Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting for March 21, 2005

Attendance:
Senators: Derek Mason (1288) David Luthy (2429) Stephen Bialkowski (1907) John Kras (3881) Bruce Miller (2232) Rob Morrison (1477) Shawn Olsen (451-3412) Gilberto Urroz (3379) Janis Boettinger (4026) Brent Miller (1180) Dale Blahna (2544) Adrianne Moore for Kevin Doyle

Guests: Jeff Johnson, AJ Rounds, Joyce Kinkead, Chris Fawson

Excused: Stan Albrecht (1167)

Janis Boettinger called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m.

Bruce Miller moved to approve the 28 February 2005 minutes as written. The motion, seconded by Rob Morrison, passed unanimously.

Announcements
The Faculty Library Endowment Drive is waiting for the “stamp of approval” from the Vice President of University Advancement Office. Faculty will receive a letter of encouragement and support along with a pledge card.

Consent Agenda
Joyce Kinkead presented the EPC Business. Byron Burnham and Christine Hult are proposing that the Center for Online Education name be changed to the Center for Open and Sustainable Learning (COSL). Stephen Bialkowski moved that the EPC business be placed on the consent agenda for the next Faculty Senate meeting. The motion, seconded by David Luthy, passed.

Jeff Johnson presented the PRPC summary report. Bruce Miller moved that the report be placed on the consent agenda. The motion, seconded by John Kras, passed.

Chris Fawson presented the Honorary Degrees and Awards report. There will be four honorary degree recipients: Bernice H. McCowin, David G. Sant, George R. Wanlass, and Niranjan R. Gandhi. The commencement Speaker for Spring 2005 will be Merlin Olsen. Stephen Bialkowski moved that the Honorary Degrees and Awards report be placed on the consent agenda. The motion, seconded by Derek Mason, passed.

Key Issues and Action Items
Stephen Bialkowki moved to place the appointment of Jeff Walter as the Parliamentarian for 2005-2006 as an action item on the next Faculty Senate agenda. The motion, seconded by Kevin Doyle, passed.

Shawn Olsen requested clarification on the Ombudsperson Proposal. The Provost Office will work on putting together a plan. Janis Boettinger suggested that Shawn draft up a one-page summary and submit it to the Provost’s Office with Extension’s questions and concerns.

Rob Morrison updated the committee on the revisions for the DEED committee. Dale Blahna moved that the recommendations with the addition of “and students” in the first bulleted list be sent to EPC. The motion, seconded by Rob Morrison, passed unanimously.

Janis Boettinger updated the committee on the elections. Almost all colleges have completed elections of senators and alternates. The Committees on Committees will poll senators, alternates, and Colleges/Units asking for volunteers to serve on committees that need faculty senate and faculty representatives.

AJ Rounds presented the Graduate Student Senate Budget Bill. Stephen Bialkowski moved to place the Budget Bill as an information item, depending on how well received the bill was received by the ASUSU council. The motion, seconded by Derek Mason, passed.

University Business
President Stan Albrecht presented the university business. The Northwest Accreditation Team will be performing the 10-year review. A faculty representative will be included on the committee for input. Noelle Cockett is working on a proposal for retention funds. Any thoughts and ideas should be directed to her. The College of Agriculture is moving quickly in allocating the dollars to move the Ag Facilities. Noelle Cockett is working on the merit increase parameters.

New Business
Jeff Johnson presented some items that PRPC will need to look at next year specifically the procedures for Promotion and Tenure that are required, but are not in the code and outside review letters. The committee agreed that these items were important and encouraged PRPC to look at them in greater detail.

Spring Faculty Forum
The Spring Faculty Forum is scheduled for March 28 at 3:00 in Eccles Conference Center, Auditorium. The draft agenda will include Domestic Partners Benefits proposals, TIAA-CREF retirement plans, proposed changes to health costs and status of benefits. The forum will be open to all faculty and staff.

Meeting adjourned at 4:20 pm.

Introduction: Educational Policies Committee
Report for Faculty Senate 5/2/05