Minutes for May 6, 2013
The Faculty Senate of Eastern Kentucky University met on Monday, May 6, 2013, in the South Ballroom of the Keen Johnson Building. Senator Pressley called the eighth meeting of the academic year to order at approximately 3:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The April 1, 2013 minutes were approved as written.
REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT: Senator Whitlock
Senator Whitlock shared the following on the strategic budget reallocation process.
- Considerable progress has been made toward identifying the $23 million goal set by the Board of Regents. Please keep in mind that this is a two-year process.
- More than 100 staff members, administrators, and others have elected to participate in the voluntary buy out. So, that should mean that there will be fewer administrators at Eastern Kentucky University moving forward.
- Some of the VBO-created vacancies will ultimately be filled, but the staff in HR, EEO and legal is working closely to make certain that proper procedures are utilized in those cases.
- Some of the VBO elections provide real opportunities for strategic reorganization.
- The Task Force has received numerous suggestions from faculty, staff, and students regarding academic and administrative areas of the University that can be looked at for possible efficiencies and savings. The Task Force will continue to review all comments and suggestions.
Last week the University and Community College System presidents had an opportunity to meet with Governor Beshear. The Governor indicated a willingness to show support for higher education with the General Assembly.
At the regular meeting of the Presidents last week, the conversation continued around strategy for the coming biennial budget session of the legislature which will begin next January.
Senator Whitlock shared some highlights from his past six years as President.
- Some major steps have been taken toward the maturation of shared governance on campus.
- Remarkable accomplishments of faculty and students. Awards, books, professional recognition, Fulbrights, Trumans, and Goldwaters are on the rise.
- 100 percent success rate in seeking reaccreditations and reaffirmation of existing accreditations.
- Creation of three doctoral programs.
- Status as “One of America’s Great Colleges to Work” is a point of pride, as is that list of recognitions that no other institution in America can claim.
- Being the institution that is “Best for Vets” is an honorable distinction that has caught the eye of the White House and is the reason Michelle Obama will speak at commencement on Saturday.
- The building of New Science Building Phase I, the Center for the Arts, and the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity.
- The acquisition of Elmwood.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Lectureship Policy 4.6.10. Senator Thieme made a motion to approve the Lectureship Policy, seconded by Senator Barracca.
Senator Summers moved to amend the motion to strongly urge the Senate and the University to retain the current notification schedule in the lectureship policy in paragraph three (noted below), seconded by Senator O’Brien. Motion carried.
LANGUAGE TO RETAIN:
Notice of non-reappointment or of intention not to recommend reappointment will comply with AAUP standards as follows: (a) Not later than March 1 of the first academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year or, if a one-year appointment terminates during the academic year, at last three months in advance of its termination; (b) not later than December 15 of the second academic year of service if the appointment expires at the end of that year or if an initial two-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least six months in advance of its termination; and (c) at least twelve months before the expiration of an appointment after two or more years at Eastern Kentucky University.
Senator Summers made a motion, seconded by Senator Maloley, to keep the statement in the current policy requiring comparable compensation be retained, specifically on the second page, the first paragraph, “lecturers and senior lecturers will receive compensation comparable to that of tenure track faculty teaching similar courses and will receive comparable health insurance, life insurance, and retirement contributions.” Motion failed for lack of support.
The original motion, as amended, was approved.
Bereavement Leave Policy 8.2.2. Senator Thieme made a motion to approve the Bereavement Leave Policy, seconded by Senator Pianalto.
Senator Frazer moved to amend the motion to add the word “usually” in the first line on the top of page four, seconded by Senator Schneid. Motion failed for lack of support.
Senator Day moved, seconded by Senator Palmer, to add the following sentence at the end of the statement at the top of page 4, “In no case shall an eligible employee be charged for a bereavement day if that day falls on a University holiday or if the campus is closed.” The motion to amend carried.
The main motion, as amended, carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Report from Council on Academic Affairs - Senator Vice
Program Revisions
College of Arts & Sciences
- Art B.A.
Correct and reformat the degree options and degree program descriptions. Revise Teacher Education option. Add Art Education courses to the Liberal Arts Option. - Minor in Interactive Multimedia
Replace CSC 120 and 250 with 140 and 308 - Computer Science B.S.
Add courses and revise requirements in the program - Mathematics Teaching B.S.
Change prefix for MAE 475 and clean up duplicate Language - Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Require new course PSY 876 to replace a required elective
College of Business & Technology
- Computer Information Systems B.B.A.
Add CIS 420, 430 into and delete CIS 400 from part of the major elective courses. - BBA in Marketing/Professional Golf Management Option
Reduce each co-op Experience from 1 credit hour to 5 credit hour, change course requirement from NFA 445 to NFA 449, add the PGA Playing Ability Test, PGA Education Levels 1-3 tests, and the PGA Final Experience as graduation requirements, and add a new two credit hour course. - Career & Technical Education M.S.
Update name of Technology Education Option. Update program core to reflect new research course. Revise Occupational Training & Development Option to reflect changes in the Supporting Work area. - Applied Engineering Management B.S.
Add AEM 310W to the core courses - B.S. and M.S. in Applied Engineering Management Accelerated 3+2 Dual Degree Program
Create 3+2 Dual Degree Program in Applied Engineering Management. - Construction Management B.S.
Revise references to Gen. Ed. 4 and Gen. Ed. Information within the program description - B.S. and M.S. in Construction Management Accelerated 3+2 Dual Degree Program
Create 3+2 Dual Degree Program in Construction Management - Network Security and Electronics B.S.
Add AEM 310W to the course options - B.S. and M.S. in Networks Security and Electronics Accelerated 3+2 Dual Degree Program
Create 3+2 Dual Degree Program in Networks Security and Electronics - Accounting B.B.A.
Addition of options for the accounting major. An accounting core will be required for either the public accounting or management accounting option. Existing major requirements will complete the public accounting option. - Master of Business Administration
Change prerequisites for admission
College of Education
- Deaf Studies B.A., American Sign Language and Interpreter Education
Update Catalog language to reflect department policies and program goals. Create a formal "Pre-ASL and English Interpretation" and "Pre-Deaf Studies" designation - M.A. in Student Personnel Services in Higher Education
Revise program name and requirements - MAED in Instructional Leadership
Revise admission and exit requirements - Specialist in Education: Educational Administration & Supervision
Revision of entire program description and requirements. All existing language is being removed and new language provided - MAED Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Non-Teaching
Move from Option B to Option A - MAT Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
Remove CDF 747 and add EGC 840 - MAED Communication Disorders
Modify admission requirements and clarify Teacher Certification Requirements - B.S. Communication Disorders
Revise course options and requirements in the program.
College of Health Sciences
- Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)
Revise catalog changes to reflect that the program is fully online and to identify Core course to make change from 1 to 3 credits for seminar courses and to correct typos. - Public Health B.S.
Drop HEA 480 and add HEA 480W to Core courses - Community Health Education Minor (Non-Teaching)
Drop HEA 480 and add HEA 480W - School Health, P-12 Minor (Teaching)
Drop HEA 480 and add HEA 480W to requirements - Physical Education - Fitness & Wellness Option
Delete REC 102/290 from support, Add HEA 202 and 5 hours of different PHE 190 or 390 courses to support - Minor in Recreation & Park Administration (Non-Teaching)
Reflect new course and more options for students
College of Justice and Safety
- Minor in Emergency Medical Care
Update language and program requirements - Paramedicine A.S.P.
Reflect the addition of new courses, EMC 342L and 353L - Emergency Medical Care B.S.
Reflect the addition of new courses EMC 342L and 353L - Master of Science in SSEM Major Revision
Revise required courses; remove EAD 840 as required course for Option in School Safety - Certificate in School Safety
Remove EAD 840 as a required course
Program Suspensions
College of Business and Technology
College of Justice and Safety
Action Items
- Associate of General Studies (A.G.S. Degree Program, General Education language edits (University Programs)
- Success First Initiative, SI-Admit Type, Undergraduate Catalog language (Office of Admissions)
- Colonel Connection Program, Catalog Language for Transfer Students (Office of Admissions)
- Changes to Graduate Catalog Description for Graduate Assistantships (Graduate School)
- Proposal to Extend Withdrawal Deadline to 12th week and Return to an Online Withdrawal Process (Office of the Registrar)
- Academic Bankruptcy Revisions (Office of the Registrar)
Senator Vice moved approval of items 1-35, seconded by Senator Smith. Motion carried.
Senator Vice moved approval of items 36-38, seconded by Senator Summers. Motion carried.
Senator Vice moved approval of item 39, seconded by Senator Summers. Motion carried.
Senator Vice moved approval of item 40, seconded by Senator Spock. Motion carried.
Senator Vice moved approval of item 41, seconded by Senator Day. Motion carried.
Senator Vice moved approval of item 42, seconded by Senator Roush. Motion carried.
Senator Vice moved approval of item 43, seconded by Senator Summers. Motion carried.
Senator Vice moved approval of item 44, seconded by Senator Corley. Motion carried.
GENERAL & STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Senator Pressley
The Faculty Senate Executive Committee met on Monday, April 22nd to set the agenda for the May Faculty Senate meeting.
Upcoming policy reviews include Post Tenure Review, Termination of Faculty, and the Evaluation of Academic Administrators. Drafting teams are already working on each of the three proposed policies.
The Faculty Regent election results have been finalized and posted to the Faculty Senate website. Congratulations to Dr. Amy Thieme who was elected as the new Faculty Regent. The Part-Time Faculty Representative election results are also posted on the Faculty Senate website. Congratulations to Dr. Deanna Kasitz on becoming the Part-Time Faculty Representative.
The Faculty Task Force for Student Retention met on April 16thto discuss the new advising model and complete its review of transfer students. A report was submitted to the Provost on these topics with ideas and recommendations for improvement.
Senator Vice reported that the report from the SBRTF is due to the Board of Regents on May 1st. She was hopeful that the BOR would provide some feedback on the plan after the meeting on April 30th. Continuing Education and Outreach has been decentralized. The Regional Campuses (Corbin, Danville, Manchester) will remain intact and the administration is trying to determine how to move forward with those campuses.
After the formal reports were given, some members of the Executive Committee expressed their concerns about recent administrative vacancies and placements on the campus. To that effect, the Executive Committee may propose a motion expressing its concerns with fair hiring as they relate to EEOC policies or other hiring policies in place at EKU.
REPORT FROM FACULTY REGENT: Senators Frisbie & Thieme
Senator Frisbie shared the following in his written report.
The Board met during a special meeting on April 5 to consider finalists for EKU’s 12thpresident. The Board invited members of the Presidential Search and Screening Committee (PSSC) to participate in a discussion of the finalists (Michael Benson, Southern Utah University; Gregg Lassen, Lamar University; and Alan Shao, College of Charleston) during a closed, executive session of the meeting. Discussion incorporated impressions of PSSC members and Board members, feedback from faculty, staff, students, and the greater EKU community. After receiving input from the PSSC, the Board continued its discussion with only Board members and a consultant from Academic Search present. Upon return to open session, the Board voted unanimously to invite Dr. Michael Benson to join EKU as its next president.
Senator Thieme shared the following from the April 30 BOR meeting.
The Board heard informational reports from the Finance and Planning Committee and the Executive and Academic Affairs Committee.
The Board approved the following actions items from the Finance and Planning Committee: increases to undergraduate tuition: a $108 (2.95%) tuition increase for resident full time students and a $9 increase for students taking less than 12 hours, exclusive of online courses, per semester; the increase for targeted (continuing nonresident) students is $564 (9.51% increase) and $47 increase for students taking less than 12 hours, exclusive of online courses, per semester; the tuition increase for nonresident (new and continuing) is $72 (.87%) for full time students and a $6 increase for students taking less than 12 hours, exclusive of online courses, per semester. An increase of $15 (3.95%) per credit hour for all residency types for online courses was approved. All credit hour online programs will be assessed at $395, exclusive of residency types. The Board also approved the following increases to graduate tuition rates (CPE does not set standards for graduate tuition rates): residents - $15 increase (3.41%) per credit hour to $455, exclusive of online courses; nonresident - $10 increase (1.30%) per credit hour to $780, exclusive of online courses. Online courses will increase by $15 (3.33%) for all residency types while online program increases will vary by program. A Doctorate of Education will increase by $25 per credit hour while a Doctorate of Nursing and Doctorates of Occupational Therapy credit hours will be assessed at $610 per credit hour.
The Board also approved a 3% increase in meal plan rates. A 5% resident hall rate increase was also approved. Proposed miscellaneous salary rates (faculty compensation for summer school, adjunct faculty rates, work study wages, etc.) for 2013-2014 were also approved (there will be no changes from the 2012-2013 rates).
The Guidelines utilized in the development of the 2013-2014 Operating Budget was approved. Included in these guidelines are the proposed tuition rate increases; the continuation of revenue sharing of any net profit associated with online programs; a Model Lab tuition increase of $500 per year (as a long-term plan for Model to become more fully supported by its tuition, fees, and Madison County appropriations); an increase in recharges by $147,000; a fund of $500,000 by University Housing will not be provided in 2013-14; fixed costs will increase by $141,500; the institutional financial aid expense will increase by $154,000; and expenses associated with annual promotional changes within the faculty ranks are expected to be approximately $80,000.
The Executive and Academic Affairs Committee presented the following action items to the Board (all were approved): personnel actions; an amendment to the voluntary buy-out program (this amendment amends the Definitions to include the term “additional eligible employee” meaning a VP or Strategic Board Reallocation Task Force member – a SBRTF member who holds faculty rank would not qualify); recommendations for promotion and tenure; faculty emeritus nominations; Policy Revisions 4.2.3 Determining the Amount and Level of Academic Credit; Policy 4.6.5 Evaluation of Non-Tenured Tenure Track faculty; CAA Program Revisions, Program Suspensions, and New Programs; New Admission Standards*; and candidates for May 2013 commencement.
The Institutional Advancement and Honors Committee presented the following action item to the Board: to award honorary degrees to Ms. Michelle Obama, Mr. Silas House, and Dr. Charles Wethington Jr. (approved). Dr. Malcolm Frisbie was honored by the Board with a Resolution of Appreciation for serving with distinction as a member of the Eastern Kentucky University Board of Regents. The Board approved the naming of the SSB to the “Charles Douglas Whitlock Building.” The Board also approved to confer President Emeritus status for Dr. Charles Douglas Whitlock.
The Student Life, Discipline and Athletics Committee presented the Registered Student Organization Banking Policy Revisions to the Board for approval. The revisions include eliminating the requirement for RSOs to be registered for three years with the Office of Student Life before opening off-campus banking accounts. The Policy was approved.
The new university admissions standards were also approved.
The last item of business was a vote by the Board to give Mr. Craig Turner, Chair of the Board of Regents, the authority to develop the personnel contract for incoming president, Dr. Michael Benson. This action was approved.
The next quarterly meeting of the Board will be in June.
PROVOST REPORT: Senator Vice
Senator Vice announced that David Coleman has agreed to serve as Interim Director of the Honors program for the next two years. During the second year, a national search will be launched for a permanent replacement and the interim and other internal candidates may apply.
Dr. Minh Nguyen has agreed to continue to serve as the Coordinator of the Chautauqua and as the Associate Director for the Honors Program.
The national search for an AVP for Institutional Effectiveness has been placed on hold and Stacy Street has agreed to serve as interim in that position.
The second annual Assurance of Learning day is scheduled for Friday, September 27th.
There will continue to be increased emphasis on professional advisors for scheduling and general advising questions.
Beginning this fall, faculty will be asked to give a four-week progress report in all 100 and 200-level classes.
The administration will continue to review salary compression and equity issues.
Provost Vice and the deans will be going to the regional campuses on May 15 to talk about a new focus for the regional campuses.
If schedules permit, join the Provost for lunch on Wednesday in the Powell cafeteria.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION: Sarah Carpenter
Below are some of the issues that the Student Government Association will be reviewing next year.
- Working on ways to ensure profit for the campus from off-campus flex dollars
- Supporting the newly proposed advising model
- Improving safety for students
- Improving school spirit by hopefully establishing a “Maroon Monday”
- Continuing to promote the E-ranks program
STRATEGIC PLANNING/FINANCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL: Senator Pressley
The Council met on Tuesday, April 23rd to receive an update from the Strategic Budget Reallocation Task Force chairs. Once again, the Council discussed the proposed tuition waiver plan from the Strategic Budget Reallocation Task Force (SBRTF). A unanimous vote in favor of the waiver proposed by the SBRTF was taken. The tuition waiver as proposed will give employees a TOTAL of nine (9) hours. Employees may use only six (6) hours per term. Dependents, however, may use the entire nine (9) hours each term. Undergraduate courses will be covered whether the courses are in class or online. Master’s and doctoral level courses will only be covered at the master’s in class rate. The employee must pay the remaining tuition. The President and Board of Regents will make the final decision on the proposed tuition waiver.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Academic Quality Committee. Senator Corley reported that the committee has completed all assigned charges except for one. The charge to review the academic quality of distance learning courses will be continued in the fall.
Budget Committee. Senator Hatcher gave the summary report on the pay issues and equity survey. Around 340 faculty members completed the survey. Below are two of the main highlights from the data received.
- A large majority of the faculty felt that there were pay inequities in their department. 57% said that it was very important, 30% said it was somewhat important.
- One of the questions asked if there were additional funds in the future to address pay issues, what would you support? 40% said across the board cuts and 35% said equity with merit
Elections & University Nominations Committee. Senator Pressley thanked the committee for their excellent work on the Faculty Regent and Part-Time Faculty elections.
Rights and Responsibilities Committee. Senator Maloley reported that the committee has just started reviewing the policy on the evaluation of full-time faculty not eligible for tenure and will continue to work on this in the fall.
Faculty Welfare Committee. Senator Nowak reported that a short survey was sent to faculty Senators on April 1st. Twenty departments responded and a number of issues were identified. The Faculty Welfare Committee plans on developing a more detailed survey to be sent out fall 2013. Based on the results of that survey, the committee will identify issues on which to focus.
She also shared a written report on the comparison of benefits at EKU with those at benchmark institutions.
ADJOURNMENT:
Senator Vice moved to adjourn at approximately 5:40 p.m.
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