ABSTRACT of Faculty Senate October 27, 2008
Matthew Liao-Troth, 2008-09 Senate President, called the Senate to order at 4:04 pm. Senators accepted Senate minutes of October 15, 2008 and Standing Committee minutes.
§ Liao-Troth reported: a) that he attended the President’s Council as Faculty Senate President; b) that new software may allow for some simplification in changing course numbering; c) that originating faculty are sending out invitation to join the WWU Sustainability Academy.
§ Executive Council actions: Members suspended the 4-year term limit to allow a standing committee member remain chair for 2008-2009.
§ Constituent Concerns: a) the General Studies program may soon be housed in a college unit in order to provide quality oversight; b) podium stands in classrooms still do not provide knee room for teaching faculty who wish to sit at the computer.
§ Liao-Troth conducted a straw vote whereby Senators chose to continue to receive Senate packets via campus mail. A PDF file will be sent via email.
§ President Shepard is drafting principles and strategies to deal with the budget crisis and will solicit faculty feedback. Shepard wants to insure that tuition increases do not hurt students.
§ Shepard reported that Waterfront plans appear to be crystallizing, and he hopes to facilitate cooperation among community stakeholders.
§ Provost Murphy asked Senators to remind colleagues about recent sophisticated “phishing” and that WWU or ATUS will never ask for your login or password.
§ Murphy may call on faculty to assist in the Washington State Quality Award application due on December 15th .
§ Murphy heard Senators report on the limited success of Sunday’s “big Ole” test, and noted that speaker devices and cell phone test messaging would supplement such a warning.
§ Bill Lyne, President UFWW, reported that the unions plan a united front before the governor in January to ensure that K-16 funding remains intact; that the deadline for applying for special merit is December 1st; and that Evergreen’s contract settlement (details on their website), completes the initial union contracts of the 6 regional baccalaureates.
§ Senators continued review of the Faculty Handbook and voted to adjourn at 6:02 pm.
APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS –Tracy Coskie, Appointments Officer
Coskie announced that Michael Karlberg, Communication, was appointed the Senate representative to the Student Technology Fee Committee
VACANCY: Academic Technology Committee: One Senator through 2009.