MINUTES OF THE ACADEMIC SENATE

January 9, 2004

Kennedy Union West Ballroom, 3:00 p.m.

Presiding: Dr. Fred Pestello

Senators Present: Anderson, D., Biddle, J., Biers, D., Bork, J., Chen, C., Courte, D., Darrow, D., Doyle, G., Gauder, H., Gorton, R., Hardie, R., Hartley, L., Kocoloski, A., Ilg, T., Lewis, B., Moot, K., Morman, P., Mullins, M., Rapp, J., Sargent, G., Schworer, A., Thimmes, P., Vitale, N., Watras, J., Yungblut, L.

Guests: Estepp, J., Rogatto, J.

1. Opening Prayer

The meeting was opened by a prayer read by F. Pestello.

2. Roll Call

Twenty-five senators of forty-one senators were present.

3. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of December 12, 2003 were approved as written.

4. Introduction of Senators

All senators introduced themselves and stated what school they represented.

5. Election of Executive Committee of the Senate (ECAS)

Remaining senators on the ECAS from the previous year are:

Steve Dandaneau (Social Sciences - on leave)

Paul Eloe (Natural Sciences)

Heidi Gauder (Library)

Harry Gerla (Law)

Fred Pestello (Provost – on-going)

John Rapp (Business)

Laura Yungblut (Humanities)

New elected to the ECAS are:

James Biddle (Education)

David Biers (Social Sciences – taking Dandaneau’s place for winter term)

Kevin Hallinan (Engineering)

Joseph Saliba (Dean)

The Graduate Student is Dustin Anderson (Communication Department).

6. Election of President of the Senate

John Rapp was elected President of the Senate.

7. Election of the Vice-President of the Senate

Laura Yungblut was re-elected Vice-President of the Senate.

8. Election of the Secretary

Heidi Gauder was re-elected Secretary of the Senate.

9. Discussion of Request to ELC

J. Saliba reported that the ELC approved the request from the Academic Senate for $25,000 to fund a university-wide committee to nurture and sustain a campus-wide dialogue that will seek to define what academic excellence means at the University. The money will be used to facilitate discussions, conduct symposia, bring guest speakers to campus, and pursue other activities that would promote dialogue and generate research. He also stated that the Faculty Development Committee was granted $25,000 for departments for academic excellence. These two committees will work closely.

10. Break into Committees

Each committee met at the conclusion of the Senate meeting to discuss remaining agenda items, elect a chair, and arrange meeting schedules.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted: Jane Rogatto, Office of the Provost