Kansas State University

Highlights from the April 14 Faculty Senate meeting

Submitted by Faculty Senate

Guests: Provost Taber provided an update to senators regarding financial impacts to the university related to the recent COVID-19 developments in the U.S. A variety of questions and comments were addressed.

Standing committee and Student Senate reports:

• Academic Affairs: The committee discussed various academic continuity topics in their recent meetings and provided recommendations to administration. Additionally, several course and curriculum proposals were reviewed and approved, including a new B.A./B.S. integrated computer science degree from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Faculty Affairs: The proposed University Excused Absence Policy is undergoing minor revision based on feedback in March and will be back on the May agenda for action.
• Professional Staff Affairs: Continued review of the feedback received from the Listening Sessions with professional staff in February is on their docket for this semester.
• Student Senate: Elections were finalized and our new student body president and vice president, Tel Wittmer and Lane Lundeen, were in attendance. President González commended and thanked Student Senate for their excellent work this year, in particular 2019-2020 SGA President Jansen Penny, SGA Vice President Ali Karamali, and SGA Speaker Hannah Heatherman.
• Technology, FSCOT: A few general technology reminders were provided: 1) Please review the Zoombombing Guide on the Keep Teaching Website, 2) Review other Zoom guidelines, 3) Remember the physical security of your home devices by locking your devices when stepping away and 4) there will be remote access to computer labs available soon, contact Scott Finkeldei for further information.
• FSCOUP: The E-Scooter pilot that was to take place this semester has been postponed until we are back on campus.

Announcements

• Faculty Senate elections are complete and the results were shared. The election of the president-elect and secretary will take place at the next Faculty Senate meeting.
• Anne Phillips was appointed as Ombudsperson from 2020-2023. She will begin June 1.
• President González reported on the March KBOR meeting.
• The annual retirement ceremony for faculty and professional staff this April was canceled due to COVID-19.

Open discussion period

• New Initiatives/For the Good of the University: Senator Andrews announced an All-In Democracy Challenge campaign at K-State.
• President González was saddened to announce that past Faculty Senate President, Fred Fairchild (2008-09), passed away on April 9. There was a moment of silence. Senators then shared memories and applauded Fred's many accomplishments.

Thank you for all you continue to do for K-State. Please send an email to either facsen@k-state.edu or tgonzale@k-state.edu with any questions or concerns.

With best wishes for health and safety,

Tanya González
Faculty Senate President
Professor, Department of English
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506