April 12, 2013
Highlights from the April 9 Faculty Senate meeting
April 9 highlights:
Guests:
• Vice Provost Dandaneau and Vice President Bosco visited Faculty Senate to receive feedback on the K-State 2025 DRAFT Undergraduate Studies and Student Life Theme II Implementation Plan. Many comments and questions were addressed. Both Vice Provost Dandaneau and Vice President Bosco have received good feedback and suggestions so far and they welcome additional input since as the document states, it is a draft. Vice Provost Dandaneau would be happy to meet with anyone to discuss the proposal further. For more information regarding the proposal and how to give feedback, you may visit the following website http://www.k-state.edu/undergradstudies/.
• Tim Lindemuth and Laura Foote visited Faculty Senate to report on the Guides to Personal Success program, which matches first-year students with staff and faculty of K-State. A brief video clip was shown. This program has assisted in many areas, one being student retention. They encouraged more faculty and staff to participate as their schedules allow. For more information you may visit the following website http://www.k-state.edu/gps/.
Consent Agenda:
• President-elect Keen presented the consent agenda containing several curriculum changes from the College of Human Ecology, as well as one graduation list correction request. It was approved as submitted.
Standing committee and Student Senate reports:
• Academic Affairs: Senator Andrew Bennett updated senators regarding ongoing topics being discussed in Academic Affairs, such as MOOCs, or massively online open vourse. He also announced that a proposal submitted to Student Senate by himself, Brian Lindshield and Beth Turtle regarding funding for an e-textbook pilot program was approved. In the next month or so they will be sending out a call for proposals from those who would like to participate. The hope is this will show the need for such a program as more than just a pilot program.
• Faculty Affairs: Senator Bill Hsu, on behalf of Senator Melia Fritch, presented a resolution for senators’ adoption regarding a campus climate survey proposed by the Faculty Salaries and Fringe Benefits committee. He briefly described how this came about. After discussion and a minor amendment to the resolution, it was adopted. Hsu also presented for first reading a proposal for a University Handbook change to section C157, regarding dean evaluations. Brief discussion occurred. The proposal will be brought back in May for a second reading and vote.
• FSCOT: Senator David Rintoul reminded senators the decision regarding a new email provider has been made. K-State will move to using Microsoft 365. The change will most likely occur in the summer; however, it will still likely cause a one- or two-day email outage when transferring over. He commented that it will make the transfer faster if everyone removes all unnecessary emails from their account. He also shared the annual data access report with senators.
• FSCOUP: Senator Bob Condia reported that Nate Spriggs presented a slide show of possible upcoming changes to the K-State Student Union. The changes are not final as Student Senate has yet to vote on the referendum. Regarding the final release of the Campus Master Plan, Condia had not been informed. He also reported on a campus survey that went out regarding whether having a University Club would be a good idea and if so, what should it look like, etc. A few comments were received from senators regarding the survey. Lastly, Condia reported that the Sustainability Task Force should begin work in August, after members are identified.
• Student Senate: Senator Grant Hill reported to senators that SGA elections came to a close and turnover will be next Thursday. He also reported that the Student Referendum regarding the proposed Union changes will be voted on this Wednesday and Thursday by students.
Announcements:
• President Bloodgood announced that Faculty Senate elections have concluded. Results were sent out to senators today via email. He encouraged senators to give thought to running for president-elect.
• President Bloodgood also reminded senators that the annual Faculty and Unclassified Professionals Retiree Ceremony and Reception will be at 4 p.m. April 16 in the Alumni Center.
For the Good of the University:
• President Bloodgood was requested to encourage senators to give attention to the April 5 letter from the president as shown in K-State Today. Other letters from the president and provost will be coming soon.
• President-elect Keen announced that FS leadership still expects to have the letter from the president and provost this month regarding their plan based on the Faculty Compensation Task Force report submitted to them.
• President-elect Keen also announced she was in attendance at recent bookstore transition meetings. She noted in the future there may be an updated way of informing the bookstore of what publications will be used by faculty for their classes.
• Senator Clark inquired why nine-month faculty have seven pay periods with no paycheck this summer instead of the usual six. Senator Gehrt was able to respond and indicated this is due to a calendar issue and will occur once every 10 or 11 years.
• Senator Hosni mentioned the president’s letter in K-State Today regarding how K-State is vital to the Kansas economy and how the Kansas Legislature needs to remember this and inquired if there are things Faculty Senate can do to also assist. President Bloodgood responded that the Council of Faculty Senate Presidents of the regents' institutions do a good job of this at their meetings with the Board of Regents. However, if there are further ideas, please bring those forward.
Jim Bloodgood
Faculty Senate President
Management
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