Kansas State University

Highlights from the Sept. 11 Faculty Senate meeting

Submitted by Faculty Senate

President Wood welcomed senators to a new year of senate activities and a group photo was taken.

Guest: Charles Taber, provost and executive vice president, shared with senators his background in academia and also described his priorities and vision for his work at K-State. He discussed and answered questions related to budget modernization and strategic enrollment.

Guest: Bryan Samuel, chief diversity and inclusion officer, spoke to senators about his background as well as his vision for diversity and inclusion at K-State. He discussed projects underway and answered questions about KSUnite planning for this year. K-State continues working toward providing an ever more inclusive and diverse environment.

Dispute Resolution and Honor and Integrity System annual reports were provided to senators. Representatives were in attendance to present an overview of their reports and answer senators' questions.

Standing committee and Student Senate reports:

• Academic Affairs: The committee will continue to discuss K-State 8 tags and work to be sure they are appropriately evaluated.
• Faculty Affairs: The committee will work with the vice president for research on changes to Section G of the University Handbook. They are getting information on DSO/ISO student groups related to the organizational changes that occurred last year. They will be working on changes to dependent tuition assistance with assistance from their Faculty Salaries and Fringe Benefits sub-committee.
• Professional Staff Affairs: They continue to work with Human Capital Services on Total Rewards. They would also like to work with Dr. Samuel on Climate Survey planning.
• Student Senate: The Tuition and Fees Strategies committee will begin their work soon. A campus climate and safety committee is being organized and they requested three to four faculty volunteers. Contact Marianna Cruz for more information and to indicate if you have an interest in serving.
• Technology (FSCOT): The committee would like to encourage those who are non-techies to also be a part of the committee in the future. They will be focusing on several issues: data security and management, cell phone reception in buildings and resulting safety issues, and plagiarism safeguards (IT aspect). If you have other issues or items of concern you wish their committee to discuss, send those to Michael Raine or Brian McCornack.
• University Planning (FSCOUP): Will be continuing to review handbook language related to CCOPs. They continue to have discussion and input on budget modernization. They also will be working on future city/university fund ideas.

Announcements

• A letter of concern was sent over the summer in reference to a policy on the Board of Regents' agenda related to strategic review of program alignment. The letter was shared with administration. Wood reported that the policy was passed by the board.
• The State of the University Address by President Myers will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at the K-State Alumni Center.

Open discussion period

• Senator Dunn invited senators to attend the Have a Byte presentation at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in the Wildcat Chamber.

Spencer Wood
Faculty Senate President
Associate Professor
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Wok
Kansas State University
213 Waters Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506