Appalachian State University

Faculty Senate Minutes

 

September 12, 2005 (Approved)

 

The faculty senate meeting was called to order by Chair Moore at 3:20 p.m. in the I. G. Greer Conference Room 224 on Monday, September 12, 2005.  Senator Arnold, Senator Rardin, and Senator Bauldry were not in attendance.

 

I.        Announcements

Chair Moore welcomed senators and visitors to the meeting.  Visitors were Dr. Peter Petschauer, Dr. Wilber Ward, Dr. Tim Burwell, and     Mr. Joseph   Henderson, Student Government Association representative.  He introduced the new senate office assistant, Ms. Loretta Link, and indicated that the meetings will now be fully recorded by a digital recording system.  Chair Moore thanked Senator Steve Smith and Mr. Larry Cornelison for its installation.  Furthermore, he extended his appreciation to Dr. Aeschleman for the financial support of this project.

 

Chair Moore asked for a senator volunteer to attend Chancellor’s Advisory Committee meetings on Monday, October 31, 2005 and Monday, December 5, 2005 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.  Please email Chair Moore if you are willing to serve.

Recognized Senator Eric Marland as newly-appointed Faculty Senate Parliamentarian. 

 

Senator Martha Marking, Department of Theatre and Dance, informed the senators of a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina victims. 

Senator Kaenzig volunteered to serve on the newly-formed university Council on Safety of the Campus Community which was mandated by the President’s office. 

Appreciation was extended to Mr. Mike Rominger, ASU photographer, for taking photographs of the 2005-2006 faculty senators during a brief break in the meeting.

II.     Visitors’ Announcements

None

III.    Minutes

The minutes from the 2004-2005 Faculty Senate Meeting dated April 11, 2005 were approved.  Senator Pier moved and Senator Kaenzig seconded.  (See Vote #1.)

 

The minutes from the 2005-2006 Faculty Senate Meeting dated April 11, 2005 were approved.  Senator Kaenzig moved and Senator Lambert seconded.  (See Vote #2.)

IV.     Nominations

Senator Malloy moved appointment of Dr. Julie Horton (College of Education) to fill the 2005-2006 portion of Gayle Weitz’ unexpired term.  Senator Lambert seconded.  The motion carried.  (See Vote #3.)

Chair Moore noted that a replacement is needed for Mr. Rick McGarry who resigned as a senator from The College of Arts and Sciences.

 V.     Provost’s Report

 

Dr. Aeschleman gave the following report on outstanding resolutions:

 

FS04-05/02-01 Motion: Resolved that the Faculty Senate supports the changes to the Faculty Handbook regarding reappointment procedure as outlined by the Ad-Hoc Faculty Evaluation Committee of the Council of Chairs in the draft of Faculty Handbook changes titled “CoC – FH revisions on fac contracts.doc.”

 

Response:  Motion approved (see attached Faculty Handbook changes).  The amended motion to explicitly include post-doctoral experience as potential credit toward tenure is rejected.  In normal circumstances, post-doctoral experience is a prerequisite to obtaining a tenure track position; hence, it should not typically count as credit toward tenure.  Instead the following sentence is inserted.

 

A newly hired assistant professor may submit to her or his department chair a written request (with appropriate supporting documentation) that up to, but no more than, three years served elsewhere in a tenured or tenurable position (or in an equivalent position) may be counted toward tenure and promotion at Appalachian State University. 

 

 

FS04-05/02-02 Motion to approve resolution regarding W.C. Strickland.

 

Response:  Motion approved.

 

FS04-05/02-03 Motion: Faculty Senate approves the policy document titled: “Policies for Establishing and Reviewing Centers and Institutes at Appalachian State University.”

 

Response:  Motion approved.  The amended motion that proposals for Centers and Institutes be approved by the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee is rejected.  The policy governing the establishment of Centers and Institutes expressly prevents those entities from offering academic programs; hence, there is no reason for such proposals to be submitted for approval by APP.  Instead, an advisory committee consisting of one dean, one departmental chair and three faculty members, all serving staggered three-year terms, will be appointed by the Provost to provide advice on the merits of proposals originating within the Division of Academic Affairs.

 

FS04-05/02-06 Motion to approve changes submitted by the Technology Transfer Committee concerning academic ranks Associate and Full Professor.

The motion failed.

 

Response:  Motion accepted as failed. 

 

FS04-05/03-04 To have the Provost give a report on the Delaware Project to the Faculty Senate addressing What is it? and How is it being implemented at Appalachian?

 

Response:  I stand ready to provide a report to the Senate.

 

FS04-05/02-05 Motion to approve the Council of Chairs Charter for inclusion in the Faculty Senate Handbook in Chapter 7.

 

FS04-05/03-07 Motion: To approve the Council of Chairs Charter as presented by the Faculty Handbook Committee.

 

Response:  No other University Councils have charters in the Handbook; hence, for consistency, the charter should not be included.  Rather the Charter will be a stand-alone policy document.  The document submitted by the COC is accepted as the official policy.

 

FS04-05/04-04 Resolution on Academic Freedom at Appalachian State University

Response:  Resolution accepted.

 

FS04-05/04-05 Motion to approve “Recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Leave/Course Load Reductions and the ‘Tenure Clock’” (B. Ward, B. Bauldry, M. Yaukey and E. Peterson).

 

Response:  Approved with original language.  Discussion of the recommended change indicated that the change (“Any academic year during which, under this policy, a probationary faculty member is on leave for more than 25 class days of the academic calendar or receives a total teaching-load reduction of six or more than six credit hours will not count as probationary service with respect to permanent tenure unless the faculty member requests in writing to the departmental chair that it be so counted.”) confused the academic year with an academic semester.  The following is from the FS minutes:

An absence of 25 days is about one-third of a semester; which contemplates absence from all duties--including teaching. A course reduction of more than 6 hours more closely approximates at least half of semester teaching responsibilities those few departments where 12-hour loads are common, but well over two-thirds for members of departments with 9-hour loads common.

The goal should be to trigger the advancement of the tenure clock sooner rather than later, thus giving probationary faculty additional time to make up whatever disadvantage might have been created by their absence from campus or the classroom. For instance, it provides probationary faculty a chance to regroup, which they may need after an emergency requiring an extended absence or temporary reduction in responsibilities

Therefore, an adjustment from "more than 6 hours" to "6 hours or more" makes sense. Since 3-hour courses are the majority, 6 hours is a significant break point, and does not require faculty to get as much as a 9-hour reduction (or even 7 or 8) to qualify for the exemption.

FS04-05/04-06 Motion that the faculty handbook Chapter V section 5.4 be changed to read as follows:

Every faculty member is required to be available a minimum average of seven (7) office hours per week during the regular academic year, distributed so as to provide students ready access to the instructor for routine conferences.  Notice of office hours must be posted, included on syllabi, and filed with the departmental office.   At least two (2) hours must be strictly scheduled office times, while other conference hours could be arranged for the mutual convenience of students and the faculty member.   It is expected that the hours beyond the regularly scheduled two (2) may include non-traditional modes of communication and/or may require prior student commitment (i.e. “by appointment”, “with a show of hands”, etc.).  These non-traditional office hours might include, but are not limited to, electronic consultations, laboratory meetings, and/or review sessions.  During the term of a summer session in which a faculty member teaches, office hour expectations are half of those during the regular academic year.

Faculty initiated exceptions to this policy may be made with the approval of the department chair.

Response:  The policy as written seems cumbersome.  The following is suggested as an alternative: 

Every full-time faculty member is required to be available seven (7) hours per week during the regular academic year to consult with students.  Requirements for part-time faculty will be prorated according to the number of hours taught.  Each department will maintain an office hours policy that establishes standards regarding a mix among formal office hours, meetings in other locations, and electronic communications appropriate for faculty members and curricula in that department.  A schedule indicating the times available for formal office hours, meetings in other locations, and electronic communications must be posted on the faculty member’s office door, listed on course syllabi, and provided to the departmental office at the beginning of each semester. Electronic communication addresses, URLs, and/or phone numbers must be listed on course syllabi and also provided to the faculty member’s departmental office. During the term of a summer session in which a faculty member teaches, office hours expectations are half of those during the regular academic year.

 

FS04-05/04-07 The Faculty Welfare and Morale committee, in conjunction with the Academic Policy committee, moves to create the Appalachian Scholars program.

Response:  Decision deferred.  Currently, Appalachian has 26 awards at the College or University level.  The criteria for this award are not sufficiently delineated to enable a decision regarding the uniqueness and need for the award.

From Oct 13, 2003 Meeting.  Motion to approve Faculty Handbook changes in text as written in #3 of the Faculty Handbook Committee report: In response to a document prepared by the Council of Chairs and attached herewith entitled “Recommendations for Modifying the Periodic Reopening Procedure of the Departmental Chair Position - 4.5.4.4.2 Faculty Handbook,” the committee recommends Senate adoption of the following text to substitute fully for the present text in section 4.5.4.4.2

Response:  Approved. 

Senators posed questions and/or requested clarification in response to the Provost’s report. Senator Pier asked about the status of the textbook rental committee.  Provost Aeschleman responded that he had not yet heard back from the committee.  He stated that the two critical issues were to give faculty maximum choice in selecting textbooks and to keep the cost of books as low as possible for students.  The university wants to achieve balance.  There is no definite time line for making a formal decision; however, the Provost anticipates that a decision will be made this semester.  Senator Strazicich asked if the purpose of the textbook rental committee was to make a recommendation or merely to provide information.  Dr. Aeschleman replied that he is interested in both their recommendation and the rationale for their recommendation.  He added that the Chancellor and the Provost will consider all information thoroughly and completely in their decision-making process.  Senator Ehnenn asked if the textbook committee’s recommendation will come back to the faculty senate for consideration and the Provost replied affirmatively.  Senator Ramsey asked for clarification regarding the legislature’s action regarding the “academic bill of rights”.  Provost Aeschleman noted that the legislature was not very interested; nonetheless, it is a hot topic across the country.

 

Chair Moore noted that there are handouts available regarding the new service provided by Delta Airlines in Hickory and explained that this announcement was inadvertently distributed through faculty announcement listserv.

 

Chair Moore reported that Dr. Bill Bauldry, Chair of the Council of Chairs, will join the senate as an ex-officio member, and that the Chair of the Faculty Senate will sit as such on the Council of Chairs. 


VI.     Committees

 

Chair Moore asked the Senate to create an ad hoc committee to study the role of the Faculty Senate.  The purpose of the committee would include review of the Faculty constitution and its description of the duties and responsibilities of the Senate.  Senator Ramsey moved approval and Senator McCaughey seconded.  The motion carried.  (See Vote #4.)

 

Chair Moore asked for volunteers to serve on this committee.  Those interested should email him.  Chair Moore added that he was encouraged by this administrations’ commitment to shared governance.

 

Chair Moore requested that the senators meet in their respective committees to appoint a committee chair, schedule committee meetings, and discuss proposed committee items. 

 

The faculty senate meeting was suspended from 4:20 pm until 4:50 pm to allow committees to meet.

 

The faculty senate meeting reconvened.  The following individuals were selected to chair the senate committees as follows:

Academic Policies  
 Senator Huelsman
Agenda                                        
Chair Moore
Budget Committee    Senator Strazicich
Campus Planning  Senator Marland
Committee on Committees Senator Malloy
Faculty Handbook  Chair Moore
Faculty Welfare Senator Felkel
Welfare of Students Senator Rardin

Chair Moore noted that the next faculty senate meeting is Monday, October 17.  He noted that this is a change since the second Monday of October is fall break.  He was concerned that the faculty senate had not been asked for input regarding this change in the academic calendar.  Senator Lambert, a member of the calendar committee, offered to look into this situation and report her findings to Chair Moore via email.  Chair Moore added that this change also affects the scheduling of the March 2006 faculty senate meeting.

VII.   Unfinished Business

 

None

VIII.   New Business

 

Senator Malloy voiced a concern about poor attendance at the Moment of Silence event for 9/11 victims.  He made some suggestions about alternate times for the event.  After a brief discussion, Chair Moore will assign this issue to a committee for study.

Senator Moore asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Senator Smith moved and Senator Malloy seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 pm.  (See Vote #5).

 

Faculty Senate Meeting September 12, 2005

FACULTY PRESENT AND VOTING SHEET

 

Y = Yes             N = No               A = Abstain

 

SENATORS

1

2

3

4

5

Arnold, Edwin

 

 

 

 

 

Butts, Jeff

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Cramer, Beth

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Ehnenn, Jill

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Felkel, Brian

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Harris, Tim

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Horton, Julie

Y

Y

A

Y

Y

Huelsman, Tim

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Jamison, Tom

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Jones, Bill

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Kaenzig, Rebecca

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Lambert, Monica

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Malloy, Mark

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Mamlin, Nancy

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Marland, Eric

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Marking, Martha

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

McBride, Jeff

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

McCaughey, Martha

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

McKinney, Harold

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Pier, Chuck

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Ramsey, Colin

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Rardin, Patrick

 

 

 

 

 

Scherlen, Allan

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Smith, Steve

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Staub, Susan

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Strazicich, Mark

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

Vote 1:                 To approve 2004-2005 Faculty Senate April 11, 2005 minutes.

Vote 2:                 To approve 2005-2006 Faculty Senate April 11, 2005 minutes.

Vote 3:                 To appoint Julie Horton (College of Education) to replace Gayle Weitz.

Vote 4:                 To establish an ad hoc committee on the role of the faculty senate.

Vote 5:                 To adjourn the meeting.