WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

Regular Meeting

April 19, 2004

James Loucky, Senate President, called the Senate meeting to order at 4:07 pm.  Thirty (30) people were present including twenty-two (22) Senators, one (1) recorder, and four (4) guests.  (See attached roster).

Approval of Senate Minutes

§         The Senate approved the minutes of April 5, 2004 as written.

Items from the Chair

¨    President Loucky reported that while faculty have been promised parking spaces on evening and weekends, no allocation process has been finalized and no decisions made as to how to identify faculty vehicles.

¨    Loucky reminded Senators of the General Faculty Assembly on the question of unionization to be held in SL150 on Tuesday, April 20^th  at 4 p.m.  Jim Stewart will chair the forum which is hosted by the Senate to provide information and answers to faculty concerns.  Edoh Amiran will present the case for forming a union, and Leroy Plumlee will speak against unionization. 

¨    Loucky reported that revisions to the Faculty Handbook on tenure and promotion will be brought to the Senate at the May 3 meeting.

¨    Loucky reported that he had asked Provost Bodman to name one or two deans to join three faculty in a review of the professional leave policy, with the intent to bring a policy to the Senate this quarter.

¨    Loucky reminded faculty that there are two more full meetings of the current Senate, in which to look at items such as academic honesty and plagiarism, particularly in light of the advances in technology.  Loucky added that climate recommendations are currently under consideration by the Executive Council.

¨    In response to a question from a Senator on handbook language regarding the “Ombudsman” Loucky reported he had spoken to the Provost about it that day, but there was no new information.

¨    Thomas Downing reported that a an announcement has been published inviting all faculty to the regular Academic Coordinating Commission meeting which will be held on Tuesday, April 27, at 4 p.m. in SL120 for purposes of presenting the ACC recommendations on the GURs, with the intent to implement in Fall 2005.

¨    Associated Students.  Maya Tomlin brought forward a resolution regarding student voting.  A motion was made by Jim Stewart, seconded by Tom Goetzl, and unanimously passed by the Senate, as follows:

“WHEREAS, a facet of the Western Washington University mission statement involves preparing students to be active citizens; and

“WHEREAS, being an active citizen means participating in elections and voting; and

“WHEREAS, college students vote at a rate significantly lower than their percentage in the population; and

“WHEREAS, a lack of voting results in an under representation of student interests in the political process on the local, state, and federal levels; and

“WHEREAS, the Western Washington University Associated Students is attempting to increase student voter registration and voter participation;

“LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Western Washington University Faculty Senate and the Western Washington University Associated Students Board of Directors support efforts to increase student voter participation and awareness of electoral issues through Associated Student Activities.” 

Introduction of Bookstore Manager:  Lara Mann

Loucky introduced Lara Mann, newly hired manager of the Viking Union Bookstore, who shared her background at the university bookstore in Ashland, and at the University of Washington, Seattle.

o         Mann promised to improve the flow of communication between the bookstore and faculty.  Mann reported that she is currently reviewing all aspects of textbook ordering, checking where to make improvements, and has already established a timeline for activities for each quarter. 

o         Mann is looking at ways to take better advantage of the Banner system to accommodate the flurry of enrollments that often take place at beginning of class.  Mann promised that she brings a different set of experiences to the bookstore and is leaving no stone unturned in reviewing current procedures.

o         Mann is hiring an additional person in the textbook department to monitor stocks on the shelves and attend to questions that come to the counter, so that the manager no longer has to field customer service inquiries.  A bookstore advisory group has also been formed with faculty, student and staff representatives who will meet quarterly to facilitate feedback from various groups.

o         Mann responded to one Senator that the bookstore is ready to put notes on the shelf next to the book assignment that could indicate the first reading assignment or any other information the teacher may wish the class to know. Mann concluded with an invitation for faculty to call, email, or visit her with concerns. 

Items from the Administration

·         President Morse reported that the Board of Trustees at its yearly off-campus meeting, held in Everett this year, approved Western’s 2004-05 operating budget, including a 2004-05 tuition rate increase of 7% for resident and non-resident undergraduate students and of 3% for graduate students.

·         Morse reported Board approval of a 2% salary increase at her request for faculty and exempt staff, along with six new faculty positions.  UBAC had recommended a minimum 1-1/2% and 6 faculty positions, money to colleges for fundraising, some to Admissions for recruitment, some for the copyright office and some to Business and Financial Affairs.  Morse indicated she had no influence on salaries of classified staff who are currently represented in negotiations by their Unions.  The 04/05 negotiated increases for classified staff are under the auspices of PERC.  Morse indicated she would prefer not to comment further while classified staff union negotiations are underway.  Morse did note that the legislature is not bound by any agreement the University makes with the unions.

·         Morse warned that unknowns surround the next biennial budget and invited faculty to participate in "luncheons with the President" to share their concerns.  Morse indicated she had found these luncheons very informative and helpful, and faculty who are interested should contact her office.  Morse said that her highest priorities are faculty salary increases, to prevent further slippage in comparison with peer groups, and tenure track positions.

Reading of Standing Committee Minutes (The following Standing Committee minutes were accepted):

Academic Coordinating Commission, 03/30/04

University Planning Council, 3/10/04

Academic Technology Committee, 2/25/04

ACTION ITEMS:

Appointments and Elections, Kristen Parris, Officer.  

·         All Senators are to attend the May 17 Senate meeting, at the close of which new Senators will be seated and election of new officers held.

·         Appointed to the Faculty Senate:  David Fewings, Finance & Marketing to replace TJ Olney.

·         Senators unanimously moved to approve the 2004-2005 meeting calendar.

·         Faculty are urged to check the Senate website for area requirements and term lengths in order to volunteer for the following Standing Committee vacancies: 

Academic Coordinating Commission – 5 faculty (2-yr terms), 2 Senate reps (1 yr)

Academic Technology Committee – 5 faculty, 2-yr terms

University Planning Council – 4 faculty, 3-year terms, one Senate rep (1 yr)

Senate Legislative Committee – 1 faculty, 3-yr term

Senate Library Committee – 2 faculty, 3-year terms

Committee on Grievance & Sanctions,  5  faculty, 3-yr terms

            Motion from the Executive Council

Policy on Consulting and Other Professional Activity

¨     Senators again considered the revised Policy on Consulting and Other Compensated Professional Activities (Section XXII.B of the Faculty Handbook, page 17).   Some discussion ensued about removing a sentence and a amendment was made to do so.  Jim Stewart moved the question.  The question was called by Bill Lyne, who moved to approve as amended, seconded by Joan Hoffman.  The Policy was approved unanimously and will be published to all faculty in FAST, on the web, and via email, and will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees. It will become policy upon their approval.

Adjournment

Senators moved to adjourn at 5:17 p.m.

Written by Rose Marie Norton-Nader, Recorder, 4/19/04

            _______________________________

                                                                                       Thomas Read, Secretary

Faculty Senate Roster 2004                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Article III.  Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is empowered to speak and act for the Faculty in University affairs with particular responsibility in the areas of curriculum, academic programs, Faculty salary, Faculty status, scholarly activities, and all matters relating to the welfare of Faculty, the education of students, and the academic mission of the University.

The Faculty Senate is limited to 30 voting members elected by the Faculty, and the President of the University, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University, and a college dean appointed by the Provost serving as Provost's Council representative as ex officio non-voting members.    (Faculty Handbook, page 55)