ladders, as well as specific major requirements that must be taken the upcoming semester due to infrequency of offering.

One senator pointed out that, while he cannot speak to advising policies in other divisions, he has encountered issues with students showing up as newly declared majors, or in his class, who have been poorly advised to over-schedule degree classes without advancing properly in the liberal studies core.

Several senators made the case for inadequacies in the current system with CAPS and that faculty are the best informed to advise their majors. President Burse was responsive to that opinion and said he will reconsider that recommendation since he has been hearing this opinion since he first arrived.

Early finals for graduating seniors was discussed, with senators saying that the change in schedule was unfair to students due to a shortened semester in which to complete their coursework. President Burse said that he takes responsibility for the “administrative mess” that developed into the current situation and assured the Senate that it will “be better going forward.” There were conflicting opinions expressed by senators about the policy at other schools.

A senator asked if there are classes on December 8, Gubernatorial Inauguration, and the answer was no.

A senator asked about the status of the Distinguished Professor schedule. President Burse responded that responsibility is not in his office and VPAA Brown-Wright said she will get with Senate President Smith to discuss the issue.

There was a discussion about the significance of Scholarly/Creative Research in expectations of faculty at a “teaching institution.” President Burse said that, while we are first and foremost a teaching institution, he considers research to be a way to improve and enhance education. He said that KSU has chosen Student Engagement (student participation in symposiums/conferences and presentations/papers/exhibitions/performances) from six categories presented by the CPE on which to be evaluated. KSU will debate with CPE on where our percentage should be relative to graduates.

It was pointed out that historically we have not received funding for student participation in conferences, even when they have projects and papers accepted for presentation. President Burse reported that Greg Rush is working on an “Instructional Improvement Fund” based on the number of faculty within a unit.

Chair of the BASC, Scott Ross, said that his committee has yet to receive a line-item budget. President Burse said to email him directly again and he will respond. Chair Ross inquired of the additional budgetary concerns that the Committee has asked about in two previous emails pertaining to the contingency plan for balancing the budget that was presented to the Board of Regents. This plan calls for: 1.) a 10% reductions in headcount and 2.) use of the University General Account, which includes equipment and equipment attrition expenses for academics. President Burse responded that units supplied him with the 10% headcount reduction contingency plan but none have been implemented to date. He pointed out that if it should become necessary in the Spring the percentage may be double. He verified that the University General account is still held in reserve for balancing the budget but that select necessary expenditures have been approved. BASC Vice-Chair Rye pointed out that some of the money encumbered in the University General account includes equipment specific for instruction and, as such, instruction has been cut. The President said that only a small percentage is in that category but indicated that units could submit requests for such items that are essential for instruction.