Kansas State University

Highlights from the Nov. 13 Faculty Senate meeting

Submitted by Faculty Senate

Acting President Amy Betz chaired the meeting on behalf of President Wood who was traveling back from the APLU conference. 

Guest: Jay Stephens, vice president for Human Capital Services, visited with senators about a future climate survey and the variances between unclassified professional staff and university support staff positions. 

Guests: Megan Miller, Graduate School, and Amanda McDiffett, Human Capital Services, presented proposed policy language related to Graduate Student Parental Leave Academic and/or Employment Accommodation. This was an informational item for which feedback was requested. 

Standing committee and Student Senate reports: 

• Academic Affairs: Discussion continues related to K-State 8 tag review. The approval, routing and notification procedures are being reviewed.
• Faculty Affairs: The 2018 Status on Faculty Salaries report was received. The committee worked with Peter Dorhout, vice president for research, on changes to Section G of the University Handbook. These will be coming forward to Faculty Senate in December. 
• Professional Staff Affairs: The committee met with Bryan Samuel, chief diversity and inclusion officer, and Jay Stephens at recent meetings to discuss Climate Survey planning as it relates to professional staff.
• Student Senate: The Tuition and Fees Strategies committee continues to review current college fees. They will review new fee proposals next semester. K-State Proud — Student Foundation members presented information to senators on how they can get involved.
• Technology, FSCOT: The committee was recently updated regarding the availability of technology spaces after the Hale Fire this summer. They were also provided an update on technology classroom updates over the past nine years. The IT strategic plan coined "One IT" is at 80 percent completion, with 100 percent completion expected for the first of the year. Accessibility issues were discussed with the request that administration assist with facilitation of a plan that could be implemented across campus.
• University Planning, FSCOUP: The committee met with Provost and Executive Vice President Charles Taber at its November meeting and discussed the governance structure for the Budget Modernization. In December they will meet jointly with FSCOT and the classroom planning committee.

New Business

• An honorary degree candidate was approved for the May 2019 commencement ceremony. Final approval will be given by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Announcements

• Faculty Senate Secretary Suzy Auten provided a report to senators about the November KBOR meeting.
• A working group, convened by President Wood and chaired by Past President Lindshield, will be reviewing the Faculty Senate constitution for overall revisions. The hope is to bring something forward in the spring.  

Open discussion period

• None

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