Senate Executive Committee Meeting

Approved Minutes from September 18, 2007

President Wright called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm

  • Executive Committee Members Present
  • Sheila Wright - President
  • Donald Fricker - President Elect
  • Karen Czarnik  - Immediate Past President
  • Dominick Hart - Provost

An agreement was made to suspend the formal use of Roberts Rules of Order during Executive Committee sessions.

Item # 1 September General Faculty Meeting

The Committee reviewed draft documents that included handouts related to proposed amendments and discussed who would sponsor motions regarding faculty by-laws changes. It was decided that Karen Czarnik will make the motion for Bylaws amendments related to quorum and that Barbara Becker, a member of the 2006-2007 ad hoc Committee, would lead the amendment related to faculty governance.

A discussion of quorum needed to hold the meeting pursued along with procedures for managing the meeting. It was decided to continue the procedure of having a sign-in sheet to document attendance—especially for special elections. The order of agenda items was determined as follows:

  1. Approval of Minutes
  2. Special Election
  3. Bylaws Revision: Quorum
  4. Bylaws Revision: Senate Membership
  5. Overview of procedures for by-law and handbook ad hoc committee
  6. VP Susan Piros will present some budget item information
  7. Announcements and New Business
  8. Wine and Cheese reception

The Committee also discussed the possibility of having a FAC update and considered the implication of current contract negotiations.

The Committee discussed how pending elections might affect the ongoing work of the Bylaws Committee. Also discussed was the involvement of the Ad Hoc Committee in facilitating the current review process. Lastly, the Committee discussed  distributing agenda and papers at least one week in advance.

Item # 2 Faculty Study Day

A working copy of the agenda was distributed and discussed, which will focus on distinctiveness and the University’s Mission. Dominick Hart provided suggestions for modifying possible agenda items involving faculty involvement in inquiry related to SPBAC questions. He also requested modifying the segment’s title and suggested focusing discussion on enrollment trends. .

A brief discussion of the two future Faculty Development days followed.  The February session will focus on Ethics and Intellectual Property/First Amendment issues related to technology. The April session will focus on Diversity. Both will be organized as mini-conferences with a plenary session followed by break-out sessions where faculty can choose topics of interest.

Item # 3 President’s Cabinet Meeting

A meeting of the President’s Cabinet and faculty leadership is scheduled for Thursday September 20, 2007 in the Butler Reception Room. Provost Hart reviewed the agenda and described procedures for the discussion of topics submitted, which include the budget, graduate programs, and related policies.

Item # 4 October Senate Meeting Agenda 

Sheila Wright shared a letter from Jackie Battalora (co-chair, AAUP) requesting a visit to Senate to discuss a Faculty Due Process Committee approved in 2003-2004 year. Mark Vargas and David Kohut will also address Senate Archives and Document Numbering system. The Committee also discussed the need to request Senate committees to revisit their charge and membership for any changes.

Item #5 Administrative Details

Donald Fricker was asked to update to Senate’s Decision Matrix. Also, everyone was asked to review of the Faculty Senate Website for possible changes.

The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Submitted by  Donald Fricker, President-Elect
Reviewed by Sheila Wright, President