[Approved March 5, 2008]

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate

February 20, 2008

St. Mary’s 113 B; 12:00 PM

Present: D. Biers (presiding), T. Eggemeier, A. Fist, P. Johnson, R. Kearns, L. Laubach, J. O’Gorman, R. Penno, F. Pestello, A. Seielstad, R. Wells

J. Farrelly (Faculty Board). P. Benson, C. Daprano, S. Hughes, A. Kimbrough, D. Pair

Roll Call:

Eleven members of the Committee were present.

Prayer:

The meeting opened with D. Biers reading a prayer from Francis of Assisi.

Approval of Minutes:

February 13, 2008 approved.

Announcements:

• T. Eggemeier distributed Program Development Plans for Master of Science in Bioengineering and a Master of Science in Renewable and Clean Energy (With WSU).
• L. Laubach asked that the Provost Office again be requested to provide a liaison for working with the issue of committees.

New Business:

• Moved and seconded that Associate Provost Joe Untener be requested to convene an initial meeting of the University Promotion and Tenure Committee at a time and place when all elected members are available and for the purpose of electing a chairperson and conveying any information related to the work of the Committee that has been received to date by the Provost Office. Unanimous approval
• Appropriate procedural path for considering change to the English requirement in the Humanities Base and the Competencies Programs.
• D. Biers opened the discussion by asking P. Johnson to explain the concerns that have come before the Executive Committee. The concern of the Executive Committee is to determine whether or not proposed changes are actually policy changes. If changes impact the policy requirement for the Humanities Base general education requirement or the competency requirement, then this issue is an issue for the Academic Senate to decide. If proposed changes stay within the current written policy but are changes in delivery and implementation, then the Committee on General Education and Competencies can act on such changes. The purpose of this discussion is to clarify issues and find the best path for considering the suggestions that are being distributed.
• There was considerable discussion as to whether such changes should originate in the unit (in this case the College) or at the University level and so with the Academic Senate. In addition, F. Pestello asked about the relationship of this proposal to considerations being carried out by the subcommittee on the Common Academic Program. D. Pair indicated that this proposal was not part of the material being considered by the sub-committee.
• The result of the discussion was to move and second that the consideration of the proposal should begin in the Academic Affairs Committee of the College. Anything recommended there will go to the Committee on General Education and Competencies. Any recommendations approved there will then come to the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate. The Executive Committee will determine if the recommendations concern any policy change. If so, the Executive Committee will refer the proposal to the appropriate standing committee. The Executive Committee voted 9 in favor and 1 abstention. The Provost did not vote.

Old Business:

Reports of the standing committees:

• J. O’Gorman and R. Penno reported for the Academic Policies committee. The Honors/Scholars document is being reviewed. The Committee has met with representative from the Program and will formalize recommendations. Time prevented the discussion of other items.
• D. Biers reported for the Faculty Affairs Committee. They are finalizing a document on post-tenure review and on the review of teaching. Both may be ready for the March meeting of the Academic Senate. A. Seielstad asked if faculty with differential status were being considered in either of these documents. They are not, but this issue should be addressed.
• A. Fist reported for the Student Academic Policies Committee. The Honor Code draft has bee distributed widely and responses are being received. The hope is to have a document for the Academic Senate at the April meeting. This will include an Honor Code but not an Honor Board.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:10PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Patricia A. Johnson, Secretary