October 21, 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. Minutes approved with minor changes.
Old business:
- Academic Council Report: November 23rd.
- Mike Isaacson reported on strategies to work with disruptive or troubled students. A set of short workshops are being developed through Lois Flagsted’s office as faculty/staff training. It was pointed out that record keeping and reporting is critical.
- Senate Committees: Senate has requested that senate committees visit senate meetings to report on their activities. Committees scheduled to report at the November 4th meeting are: University Curriculum Committee and the Library Committee.
- Academic Dishonesty Report Form: Senate reviewed a draft of the proposed Academic Dishonesty report form. Changes were suggested and the form with changes will be reviewed at the Academic Council Meeting November 4th. The question arose about how this would work with online classes.
- Assessment Committee report: Kristi Pearce has requested faculty input to the draft of the Assessment Report form. The BOR is mandating a uniform template to make the reporting process easier. Assessment reports of major programs need to be finished in November for submission in January. It was suggested that the Assessment report due dates be changed and staggered with due dates for the Appendix F faculty evaluation. Concern was voiced about what computer application the form would be, PDF, Word (and which version). Faculty may not have access to all applications that may be used.
New business:
- Information Directory and Course Catalog: Concern was voiced about the decision to no longer print information directories and course catalogs. It is felt that not having paper copies makes job performance, especially advising, more difficult and inefficient. Members have experienced frustration about not being able to find the information quickly and in times of technical difficulty. Also, faculty members feel that poring over a paper catalog together makes a more personal connection with advisees.
- Visitors: Dr. Myer and President Schallenkamp will visit the November 4th Senate meeting.
- Smoking policy: A question arose about enforcement of the smoking policy. Laura will contact Sandy Klarenbeek for clarification.
- Instructional Improvement and Faculty Research grants: The process of distributing Instructional Improvement and Faculty Research grants is under review by Administration. Awarding funds to colleges or departments rather than individuals is being considered. It is possible that awards may be made to both individuals and colleges and departments.
- Institutional Identity: A question of institutional identity arose. A senate member recently discovered that we are described as a “Multi-purpose” school not a Liberal Arts university as most believed. There is confusion about what the term “Multi-purpose” means. “Comprehensive” is a term that is more common across the country. Senate will ask President Schallenkamp for clarification.
- Academic Council Report: Laura reported on the Academic council meeting of October 14th
- The overload and adjunct pay period during the Spring semester will be four months in length beginning with a paycheck on the last day of February.
- If the payday change is made, paychecks will be distributed the first working day of the month. Nancy Grassel reported that the SD Housing Authority has reported that all lenders in the state may move their mortgage data a few days forward.
- Dr. Myers indicated that mobile computing should not just be laptops. The other forms of mobile computing could be integrated in classes.
- Math 103 (Quantitative Literacy) is being investigated as a General Education option. No decisions have been made.
- Dr. Myers reported on Evergreen State University’s use of Disappearing Task Forces.
- Dr. Myers passed on the Board Office’s memo about political activities in an election year.
Other business:
- Future guests: Senate members were asked for suggestions about future informal visitors. Previously suggested were: Nancy Grassel and Kristi Pearce. Additional suggestions included: Warren Wilson, Andy Stanfield, Rajeev Bukralia, Myron Sullivan, and Art Jones.
5:10 p.m. Senate meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted by Bobbi Sago
Faculty Senate Secretary