The second regularly scheduled meeting of the AY 2017-18 Faculty Senate was called to order at 3:11 pm on Monday, September 11, 2017, Hathaway Hall 123. The agenda was approved and minutes of the August 12, 2017 Faculty Senate meeting was approved with no amendments. Vice-President Peter Smith presided due to excused absence of President Dantrea Hampton.
Mara Merlino has stepped down as Tenure & Promotion Committee chair and Ashok Kumar, former Vice-Chair, is now Chair.
Provost Dr. Debbie Thomas was not present.
Dr. Walter Malone, III and Mr. Travis Haskins discussed the role of the Academic Advising Center. They are looking to build stronger rapport with various constituents across campus to avoid misplacement of students. A handbook/guidebook is being put together to that end, with input from chairs and the Advising Counsel. The goal is consistency and clarity of communication across campus. A Senator said that some chairs did not solicit input from faculty. Dr. Malone said this was just the first step and they would be talking with faculty as well.
A Senator inquired if the Advising Center has ladder curriculum guides-sheets for all the various degrees. Dr. Malone said they need to make sure all are up to date with each department. The Senator pointed out that faculty in his unit had to change schedules from classes their majors do not require to their own specific requirements. Dr. Malone suggested they meet to make sure the center knows of those requirements. Mr. Haskins pointed out that is exactly the kind of dialogue that needs to happen. Dr. Malone said the goal is to build a community of support around the student and their work goes beyond scheduling classes.
A Senator inquired why faculty cannot register their majors and Mr. Haskins said, "We can look at that", but currently the technology is not in place.
They said that if faculty have further questions to communicate via email and request an appointment. Today's purpose was an introduction on which to build.
President Brown thanked the faculty and Senate for their hard work beginning a rough semester and acknowledged the challenge of overcrowded classes. He addressed issues of protocol and procedure, saying the university has previously operated with a model of “all hands on deck” that will portend for us a unique challenge as we prepare for SACS. In the nexus between faculty and administration one thing steady has been the Board of Regents. He reported that questions relating to the dean structure were sent to the board and then a second correspondence sent that related to the academic reorganization budget plan. He was provided by President Hampton a copy of the Budget & Academic Policy Committee’s minutes that raise questions about the dean structure. He said administration must consider how the dean structure aligns with the strategic plan and SACS accreditation.