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K-State Today

February 23, 2016

Highlights from the Feb. 9 Faculty Senate meeting

Submitted by Faculty Senate

Highlights from the Feb. 9 Faculty Senate meeting:

Guest: At their request, President Kirk Schulz spoke to senators about campus safety and guns on campus. He briefly discussed the weapons policy advisory group and the five sub groups they are organizing in order to assist with creating appropriate policy to comply with the state law regarding concealed carry. 

Consent Agenda:

  • President Elect Andy Bennett presented the consent agenda, which was approved. It included changes from the Colleges of Agriculture, Arts & Sciences, Architecture, Planning and Design, Business Administration, Education, Human Ecology, and Technology and Aviation, and the School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies. Several curriculum changes and additions were approved, including a name change to a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in the College of Arts & Sciences. Also, the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems in the College of Engineering was approved to be discontinued. 

Standing committee and Student Senate reports: 

  • Academic Affairs: Senator Teresa Hartman presented three discussion agenda items, which were all approved: a new Spanish translation minor; selective admissions in the College of Engineering; and a new graduate certificate in professional interdisciplinary sciences. She reported that the Curriculog implementation team has been created. Also, SAT scoring will be changing in the future. 
  • Faculty Affairs: Senators Betsy Cauble and Mindy Markham presented for a first reading a memorandum of understanding. This memorandum was the result of several months of conversation and work on how to have more individuals involved in the conversation if future instances occur in which public sanctions may be required that could be seen as involving a faculty member's academic freedom. Lengthy discussion took place and the Faculty Affairs committee will work with the recommendations received. 
  • Professional Staff Affairs (PSA): Danielle Brown, on behalf of Senator Mary Anne Andrews, reported that the committee met with representatives from Human Capital Services to discuss results from the job analysis questionnaire that was completed. 
  • FSCOT: Senator Don Crawford reported that their committee discussed the future of the CIO position and crafted a letter of recommendations, which will be sent to President Schulz. The recommendation primarily asks that consideration be given to having this position report directly to the president, which will allow the CIO to be on the President's Cabinet. If the position remains reporting to the provost, it should at least have a seat on the cabinet.   
  • FSCOUP: Past President Rintoul, on behalf of Senator Spencer Wood, reported that FSCOUP met in January and discussed a draft furlough policy being worked on. In February they met once again with Ronnie Grice and Cindy Bontrager to further discuss concealed carry on campus as well as overall campus safety and security. FSCOUP's role regarding future planning on this important issue was touched on. Rintoul also reported that a letter pertaining to the need for a bus stop study, compiled by the Faculty Senate, University Support Staff Senate and Student Senate, was sent to President Schulz in January and copied to Cindy Bontrager.
  • Student Senate: Senator Kurt Lockwood reported that they are beginning this year's elections. They are working on finalizing a resolution regarding smoking on campus. Also, the Medical Amnesty policy, which is already in place by K-State, is now making its way through the legislative process and they are hopeful it may be approved at the state level.

Announcements

  • Faculty Senate elections will soon begin.
  • The spring open forums with President Schulz will take place Feb. 11 in Manhattan and Feb. 12 in Salina.

New Business:

  • An honorary degree candidate for the May 2016 commencement was approved.   
  • Comments will be compiled from senators regarding their recommendations for the future structure of the Chief Diversity Officer. President Guzek will send these on to President Schulz.

Discussion period for senators

  •   None

 

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