Abstract of Jan. 23, 2012, Faculty Senate meeting

Karen Stout, Faculty Senate President, called the meeting of the 2011-2012 Faculty Senate to order at 4:03 p.m.

Senators accepted the Senate minutes of Jan. 9, 2012, and standing committee minutes.

President Stout offered an update on the student on-campus game, “Humans vs. Zombies” and Stephanie Treneer and Jim Graham reported on their meeting with student activities representatives. Recommendations included finding more ways to inform faculty that a game is about to happen and capping the number of players to preserve the 10 to 1 ratio of players to moderators. Senators suggest that no play of any kind take place inside academic buildings.

Stout asked Senators to remind constituents that now is the time to nominate faculty for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and leadership awards. Process information can be found on the Provost’s website at http://www.wwu.edu/provost/faculty/awards.shtml

President Shepard reported that parents and graduates have high praise for Western as a premier institution, and that continuing efforts are beginning to pay off as legislators come to see faculty as credible trustworthy sources of information.

Shepard reported on letters he wrote in support of: 1) a proposal requiring no additional funding that would make Engineering Technology an accredited engineering program; and 2) legislation regarding marriage equality that increases our ability as a talent-based enterprise to recruit the most talented faculty and staff.

Shepard discussed campus opening on snow days and heard faculty suggest finding ways in which they can bring their children to campus when K-12 schools are closed.

Provost Catherine Riordan thanked the 95% of the faculty who contributed to tenure and promotion of colleagues in a positive way, and reported on rebasing efforts that concentrated on access to quality last year and will focus on programmatic initiatives this year in light of the 6-year plan.

Dan Boxberger, FLR, sent his report from Olympia on a broad drive to allow access to syllabi and teaching materials through an open courseware legislative initiative. Boxberger encourages faculty to review open courseware in their individual disciplines at http://www.WAOL.org and let him know what you think.

MOTIONS: Senators reviewed revisions to Appendix 5 to the Faculty Handbook regarding consensual personal relationships and passed a Motion to accept revised Sections 7 and 8 of the Code of Faculty Ethics with the caveat that some minor changes can still be made.

Senators passed a Motion to create a committee to review Section 6 of the Code of Faculty Ethics to ensure proper inclusion of text related to Academic Freedom.

Senators passed a Motion to approve the 2012 Senate Election calendar.

Senators adjourned at 5:40 pm without caucus.

Appointments and Elections: Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, 2011-12 Officer

Appointed To the Faculty Senate: Milica Jelaca Jovanovic, Music, replacing Cynthia Camlin thru Spring 2012.

Nominated to Service & Activities Fee committee: David Fewings, Finance & Marketing, thru 2014 (President Shepard appoints). To Student Publications Council: Cher Carnell, Theater and Dance,

VACANCIES:

  • 1 Senator for each: Academic Technology Committee and Senate Library Committee
  • Student Publications Council: 1 faculty thru Spring 2013
  • Campus Dining Committee: 1 faculty 2012 thru 2014