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WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

Regular Meeting –April 4, 2005

Jim Stewart, 2004-2005 Senate President, called the Senate to order at 4:11  pm.  Thirty (30) people were present including twenty-four (24) Senators, one (1) recorder, two (2) guests and three (3) ex officio members.  (See attached roster).  

 Approval of Minutes of March 7, 2005

Senators approved the minutes of March 7, 2005. 

 Items from the Chair

Ø     President Stewart announced that a Whatcom librarian in Deming who had refused to turn over patron records from the Deming Library to the FBI had been awarded the prestigious Pen/Newman award for preserving First Amendment rights. 

Ø     Senators asked for an announcement of their individual rights and appropriate responses if approached by government agents seeking information in light of the Patriot Act.  President Morse confirmed that any questions should be referred to the Attorney General’s office rather than being answered.  Morse added that she would prepare a reminder on the topic for the campus.

Ø     Stewart reminded Senators that Jim Shaw, of campus police, had warned the campus to be alert to strangers who might not belong on campus, and to report any unusual activity to him.  Greencoats (student escorts) are available in the evenings to accompany people who must walk about the campus to get to cars, etc.

Associated Students

Brian Gettman, ASVP-Academics announced that the Associated Students are starting applications for the Student Trustee, to be selected by the Governor.  Applications are available in VU504.

Items from the Administration

o      President Morse gave official recognition and appreciation to David Patrick, Chemistry, who has mentored two student finalists in the renowned Intel International Science and Engineering Fair  One student took 8^th place.  Morse plans to notify the Herald.  Morse confirmed that David Patrick’s work was a “tremendous example of how effective our faculty are in mentoring and interacting with students.”

o      Morse announced that the House budget would be released on Wednesday, and that a comparison of the three budgets would be provided.  Morse expressed disappointment with the Senate budget which was not as favorable to Western as was hoped for.  The budget maintained a 6% tuition increase with 3% mandated to provide financial aid.  Todd Donovan, Legislative Liaison anticipates that COLA will be confirmed in the budget.

o      Morse confirmed she will appoint the four faculty named by the Executive Council to the Strategic Planning Committee chaired by Provost Bodman and Jeff Newcomer. 

o      Morse will send invitations this week to faculty on campus to provide input into the Provost’s five-year review.

o      Provost Bodman reported he will have more information at the April 18^th meeting regarding the status of chairs as faculty for purposes of the bargaining unit.

o      Bodman will seek proposals on the imposition of a fee in order to fund library acquisitions.

ACTION ITEMS

Reading of Standing Committee Minutes (Exhibit B)

Senators accepted Standing Committee minutes and noted the following: 

A.    Academic Coordinating Commission, 3/1/05,  Senators corrected a reference in the minutes to “Interdisiciplinary studies” which should read “International Studies”.

B.    Academic Technology Committee, 2/23/05

C.   University Planning Council,   2/23/05, 3/9/05.

Motion:  2006-07 Contingency Plan . 

o      Bertil Van Boer reviewed the 2006-07 Contingency Plan with Senators and explained the intention of the University Planning Council in modifying it.  Van Boer noted that the intention of UPC was to simplify the language, bringing it up to date and making it clearer.  The policy itself provides a series of scenarios and steps that could be taken to mitigate contingency, “not in detail, but in general principle.  The document is more in the form of general guidelines.” 

o      Senators voted to approve the 2006-2007 Contingency Plan as presented.

In other UPC matters:

o      Senators asked the UPC representative to find out whether the windows in faculty offices in the new buildings can be opened. 

o      One Senator asked that the UPC ensure that the student request for solar paneling in new buildings be brought forward.  Provost Bodman relayed that as part of the language in the State capital budget all new state buildings will be built according to more environmentally friendly guidelines and with greater directive from the State. 

o      In response to a question regarding the heat buildup from flat screen monitors, Senators learned that some of the heat might be due to the presence of a large number of people.  The computer labs are in the basement, with no windows and no ventilation, so it seems to be more of a ventilation problem than a technical problem.  The physical plant has been attempting to correct the problem and calls it a “load balancing problem”, according to Provost Bodman.  Van Boer will bring Senators questions to the UPC.

Appointments and Elections – Jeff Newcomer, Officer

¨    Senators were reminded that ballots for the Senate elections were due in the Senate office by Friday, April 8^th.  .

Senators appointed the following faculty to committees:

¨      To University Planning Council:  Nicholas Wonder, Finance & Marketing, until Spring 2006.  A representative to UPC from ACC is still requested.

MOTIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: 

¨        Senators unanimously passed a motion to approve the new Faculty Grievance Procedure which will replace the current Appendix E of the Faculty Handbook

¨        Senators passed a motion to approve minor revisions to current Bylaw 7.6. Offices and Roles in the Grievance Procedure.

¨        Senators passed a motion to approve a new Bylaw 7.6.1 creating the position of the Ombuds.  

¨        A second vote will be held on the Bylaws before they are forwarded to the Board of Trustees.  Following the vote Senators agreed to continue a further discussion on  the question of providing training for Executive Council members involved in grievance decisions.

Constituents’ Concerns: Senators’ concerns included: 

1)  a query as to whether Banner could be the first to implement “password hardening”;

2)  a request to clarify and publicize the process for deciding on symbols used to represent Western.

3)  a  request for guidelines regarding departmental accreditation processes;

4)  a request for immediate communication when public safety is in question.  

At a future meeting Senators agreed to consider handbook language regarding leave policy.

Adjournment

Senators moved to adjourn at 5:44 pm

Written by Rose Marie Norton-Nader, Recorder, 4/5/05

                                                                                                                              _____________________

                                                                                                                              Lorraine Kasprisin, Secretary

Faculty Senate Roster 2004-2005