November 4, 2008
Black Hills State University Faculty Senate Minutes
Meier Hall Conference Rm. / Meier Hall 306
Members present: Laura Colmenero-Chilberg (Pres.), Sheng Yang (VP), Bobbi Sago (Secretary), Jim Hesson, Parthasarathi Nag, Dan Bergey, Annette Ryerson, David Cremean, Kathleen Parrow, Chris Hahn, Jami Stone, Jodi Oliver.
3:30pm. Senate called to order. Agenda approved. Approval of minutes tabled until next meeting.
Old business:
- Senate Committee reports:
- University Curriculum Committee: has met once, has a second meeting scheduled and there are a number of proposals to review. Deadline for submitting proposals needs to be announced to the faculty.
- Library Committee: Last year they met twice a semester. This year they are meeting once a semester. There was a proposal to suspend committee activity until a new Library Director is hired.
- Academic Council Meeting report for 11/4/2008:
o Erin Holmes is compiling data; Students are giving positive input on faculty to student interaction; There was a drop in student perception of student to student friendliness; Data is available on the Institutional Research link on the BHSU website.
- Summer school schedule has been announced. First session will run May 11-June 5, second session is June 8-July 3, and third session is July 6-31.
- Academic dishonesty form review: Council felt that the form combined two processes into one. Intention of the document is to document problems to the VPAA. It was suggested that the form contain a description of the incident and that the faculty member has discussed it with the student. Form will need to be reviewed by Mike Isaacson for concerns about due process.
- It was reported that BHSU has established relationships with three international campuses. They are: Szechuan Normal in China; Kyun Hee University in Seoul Korea; and Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania.
New business:
- Visitors: President Schallenkamp and Dr. Myers visited the Senate meeting. President Schallenkamp reported that the Strategic Plan is nearing completion and she is pleased with its development. The plan establishes four goals. They are: 1) Learning, Technology and Research. 2) Establishing partnerships with the public. 3) Creating an inclusive and socially responsive campus. 4) Aligning the budget with the Strategic Plan.
- Facilities and construction are tied to the teaching and learning goal. Construction on the Student Union is progressing and planning for the new science facility is underway. Eight Million dollars is designated for the Science Building project. Twenty-four million is needed so planning committee is looking for ways to maximize functionality. Administration is seeking funds to build the West River Higher Education Center. Discussions are happening with Rapid City leadership to encourage their financial support in relation to building infrastructure.
- Fundraising: A $35 million fundraising campaign is underway. To date three million has been raised in part thanks to a $125 thousand gift from the Black Hills Corporation. Donors will have five years to pay their pledges. The campaign is to fund, scholarships, enhancements to the athletic complex, endowed professorships, and the Center for the Performing Arts.
- Sustainability Initiative: Habitat for Humanity has requested permission to install bins, donated by Lowes, for collecting aluminum cans.
- Enrollment management issues: Lois Flagstad, VPSA has proposed starting a “think tank” to develop a comprehensive enrollment plan including both recruitment and retention. Issues to be studied are: Why do students leave? Why do students stay?
Question and answer:
- Status of the mobile computing initiative? Extensive BOR discussion has postponed implementation until fall of 2010. The payday change that will make available funding for the laptop initiative has been move to Fall of 2009. Legislature and students are discussing the need for flexibility among campuses and among disciplines to accommodate individual needs.
- Student Union construction schedule? As of 11/4/2008 construction was six days behind schedule. Crews were making up time by working longer hours. Status on other building projects – Woodburn elevator project, on time; March the North Wing of Woodburn will be gutted and Lower level will be remodeled to move some offices from the Student Union.
- Smoking ban? Enforcement of the policy is cost prohibitive. Program is counting on voluntary compliance. Grant funding will be spent for better signage to clarify where smoking area are located.
- Target for increase for enrollment? Growth needs to be manageable. Five-year goal is 5000 students.
Student Senate report:
Student Senate is discussing the mobile computing initiative. They have drafted a resolution regarding the need for flexibility in selection of equipment.
The issues that need to be examined are:
- How to advertise the initiative to students?
- What to do about students who already have their own laptops?
Faculty senate added that:
- Wireless infrastructure needs to be addressed.
- There will need to be a lower cap on classes due to the need for larger desks to accommodate laptops.
- The number of users per node is and issue to be investigated.
- Commencement: Faculty Senate Marshalls were selected for graduation. They are: Len Austin, Jami Stone, Dan Bergey, and Jim Hesson.
Other business:
- Library coffee shop: It was reported that Jacket Java in the library was considering installing a TV. Library staff conducted an informal survey and the majority of library patrons voted no. Coffee shop personnel felt that the survey location biased the respondents. Senate suggested that the matter be taken to Student Senate for unbiased discussion. It was also suggested that the Library Committee take the matter to VPAA Myers. (Since this Senate meeting VPAA Myers has said that the proposal for a TV in the coffee shop will not progress)
5:10 p.m. Senate meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted by Bobbi Sago
Faculty Senate Secretary