November 19, 2013
Highlights from the Nov. 12 Faculty Senate meeting
Highlights from the Nov. 12, Faculty Senate meeting:
Guests:
• There were no guest speakers at this meeting.
Open discussion period by senators from the floor:
• President Keen announced a new format to the meeting in which there will be an open discussion period at the beginning of the meeting for senators. This was discussed by the Executive Committee and felt to be appropriate. There was no objection to this change.
• Senator Garcia took the opportunity to convey his comments about the current budget situation, its effects and available options. Lengthy discussion took place on this topic. At the end of the conversation, it was directed that each caucus chair share at the next Executive Committee meeting what the effects have been on their unit because of the budget cuts this year. This is in order to provide a sense of how colleges are dealing with these cuts.
Consent Agenda:
• Course and curriculum changes as presented in the consent agenda were approved.
Standing committee and Student Senate reports:
• Academic Affairs: Senator Andy Bennett brought forward for a vote the revisions to the current K-State certificate policy. He provided background information as to why this change was needed. The policy change was approved. Next month a transfer credit policy will be brought forward.
• Faculty Affairs: Senator Betsy Cauble updated senators on the many items they have on their agenda. They met last month with the newly formed Professional Staff Affairs Committee, in which a chair and co-chair were appointed. As anticipated, they have shared some of their workload with the newly formed committee. Cauble reported the post-tenure review policy, mandated by the regents, is completed from their end and is awaiting review by the office of general counsel. They would like to bring it forward in December.
• Professional Staff Affairs: Mary Anne Andrews, co-chair of the group, reported the committee has met twice. The first meeting was a joint meeting with Faculty Affairs. They are in an information gathering stage, working with planning and analysis on figures and numbers. Also, they are discussing regular versus term appointments in professional staff and what the differences are. They will next meet with Cindy Bontrager.
• FSCOT: Senator Don Crawford updated senators about transition to Microsoft Office 365 email system. University employees who have not already transitioned will do so on Jan. 6. He indicated that migration of data is now taking place internally to provide a smooth transition. Therefore, if you have not already cleaned up in your email folders, it is best to simply wait until after the transition date since data is already being transferred and you may then have to clean up again.
• FSCOUP: Senator Barbara Anderson reported that FSCOUP met with Jeffery Morris at their previous meeting. He updated them how the Division of Communications and Marketing is working to provide a clear message to legislators. They also discussed and formulated ideas and suggestions to present to the City/University Funds Committee through input to President Kirk Schulz. Anderson also reminded senators about Pizza and Politics at 5 p.m. Thursday in the K-State Alumni Center.
• Student Senate: Senator Kyle Nuss reported on the many activities going on in Student Senate.
Announcements:
• President Keen directed senators' attention to the link provided that outlines representation on the newly formed University Budget Committee.
New Business:
• As invited by the provost, senators discussed the new vice president of research position and the interview process, and gave input on both what the position should include and things they would like to see happen during the interview process.
For the Good of the University:
• Senator Guzek was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary.
Julia Keen, P.E., HBDP, PhD
Faculty Senate President
Associate Professor
Architectural Engineering and Construction Science
Kansas State University
248 Seaton Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-3575