Kansas State University

Highlights from the March 11 Faculty Senate meeting

Submitted by Faculty Senate

Previous minutes are available on the Faculty Senate website as they are approved. Highlights from the March 11 Faculty Senate meeting:

Guests: 

• Provost April Mason visited with Faculty Senators about the relationship between the current budget planning process and the time table for K-State 2025. Various questions and comments were raised and responded to. The Supreme Court ruling regarding K-12 funding also was discussed and how this may or may not impact higher education in Kansas. 

Consent agenda:

• Course and curriculum changes as presented in the consent agenda were approved.  

Standing committee and Student Senate reports:  

• FSCOUP: Senator Jim Sherow reported that FSCOUP reviewed Student Senate’s resolution regarding a change to the Smoking Policy on campus. FSCOUP members endorsed the resolution and will bring it forward to Faculty Senate next month. Capital improvement projects were discussed with Ryan Swanson, associate vice president of campus planning and facilities management, and Cindy Bontrager, vice president of administration and finance. Sexual violence on and near campus was discussed with Mary Todd, director of the Women’s Center and Evan Tuttle, director of the Aggieville Business Association.
• Student Senate: Senator Kyle Nuss reported that elections took place and turnover will be occur on April 3. He also updated senators on various other activities of Student Senate.
• Academic Affairs: Senator Andy Bennett reported there was one item on the discussion agenda, however, the proposers have asked to withdraw it at this time. The committee has finished its work on the approval, routing and notification procedures for course and curriculum changes.  This was approved unanimously at the March 4 meeting. Academic Affairs gives the final approval on these procedures, therefore it will be provided to senate as an informational item.  The manual will be posted online in the near future, but will not be effective until fall 2014. 
• Faculty Affairs: Senator Betsy Cauble reported that proposed revisions to Appendix G of the University Handbook will have further conversation in the committee before being placed back on the Faculty Senate agenda for a vote. Faculty Affairs has finalized their review of proposed changes to Section F of the University Handbook and will be bring that forward in April.    
• Professional Staff Affairs: Senator Danielle Brown updated senators on their continued information gathering and other activities of the committee.   
• FSCOT: Senator Don Crawford reported on a request they received to review how SSN information is displayed in HRIS. He also reported on their most recent meeting and visitor, Rob Caffey, director of the Office of Mediated Education. 

Announcements: 

• President Keen updated senators on the work of Social Media Policy work group that she and Jeff Morris are a part of. A draft policy has been posted on line and comments, both critical and positive, are being taken through March 28.
• President Elect Rintoul reported to senators the work of the University Budget Committee.
• President Keen informed senators that the 2014 Faculty Senate elections are ongoing. Those interested in committee chair positions as well as president elect and secretary should make their interest known.
• President Keen reported the consultant for the Climate Survey will be on campus on April 7.  A forum open to all of campus will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Union Little Theatre. 

New business: 

• None.  

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