after classes began they created a ‘nightmare’ for some students who suddenly had class conflicts and had to figure how to rearrange after they had already been attending classes. This is contradictory to the goal of retention of students. He said there was a huge problem created and there seems to be no willingness to recognize that fact.
Secretary Rye said that currently the problem remains the inconsistent administration of policy by different Chairs and this needs to be taken care of by higher administrators.
Chair Bigdeli said that Dr. Brown/Wright requested her to remind faculty that Distinguished Faculty nominations are due today.
Regent McFayden reported that the Board of Regents has narrowed health insurance bids to three, one of which he hopes works out because it's a much better deal and should be in place by May.
He was not impressed with the outside evaluation presentation. He reiterated various reasons for low graduation rates: high out of state tuition rates, financial aid, necessity of attending part-time and not graduating in four years.
There were fewer Ds, Ws, Fs this semester and more As than all D, W, Fs put together.
He said that we have 120 accounts that had procedural problems listed by the external audit report. Secretary Rye inquired about the State-Journal report that one citation was that several student's financial aid award did not indicate if they were in-state or out-of-state. Regent McFayden had no information on that.
Regarding the external review, President Smith said that using the ‘Trojan thing’ as a benchmark was fallacious since it was school of 43,000 students. Regent McFayden replied that the Board indeed noted that. Smith also pointed out that High Point University spent $74 million to make a “Disneyworld” campus and that their tuition has gone up 60% since their growth began. These are unreal benchmarks and goals for KSU. Regent McFayden added that none of the universities listed were comparable to KSU.
President Smith directed the Senate committees to discuss if the faculty is ready for a vote of no-confidence in the President. He reported that he keeps hearing the time is right. He said we are 'stagnated', little progress has been made in key areas, and it's time to send a message to the Board of Regents and the Governor.
Secretary Rye reported to the Senate that the Executive Committee has been asked to meet with President Burse and his cabinet tomorrow, Feb. 2 and they will report back to respective committees.
A Senator asked if the Board is aware of all the large administrative salaries, and President Smith said they must be since they approved them. Another Senator asked if it's possible to vote no confidence in the Board as well. The response was, yes.
The meeting adjourned at 4:36.
Minutes Submitted by: Reba Rye, Faculty Senate Secretary