2) On April 19 a consultant will visit campus to assist departments in making assessment a simpler process, and to help the Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) plan General Education assessment; 3) In May a consultant will assess and propose what kind of Honors program is the best fit for Western.

Chuck Lambert sat in for Steve Garfinkle, UFWW President, and reported that the bargaining effort is going well.  Lambert suggested Senators might thank members of the bargaining team for their efforts, which require more than 10 hours a week of additional workload.

Computer Program for Departmental Course Planning:  David Hirsch, Geology. Hirsch presented a computer program he developed for the Geology department that students can use to indicate their plan for completing the major. The program is accessible by the advisor and greatly improves advising sessions. The planning program provides important information when the department develops its schedule.  Hirsch received strong support from Senators to pilot the planner in a number of departments.  Hirsch will meet with VPUE VanderStaay and Registrar Brunnemer to plan the best way forward.

Yom Kippur Resolution. 

Following a discussion, Senators voted to approve a Resolution regarding the Yom Kippur holiday.  The text of the Resolution is as follows: 

Yom Kippur Resolution

Western Washington University, as expressed in its 2010 Strategic Plan, welcomes and embraces diversity and supports a campus atmosphere that reflects respect for and sensitivity to diversity among its students, faculty and staff. 

In recognition that Yom Kippur occurs on the first day of classes, September 26th, 2012, the Senate approves of the following actions:

1.     The University or Faculty will not penalize students absent on Wednesday September 26, 2012 (the first day of classes for Fall Quarter) nor drop such students from class lists because of their absence;

2.     The Registrar will extend the Fall Quarter 2012 tuition and fee payment deadlines and applicable registration deadlines by one day for Fall 2012;

3.     The Provost and Faculty Senate President will send an announcement to faculty to urge their awareness of and sensitivity to the needs of students as discrimination on the basis of religion is prohibited by law and University policy; and

4.     The University will inform all members of the Western community of the conflict in scheduling and one-time changes in policy listed under 1 and 2 above, including incoming first year students and new faculty members.

--end text

Appointments and Elections:   Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, 2011-12 Officer

The following faculty were appointed as replacements to the Faculty Senate:

Margaret Fast, Libraries, replacing Paul Piper Spring Qtr 2012.

Dennis Whitcomb, Philosophy, 1 yr term replacing Hud Hudson, through 2013

Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, Geology, 1 yr term  replacing Spencer Anthony-Cahill through 2013

Vacancy:  New Committee:  Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee

1 Faculty Senate representative through 2014 (charge available)

Blackboard elections for the Senate open Friday April 6 -- seeking 100% return from faculty.

Candidates Nominated to Faculty Senate 2012 through 2014 are as follows:

Area A:(2)    Craig Moyer, Biology;  Clint Spiegel, Chemistry    

Area B:(1)    Kathleen Saunders, Anthropology
Area C:(4)    Sandra Alfers, M&CL; Karen Stout, Communication

                       Sheila Webb, Journalism; Michiko Yusa, MC&L

Area D:(2)    Milica Jelaca Jovanovich, Music;  J Wiese, Theatre and Dance 

Area E:(2)    Steve Henson, Economics; Jason Kanov, Management

Area G:(1)    David Rossiter, Huxley College

Area H (2)    Donald Larsen, Educational Admin, Molly Lawrence, Secondary Education

Area I: (1)    Rebecca Marrall, Libraries

ADJOURNMENT

Senators moved to adjourn at 5:50 pm without caucus.

April 2, 2012 – Rose Marie Norton-Nader, Recorder

Edited by the Senate President

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Kathleen Saunders, Secretary 2011-2012

FACULTY SENATE – ROSTER 2011-2012