Minutes of the Faculty Senate
Regular meeting held in Reynolds 205
March 16, 2023
Present: Senators Oden, Petty, Pfannenstiel, T. Schroeder, Tucker, White, Fanning, Paulson, Overholser, Nelson, Samples, Logan, Djiguimde, Valenzuela, Coppersmith, Schneiderwind
Ex-officio and guests: David Lanoue, Abdel Bachri, Deborah Wilson, Gerald Plumlee, Connie Wilson, Sheryl Edwards, Deborah Wilson, Trey Berry, Jennifer Rowsam, Roger Giles, Marissa Grippo
Call to order: 3:40 pm
Reading of Proxies: Fanning proxy for Hudgeons and Logan proxy for Almotairi
- Approval of Minutes
Minutes from February 16, 2023 were approved with the amendment that Senator Schneiderwind had attended the meeting via telephone (motion – Nelson, second – Samples)
- Reports of Committees
Report from the Faculty Senate Handbook Committee (Senator White)
Senator White provided a report regarding intended changes to the tenure language within the handbook to align with current practice within the Mentor reporting system. Changes included the removal of the table of contents, response time periods, and the elections of faculty to the University and College tenure and promotion committees.
A motion to approve the changes was brought forth by the committee, the motion passed.
Report from Ad Hoc Committee on Student Evaluations (Senator Schroeder)
Senator Schroeder reported on the student evaluations and how they are presented to faculty. Student evaluations will be proctored by faculty teaching in-person by other faculty and staff. Evaluations will continue to be online. Registrar Grippo recommended a friendly amendment clarifying language regarding students who are no longer enrolled, amendment passed by the Senate.
Report from the Faculty Senate Budget Committee (Senator Tucker)
Senator Tucker shared the need for a separate fund for graduate student research projects.
Report from the Faculty Senate Parking, Facilities and Grounds Committee
There was no report for the committee.
- Liaisons from other Standing and University Committees
Fringe Benefits Committee
Roger Giles reported on the recent meeting of the Fringe Benefits committee. Health insurance costs have run significantly over expectations so the committee is meeting to discuss options for the campus community. Additionally, our contract with TIAA is coming up for renewal/revision and changes to the plan are expected, exposure meetings will be held via Zoom soon.
Research Committee
Senator Samples reported the Research Committee reviewed 3 faculty applications for the first cycle of funding, approving 2 for funding. 7 student applications were received, 6 funded.
Professional Development Committee
Senator Mamadou shared that the 2022-2023 Mulerider LEADs program has been active throughout the year and will have their annual dinner April 17th.
A hybrid/online course development series aimed at providing faculty with the ability to get Quality Matters certified in their courses will take place over the following weeks.
The 2nd annual diversity, equity, and inclusion fair will be held April 11th.
Sustainability Committee
Senator Logan shared that there will be increased opportunities for recycling throughout campus.
- Old Business
Graduate Dean Connie Wilson shared that the new Graduate Academic Suspension committee met recently had have reviewed existing policies and how they may be transformed to meet the different challenges of the growing graduate student population.
Additionally, a new committee has been formed to discuss the requirements for Graduate faculty, something that was noted as necessary during the recent HLC visit.
- New Business
Senate elections for the 2023-2024 academic year will be held in April. 2 at-large Senate positions will be open and each college will need a new or continuing senator.
Jennifer Rowsam shared that SAU has been reaccredited for 10 years with the HLC.
- Special orders of the day
President Berry shared the enrollment numbers look very promising for the Fall semester.
Provost Lanoue noted that the search for the Dean of the College of Education and Human Performance was not successful and they will be re-advertising the position and accepting applications. The College of Liberal and Performing Arts review of applications is set for the end of March.
Questions for the Administration
- Can SAU institute a 3rd-year review for all faculty seeking tenure/promotion from assistant to associate professor? This is a common practice at many other institutions and would allow for more significant planning and less anxiety for everyone involved.
Provost Lanoue shared that in order for 3rd year reviews to be truly meaningful, we would need to normalize applications for tenure during the fifth year so that the review would allow for faculty changes. He deferred to the Handbook Committee on this issue.
- With our growing graduate student population, would the administration consider creating a separate fund for graduate student research projects? The undergraduate research grant has become increasingly competitive, and the current budget is insufficient to accommodate both student groups.
Conversations about this are occurring on campus.
- Can Early Alert responses be decentralized to a department with accurate, helpful responses? Each department could draft an automatic reply that is appropriate.
The Early Alert process will not be decentralized to each department.
- Is there any ongoing assessment of efficacy regarding the four-week grading initiative? Is there any data showing it is effective (versus midterm grades alone, for example)? If so, how is this being measured? Will it be required if the data doesn’t support keeping it?
Provost Lanoue discussed the four-week grading initiative pilot student presented to Senate in the past. He noted statistical support for the 4-week policy. Senator Tucker voiced concerns regarding burden to faculty. Senator Nelson voiced concern for workload differentials, particularly with new faculty members with large classes.
- How do sanctions work when a program/major exceeds the 120-hour pact eight agreement? Is it a direct fine to the university/college/department, or does the student lose funding or both? How does this impact transfer students?
There is no effect on the student and as no programs have more than 120 hours, there aren’t sanctions.
- I recall incentive pay was discussed last year or in late 2021. Is incentive pay something that will be utilized in the future?
Provost Lanoue stated he needed more information regarding this question.
Senate President Oden reminded those present about Senate elections on April 20th.
Adjournment at 5:02pm Senator White gave the first motion, Logan seconded the motion.