September 15, 2014
Highlights from the Sept. 9 Faculty Senate meeting
Previous minutes are available on the Faculty Senate website as they are approved. Highlights from the Sept. 9 Faculty Senate meeting:
Annual reports:
• Roberta Maldonado-Franzen was in attendance to answer questions regarding the annual report for the Office of Institutional Equity. She also updated senators and responded to questions regarding the anti-discrimination training that is currently taking place. Their offices have moved to Edwards Hall.
• The annual General Grievance report was submitted.
• The annual Mediation Services report was submitted.
• Christy Craft was in attendance to review the annual report of the Ombudspersons and answer any questions.
• Steve Starrett was present to review the annual report from Honor and Integrity System. He answered a variety of questions from senators and discussed the increase in number of the Honor Council membership that will hopefully be in place soon.
Guests:
• Provost April Mason introduced Cheryl Johnson, the new vice president of human capital. Johnson shared her vision with senators and answered a variety of questions regarding upcoming changes on campus which may occur.
Consent agenda:
• None.
Standing committee and Student Senate reports:
• Academic Affairs: Senator Andy Bennett reported to senators the work their committee has coming up. They met with Camilla Roberts, associate director of the Honor and Integrity System, to discuss proposed changes to their constitution. These will hopefully come before senate for a vote at their October meeting. They also met with Jim Hohenbary, director of the Honors Program at their first meeting. A new syllabus statement regarding Academic Freedom was created this summer by a small committee, which was then made available for use by those who wish to include it. Bennett also reported on an Open/Alternative textbook initiative that has been tested and is proving to be worthwhile. More information will be forthcoming.
• Faculty Affairs: Senator Betsy Cauble was not able to be present and President Rintoul reported on her behalf about the items Faculty Affairs will be working on this year. These include, but are not limited to, the language for professional titles, which still needs BOR approval; revisions to Appendix M of the University Handbook; Open Access proposal; and other handbook revisions coming forward from the University Handbook and Policy committee.
• Professional Staff Affairs, or PSA: Senator Danielle Brown reported that a small group of their committee met over the summer and reviewed handbook language pertaining to unclassified professional staff. They will have a busy year ahead of them considering the number of changes that will need to be made in working with the new vice president of human capital.
• Student Senate: Cody Kennedy reported that students have moved the proposal for changes to the Campus Smoking Policy on to the Environmental Health and Safety Committee. Reagan Kays discussed the Union renovation plans as well. They would like to keep the Union open during the construction period — approximately 18 months — in order to still serve students and others on campus; however, this will require our patience.
• FSCOT: No report.
• FSCOUP: Senator Barbara Anderson reported their committee discussed their agenda for the year. They also are continuing discussions on how to have more faculty involvement in proposals to the City/University Fund Project committee. There was conversation about this at a joint leadership meeting held earlier today between Faculty Senate, Student Senate, and University Support Staff Senate. She also reported on the North Campus Corridor Master Plan Committee. Interviews of the short-listed consultants will take place on Sept. 11 in the Alumni Center beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.
Announcements:
• President Rintoul announced that a five-member committee will be appointed soon to draft a process whereby the president can respond if a violation of the KBOR Social Media Policy ever occurs. It is hoped this language will be ready by the end of this semester. He will keep senators informed.
• President Rintoul reminded senators of the upcoming State of the University Address in Manhattan at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in the Alumni Center. The address will also be in Salina at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13. Olathe employees will receive a campus visit from President Schulz and Provost Mason on Thursday, Sept. 25.
• President Rintoul informed senators that the Climate Survey will go out next month and he encouraged all to participate in this comprehensive survey. The survey data will be owned by us as well as the survey questions, allowing us to continue to use the survey in subsequent years.
• A review of the university president will be completed this year by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Discussion from senators:
• A senator inquired about the having Faculty Affairs follow up on administration versus faculty salaries and a comparison as well as having a deadline for when this should be provided to Faculty Senate. Such a report will be requested and presented at a later meeting. This initiated a lively discussion of salaries and the priorities that need to be kept in mind for the future. President Rintoul again encouraged senators and their constituents to participate in the climate survey and to make sure that the administration hears these concerns.
• A senator requested having a basic outline of the differences between Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans A and C due to the fact they are eliminating Plan B and have told members they have to choose between Plans A and C. Employees need a brief summary in order to make a more informed decision and have been told by Blue Cross and Blue Shield that the Division of Human Resources/Capital office on campus should be able to provide this information to them. This will be followed up with V.P. Cheryl Johnson.
David A. Rintoul, Ph.D.
Associate Director/Graduate Program Director
Biology Division
Faculty Senate President
Kansas State University
Manhattan KS 66506