Kansas State University

Highlights from the Oct. 13 Faculty Senate meeting

Submitted by Faculty Senate

Highlights from the Oct. 13 Faculty Senate meeting:

Guests:

• Provost April Mason spoke to senators and addressed their questions regarding the upcoming search for a new vice president for research. She also answered questions about the strategic enrollment committee that has been created. 

Consent Agenda:

• President Elect Andy Bennett presented the consent agenda, which was approved. It included changes from the colleges of Architecture, Planning & Design, Education, Engineering, Human Ecology and Technology & Aviation.

Standing committee and Student Senate reports: 

• Academic Affairs: Senator Teresa Hartman informed senators they are still anticipating the purchase in the near future a software that interfaces with the current online catalog to allow for automation of course and curriculum proposals. She reported that the University Calendar committee is discussing a two-day fall break for students being added into the academic calendar. This would be in addition to the week-long break students have during the Thanksgiving holiday week. Various questions and concerns were raised. 
• Faculty Affairs: Senator Mindy Markham reported the committee has been working diligently on revisions to Section C; they are now at Section C30 in their review. She also reported that they are discussing possible handbook language that would address unique situations that may affect faculty, such as what occurred during the first home football game and the result thereafter to the faculty member. The office of general counsel is being consulted regarding these possible changes. Markham noted this action is in response to Faculty Senators' request at last month's meeting.
• Professional Staff Affairs (PSA): Senator Mary Anne Andrews reported that the committee will be focusing on Professional Development and Promotion opportunities this coming year. They have meetings set up with Human Capital Services (HCS) to discuss ways that the committee may assist them in developing better orientation and training opportunities for professional staff. They also have asked for HCS to visit with them about the Job Analysis done by CBIZ.
• FSCOT: Senator Don Crawford reported on their recent meeting. Rod Caffey and Loren Wilson were guests at that meeting. The main focus was on CANVAS. He reminded senators that the current KSOL classic will go to read-only mode in January. Various questions were addressed regarding CANVAS capabilities, training, and student knowledge of the system.   
• FSCOUP: Senator Spencer Wood reported to senators the committee has been working on their recommendations for use of city/university funds. The three governance bodies had a joint leadership meeting where all ideas were discussed. He shared the ideas brought forward by each group. They will have a follow up joint leadership meeting next week and he will have further information to share at the next senate meeting. A future agenda item will be discussion of plans for addressing various types of emergencies on campus. 
• Student Senate: Senator Kurt Lockwood reported that the student privilege fee for Athletics will be decreasing. Also, President Schulz visited a recent meeting of theirs in response to the resolution they passed asking for transparency about the plan for how to address the open carry law that will affect this campus. He indicated a plan will be in place by next July and will be transparent.

New Business

• An honorary degree candidate was approved. 
• A resolution was passed by Faculty Senate commending the KSU Student Senate for the passage of Student Senate Resolution 15.16.09, calling on the university administration to communicate promptly and thoroughly with the campus community during the development of procedures to bring the university into compliance with HB2052.

Discussion period for senators.

• There was brief discussion about the honorary degree candidate as well as whether Faculty Senate will have future discussions about the open carry law.

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