| Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes for February 7, 2005
Call to Order Minutes Key Issues & Action Items Stephen Bialkowski moved to approve the proposed changes to policy 8.3, Procedures for Promotion, as written (See Attached). The motion, seconded by Richard Sherlock, unanimously passed. Information Items for Discussion Ronda Callister presented some data from the Advance Grant that provided the rationale for the following two proposed code changes forwarded by PRPC. Ronda Callister presented the proposed code change to reconstitute the Promotion Advisory Committee 3 Years after Tenure. There is concern that after faculty reach tenure, there is little guidance in being promoted to full professor. The early meeting with the promotion advisory committee is not designed to be an evaluation of the candidate, but to provide mentoring -- an opportunity to answer questions and provide guidance. There was discussion of how this would affect Post Tenure Review and if there is a real need. Please send comments and suggestions to Ronda Callister at 797-1905 or ronda.callister@usu.edu. Christine Hult presented the Ombudsperson Proposal forwarded by PRPC. Currently there are three colleges that use ombudspersons: Engineering, HASS, Natural Resources. The ombudsperson acts as a mediator and ensures that committee meetings are fair and unbiased. There was discussion of training and ranking of these individuals. Please send comments and suggestions to Christine Hult at 797-8619 or Christine.hult@usu.edu. Action Items Kathy Piercy moved to accept Mike Freeman as Barry Franklin’s replacement on the Athletic Council. The motion, seconded by Ronda Callister, passed with one abstention. Consent Agenda Information Items Heidi Beck updated the senate on the Web for Faculty. They are going live on April 11, 2005. Web for Faculty will have the same functions that it currently has. If you have suggestions for the new functions, submit them to Heidi Beck at heidi.beck@usu.edu. Rob Morrison reminded the senate that Utah State has a Faculty Mediation Service. For more information visit the website at http://www.usu.edu/aia/academic/mediation.cfm. Janis Boettinger asked the senate if they would like to have a Spring Faculty Forum on “Benefits”. This would be a non-legislative, non decision making meeting. Faculty would be invited to attend along with representatives from Human Resources to help facilitate the forum. Derek Mason reported on the Faculty Leadership Workshop with Dr. Jared Bleak. The workshop was very stimulating. Jared focused on Faculty Senate being more issue-driven and creative in Faculty Senate meetings, i.e., developing a strategic agenda and case studies. Derek commented that if the Faculty Senate is viewed as irrelevant, the administration may try to work around Faculty Senate than through it. Jared Bleak talked about a continuous agenda. Faculty offered some ideas for this agenda, including academic qulaity, post retirement prescription benefits, gender equity across the board, and academic freedom. Please send ideas to Christina Palmer at Christina.palmer@usu.edu or 797-0945. Adjournment |