[Approved February 6, 2008]

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate

January 30, 2008

St. Mary’s 113 B; 12:00 PM

Present: D. Biers (presiding), A. Fist, P. Johnson, L. Laubach, J. O’Gorman, R. Penno, A. Seielstad, R. Wells

J. Farrelly (Faculty Board)

Roll Call:

Eight members of the Committee were present.

Prayer:

The meeting opened with a period of silence.

Approval of Minutes:

January 23, 2008 approved.

Announcements:

• Elections for the University Promotion and Tenure Committee are taking place this week.
• The Executive Committee discussion of the Honor Code is scheduled for February 6, 2008.
• The Executive Committee discussion of diversity is scheduled for February 13, 2008.
• The Executive Committee discussion of the English Department proposal for changes in the competency requirement is scheduled for February 20, 2008. The College Academic Affairs Committee has tabled the documents related to this proposal.
• J. Untener will be asked to present reports on faculty background checks and the University maternity policy on February 27, 2008.

New Business:

• Agenda for the February 8, 2008 meeting of the Academic Senate. Many items are not yet ready for discussion. It was decided to ask J. Untener to present the Higher Learning Commission report. In addition, the standing committees will be asked to present reports on the following issues:
• Academic Policies Committee: The Honors/Scholars Program, the Calendar, and the Common Academic Program Sub-committee
• Faculty Affairs Committee: Post-tenure peer review and Evaluation of Teaching
• Student Academic Policies Committee: Honor Code
• Executive Committee: University Committees, Nominating committee, Elections Committee, Diversity, the English competency proposal, Procedures for the Academic Senate

Chairpersons will be asked to submit written report for inclusion in the minutes.

• P. Johnson presented material that she has gathered in relation to the policies and procedures of the Academic Senate. It was decided that one document will be written to include all issues and will be taken to the Academic Senate. The President and Vice-president were asked to write position descriptions. Other members of the Executive Committee were asked to forward comments on any issues to P. Johnson.
• D. Biers will notify the Chairperson of the University elections committee that it is time to hold elections for the Academic Senate.

Old Business:

Reports of the Standing Committees:

• Academic Policies Committee will meet tomorrow to consider the academic calendar for 2009-12010, the Honors/Scholars proposal, and any report from the Committee working on a common academic program.
• Faculty Affairs Committee continues to work on post-tenure peer review and the teaching evaluation document. They are considering a proposal to move the merit cycle form a calendar year to an academic year.
• Student Academic Policies is working on the Honor Code

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:05 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Patricia A. Johnson, Secretary