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Amended and Approved by Faculty Senate  5/24/04

WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

Regular Meeting

May 17, 2004

James Loucky, Senate President, called the Senate meeting to order at 4:07 pm.  Thirty-nine (39) people were present including nineteen (19) Senators, fifteen (15) newly-elected Senators, one (1) recorder, one (1) guest and three (3) ex officio members..  (See attached roster).

Approval of Senate Minutes

§         The Senate approved the minutes and its attachment of May 3, 2004.  .

Items from the Chair

¨    President Loucky welcomed both the old Senate and the new Senators who were attending immediately following their Orientation at 3 pm.

¨    Loucky reported that the “Appeals” portion of the tenure and promotion revision to the Faculty Handbook passed at the May 3^rd meeting (Attachment to the May 3^rd minutes) has been withdrawn, and will be reconsidered in the Fall Quarter as a  result of suggestions by the Assistant Attorney General.

¨    Loucky reminded Senators of the on-campus schedule for the finalists for the position of Dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts.

¨    Student Vice President for Academic Affairs Maya Tomlin reported to the Senate that Associated Students was hosting a week-long event  on campus May 17 to the 21^st  “supporting the power of the student vote”.

Items from the Administration

·         President Morse reported that the members of the Waterfront Committee at its meeting had reviewed enrollment data and had asked for additional data; had discussed Western’s niche in the State, and addressed the potentials for expansion in ways that add value to student/faculty experience rather than simply relieve pressure on campus.  The committee also requested future presentations by Waterfront Futures and the Port of Bellingham.  Morse emphasized there is no holding back on the scope of what can be considered, and what data we would like to see at this stage of the discussion.  A summary of the discussion will appear in FAST.

·         Provost Bodman reported on the Compact Committee and its consideration of a HEC Board Plan to propose funding to universities based on outcomes rather than enrollment. 

·         Bodman is proposing an administrative position to work on legal questions surrounding high demand enrollment targets and legislative intent.  Bodman reminded Senators that he had eliminated the position of Director of Institutional Research, folding the position into Assessment and Testing, and that he is asking for restoration of that funding.  Senators suggested that Bodman consider alternative proposals to creating a Vice Provost position, and put money into the hands of faculty to assist with faculty affairs, thus setting up a potentially different model.  Bodman responded that he was happy to entertain an alternate option, perhaps even bringing in faculty on part-time assignments.

·         Bodman responded to questions on the retroactive timetable for distribution of 2% raises for faculty as well as recruitment and retention funds.  On the issue of faculty raises he explained that the 2% raise would be distributed to faculty in the form of a one-half step increase (approximately 1-1/2%) with the remainder being used to raise the value of steps.   Regarding R&R, Bodman reported he does not yet have the colleges’ determinations, but that he plans to make all retention adjustments back-dated to May 1^st  (referring to this year’s money).  Bodman reported that 60% is going to be used to retain current faculty, 15% for a variety of equity adjustments, 15% for direct recruitment (some of which is presently occurring and some next year); and that he would retain 10%, a sum of approximately 33,000, for various contingenices.  Identity of equity adjustment subgroups is from the College and University Personnel and Administration (CUPA) survey data from 2000 and 2001 – and identifies ranks most seriously depressed.  Bodman’s defense in light of legislative intent is that serious salary issues lead to retention problems.

·         Bodman announced that a new representative to the Senate from the Provost’s Council will be appointed before the May 24 meeting.  Bodman will also forward to the Senate by May 24 several concerns raised about the Senate action on tenure and promotion.

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

       Academic Coordinating Commission, 4/27/04

       University Planning Council, 4/21/04

       Academic Technology Committee,  4/21/04

       Senate Library Committee,  2/6/04

ACTION ITEMS

Senators voted a second time to unanimously pass the revisions to the Faculty Handbook on the creation of an Ombuds, and to pass (unanimously with one abstention) the revision requiring that Chairs of Standing Committees be members of Western faculty.  The Executive Council motions were brought forward and passed at the previous meeting on May 3^rd.

o     In light of the motion on Chairs, Loucky reported that the Executive Council had voted to approve Rick Osen, 2004-2005 Chair of the University Planning Council.  Osen, the representative of the Exempt Professioanl Staff, and a member of the Library, was re-elected by the Council in Winter quarter.

Motions from the Executive Council – Professional Leave Policy

Senators reviewed proposed new language for pages 18 through 20 of the Faculty Handbook, regarding professional leave.

o        Minor adjustments were made to section numbering. 

o        A related amendment to page 20 of the handbook was moved by Jim Stewart, seconded by Joan Hoffman to change the date from December 24^th to January 15^th which passed. 

o        The amendment included a request to remove the last sentence in section 2c. and to add the following:  “However, in exceptional circumstances, the professional leave committee may recommend requests for leaves for the 2d academic year following application.”

The Senate voted unanimously to approve the policy (one abstention) (attached and on the Senate website at http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/senate)

Ad Hoc Committee on Climate

President Loucky read a motion to establish an ad-hoc committee to consider recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Campus Climate on faculty review of administrators.  Members suggested the language of the motion needed revision, and that revised language could be included on a future agenda.  Senators requested that a conversation take place that would include information about current timelines, procedures and policies for administrative evaluations.  Brad Johnson moved, seconded by Jim Stewart, that the motion be tabled with the proviso that it be rewritten and brought back at the following meeting, which the Senate passed.

Adjournment

Senators moved to adjourn at 6:17 p.m.

Written by Rose Marie Norton-Nader, Recorder, 5/17/04

                                                                                  _______________________________

                                                                                                            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)