WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

FACULTY SENATE MEETING MINUTES

Date: March 19, 2003

Taft Botner Room (Killian 104)

  1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
    1. Minutes of meeting were approved as printed ( Proffit & Graham)
    2. No report from the Chancellor.
    3. Mary Adams, Senior Faculty Assembly Delegate

The latest copy of WCU’s informal Faculty Assembly Report is now online. Among issues covered in our report:

http://www.wcu.edu/assembly/minutes_2_03.htm.

The official minutes are also posted at

http://www.uncwil.edu/facassembly/minutes/feb03.htm.

D. Lex Davis, SGA President, no report.

http://www.wcu.edu/sga/

E. Keith Stiles, Staff Forum Chair:

http://www.wcu.edu/stforum/

D. Nancy Dillard, University Advisory Council Chair

http://www.wcu.edu/uac/

The UAC is looking at their standing committees.

E. Chuck Wooten

Student Credit Hour Enrollment- Change Funding Model

http://www.wcu.edu/busafrs/deanspresentation.ppt

Discussion and Questions:

1. Models effects teaching loads

2. Enrollment drives the budget and the number of faculty positions.

3. Our growth has been in graduate enrollment.

4 Other academic costs include health benefits plan, travel, supplies etc.

5. Resources are based on the number of hours students , but not to allocate positions to departments.

6. How about coaches?

7. They are paid out of the faculty line , but do not generate any credit hours.

8. Local tuition has changed the average faculty salary through out the system colleges. In the past all 16 universities had the same average salary. There is a local tuition freeze this year.

9. What about phased retirees and the half position created by that retiree. Does _ + _ equal one position?

10. It can’t. What kind of a position would it create when you take into consideration teaching specialties. The extra half position can be reallocated anywhere.

F. Newt Smith, Chair of Faculty

The following were items discussed with the Board of Trustees:

1. The student evaluation of faculty process is under development.

2. There are less part-time faculty due to the use of local tuition to create instructor positions.

3. We are working on a system to reward faculty who teach liberal studies courses.

4. We are working on an evaluation for First Year Seminars.

5. Explained that teaching and learning is important at WCU and we keep most all of our classes small to preserve the special student/faculty relationship we have. Therefore our most experience faculty do not teach larger classes.

Other items:

6. Local Boards of Trustees are making more of the decisions effecting the local universities. We need someone to be an advocate for us in the salary and benefits discussions.

7. The Faculty and Student Benefits Committee, a subcommittee of the Faculty Affairs Council, might better be placed in the University Advisory Council. Will ask The Faculty Affairs Council to study the issue.

8. Don’t forget to vote on Thursday. Asheville nursing faculty will vote on Monday and return ballots on Monday via the ABC Express courier.

  • Roll Call
  • Members present: Abel, Atterholt, Banerjee, Beam,Bell, Caruso, Collings, Graham, Hale,Henderson, Kane, Kolenbrander, Lunnen, Mallory, Mercer, Pennington, Philyaw,Proffit, Shults, Spencer, Smith, Starr, Tholkes, Vihnanek, Wallace, Wooten, Burns.

    No members with proxies

    Members absent: Bardo, Huff, Kneller, Metcalf, Noel, Oran, Chamberlin

    1. COUNCIL REPORTS

    A. Faculty Affairs, Gayle Graham, chair

    No report.

      1. Council on Instruction and Curriculum , Scott Philyaw, chair

    1. Motion to receive the following report. ( Philyaw & Proffit)

    Suggested Support and Incentives for Excellence in Teaching in the Liberal Studies Program Report from a Subcommittee of the

    Council on Instruction and Curriculum

    March 2003

    This report suggests steps that faculty and administrators can take immediately or soon to assure that faculty who teach in Liberal Studies have the support and incentives they need to teach well and promote excitement about learning in their students. This report is inspired in part by a letter from Gretchen Bataille, UNC System Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, dated March 4, 2001, in which she asked Dr. Bardo "to analyze how faculty are rewarded for teaching first-year students" and posed the question, "Is this a value that is inculcated in the culture of WCU?" Dr. Bataille's questions are directed toward Western's Liberal Studies Program, which already expects the best from both faculty and students.

    The Liberal Studies Program document describes the climate for teaching and learning in Liberal Studies to which we aspire:

    Faculty commitment, based on a mutual love of learning, will be built into the Liberal Studies program through trust accorded to faculty to engage undergraduates with the best that disciplines have to offer. Specifically, each department or discipline will offer the best Liberal Studies courses possible. Each course will be taught by instructors who are both qualified and excited about their topics, and each instructor will vigorously engage students in expanding their interest in that subject. (10)

    The Liberal Studies Program document also requires the establishment of an "Incentives and Rewards System," according to the following goals:

    This CIC Subcommittee was charged with identifying ways to implement incentives, rewards, and support for teaching and learning in Liberal Studies; to promote the high standards of teaching set forth in the Liberal Studies document; and to respond to questions raised in Dr. Bataille's letter. This report includes contributions from the Liberal Studies Oversight Committee, the Council on Instruction and Curriculum, the Faculty Center, and current Liberal Studies faculty. It offers specific ideas for acknowledging teaching excellence, supporting professional development, and improving teaching and learning conditions in Liberal Studies at Western Carolina University.

    Discussion/Questions

    1. Are the recommendations in any order?

    2. Not really. The committee asks all the recommendations to be considered

    3. Some of the suggestions can be done.

    Motion passed by voice vote.

     

    2. Emergency approval of Emergency Management courses requires no action by the Senate at this time.

    3. Faculty Center and Library Committee

    Motion : Split the Faculty Center and Library Committee into two committees; a Library Committee, convened by the University Librarian and a Faculty Center Committee, convened by the Faculty Center Director. (Philyaw & Adams)

    Council on Instruction and Curricula Proposals for the Faculty Senate

    1. Proposed changes in Library and Faculty Center Committee as outlined below (Each committee would report to the CIC as is currently the case with the Library and Faculty Center Committee.):

    Library Advisory Committee.

    The purpose of the Library Advisory Committee is to provide faculty input to the University Librarian. This committee provides a valuable service to the Library, and therefore it is normally the University Librarian that has the primary concern in having this committee meet.

    To facilitate the operation of the committee, we propose that the University Librarian be the convener of the Library Committee. The convener will arrange the meetings and handle the office support for the committee. The chair of the committee will continue to be selected from the teaching faculty members of the committee. The chair and convener will be responsible for setting the agenda.

    Faculty Center Advisory Committee

    The purpose of the Faculty Center Advisory Committee is to provide faculty input to the Director of the Faculty Center. This committee provides a valuable service to the Faculty Center, and therefore it is normally the Director of the Faculty Center that has the primary concern in having this committee meet.

    To facilitate the operation of the committee, we propose that the Director of the Faculty Center be the convener of the Faculty Center Advisory Committee. The convener will arrange the meetings and handle the office support for the committee. The chair of the committee will continue to be selected from the teaching faculty members of the committee. The chair and convener will be responsible for setting the agenda.

    Motion passed by voice vote.

    4. Liberal Studies Changes

    Changes adopted. Workshops held to help with the advising changes. The committee is looking for ways to include more critical thinking in courses.

      1. Council on Student Affairs, Debasish Banerjee, chair

    1. Motion to accept and implement the Declaration of major document .

    (Banerjee & Bell)

    Discussion /Questions

    1. Why forty-five hours?

    2. It is about the time they finish with liberal studies. It is also the number of hours many other universities use.

    3. Why not declare sooner especially for a majors with a large number of hours?

    4. They may declare a major any time, but the must at 45 hours.

    5. Is there any research to link retention with early declaration of a major?

    6. Not much. There is some to show that early declaration of a major may extend time at universities. If they change a major they may not be able to graduate in four years.

    7. There is some research to show that a student who declares a major may persist at universities.

    8. There is no program advisor until a major is declared and that may hamper graduation.

    9. Programs with a required GPA allow students to take classes and be advised until they bring the GPA up.

    10. The Advising Center does work with students to advise students until they get into their major.

    11. Summer registration may be impossible without an advisor.

    Motion passed by voice vote.

    1. OTHER BUSINESS
      1. Old Business
      2. 1. Restructuring Task Force

        Restructuring the Faculty Senate

        Restructuring Taskforce Report

        Revisions Presented to the Faculty Senate on March 19, 2003 for Consideration

        Purpose

        The Faculty Senate created the Senate Restructuring Task Force to examine alternatives to the current Faculty Senate structure. After considering other models used in other universities and identifying the needs and interests of the WCU faculty, including the current Faculty Senate, over a multi-year period, the Senate Restructuring Task Force determined the following goals:

        1. The attention of the Faculty Senate should be on those governance issues that impact all faculty and exist at the institutional level. Hence, while college, departmental, and/or discipline frames of reference will be relevant and contribute to the quality of decision making, the dialogue of the Senate should invariably keep the best interest of Western Carolina University at heart at all times.

        2. The Senate should focus its attention on those faculty domains (curriculum, degree requirements, instructional standards, and grading criteria) defined as faculty domains by The Code: Board of Governors, The University of North Carolina as well as other areas affecting faculty concerns and responsibilities in order to provide a strong and clear voice to the Chancellor.

        3. The Senate is to be the forum where the faculty conversations and deep concerns expressed in our halls and offices are addressed. These range from matters that impact faculty on a day-to-day basis to issues that will impact Western Carolina University faculties in the future.

        4. The membership of the Faculty Senate should be limited to the Chancellor or a designee and faculty representatives from across campus in order to have a clear faculty voice.

        5. The Senate should have a structure that will allow a voice, a vote, and influence on issues directly related to University-level domains of the faculty.

        6. The Senate should limit the number of councils and standing committees to an essential few that deal directly with faculty domains.

        _______________________________________________________________________

        Recommendation and Motion

        I. The members of the Faculty Senate shall consist of the Chancellor or a designee, two senators from each College and the Library, plus one senator for the first 20 faculty members and an additional senator for each additional 20 members or major fraction thereof (except that no College shall have a majority of senators), the Chair of the Faculty, the Vice Chair, and the Secretary.

        II. Representatives on the Faculty Senate will be elected for a three year term. Representation from each College and the Library will be determined by the College or Library through election procedures specified in their by-laws.

        CONECC will oversee the election process.

        III. The Senate will establish a Senate Planning Team that will replace the former Senate Steering Committee. It will determine the agenda of all Faculty Senate meetings and activities.

        Membership: Planning team members are the Chair of the Faculty, Vice Chair, Secretary, Council Chairs, and Chairs of Task Forces. The Chair of the Faculty is the team facilitator.

        Purposes: The Planning Team
         

          1. serves as a conduit from the General Faculty to the Faculty Senate

          2. sets the monthly Senate agenda based on faculty input

          3. develops a broad perspective and uncovers relevant background information

          4. consults with administration

          5. receives administrative suggestions for agenda items

          6. issues invitations to appropriate administrators and/or experts to upcoming Senate meetings.

          Cycle for setting Senate agendas:

          1. The annual Senate agenda is developed through faculty dialogue in General Faculty assemblies and meetings. General Faculty meetings for this purpose are held at least twice a year.

          2. Senate meetings are held each month. (Future agenda items are sometimes suggested in the Senate.)

          3. One week after each Senate meeting, the Planning Team meets to construct the next agenda.

          4. One week later the Planning Teams discusses the agenda with the Chancellor or a designee and appropriate administrators and then issues invitations to the Senate meetings.

          5. One week later the agenda is finalized and disseminated to the senators.

          6. One week later the Senate meets, and the cycle starts over.


        IV. Officers of the Faculty Senate shall consist of the Chair of the Faculty, elected for a two-year term; the Vice Chair, elected for a two-year term; and the Secretary, elected for a three-year term.

        V. The Chair of the Faculty will continue to execute the duties currently described in the Faculty Handbook. In addition the Chair of the Faculty will be designated as a delegate to the UNC General Faculty Assembly along with the other delegates.

        VI. The Vice Chair will execute functions as designated by the Chair of the Faculty and will be an ex-officio member of the Council on Curriculum and Academic Issues. The Vice Chair may serve two years as Vice Chair and two years as Chair of the Faculty.

        VII. The Councils of the Senate shall consist of the following:

        Academic Policy and Review Council

        i. Domains & Responsibilities:
         

          • Establishment of academic program/major or certification program or minor or concentration within an existing major.


        ii. Meetings
         


        iii. Prior consultation with Administration monthly to include:
         


        iv. Instructional Issues:
         


        v. Structure & Composition
         


        b. Collegial Review Council

        i. Domain: Annual Faculty Evaluation, Tenure Promotion and Reappointment, and Post Tenure Review

        ii. Structure & Composition
         


        c. Council on Faculty Affairs

        i. Domain: the welfare and development of the faculty

        ii. Structure & Composition
         

         

        Question/Discussion

        1. If the Senate approves the report today then changes will be made to the constitution and bylaws. Then the Senate will vote on those changes. Finally the Faculty will vote on the changes.

        2. How are the faculty to be represented?

        3. Two from each college and the Library and then 1 additional for each twenty or fraction there-of additional faculty.

        4. Each college may decide how to represent part-time and non-tenure track faculty

        5. How many standing committees will there be?

        6. Liberal Studies, Library Committee and Faculty Center Committee. There may be others.

        6. What does restructuring of the academic administration unit (departments) have to do with the curriculum

        7. Some departments are a convenience.

        8. Is adding the graduate council a shift?

        9. Yes, the Colleges want the grad programs here.

        10. To the curricular modification add the words online.

        11. Can the Faculty chair run for a second term?

        12. This report is to get the language changing process started.

        13. Define curriculum review.

        14. Should we change the name of the council to Academic Policy?

        15. The Task Force has done a fine job.

        Motion: Accept the Repor ( Hale & Philyaw)

        Further Discussion/Questions:

        1. This reminds me of the administration vs. the faculty.

        2. It is similar to what is found on other campuses.

        3. Call the question (Abel)

        question passed by voice vote.

        Vote:

        18 in favor, 5 opposed

        Motion passed.

        A general faculty meeting will be called in about 2 weeks.

      3. New Business
      4. No new business

      5. Curriculum items

    As attached

    Meeting adjourned at 4:55 PM

    Respectfully submitted

    Elizabeth Vihnanek, Secretary