September 26, 2017
Highlights from the Sept. 12 Faculty Senate meeting
Guest: Provost April Mason visited with senators regarding budget matters. She also briefly discussed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, in view of recent developments. Mason also informed senators about the status of current searches such as the chief information officer, chief diversity officer and interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Annual reports: Annual reports were received from the ombudspersons, the general grievance chair, the Office of Institutional Equity, and the Honor and Integrity System.
Standing committee and Student Senate reports:
• Academic Affairs: Several handbook proposals were presented at their first meeting relating to academic items. A demonstration in Canvas also was provided relating to athletic department advisors and the student-athletes they work with.
• Faculty Affairs: University Handbook Section E changes were reviewed and will come before Faculty Senate next month. In follow up from Teval discussion last year, it was reported that the algorithm information related to the Teval will be on the Teaching and Learning website soon.
• Professional Staff Affairs, PSA: The committee met with Jay Stephens at their first meeting to receive an update on work accomplished with Total Rewards and offer their support moving forward. They will be reaching out more to professional staff this year to keep them informed and ask for their input.
• Student Senate: Jack Ayres reported on the student response to recent news relating to DACA; he anticipates a resolution or letter will come forward from Student Senate. He reported there is now a drop-off lane located near Jardine Apartments that will be used for football games. There was lengthy discussion about revisions to the Student Organization Policy and reorganization that occurred in the Division of Student Life over the summer.
• Technology, FSCOT: Shappee announced that there is now a ITS group for Office 365 and FSCOT will play an integral role in providing feedback on features/education needed, etc. The course content and coursework records retention schedule was presented to the committee and it will be brought forward to Faculty Senate likely next month as information.
• University Planning, FSCOUP: Littrell reported that FSCOUP is working on city/university fund ideas. If you have any, please submit these to them. As requested, they are reviewing the resolution that came before faculty senate in June related to library support. The committee also will be reviewing budget items, K-State 2025 progress, and other items this year.
Announcements
• President Myers will present the State of the University Address at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in K-State Student Union's Forum Hall. A Q&A period will follow the address. It will be streamed live online as usual. This year only one address will be given; however, open forums will be done on each campus in the spring.
Open discussion period
• A question was raised about the annual dispute resolution reports and what follow up will occur related to their recommendations. President Lindshield responded that Faculty Affairs will be taking this on and will follow up this year on the recommendations provided.
Brian Lindshield
Faculty Senate President
Associate Professor
Food, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Health
Kansas State University
208 Justin Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506