Faculty Senate Meeting

Minutes

September 15, 2005

 

Senators Present: 

LeeDon Martin, Connie Nichols, Stan Stallings, Donna Smith, Bill Neff, James Jordon, Theresa Evans, Jeff Schwende

 

Senators Absent:

Brandon Tate, Jane Hellinghausen, Robbie Rogers, Sandie Graves

 

Meeting was called to order at 1:50

 

Approval of Minutes: 

Minutes from the August meeting were read and approved as posted on the faculty senate web site.

 

President’s report:

LeeDon announced that Dr. Gipson would like to see more participation from OC at the Fair this weekend. Location – Barn B. LeeDon urged senators to attend and/or participate with one of their own groups. It would be great if OC had a big showing for this weekend.

 

LeeDon distributed current lists of senators, the areas represented, and the lengths of  terms. He requested senators review and make any corrections to it. Connie Nichols advised that Office Systems, Management, and Business Administration have been combined into the new department of Business Professions.  Business Professions now has 2 senator representatives. LeeDon will look at the realignment and report back.

 

A calendar for Faculty Senate meetings and faculty lunches was distributed. There was discussion about changing the time of Faculty Senate meetings, but senators finally agreed not to change the time.  All meetings will be held at 1:45 pm.

 

A list of committees was distributed. Theresa Evans will make necessary revisions and send copies to LeeDon and James Jordon. The Tenure committee is still in the process of forming.

 

Old Business:

 

  1. Grade Distribution reports:  LeeDon visited with Dr. Alred about the purpose of the reports.  Dr. Alred explained that the reports are used as a tool to measure and evaluate instructor performance.  Administrators are looking at instructors who fall below 70% pass rate (A, B, C, D) and addressing those instructors.  Senators had additional questions.  Donna motioned that a sub-committee be formed to identify additional questions and concerns about the GDR. Theresa seconded the motion and it carried.  Donna will chair that committee.  The committee will compile questions and concerns and present it to the senate.  The executive committee will then take these to Dr. Alred and report back to senate. 
  2. Smoking Policy:  The executive committee will discuss the 3 policy options and meet with Dr. Gipson about them in September.

 

New Business:

 

  1. Rotation of Senators:  It has been brought to the senate’s attention that the rotation of senators is off schedule. Too many senators rotate off in one year.  To solve this problem the senate has asked 2 senators whose terms expire in 2008 to volunteer to change their expiration dates to 2007.  This would put us back on an even rotation every year.  LeeDon made a motion that we table this until the next meeting when all senators are present.  James seconded and motion passed.
  2. Petroleum Technology no longer a faculty a program on campus and needs to be taken off the list of constituencies.   
  3. Amending By-Laws:  James Jordan has updated the web page so that all changes are reflected.  The by-laws and constitution now contain consistent information.
  4. Enrollment Form Change:  Connie voiced concern about the student registration form and the need to have on it a place for instructor comments, especially those pertaining to web courses. Such comments would be helpful for students in these classes. Connie was told by the IT department that that request would have to go to Virginia Chisum or Dr.  Alred.  The executive committee will visit with Dr. Alred in October about the issue. 
  5. Bookstore:  Connie Nichols reported Senator Graves’ concern that the bookstore is not ordering enough books and students are having to wait to get them.  This concern has been brought to the senate before.  The executive committee will visit with Dr. Alred about this issue in October. 
  6. The executive committee will visit with Dr. Gipson in September, Dr. Alred in October, and Dr. Thallemer in November. 
  7. Pay Scale:  James Jordan has volunteered to collect information about adjunct pay from other institutions across the state.  The concern is that we pay our adjuncts enough to retain them.  We have already lost several to Midland College and UTPB.  After the information is collected, the senate will present it to Dr. Gipson. It was also suggested that other ideas about benefits be presented to Dr. Gipson. These might include free classes for employees and/or their children.    

 

Meeting Adjourned:  2:51 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by:

 

 

 

________________

Jane Hellinghausen

Theresa Evans