MINUTES OF THE COLLEGE SENATE MEETING OF MARCH 8, 2004
Meeting was called to order at 4:05 PM.
Approval of agenda: Klein/Lee
Approval of minutes of February 9, 2004: Simon/Corrente
Chair Chilberg welcomed new student members.
Chair Chilberg announced that J. Straight will begin with his report on SLN as he needed to go to class. The report was attached and presented on the overhead. There was a general recommendation to establish a distance education policy and to charge the Academic Affairs committee to do so. J. Wilson questioned about on-site exam taking and accommodation for that. B. Simon asked about transfer courses coming in. Straight said there is no distinguishing a distance learning course. N. Bowser pointed out it is SUNY policy to not allow the courses to be distinguishable. The Academic Affairs Committee was charged to develop a distance learning policy.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
The President was out of town and his report was attached.
VPAA:
M. Karnes reported for Dr. Musah who was out of town. She updated faculty searches for 23 positions with four accepted offers. The Dean searches are also moving along with much more to be reported on next month.
J. Hurtgen updated the Strategic Plan for K. Klose who was ill. The report is in front of VPAA who will review it and will be forwarded to faculty and staff. Hearings will begin and the ultimate plan will be addressed at the May Senate meeting.
Dean Byrne reported that NCATE and final report and rejoinder will be finished April 1.
SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
The executive committee moved to change the name of College Senate to FREDONIA UNIVERSITY SENATE, seconded by Klein, Approved with one abstention.
N. Boynton reported on some election results and also asked for potential candidates for executive committee positions. There was also a presentation of By-law changes in terms of Standing Committee representation to reflect changes in structure. R. Byrne asked about Graduate Council. M. Grady asked about representation in each sub-discipline. The general sense of the Senate was to be more specific.
Bob Rogers reported on system-wide assessment in terms of value added and standardized testing. The Panel is meeting Wednesday so he will have more to report on then.
ByLaws on changes in Senate Representation and Implementation was discussed in general in terms of the attached model. In the short term the Senate will be larger as the reform is implemented. It was passed with one abstention.
The amendment to include an Interdisciplinary Studies Representative was discussed. It would add a Senator. S. Kershnar pointed out that this could mean an extra vote-one in the department and one for interdisciplinary studies. McVicker responded that this represents a separate interest that needs to be addressed. Rywick and Jacobson spoke to the issue. Reddy pointed out there could potentially be three votes-one within department, one for the two at large in the area, and one for interdisciplinary. The amendment was approved with one nay and two abstentions.
The By Laws on representation were approved with one nay and will now be sent to the faculty for referendum of approval.
NEW BUSINESS:
An invitation was extended about the Diversity Summit by A. Klein.
A discussion was held on the attached resolution on the Patriot Act submitted by Simon, McVicker, Steinberg. L. Maheady seconded. B. Simon said to look at it carefully for its implications. S. Kershnar asked what were the unconstitutional activities expressed. Questions were also raised about what to do if a request was made. Should it be directed to executive committee and/or president's office? Coutney and Wilkes talked about the issues in terms of the library and you are not supposed to reveal there is an information request. D . Herman pointed out legally it is always better to pass it up. M. Sasso talked about working with INS and how time is important. N. Feit and T. Schwalbe talked about the difficulty of the word unconstitutional. Kershnar and Karnes discussed reworking it. Chilberg stated that the sense was to rework the proposal and bring it back. Reddy said it would be useful to consult with the President and bring him onboard.
Motion to adjourn: Kershnar/Grady
Meeting adjourned 5:20 PM.
Minutes submitted-Ray Rushboldt-Fredonia University Senate Secretary