ABSTRACT of Faculty Senate February 6, 2006
Bill Lyne, Senate President, called the meeting of the Faculty Senate to order at 4:06 pm on February 6, 2006. Senators accepted minutes of January 23rd, and Standing Committee minutes, and were reminded of a Senate meeting next Monday (due to the Holiday on the 20th).
· Lyne reported: 1) that George Pierce announced a project in which faculty without regular permits or bus passes may purchase “after hours” parking permits in any G lot for $10.00 per quarter; 2) that Matthew Liao-Troth and Vice President Coughlin are investigating the possibility of making photos available to professors along with class rosters.
· Senators were encouraged to forward project ideas for the Faculty Day for Legislators on February 28th to Sara Singleton, Legislative Liaison. Faculty are also encouraged to travel to Olympia that day and share faculty/student accomplishments.
· President Morse reported that Howard Lincoln, CEO of the Mariners, and newly appointed to Western’s Board of Trustees, had attended his first Board meeting on Friday.
· Provost Bodman announced that Stephanie Salzman would chair the Fairhaven Dean search committee, and that David Bover would chair the search committee for Chief Information Officer and Vice Provost for Information Technology.
· Lyne conducted straw votes on the intents, scheduling, and publication of results of a Faculty Evaluation of Administrators process, and will bring a draft for a later vote.
· Senators heard the recommendation from the Salary and Welfare committee on the 5% raise effective September 2006: a step and a half for those who qualify for general merit, and a .5% enhancement of the steps across the board. Those who did not pass general merit will get step enhancement only. Merit applies to part-time Limited Term Faculty and Non Tenure Track who have been at .5FTE for two years or more and successfully passed the review.
· Senators brought constituent concerns: 1) faculty wish to be fully informed of choices of pension funds available. A Human Resources Committee plans to meet on the matter; 2) excessive noise as well as air pollution is created by the 2-cycle engine leaf blowers; the Sustainability committee will take up the issue.
· Senators adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Appointments and Elections – Jeff Newcomer, Officer
ELECTION CALENDAR: Senators voted to approve the 2006-07 Election Calendar after adjusting the May 15th meeting to be a regular meeting of the entire Senate following Orientation. Election of officers will take place at the final meeting of the Senate on Monday May 22nd, at which old business will be completed. The new Senate will then be seated at the second half of the meeting, just prior to the President’s Dinner.