Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 14, 2001
Science Building Room #208, 2:30 p.m.
Submitted by: Larry T. Duron
The meeting was called to order by Dee Joseph, Faculty Senate Vice President (VP).
Recording secretary read the minutes of the last meeting (Question & Answer session with Dr. Runnels); they were approved as read.
Recording secretary provided information from Treasure, balance is the same as previously reported $1387.00 in the budgeted account and $60.15 in the agency account.
Vice President reported that a list is being generated in collaboration with other Faculty Senators to identify individuals eligible to run for a Senate position and individuals whose term of office is expiring. The list will be posted on the Faculty Senate Web Page as soon as it is completed. VP will also send email messages via SPCAll on a weekly basis as reminders. Discussion held about the inclusion of pictures of individuals running for the Senate and for Officer positions by next year's election. VP indicated constitution revisions might affect election outcomes.
VP commended committee working on the constitution and thanked them for their attendance at all meetings. Anticipated presentation of proposed revisions is scheduled for the February 28th Faculty Senate meeting. The reason for statement above regarding constitution revisions affecting election outcome is that the election process and term limits are areas being considered for revision. VP indicated there are 3 or 4 proposed constitutions that have surfaced and that she has been in contact with previous Faculty Senate President's to sort information she has gathered. Constitution will be posted on the Faculty Senate Web Page for 2 to 3 days after the revisions have been reviewed with the electorate. Reminders will be sent via SPCAll for electorate to review the constitution and vote on the changes. Proposed date to vote on constitution revisions is March 28, 2001.
Cindy Turner reported for Emily Staats that the committee has been meeting regularly. She indicated the first 28 pages have been revised. The next meeting will focus on tenure and promotion. Anyone interested in attending this meeting is welcomed. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2001, at 3:00 p.m. in the Counseling Conference Room SCL 103. Cindy indicated that current policy prohibits revisions on certain issues in the faculty handbook. She indicated if there are areas where policy needs to be revised or changed, the Super Senate (Faculty Senate Presidents for all sister colleges) would be an avenue to explore policy changes. This statement was made in regards to committee looking at policy being equitable and comparable across all campuses.
Lester Hall reported the Piper nominee process has been completed. He indicated the NISOD nominee list has been submitted to Dr. Byrd & Dr. Runnels, and they should be approved soon. He identified their next task as the planning of a reception for nominees of all awards. He also identified the committee's next goal as identifying the nominees for Faculty Excellence Award. Lester also reported that timelines are being set for all recognition awards so that the process for next year will be much smoother.
Discussion about the parking situation was held; email and comments from the electorate were introduced. Motion made and seconded to have the Corresponding Secretary formulate a letter to Terrie Hoffmann, Dept. of Public Safety, with copies provided to Dr. Runnels and the Chancellor. The letter is to query what the regulations and enforcement practices are.
Motion made and seconded that the February 28th meeting be dedicated to the proposed constitution revisions, barring all other things that may come up. Anyone interested in attending the meeting is welcome. The meeting will be held Wednesday February 28, 2001, in Sci. 208 at 2:30 p.m.
Tabled for discussion later when Faculty Senate President available.
Motion made and seconded to kill the survey. However, point of discussion introduced to explore alternatives for faculty having difficulty with administrative decisions on tenure and promotion, etc. Appeals Committee process questioned, as was involvement of Human Resources. Suggestion made that Revised Faculty Handbook include action to take in such cases. Vision and philosophy of Senate discussed and question posed as to whether the Senate should be global or specific referring to Senate focusing on general issues of concern to all the electorate or as a platform for specific faculty gripes.
Discussion held on establishing a special fund and it was viewed as possibly being problematic. Motion made and seconded not to establish such a fund.
Motion made and seconded recommending Mr. Kraft submit an agenda for what he intends to discuss so decision can be made on whether to allow him to present and how much time to allow for presentation. VP will relay information to President for request from Mr. Kraft.
Emily Staats reported attending the District Student Affairs Council meeting on 2/8/01. She reviewed the function of the council as being a forum for students to present their concerns to administration. She indicated that a hot issue discussed at this meeting was endless registration. She indicated Dr. Tatum was assigned to Chair a Sub-Committee to look at this issue. Input from the Faculty Senate being sought. Cindy commented on a letter she had written previously and discussion brought up to resurrect the letter.
No one present opted to speak, however faculty senators presented other issues of interest including (1) The NE Learning Center being phased out over the next two years as the new NE Campus develops. The new campus is expected to be another sister college in approximately 5 years. (2) Employee Development Days - it was brought to the attention of the Senate that NW Vista, PAC, & SAC do not have an employee development day in the Spring. SPC continues to have a development day and the reason was questioned. This item will be put on the agenda for the March 28th meeting of the Faculty Senate. (3) The current Faculty Senate President assumed the unfinished term of the previous President, and he is on his second term of his second year, which according to the Constitution is his last term on the senate. The Parliamentarian was charged with reviewing Robert's Rules of Order to investigate Parliamentarian Procedure for officers assuming an incomplete term when someone vacates the position. (4) A Senator presented a concern from the electorate regarding a new form put out by an SPC Administrator dealing with travel if you are going to present at a conference. He will bring a copy of the form for distribution to Faculty Senators at the next meeting. The electorate questioning the district policy on travel and whether the new form is in accordance with the district policy. Faculty Senate charged the President of the SPC Senate to take this issue up with the Committee consisting of the Chancellor and the Faculty Senate Presidents of each campus and report back to the Senate. (5) Emily Staats proposed the Faculty Senate consider paying for a representative of the Senate to attend the TCCTA Conference. Executive Committee charged with exploring this proposal and report to the Senate. Emily requested that anyone interested in being considered forward their name to a member of the Executive Committee.
The Faculty Senate meeting was adjourned at 4:01 p.m.