Professional Concerns Committee – Caroline Gibson: Chair Gibson reported that PCC has been working on several items, but the committee has no Action Items to bring forward at this time. She has received back from Faculty some old items that were previously brought before PCC but had not passed Senate. For instance,

The Science Faculty wants a calculation of load

The Peer evaluation form needs reviewing, as it has not been reviewed/revised since 1991

Stipends for Area Coordinators

President Moffett mentioned that the item about Faculty being able to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts has been signed by the Provost and University President Brown. Senator McKay stated that this item is now with HR and the General Counsel, and they are drafting the letter for the process.

Curriculum Committee – Leigh Whittinghill: Chair Whittinghill reported that the committee had no action items, though they have started to review some items. She reiterated that all the forms faculty need to submit new course proposals are on the Faculty Senate website. She reminded faculty that if they are working on a course proposal or a curricular change, they should make sure they get the forms from the right place and all the necessary signatures. She stated that Wednesday, September 27th is the submission deadline for Spring Schedule implementation.

A Senator pointed out that because there is no longer an Office of Graduate Studies or a Graduate Council, getting items approved at the graduate level will be very challenging; he asked, how should we proceed? Deputy Provost Sipes responded that, for now, faculty proposing graduate curricular items should follow the same Curriculum Committee process as for undergraduate courses and skip the Graduate Council part of the process. CC Chair Whittinghill noted that her committee was not sure that every department had a Chair or Assistant Chair, so in that case, she asked, who would sign CC forms on those lines? Sipes responded that Nursing has an Interim Chair, but all other departments have a Chair.

A Senator stated that the Music department was recently approached by a community member who wants to offer music classes/workshops in the community, and perhaps at the King's Center. He asked, what would the department need to do to create an internship situation with the King's Center, and have it count towards their departmental certificate in Music Technology? Chair Whittinghill responded that this would need to be a new course proposal.

Budget and Academic Support Committee – Phillip Clay: Chair Clay reported that the committee discussed the following items:

Classroom upgrades: it was recommended that the committee conduct a survey of faculty about classroom conditions. If such an assessment has already been done, the committee would like to see that data. President Brown wants to review recommendations of the committee regarding upgrades upon completion of this survey.

A forthcoming meeting with Mr. Douglas R. Allen, II, Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Dr. Lucian Yates, III, Interim-Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The committee will meet with Allen and Yates to discuss issues relating to Faculty and the Instructional Budget. In advance of this meeting, the committee has sent Allen and Yates questions regarding allocations in the Instructional Budget.

According to a faculty-salary survey, KSU salaries are on par compared to those at other HBCU's.

The university is experiencing a decline of $4M in grant funding; however, upon re-initiation of Title III funding, an additional $100K for faculty travel will become available.

At their next meeting, BASC will discuss the costs/benefits of etextbooks vs. print texts.