ABSTRACT of Faculty Senate November 19, 2007
Jeff Newcomer, 2007-08 Senate President called the Senate to order at 4:07 pm. Senators accepted Senate minutes of October 29, 2007 and Standing Committee minutes.
§ Senators heard Newcomer report on progress on various constituent concerns including information that a report is being prepared on level 4 mediated classroom usage during peak and off hours.
§ Matthew Liao-Troth brought Senators the complete report on the proposed North Puget Sound campus for the University of Washington in Everett.
§ Provost Murphy reported on plans to alter the processes for proposing capital projects and the biennial operating budget for greater transparency.
§ UFWW President Bill Lyne expects progress will be made on the contract following four consecutive all day meetings in early December.
§ Senators will encourage constituents to participate in the Faculty Serving Washington Day in Olympia Wed. 1/23 and to forward proposals to John Purdy. Some travel funds are available.
§ Senators discussed the Higher Education Coordinating Board Draft Master Plan and proposed inclusion of: 1) the necessity of educating the student beyond the narrow focus of work force preparation; 2) the necessity to address the maintenance of quality and the cost of the plan 3) a clearer presentation of data sources including the high drop-out rate of high school students; 4) inclusion in the draft of testimony, hearing, or written comments that were submitted, including from university faculty; 5) Western and the other regional institutions for their high quality research. CFR is preparing a response to the draft, and any comments on it should be send to John Purdy at John.Purdy@wwu.edu.
§ Senators discussed the revised ACC charge, and ACC’s proposal for fractional writing proficiency requirements in the majors.
Senators adjourned at 5:46 p.m.