Abstract of April 18, 2011, Faculty Senate meeting

Scott Pearce, Faculty Senate president, called the 2010-2011 Western Washington University Faculty Senate to order at 4:03 p.m. Senators accepted senate minutes of April 4, 2011, and standing committee minutes.

David Meyer, an associate professor of music, reported he had accepted a position in Virginia and would be stepping down as vice president. Senators then nominated and confirmed Karen Stout, an associate professor of communication, as vice president. Stout will serve as senate president in 2011-2012.

Senate President Pearce urged that senators move ahead on forming ad hoc committees on college faculty governance.

WWU President Bruce Shepard 1) complimented the hard work of Western faculty, including collaboration on budget issues; 2) reported he was excited to present the honorary degree nominees to the Board of Trustees, emphasizing that faculty alone can recommend granting a Western degree; 3) suggested that Olympia’s budget conference will affect University Planning and Resources Council scheduling; and 4) asked faculty members to view the current budget crisis as the “new normal” and advised a close look at “rebasing” lest we risk mediocrity in the future. Shepard expects there will be some fluidity whatever the biennial session result.

Provost Catherine Riordan reported 1) that the International Studies director search includes the possibility of a faculty member taking the position as a part-time assignment; 2) three candidates will be on campus starting April 19 to interview for the Dean of Woodring College; 3) an American Association of University Women showcase was held in the Academic Instructional Center this past week; and 4) professional development for chairs continues under the outstanding leadership of Joanne Otto and Karen Bradley.

Marsha Riddle Buly gave a rundown of Western successes in Olympia, noting that faculty suggestions to simply add language such as “academically qualified” clarified meaning and intent in several bills; Riddle Buly encouraged continued exegesis of the university’s mission to legislators. Senators acclaimed Riddle Buly’s outstanding efforts as legislative representative and were reminded to seek a faculty legislative representative for 2012.

Steven Garfinkle reported that the United Faculty of Western Washington annual meeting for members will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in Fraser Hall Room 3, at which point nominations for officers will close. Garfinkle is the UFWW president.

Ramon Rinonos-Diaz, Associated Students vice president for academics, reported 1) the AS presidential debate will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room; 2) AS encourages faculty to explain budget issues to students; to obtain handouts and a PowerPoint presentation email asvp.academics@wwu.edu.

Presentation: Update on Compass 2 Campus. Cyndie Shepard reported on the mission of Compass 2 Campus to provide access to higher education for underrepresented and disadvantaged students in grades five through 12 and to promote leadership and skill development for Western students who may obtain up to 15 credits through mentoring young students four hours per week. Nine hundred fifth graders visited the campus in October, while 800 sixth graders continue to be served in middle schools. Participating school districts report renewed focus and improved test scores among their students. A data component on outcomes provides faculty research opportunities. Cyndie Shepard concluded by thanking faculty members for opening classrooms to the 1,000-plus fifth graders who will show up on campus this year.

Senators heard John Lawson, chief information officer, report on server security and electronic methods for university communication, including state archiving regulations.

Constituent concerns:

Newly elected vice president and parliamentarian Karen Stout presented her slate of officers for consideration as the 2011-2012 Executive Council, which included David Bover, Spencer Anthony-Cahill, Kathleen Saunders and Jackie Caplan-Auerbach. Election of officers takes place at the seating of the new senate on June 6.

Spencer Anthony-Cahill announced a unique opportunity to hear Edmond H. Fischer, Nobel Laureate in Medicine, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in SL Room 150, with overflow in SL 110.

Garfinkle addressed 1) UFWW’s request to hear from faculty about their concerns, particularly regarding overloads; 2) inadequacy in public understanding regarding the nature of faculty labor, including the assault on labor generally across the nation; 3) an argument for solidarity that no one on the campus should be taking a pay cut, as such pay cuts are untenable and unrecoverable, especially for staff.

Senators considered draft language for a “Medical Excuse policy” and proposed amendments.

Senators moved to a faculty caucus at 5:50 p.m. and adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Appointments and Elections: Chuck Lambert, Officer

Vacancies: One Faculty Legislative Representative 2011-2012 (travel stipend and release time provided).

Senate replacements - One Year term through Spring 2012: One Area C replacement for Karen Stout (who as Senate President serves “At Large”), and one Area H replacement for Chuck Lambert, Woodring