[Approved November 15, 2007]

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate

November 8, 2007

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, A. Seielstad, T. Stevens, R. Wells

J. Farrelly (Faculty Board)

Roll Call:

Eleven members of the Committee were present.

Prayer:

The meeting opened with a prayer offered by D. Biers.

Approval of Minutes:

November 1, 2007 approved.

Old Business:

Reports from the standing committees:

J. O’Gorman and R. Penno reported for the Academic Policies Committee. At its last meeting the Committee reviewed Doc 07-03, Guidelines for the Development of Course-based Graduate Certificate Programs, and Doc-07-02, The University assessment Plan. They also discussed issues related to the sub-committee that has been charged with working on recommendations related to the Doc 06-09, Habits of Inquiry and Reflection.

· The Committee approved the development of all three types of certificate programs and were assured that transcription of these would follow “best practices.’ There are some wording changes to be made. The Committee will review these and then they will be sent to the Secretary of the Academic Senate for posting. ECAS will review the document for placing on the agenda for the Academic Senate.

· The Committee reviewed and endorsed the Assessment Plan. There was some discussion by the Executive Committee about whether or not certain elements of the assessment plan could be avoided by any given unit since there is autonomy of element selection given to the units. The document is returned to the Executive Committee for placement on the agenda for the Academic Senate.

· The sub-committee for HIR is getting organized and has established a quickplace for information and discussion. The Executive Committee requests that materials being used as part of the process be made available to the University community so that everyone can know what is being reviewed and can make suggestions for materials that should be included in the process. Since the quickplace is being used as a working space, the best way to make these materials available may be through a separate website. In addition, the Executive Committee asks that there be a smooth and regular flow of minutes from the sub-committee to the Academic Policies Committee and then to the Executive Committee.

R. Wells reported for the Faculty Affairs Committee. After the discussion at Academic Senate meeting, the standing committee has decided that a meeting with the Provost to confirm and clarify some issues is needed. Concerns raised at the Senate meeting, including the possible impacts on collegiality, workload, and resource allocation, are significant. The Committee will begin work on Doc 06-08, Evaluating Faculty Teaching.

A. Fist reported for the Student Academic Policies Committee. He has met with the Provost and Associate Provost to discuss how best to relate expectations for student behavior outside the classroom to those having to do with academic performance and practice. He will meet with Sr. Schmeling to discuss possibilities of working with her and her unit.

The Executive Committee decided to continue the discussion of diversity on Dec. 13. It was suggested that all members of the Executive Committee should receive print copies of the University Strategic Plan. L. Laubach reported that he and T. Stevens will have information about University committees out to members very soon.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:05 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Patricia A. Johnson, Secretary