Minutes for December 3, 2018

The Faculty Senate of Eastern Kentucky University met on Monday, December 3, 2018 in the South Ballroom in the Keen Johnson Building. Chair Winslow called the fourth meeting of the academic year to order at approximately 3:30 p.m.

The following members were absent:

^* Indicates prior notification of absence to the Faculty Senate Secretary
^ ALT Nathan Jasinski attended for R. Byrd
^ ALT Ginny Whitehouse attended for J. Fitch
^ ALT Kim Creech attended for A. Gossage
^ ALT Fontaine Sands attended for L. Jones
^ ALT David Fifer attended for B. Young

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chair Winslow reminded senators to let him and/or the secretary know of any anticipated changes in membership for the spring semester.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Senator Dyer moved approval of the November 5, 2018 minutes, seconded by Senator Woodruff. Motion carried. (YES = 51 votes | NO = 1 vote | ABSTAIN = 0 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

EKU FORWARD:

Senator Hartch made the following recommendation:

• Establish an infrastructure for faculty organizations similar to student organizations.

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT:  Senator Benson

EKU now has an articulation agreement with Bermuda College which will allow their students to transfer easily to EKU to enroll in the online Bachelor’s Degree in Risk Management and Insurance.

The Board of Regents will meet on Wednesday, January 9th.

Pending Board of Regents approval, the asset preservation fee that has been collected over the past several months will be used for teaching spaces on campus. The first item slated for renovation will be the Ferrell Room in the Combs Building. Later, additional spaces for updates include the math classrooms in Wallace and the renovation of the Moore Building.

Next week we have some discussions in Frankfort about the pension. That continues to be top of mind for all of the public comprehensive universities. We are working diligently with our sister institutions to see if we can come up with some solutions that will not further hamstring us as we move forward with performance funding in the future.

Just a reminder that the tuition benefit whereby you can go to another school and other schools can send their students here will continue through the spring semester.

With roots dating back to 1874, our University has weathered many changes. Each new era brings the opportunity to serve our students, our service region and our Commonwealth in new and different ways. What has become timeless over the last 144 years, however, is our commitment to a quality education, and — just as importantly — delivering that education through exceptionally caring faculty and staff who make our students feel like part of a family.

Recently, John Strada, a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication, has been recognized for going above and beyond for those values. He received the Vernon Gantt Award for Distinguished Service from the Kentucky Communication Association for his commitment to service and experiential learning in the classroom. Outside the classroom, Strada was named EKU’s first faculty-in-residence at Martin Hall, choosing to live on campus this semester in order to help students become more comfortable interacting with professors.

In another recent distinction for the Department of Communication, the Public Relations program has once again earned the Certification in Education for Public Relations (CEPR) administered by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Educational Affairs. EKU has held this distinction the second longest of any university in the world. Only 40 programs worldwide are certified, and Kentucky has only two collegiate programs certified — Eastern and WKU.

We have a lot to be proud of this year. During these few remaining weeks of 2018, we can all reflect on EKU’s many achievements. Here are just a few of them:

• EKU has received the 2018 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from Insight into Diversity magazine for the third consecutive year.
• Eastern’s aviation program was one of only two public universities nationwide represented on panel discussions at the Aviation Workforce Symposium held recently in Lexington.
• Our four-year graduation rate continues its steady rise. It has more than doubled in an eight-year span.
• Our freshman class is the best academically prepared class in recent history.
• Our University is again among the leading four-year schools nationally in the annual Military Times: Best for Vets rankings. EKU finished 12th in the recently announced 2019 rankings. That’s the top in Kentucky and surrounding states. The next-highest-ranking institution in Kentucky came in at number 40.
• EKU’s new Science Building now has 120 solar modules to help the campus increase its renewable energy supply and reduce its carbon footprint.
• A LEED Gold plaque now adorns a wall in the Science Building atrium. LEED is the most prestigious green building rating system in the world, and its recognition of EKU testifies to the University’s focus on energy efficiency and environmental design. 

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Student Recruitment and Retention. Dr. Gill Hunter and Dr. Brett Morris were in attendance to provide information on student recruitment and retention and to address concerns raised during the October EKU Forward discussion. Review pages 7 & 8 of their report to learn about ways faculty can participate in recruitment and retention of students.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Policy 11.2.4 – Information Security. Senator Bishop-Ross moved approval of Policy 11.2.4, seconded by Senator Fleischer. Motion carried. (YES = 49 votes | NO = 0 votes | ABSTAIN = 3 votes) (See Also: Individual Votes)

Policy 9.3.3 – Governing Time, Place and Manner of Demonstrations, Meetings, and Other Assemblies. Senator Brewer moved approval of Policy 9.3.3, seconded by Senator Woodruff. Motion carried. (YES = 48 votes | NO = 1 vote | ABSTAIN = 4 votes) (See Also: Individual Votes)

NEW BUSINESS:

Policies Introduced for First Read. Chair Winslow presented the following policies for first read and stated that action is anticipated at the February meeting.

• Policy 4.1.1 – Academic Freedom
• Policy 4.7.9 – Limitations on Academic Work while under Contract to Teach at Eastern (recommending repeal)
• Policy 4.3.12 – Degree Completion for Accomplished Professionals (recommending repeal)
• Policy 4.7.7 – Consulting and Outside Activities by Faculty

Report from Council on Academic Affairs.  Vice Provost Robinson presented the following materials.

Senator Ciocca moved approval of items 1-10, seconded by Senator Woodruff. Motion carried. (YES = 50 votes | NO = 1 vote | ABSTAIN = 2 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

Volunteers Needed for a University Committee. Chair Winslow asked for two faculty volunteers to serve on the new Parking Appeals Committee. Senator Julie George and Alternate Nathan Jasinski volunteered to serve for spring 2019 only.

GENERAL & STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

REPORT FROM SENATE CHAIR: Senator Winslow

During the October Faculty Senate meeting a Senator brought up the issue of students adding a class either late in the add/drop period or after. There was some question as to the impact on students’ performance if they add the course after the first day if that means they have missed a substantial portion of the course. The Executive Committee asked Drs. Gill Hunter and Tanlee Wasson to address this issue at the November XC meeting. Dr. Hunter pointed out that our last day to add is 6 days after the semester begins which closely follows the process used by other Kentucky institutions. Following that discussion they shared the following information.

This semester, we have experienced some technical issues with the TurningPoint software used to collect votes during Senate meetings. Jonathan Sikora and others from IT have worked diligently on this issue and have come up with a solution. Mr. Sikora has briefed members of the Faculty Senate IT Committee on the solution, and they will continue to operate the software during Senate meetings. Thanks to Mr. Sikora and his colleagues in IT, and members of the Senate IT Committee for saving the University the money a new version of the software would cost, and helping us to meet our obligations for open meetings and open records.

REPORT FROM FACULTY REGENT: Senator Day

On December 18, President Benson and most members of the Board will be attending the “invitation-only” 2018 Postsecondary Education Symposium in Louisville. Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow will present the keynote address discussing his model for reinventing postsecondary education institutions for the 21st century. Governor Matt Bevin will address the group at lunch.

The next quarterly meeting of the EKU Board of Regents has been scheduled for January 9, 2019. As of this writing, the specific time, location, and agenda are yet to be determined.

A likely change of leadership on the Board of Regents is anticipated in January.

Speaking of leadership, I am very pleased that President Benson will continue serving EKU for the foreseeable future. As you might imagine, the Board was already reviewing search firm contracts and was preparing to hit the ground running with an expanded search committee if he had been selected for the job in Charleston, SC.

REPORT FROM FACULTY CLUB BOARD OF GOVERNORS: Senator Ciocca

The Faculty Club originated in 1940 when faculty salaries were garnished to establish three rooms in the Keen Johnson Building for the purpose of creating an environment where faculty, staff, and their guests could relax and exchange ideas.

The Faculty Club has been in continuous use for that purpose over the years, with the most recent mention in the minutes of the Senate of November 2016, when the Senate voted to reconstitute the Board of Governors as a standing University committee. A subsequent vote in March 2017 led to approval of a new constitution for the Faculty club.

The rooms in the Keen Johnson in which the Faculty Club resides have gone through extensive renovations and now host refreshments, courtesy of President Benson, all day before each Senate meeting.

Details and activities of the newly renovated facility can be found on the Faculty Club Website: https://facultyclub.eku.edu/.

Currently, the Faculty Club hosts a weekly Brown Bag Lunch, details of which can be found in the above website.

PROVOST REPORT: Senator Whitehouse

As most of you know, this is my last Faculty Senate meeting as your Interim Provost. I feel fortunate to have been part of Eastern’s great tradition and to have worked with the talented faculty, staff, and administration that make EKU special. I have loved this University from my first days on campus. It has been an honor to have been part of the EKU family and history.

As we prepare for wintry weather and the possibility of delays and cancellations in the coming months, now is a good time to revisit our Inclement Weather Plan and review other important information regarding inclement weather.

Please mark the following upcoming dates on your calendars:

• December 5 – 2018 Showcase of Teaching & Learning Innovations. (10:10 a.m. – 1:10 p.m., FCT&L)
• December 5 – TILT Session: Using the Transparency in Learning & Teaching (TILT) Model to Enhance Rubric and Assessment Design. (2:30 – 3:20 p.m., FCT&L)
• January 9 – Deadline for Spring 2019 FCT&L Course Proposals.
• Jan. 28-Feb. 1 – 2019 DEEP Week.
• February 1 – Application deadline for the 2018-2019 Annual Faculty Awards.
• February 8 – Submission deadline for the 2019 Pedagogicon.
• February 21 – Posters-at-the-Capitol
• May 17 – Pedagogicon 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Academic Quality Committee. Senator Koger stated that they are continuing to work on their charge.

Elections & University Nominations Committee. Senator McCardle shared a copy of the criteria and procedures and ballot petition form for the upcoming Faculty Regent Election in the spring as well as a proposed timeline.

Rules Committee. Senator Bishop-Ross reported that the committee met with Vice Provost Robinson who informed them that part seven of the Faculty Handbook is completely under the purview of the Senate. So the committee plans to begin working on re-defining the definition of faculty and the different classes of faculty. In addition, Senator Gremp is checking with other Kentucky institutions to see if they classify their president as a faculty member, since our president is considered a faculty member but our provost is not.

ADJOURNMENT:

Senator Whitehouse moved to adjourn at approximately 4:45pm.

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(See Also:  Polling Results by Motions & by Senators)

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