January 20, 2009
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), Dan Bergey, David Cremean, Annette Ryerson, Jim Hesson, Len Austin, Jodi Oliver
3:30pm. Faculty Senate called to order. Agenda approved. Minutes approved with changes.
Old business:
• General Education Committee Assessment Plan is completed and delivered to Dr. Kristi Pearce.
• The Mobile Computing Initiative has been withdrawn for this year.
• New BOR/COHE contract – Kaius Helenurm from USD has shared two possible resolutions related to the changes to promotion and tenures processes implemented in the new contract.
Visitors:
• Dr. Myers
o GPA Progression – Erin Holmes, Director of Institutional Research, has completed a study of the academic achievement of freshman after their first semester. These BHSU students had ACT scores that were not significantly lower than those at other Regental institutions. How well students do their first semester is critical for retention. Retention of students directly affects our funding. Beginning Monday, January 26, Dr. Myers and Kristi Pierce will meet with the Deans and Department chairs to begin evaluating the data and brainstorm plans. Some of the factors to be looked at are academics, cultural, support, and student life.
o Mobile computing initiative – Each institution will be responsible for finding money and implementing its own mobile computing plan.
• Myron Sullivan
o The new security officer, Ken Cummings has completed his term of probation and is now a permanent employee. With the new officer, the time that there is no security coverage on campus has been reduced to during the day on Saturday. The long-term goal is to have four officers to provide 24/7 coverage.
o The South Dakota State legislature is considering legislation allowing anyone to carry a concealed weapon on campus with a concealed weapons permit. This will have a tremendous impact on the campus. Officer Sullivan stated, “We do not want concealed weapons on campus”.
o The school year got off to a difficult start. For the first couple of weeks Security faced a number of challenges.
o Fire and Life Safety inspections were conducted in the residence halls, and there were fewer violations found this year than last year.
o BHSU has started a bike program with bikes obtained at the City of Spearfish's bike auction. The bikes will be placed in bike racks and students, faculty and staff are welcome to use them to go from place to place.
o Jonas doors are being replaced.
o Parking
Faculty and staff need to take care of their parking tickets. Myron has administrative approval for a one-time only cut of the accumulated fines in half to clear a person’s slate. Faculty and Staff members are being notified and have a limited time to comply and receive the partial amnesty.
Myron attended the Midwest Campus Parking Association meeting and found that our parking pass costs appear to be one of the lowest in the country. The average costs of permits around the country are approximately $120 and above.
It had been mentioned that it didn’t seem that parking tickets were being issued in front of the library through much of the fall semester. It has been corrected.
The location of the new Science Building includes a portion of the Faculty/ Staff Parking lot. The lot will be re-designed and Myron hopes to get 50 additional spots.
o There was a reminder to review green and gold safety pamphlets.
The emergency response committee is ongoing and will meet soon for table- top drills and training exercises.
o Campus Safety conducted a Safety Walk including the core of campus, the perimeter including the dorms, Young Center and Apartments looking for safety concerns. The group included approximately 20 students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
5:20 p.m. Senate meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted by Bobbi Sago
Faculty Senate Secretary