HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Senate Minutes April 29, 2003
Chair MacConnie called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2003, in Nelson Hall East, Room 102 (Goodwin Forum).
Members Present: Bicknell, Butler, Coffey, Dalsant, Derden, Fulgham, Kinney, Klein, Knox, MacConnie, Martin, Meiggs, Mortazavi, Moyer, Oliver, O'Rourke-Andrews, Paselk, Paynton, Richmond, Sanford, Schwab, Shellhase, Snyder, Travis, Yarnall
Members Absent: Adkins, Dunk, Luong, Nelson, Post, Varkey
Proxies: Green for Cheyne; Platin for Gill; Derden for Goodman; Fritzsche for Vrem; Fulgham for Thobaben
Guests: V. Phillips, Undergraduate Studies; N. Sprotte, Enrollment Management
New Senators Present: D. Kornreich; L. Wieand
1. Approval of Minutes
It was moved and seconded (Klein/Fulgham) to approve the submitted minutes of April 15, 2003. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
2. Announcements and Communications
Chair MacConnie announced:
Dr. Susan Steele, one of the Provost candidates, will be on campus tomorrow and Thursday. The open forum is scheduled from 10 -11 a.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room tomorrow. The next candidate, Dr. Elizabeth Bull Danielson, will be on campus Monday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 6. On Wednesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 15, the last candidate, Dr. Richard Vrem, will be on campus. Detailed schedules and curriculum vitae will be forthcoming. One of the four candidates scheduled for on-campus interviews removed his name from the pool; he has taken another position. The Senate Executive Committee will be meeting with each candidate; please forward to Chair MacConnie any questions you would like the Senate Executive Committee to ask the candidates. Dr. Steele's CV has been distributed; Dr. Danielson's CV should be distributed soon. A copy of the full CV for all candidates will be on reserve in the library.
Tomorrow is the deadline for textbook orders. The early deadline enables the bookstore to buy used books from Humboldt students and from vendors who carry used books. This helps students immeasurably, especially given the potential for a student fee increase this year. If faculty know which books they will be using, it would be helpful if orders were submitted by the April 30 deadline.
Report from the President's Council meeting:
The meetings are largely informational.
Debra Goodwin, Interim Director of Advancement, gave an overview of the current activities of the advancement office. Such activities include working with the enrollment office staff to identify the best use of the Education Challenge Fund regarding the distribution of scholarships and encouraging the purchase of chapter memberships in the Alumni Association. There also is a partnership campaign in place to connect the business community with Cal Poly Humboldt. On October 11 and 12 the Humboldt Bay Paddlefest designed to highlight this region and Humboldt will take place.
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee met last Friday. A handout including process, timelines and general concepts was distributed. The Committee will be reviewing the current strategic plan and expanding on it. Anyone knowing of a URL for the strategic plan/process at another campus that would be helpful, please email the address to Chair MacConnie. Also, if there are critical issues anyone thinks should be brought forward, please inform Chair MacConnie or another member of the committee.
There is no additional news regarding the budget. May 14 is the date given for the Governor's May revise to be released, and the Chancellor's Office will be determining what effect that will have on each campus. On June 13 a tentative meeting is scheduled with the URPBC, the President's expanded Executive Committee and the Senate Executive Committee to continue the discussion on the budget. Most information from this meeting will be on the President's web site. Senators were encouraged to review this information as it becomes available during the summer. It is possible that the Senate Executive Committee may need to meet during the summer and if necessary, a special meeting of the senate may be called.
Senators were reminded that a reception is planned for this evening at the Baywood Country Club for all senators.
The President's Inauguration will take place this Friday, 3 p.m.
3. Committee and State Senate Reports
Statewide Senate - Senator Snyder reported that any input on the integrated teacher preparation curriculum issue would be appreciated. There are two main issues to consider. The first is compressing the degree from approximately 153 units to 135; if this is done, how will it be accomplished. Will courses be taken from the professional development courses, the subject matter courses, or from the GE courses? Senators should let Senator Snyder know their thoughts on this proposal. The second issue is that majors with over 120 units need to be justified. The resolution under consideration requires a campus level justification and a system level justification for integrated teacher preparation programs that go over 135 units. Again, any comments on this issue should be forwarded to Senator Snyder. Chair MacConnie announced that a copy of the resolution and the rationale is available.
Associated Students - Student elections have been completed, and the results will be published in the Lumberjack tomorrow. Manolo Platin won his candidacy for the UC Board of Directors. The CNRS lab fee referendum passed by three votes (430 yes, 427 no); this item will be returned to the Student Fee Advisory Committee for its recommendation to President Richmond. The sustainable building initiative passed overwhelmingly. There was no clear majority regarding the campus smoking policy; 357 voted for keeping the policy as it is, 312 voted for designated smoking areas and 244 voted to ban smoking from campus. The initiative on student satisfaction regarding academic advising showed that 120 were extremely satisfied, 161 were very satisfied, 363 were satisfied, 177 were slightly dissatisfied, and 59 were extremely dissatisfied.
Other announcements included: (1) Gretchen Kinney was reelected as president of Associated Students; (2) a second hearing for AB 550, which establishes a statewide student fee advisory committee for each of the segments of education, the UC, the CSU and the community colleges, and calls for prior approval before the Board of Trustees can adjust student fees, has been scheduled.
Student Affairs Office - There will be three candidates on campus for the Director of Health and Counseling Services; this position combines two former directorships into one position.
Administrative Affairs - The President received a directive from the Chancellor regarding confidential information. All employees and students who have access to confidential information on campus must be recertified. Documents to accomplish this will be distributed next week. The exact number of Humboldt employees involved is not known; the estimate is that 1000+ signatures will be needed. According to the directive if someone refuses to sign the form, that person's access will be denied. There was no reply to the question of whether this recertification process is the Chancellor's response to fixing the problem with CMS. The form states that the signer will keep information confidential and will not view documents unnecessarily. Some campuses have certified everyone on campus. In most cases, department managers and directors will oversee their area regarding compliance with this directive.
The meeting on the BSS Building will consider location of the building and the mechanical systems and orientations, as well as building finishes.
Office of the President - President Richmond expressed his appreciation for a warm initial welcome this year and stated that he enjoyed working with the senate. Special thanks were expressed to Chair MacConnie and the Senate Executive Committee who invited President Richmond to join that Committee. Student Senator Manolo Platin is a finalist for the position of student trustee for the CSU system, which speaks highly for him and for this campus. Congratulations were extended to Senator Platin and also to Associated Students President, Gretchen Kinney.
Appreciation was expressed to Nancy Sprotte and her colleagues in the Admissions Office for their work this year. Enrollment figures for summer appear to be up substantially and projections for fall enrollment will be close to Humboldt's target of 7525 students.
Faculty Affairs - The Committee is completing language on the whistleblower policy.
Senate Finance - The ad hoc Budget Policy Committee has been meeting and hopes to make a recommendation on salary savings by the end of this year.
Student Affairs - There is a resolution on today's agenda.
CFA - At the last bargaining session, the administration did present its initial proposal on the golden handshake, the retirement incentive which proposes a two-year service credit. The cost of this proposal is being examined, and CFA is exploring how receptive the administration would be to the idea of expanding the proposal, including service plus age, for example.
UCC - The Committee has received a year-end report on distance learning. The report includes policy recommendations and will be forwarded to the senate for consideration.
Another subcommittee will be working during the summer on proposals for alternative plans for general education. It is hoped that specific ideas will be presented fall term.
General Faculty President - Lou Ann Wieand, Professor of Psychology, has been elected General Faculty President. The general faculty elections continue today and tomorrow for the UCC member from NRS. A notice of all election results will be distributed as soon as that information is available.
Calendar events include 1) end-of-year social sponsored by the Academic Senate, the General Faculty Association and the CFA Monday, May 12, 5:30 in the Plaza View Room; 2) The President's inauguration will be held Friday, May 2; and 3) Graduation will take place Saturday, May 17.
4. Resolution Supporting Cal Poly Humboldt Associated Students Resolution Opposing the CRENO/RPI Proposition (#16-02/03-SA)
It was moved and seconded (Klein/Derden) to place the motion on the floor.
Whereas, Associated Students at Cal Poly Humboldt passed a resolution opposing the Classification Of Race, Ethnicity, and National Origin (CRENO) Initiative, otherwise known as the Racial Privacy Initiative (RPI); and
Whereas, That resolution urges the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt to take similar action in opposition to the CRENO/RPI Proposition; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt endorses the attached Resolution Opposing The CRENO/RPI Initiative; and be it further
Resolved, That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt convey this endorsement to Dr. Rollin Richmond, Humboldt President; the CSU Board of Trustees; Dr. Charles Reed, CSU Chancellor; and the CSU Academic Senate.
There was no discussion. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Derden) to make this an emergency item for immediate transmittal to the President. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
5. Spring Graduation List
It was moved and seconded (Yarnall/Fulgham) that the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt accept the final graduation list for Spring 2003 and recommend the graduation of all persons whose names are on that list, subject to the provision that any student whose name is on the list and who has not fulfilled the requirements for graduation, will have her/his name removed from the list, and that student will not be graduated.
Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
It was moved and seconded (Yarnall/Fulgham) to make this an emergency item for immediate transmittal to the President. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The senate took a five minute recess.
7. Without objection, a resolution was added to the agenda and read by Chair MacConnie:
Resolution of Appreciation for the Provision of Xanthines, Mono- and Di-saccharides, and Dihydrogen Oxide at Academic Senate Meetings (Read: Thanks for the coffee, cookies and water!)
Whereas: Senate meetings occur late in the afternoon/early evening; and
Whereas: Many senators arrive at the meeting tired and hungry; and
Whereas: Growling stomachs interfere with effective listening and understanding during senate dialogue; and
Whereas: Sleepy eyes interfere with one's ability to see the big picture during senate discussion; and
Whereas: Low blood sugar interferes with clear thinking during senate debate; and
Whereas: The afternoon snacks provided by President Richmond not only help him stay awake and focused after a long day, but everyone else as well; and
Whereas: Mouths full of food and drink are less likely to be engaged in excessive verbosity, thereby contributing to a less protracted senate meeting; and
Whereas: Sharp minds, open eyes, quiet insides and still mouths contribute to clear and concise discussions; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt would like to express its appreciation and thanks to President Richmond for his generosity in supplying the afternoon snacks; and be it further
Resolved: That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt recommend that this practice be continued next year (budget permitting); and be it further
Resolved: That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt recommend that President Richmond add peanut butter, sticky buns and caramels to the menu in order to reduce senate meeting duration to one hour!
There was general agreement that the sustenance provided by President Richmond is appreciated by all. President Richmond expressed his appreciation for the sentiment and credited Patty Lindley in his office for organizing the delivery of these provisions.
6. Seating of New Senators
Chair MacConnie expressed her appreciation to the outgoing senators for their work this past year. Included in this group are Michael Goodman, Eugene Novotney, Steve Martin and Robin Meiggs. Appreciation also was expressed to Senator Varkey who was the interim Chair of the Educational Policies Committee spring term. Thanks also were extended to Senator Paynton for his work as Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee.
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences has not held its elections yet so senators from the AHSS College were asked to remain seated.
The new senators who were present were invited to sit at the table. They included David Kornreich, Physics and Physical Sciences; and Lou Ann Wieand, Psychology. Colleen Mullery, Business and Economics, is still out of town but will return in the fall.
7. Election of New Senate Officers and Members of the Senate Appointments Committee
It was moved and seconded (Travis/Bicknell) to nominate Sue MacConnie for Chair of the Academic Senate. It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Platin) to close nominations. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED to close nominations. Voting occurred and Sue MacConnie was elected Chair of the Academic Senate.
It was moved and seconded (Snyder/Platin) to nominate Ken Fulgham for Vice Chair of the Academic Senate and Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee. It was moved and seconded (Snyder/Platin) to close nominations. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED to close nominations. Voting occurred and Ken Fulgham was elected Vice Chair of the Academic Senate and Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee.
It was moved and seconded (Paselk/Knox) to nominate Dave Kornreich for Secretary of the Academic Senate and Chair of the Educational Policies Committee. It was moved and seconded (Klein/Mortazavi) to nominate Claire Knox for Secretary of the Academic Senate and Chair of the Educational Policies Committee. It was moved and seconded (Snyder/Travis) to close nominations. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED to close nominations. Voting occurred by secret ballot and Claire Knox was elected Secretary of the Academic Senate and Chair of the Educational Policies Committee.
Chair MacConnie announced that election of members to the Senate Appointments Committee will occur at the first meeting in the fall. If anyone knows of someone who would be willing to serve on this committee, please inform Chair MacConnie or Greta.
It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Derden) to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned 4:55 p.m.