Faculty Senate
August 21, 2020
9 a.m. via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
Minutes submitted by Danny Collum, Secretary
Call to order
Approval of agenda (5 minutes)
Amended agenda proposed by president with addition of time for Faculty Ombudsman report and more time for “Other Business.” Motion to approve, and agenda approved as amended.
Introduction of the executive committee 5 minutes Jason Keeler, President Phillip Clay Vice-President Danny Collum, Secretary Leigh Whittinghill, Parliamentarian
Helen Smith, Ex officio member as previous year's president
Update from Academic Affairs (15 minutes)
Dr. Yates sent a message saying that he will meet weekly with the Faculty Senate President and looks forward to working together with the Faculty Senate. Also, notice was made that all classes are to meet online the week of August 25 and that all non-instructional in-person activities for that week are cancelled.
Faculty Senate President Announcements/Report 20 minutes Microsoft Teams use for Senate
Dr. Keeler has established a Microsoft Teams “Team” for the Faculty Senate. This will be used to share all Faculty Senate documents in the interest of greater transparency. All Senate members may view documents at any time and all Executive Committee members are empowered to post and edit documents.
Teams also has a chat feature that is continuous and permanent and can be used for discussion of Faculty Senate issues. During discussion a request was made that access to view documents be granted to all faculty and Dr. Keeler agreed to do this.
Policies and issues that need to be addressed
Dr. Keeler displayed the Teams screen for the Faculty Senate Task Planner, which shows unfinished or continuing business from last year for each standing committee. These include, among others: The need for further work on the distance education policy and the lockdown browser, Incomplete grade policy. Access to ebooks. Aligning tenure and promotion standards for various units that were moved by the recent academic affairs reorganization. External advisory councils for academic programs. Oversight of the TOPS initiative. Policy for hiring chairs and program directors (i.e. term limits? Rotation?). Possible creation of a separate standing committee for Education Technology. Other concerns raised in the course of discussion included faculty workload, especially in sciences, and the process for hiring adjunct instructors.
6. Faculty Regent Report 10 minutes