Kansas State University

Faculty Senate Oct. 9 meeting highlights

Submitted by Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate minutes for the Sept. 11 meeting have been posted to our website at www.k-state.edu/facsen/facsenate/2013/minutes.html

Oct. 10 meeting:

Guests:

• Provost Mason introduced Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies Steve Dandaneau to senators. Dandaneau discussed his goals and outlook for K-State in the upcoming years. A brief question and answer period followed.

Other:

• President Elect Keen presented the consent agenda containing one curriculum change from the College of Education and several graduation list items. It was approved as submitted.

Standing committee and Student Senate reports:

• Academic Affairs: Senator Andrew Bennett updated senators about various topics being discussed in the committee, such as graduation list corrections, the approval, routing and notification manual. Also, Dandaneau will be at the next committee meeting.

• Faculty Affairs: Senator Melia Fritch reported on items that are under review. Fritch discussed the minor procedural changes proposed to Section D70-71 of the University Handbook. Those proposed changes in attachment two were approved by senators as submitted.

• Faculty Senate Committee on Technology: Senator David Rintoul reported that the e-textbook discussion is taking place, however it will be some time before action can be taken. He reported that the email provider K-State currently uses is being reviewed due to recent hardware failures and lack of email access again.

• Faculty Senate Committee on University Planning Meeting Schedules, Agendas, and Minutes: Senator Bob Condia reported that Sue Peterson attended its October meeting and gave an update on the legislative climate. A department move is in the process; kinesiology is proposed to move from the College of Arts and Sciences to the College of Human Ecology. The process outlined in Appendix N of the University Handbook is being followed. Condia reported the Cats in the Capital event will take place Feb. 13, 2013, and encouraged participation. Senator Lynn-Sherow interjected this is the day before the sesquicentennial celebration kicks off for K-State. Also, Ayers Saint Gross will be returning in early November with design plans. This will be the last opportunity for feedback with them on the Campus Master Plan. Senators were strongly encouraged to attend one session together if at all possible. FSCOUP also will be working more closely with SGA to become involved in the discussion phase of possible city/university fund initiatives prior to proposals being sent forward.

• Student Senate: Senator Emilee Taylor reported that they will be encouraging student voter registration once again with the Get out the Vote campaign. They are also working with Ayers Saint Gross on K-State Student Union space layout for the future. She reported that Pizza and Politics will be taking place this year at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Alumni Center. Taylor thanked faculty senators for getting the word out to students about at-large positions. They had many applications.

Announcements:

• President Bloodgood reminded senators of the Salina State of the University Address taking place at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 12.

• President Bloodgood wished Senator Ernie Perez the best in his new endeavors in California. This creates an opening though, for a new mediation coordinator. Faculty Senate will be working to fill this position quickly. Applications are being taken until Oct. 18.

• President Bloodgood announced that the Faculty Compensation Improvement Committee members selected Julia Keen as their chair. This is the committee President Schulz discussed with senators at last month’s Faculty Senate meeting.

For the good of the university:

• Senator Lynn-Sherow asked about KU’s 64 professors who have been recently hired. Discussion took place.

Jim Bloodgood
Faculty Senate President
Management
204 Calvin Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-3711