The first regularly scheduled meeting of the AY 2017-18 Faculty Senate was called to order at 3:18 pm on Friday, August 25, 2017, Cooperative Extension Room 238. The meeting was changed from Monday August 21 to Friday August 25 due to conflict with the solar eclipse. The agenda was approved.
President Hampton reported that Provost/VPAA Thomas and President Brown had been in a meeting since 10:00 and that President Brown is unable to attend Senate meeting today due to a wedding. She did not hear from Dr. Thomas. Neither were in attendance.
President Hampton reported she met briefly with VPAA/Provost Thomas as an introductory welcome.
David Shabazz is at home and recuperating. Joe Moffett is acting Chair of LLP in his absence.
President Hampton said we should strive for “All Things Excellent”. She reported that Senator Rye brought to her attention that area coordinators do not have contracts but are currently performing their duties. President Hampton sent a message to Dr. Thomas requesting to speak with her about this and other issues.
There was discussion about the status of Tenure and Promotion and unit reviews but there is no definitive information.
President Hampton suggested that Senate officers should consider recusing themselves from committee chair positions in order to have more senators on the Executive Committee, resulting in more unit diversity. While there is no policy in prohibition of this, she suggested that PCC take this issue up for discussion. Also, it had been pointed out to her that traditionally senate presidents chose to not be assigned to a specific committee in order to be available as an ex-officio member of all committees. However, she pointed out that current policy does not actually prohibit the Senate President serving on one of the four standing committees.
FY17 Senate President Kim Sipes suggested the ad hoc committee established in the spring to review the Senate Bylaws and Constitution be used to review and revise policies since PCC has a lot of work to do this year already.
President Hampton reported that administration and board will probably revisit the dean structure. She said that she supports the dean model and that President Brown does as well.
Erin Gilliam and Asha French volunteered to serve on the standing university Election Committee.
Wilfred Reilly is currently a faculty representative on the All University Court, Shannon Brogan has expressed willingness to serve, and Sharon McGee volunteered. This fills the faculty positions.
Senate has a vacancy in nursing representation. All nursing faculty, except current Senator Patti Marraccini, are either first year employees or in visiting positions. An alternative process for naming a representative for nursing will be investigated.
As Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Resolutions, charged by the FY17 Faculty Senate, Senator Rye presented the committee's report and highlighted some of the findings. The committee found that