Kansas State University

Highlights from the Sept. 8 Faculty Senate meeting

Submitted by Faculty Senate

Highlights from the Sept. 8 Faculty Senate meeting:

Guests:

• Provost April Mason spoke to senators and addressed their questions regarding the incident that occurred during the band's halftime show at the home football game on Sept. 5. There was much concern over the actions taken in response to the Big 12 Conference's statement that the policy regarding sportsmanlike conduct was violated.
• Rebecca Gould, Mustaque Hossain, Travis Gill and Steve Starrett were in attendance to present highlights of their reports and answer senators’ questions.

 Consent Agenda:

• There was no consent agenda.

 Standing committee and Student Senate reports: 

• Academic Affairs: Senator Teresa Hartman spoke to senators about the purchase in the near future a software that interfaces with the current online catalog to allow for automation of course and curriculum proposals. 
• Faculty Affairs: Senator Mindy Markham reported the committee will be working on revisions to Section C. A template for use of the new professional titles has been made available to departments. They also will be reviewing Appendix G and working on other issues during the semester. 
• Professional Staff Affairs (PSA): Senator Mary Anne Andrews reported that the committee will begin their work based on the results from the addendum produced from the Climate Survey about professional staff.
• FSCOT: Senator Don Crawford reported they had an update from the ad hoc accessibility committee. He updated senators on CANVAS, Adobe, and Windows 10.  
• FSCOUP: Senator Spencer Wood reminded senators about the June meeting where the administrative furloughs were discussed. At their recent meeting they followed up on what is being done to create a policy to handle any future cases of these kinds of furloughs. They also discussed ideas for City/University fund projects. 
• Student Senate: Senator Kurt Lockwood reported Student Senate has just begun the year. They will be working this year to have the Medical Amnesty policy approved statewide. He also reminded senators about the upcoming construction on the K-State Student Union. He also announced that in addition to the spring campaign, there will be a campaign for K-State Proud this fall as well.

 Announcements/Reports 

• Appointments and recommendations have been made for the various Faculty Senate and presidential committees in need of new members. 
• Thirteen professors were selected by their faculty senate caucuses for the Professor of the Week honor, where they will be honored at a home men's basketball games this fall and early spring.
• The State of the University Address will be at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 18  in the Alumni Center in Manhattan and it will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 in Salina.

 New Business

• A resolution was passed by Faculty Senate thanking President Schulz for his contribution to the University Support Staff Awards.

Discussion period for senators. 

• Lengthy discussion took place about the incident at the football game during the band's show with regarding to whether due process was given to the faculty member; whether processes should be instituted in the university handbook regarding such cases; and what action, if any, should Faculty Senate take regarding this matter. It was recommended that Faculty Affairs investigate and determine what further action may be needed. 

Fred Guzek
Faculty Senate President
Professor
Salina Arts, Science, and Business
Kansas State University
104A Tech Center
Salina, KS 67401