ABSTRACT of Faculty Senate February 13, 2006
Bill Lyne, Senate President, called the meeting of the Faculty Senate to order at 4:08 pm on February 13, 2006. Senators accepted minutes of February 6th, and Standing Committee minutes. President Morse expressed optimism about Dean Riggins’ speedy recovery from a recent stroke. Faculty may send get-well emails on the “peacehealth.org” website.
· Lyne reported that plans for the Academic Instructional Center (AIC) are $2-1/2 million dollars over budget. Senators appear in favor of keeping the building plan intact and completing internal works through future supplemental budgets. Senators encouraged affected departments to be creative in altering architectural plans before publication of the bids this Spring.
· President Morse reported that we appear to have support for some level of funding for the Waterfront. We have a legislator who has agreed to champion the Border Policy Institute funding request, and are working on obtaining support for the Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation degree.
· Senators suggested that the latest draft Strategic Plan should be seen as an opportunity to explicitly state that certain things cannot be subject to assessment and quantitative measures. Senators asked for: 1) greater emphasis on our mission in the world; 2) specifics regarding the faculty’s mission as educators, our historical niche, and the whole notion of a public institution that serves the common good; 3) a strong preamble specifically emphasizing the value placed on acquiring levels of knowledge in history, science, math, languages and our role in that process as an institution with a liberal arts vision. 4) Senators encouraged the drafters to include the classical ideals of citizenship, leadership, social responsibility, collaboration, sustainable practice and stewardship.
· President Morse confirmed that reference to the Strategic Plan is part of the budget process.
· Constituents concerns reflected 1) that only 66 faculty belong to the Recreation Center, and suggested that a better pricing plan might support morale and the physical well-being of faculty and staff; 2) that it will be possible to have student photos accompany class rosters on an experimental basis during Spring Quarter.
Senators moved to a faculty caucus at 5:40 p.m. and adjourned at 6:11 p.m.