The seventh meeting of the AY 2015-16 Faculty Senate was called to order at 3:10 pm on Monday, November 30, 2015, Hathaway Hall Room 123. Agenda was approved and the Faculty Senate minutes of November 16, 2015 were approved with one correction.

VPAA Brown-Wright reported that she and Senate President Smith have discussed an adhoc committee to look at evaluation criteria for the tenure/promotion process and to make recommendations relating to clarity. The goal is to identify the committee by Chair nominations and volunteers, meet before January and elect a Chair, and have recommendations by March 15, 2016. Unit benchmarks will be solicited and reviewed for discipline specifics.

Dr. Brown-Wright wants faculty input into Faculty Development possibilities, especially relating to retention and graduation.

President Burse emphasized closing the gaps in advising processes to help address low retention and graduation rates. He reported that the 2010 freshmen cohort for graduation rates stands slightly over 10%. Since KSU adopted a zero financial balance there have been numerous dis-enrolled students from that cohort and the graduation rate at the end of this fiscal year is anyone's guess. He said a "whole new approach to advising" must be developed and adhered to that is always based on the catalogue basics and ladder curricula of degree programs. He said that availability of money to hire advisors is a problem.

President Burse is working on the issue of students not buying textbooks. While xeroxing readings is helpful it is not enough and financial aid options will possibly need to be implemented.

He emphasized the significance of the political changes pursuant to the gubernatorial election and that the new administration will want to know what the return is on the state's $24M investment in KSU. The 10% graduation rate is a “white flag” unless KSU takes ownership and responsibility.

During the question/answer period Regent McFayden emphasized KSU's transfer-out rate. President Burse reported that next year the CPE will begin tracking transfers and credit will be accrued to KSU if a student transfers out.

In response to Regent McFayden's concerns about Criminal Justice and Social Work understaffing, President Burse said he plans a search to fill those positions.

President Burse cited two anecdotal instances of questionable schedules for students as evidence of advising problems. A senator pointed out the varied considerations that impact students' need to take on-line classes; such as work-schedules, families and non-availability of lecture classes, and advised President Burse to not be so quick to "jump to conclusions" that the problem is always advising.

A discussion ensued regarding who is “qualified” to advise students per their major. Also, the advisement of all students below 30 credit hours by CAPS (The Center for Academic Persistence) was discussed. There are problems when advisors are not well informed on individual degree curriculum