Dr. Erin Gilliam reported for APC since Chair Gebremedhin was not present. The committee has been discussing the FY19 Academic Schedule and the possible deletion of Fall Break in favor of two extra days for Thanksgiving holiday. Many students leave to travel home and are not in attendance on the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. Of consideration are the additional holidays in KSU's Fall academic schedule and the challenges associated with curriculum coverage. While Thanksgiving is consistent, Founder's day will vary each year. A calendar will be presented for discussion at the next full Faculty meeting. Kim Sipes said this was considered several years ago and the closeness to the end of the semester was problematic. The APC will follow-up with Provost/VPAA Thomas on the calendar.
A non-Senator suggested consideration of ending the semester after Thanksgiving.
Senate moved, seconded, and voted to un-table FSPCC 17-18-04 Revised Appendix P to the Faculty Handbook (Tenure & Promotion Benchmarks and name change to current "College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems" from previous name "College of Agriculture and in all appropriate sections when referenced). PCC reviewed and noted the linguistic changes, and reviewed compliance with current University Tenure and Promotion Policy as directed by Faculty Senate and found the following:
Fifteen (15) changes were linguistic changes relating to the name change of the College. One addressed new acceptance criteria of Tenure and Promotion proof for the new apprenticeship program.
After friendly amendment proposed by Kim Sipes to change College Post Tenure Review cycle from 4 years to 5 years, in compliance with University Post Tenure and Promotion Review, Action Item FSPCC-17-18-04 passed unanimously.
There was discussion centered on advisability of unit submissions of individual benchmarks for Faculty Handbook Appendix inclusion before such time that guidelines for consistency with University Tenure and Promotion Policy are reviewed, recommended, and established.
Dr. Reilly-reported that PCC continues to work on retiree recognition standards initiated by Dr. Walston. Email thread discussion has been received positively.
Chair Rye reported on the meeting between President Brown and his Counsel and Faculty Senate EXCOM and BASC members on Thursday, October 18, 2017. President Brown said that KSU will follow recent Title IX determinations by Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate and, contingent on student agreement, will release violation records. He expressed concern that this had not been the policy approach by KSU prior to the judicial ruling.
The President's Counsel was presented with the duties of the Budget & Academic Support Committee of the Faculty Senate as recorded in the Faculty Handbook, Senate Constitution, and the published KSU Committee Book.