The Black Hills State University Faculty Senate met Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Members present were: Jim Hesson, Dan Bergey, Micheline Hickenbotham, Laura Colmenero-Chilberg, Roger Miller, Bobbi Sago, Verona Beguin, Annette Ryerson, Cindi Chandler, Richard Gayle, Peggy Buckwalter, and Jill Kary.
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Meier Hall Conference Room.
Curriculum changes were discussed. Concerns were raised about lower division courses replacing upper division ones when programs are modified. All curriculum changes were accepted.
Hesson reported that with the system for grading now used in the state, we are not able to consider moving to a system that includes pluses and minuses (e.g., B+, B, B-). Any change would require a change for all universities in the state.
Hesson reported on the Madeline Young Speakers Series. Steve Meeker will be invited to the Faculty Senate meeting Feb. 21 to discuss re-establishing the process of bringing speakers to campus.
It was decided to table the letter from Faculty Senate supporting allocating more resources to work with the University website until Bergey is able to contact Corinne Hansen with questions.
Ryerson reported that the Young Center board had not yet met so she did not have the chance to present the idea that faculty and staff be provided with memberships. Ryerson will report back at the Feb. 21 meeting.
Ryerson will attend Assessment Committee meetings for Colmenero-Chilberg this semester due to a meeting time change and schedule conflicts.
Discussions on the Distinguished Faculty Award were held. It was decided to simplify the process to provide anonymity for the nominator. The nomination will be made directly to the Vice President of the Faculty Senate (at this time Hickenbotham); the nominee will be notified and asked to submit support for the award. The changes are hoped to increase the number of nominations.
Hickenbotham reported that six sabbatical/leave proposals were recommended to the Board of Regents for their consideration.
Hesson reminded Faculty Senate that elections for seats will be held in April, and elections for Faculty Senate officers will be held in May.
Hesson reported that the University Curriculum Committee still needs a representative from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Lack of minutes from the Multicultural and Gender Awareness committee was discussed. There seems to be some confusion about the mission of the committee. At the Feb. 21 meeting the Faculty Senate will look at the committee’s mission.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Colmenero-Chilberg, Faculty Senate secretary.