Abstract of March 8 Faculty Senate meeting

Daniel Larner, Western Washington University Faculty Senate president, called the 2009-2010 senate to order at 4:03 p.m. Senators accepted senate minutes of Feb. 22, 2010, and standing committee minutes.

President Larner reported:

• The agenda item on the program elimination policy will be postponed pending the outcome of Larner's discussions with the president and provost. Efforts are underway to reconcile the policy with the Faculty Handbook.
• Faculty members are encouraged to volunteer for the 2010-2012 Faculty Senate.

WWU Provost Catherine Riordan reported on a recent memo to chairs and others to allay fears about freeze language, which is unrelated to faculty positions.

Riordan will announce a campus presentation with Bill Lyne on the graduate white paper in late March.

Faculty members have volunteered to serve on the search committee for the position of vice provost for extended education and summer programs, which Riordan has launched in connection with the EESP white paper.

Marsha Riddle Buly, legislative liaison, reported that state budgets are in reconciliation and include a potential lottery bill for higher education. However, prospects are "bleak" for higher ed, with continued cuts on the horizon. A strong faculty message is needed to convince legislators that four-year institutions can no longer be the state's "rainy day fund."

Ramon Rinonos-Diaz, Associated Students vice president for academics, reported the following:

• The AS is recruiting for the student trustee, as well as other positions.
• A vote in the AS will consider whether to continue purchasing renewable energy or to fund the student technology fee.

Steven Garfinkle, the United Faculty of Western Washington faculty union president, reported the following:

• Bill Lyne, president of United Faculty of Washington State, will report on the legislative session at an all faculty meeting (not limited to union members) at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, in Fraser Hall Room 3.
• Garfinkle was proud of the 26 students from Western, the largest student contingent present, at a recent breakfast in Olympia hosted by the trustees of the six baccalaureates.

Constituent concerns included:

• Lack of an overall campus plan about both wired and wireless computer networks and the potential impact on the academic mission of the university.
• Imminent new security upgrades that may potentially compromise faculty ability to teach.

Resolution on Earth Week: The Faculty Senate unanimously passed a resolution (see related story) encouraging faculty members to remember Earth Week in their classes. The resolution was brought forward by Robert Marshall and former Senate President James Loucky.

John Lawson, vice provost for information technology and chief information officer, with members of his technology team, discussed with the senate the team's concerns about wireless and wired computer networks, the timing of server and security upgrades, state regulations regarding security and other issues. Lawson encouraged continued direct interaction.

Motion to endorse policy: The Faculty Senate moved to endorse University Policy U5000.xx, Honorary Degree Policy, which allows the nomination of a person to receive consideration for an honorary degree.

Senators voted to adjourn at 5:46 p.m.

APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS

Chuck Lambert, Appointments Officer

Senators are asked to request constituents to nominate colleagues for the senate for 2010-2012. Nominating petitions can be obtained from the senate office via e-mail.

Candidates for the search committee for vice provost for extended education and summer programs (provost appoints): Marsha Riddle Buly (Education), Babafemi Akinrinade (Fairhaven), Daniel Boxberger (Anthropology) and Leza Madsen (Library).