ACADEMIC SENATE MINUTES

 

 

DATE:            September 15, 2005

 

PRESENT:     Agnes Samples                                            Mark Hardt

                        Paul Bauer                                                   Audrey ConnerRosberg

                        Keith Edgerton                                            Randall Gloege

                        Bruce Brumley                                             Noreen Lee

                        Craig McKenzie                                          Matt Redinger

                        Tasneem Khaleel (ex-officio)                        John Cech (ex-officio)

                        George White (ex-officio)                            Curt Kochner (ex-officio)

                                                                                          

ABSENT:       Lorrie Steerey – excused                             Sandie Rietz – excused

                        Russ Lord (ex-officio)                                  Joe Michels (ex-officio)

                        Mary Susan Fishbaugh (ex-officio)               Terrie Iverson (ex-officio)

 

GUEST:          Barb Pedula

 

PRESIDING: Keith Edgerton, Chair

 

 

Keith Edgerton called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m. in the Chancellor’s Conference Room.

 

The minutes of May 5 and August 25 were accepted as presented.

 

I.          WELCOME OF NEW SENATOR:  Dr. Agnes Samples, College of Allied Health Professions

 

The Senate welcomes Dr. Samples and appreciate her service.

 

II.         ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

 

Item 1  Committee Report 2004-2005:  Graduate Committee

 

Item 2  Committee Report 2004-2005:  RACE Committee

 

̃ Motion by Randall Gloege, seconded by Noreen Lee to accept Items 1 and 2 for information.

 

̃ Motion carried.

 

III.       ITEMS – FIRST READING

 

This item came in at the very end of spring semester.

Item 12  EDCI/SPED 600 Facilitating Positive Behaviors in the Classroom Environment.  Change rubric to SPED.

 

̃ Motion by Matt Redinger, seconded by Bruce Brumley to approve Item 12.

 

̃ Motion carried.

 

̃ Motion by Randall Gloege, seconded by Matt Redinger to waive second reading of Item 12.

 

̃ Motion carried.

 

IV.       DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

 

A.  University Lecturer Senate Position – possible?

 

Dr. Edgerton stated that more and more of our classes are taught by University Lecturers, and the similar position at the COT, the one-year appointment.  Perhaps we should have a position on the Senate to represent this growing group.

 

It was noted that we are already asking them to do a lot.  We shouldn’t ask for even more.  It was cited that in the CBA, University Lecturers are to sit on department and college committees, but not university committees.  It was observed that as these lecturer positions are annually appointed, if that person says something that offends their dean, it is possible they would not be reappointed.

 

It was decided that there is enough for lecturers/one-year appointments to do.  We should not add to the list.  Dr. Edgerton asked the Senators to beat the bushes to find another At-Large Senator.

 

B.  General Education FTE at the COT – Where does it go?

Guests:  Provost White, Dean Khaleel, Dean Cech, Professor Pedula

 

It was stated that the Senate is still confused about where the FTE goes for general education classes that are taught out at the COT.

 

 

Provost White explained that there are different models, all of which make one part of the campus look good and another look bad.  We could have the FTE follow the rubric, which makes the FTE of the COT look lower than it really is.  We could have the FTE follow the major, which takes FTE away from the College of Arts and Sciences that could result in funding shortfalls.

 

Currently, the FTE follows the rubric:  if a math course is taught at the COT, the FTE goes to the Math Department in the CAS.  However, there are a few courses, such as MATH 122, that have always been taught at the COT and are not taught on the main campus.  That FTE stays at the COT.  We still do not have a solution for where the FTE should go.

 

It was noted that the most important part of this is quality control of our courses.  Regardless of where they are taught, they are MSU-Billings courses that should provide a quality education.

 

It was observed that there is still confusion about online classes as well.  Provost White stated the FACC decided last year that Department Chairs are in charge of who teaches online courses.  However, if a Chair cannot fill an online instructor position, the Dean is authorized to fill that position.  Dr. White does not agree with it, but that is the agreement.

 

The question was raised as to whether it’s really legal for us to report to the Board of Regents main campus FTE that is actually being taught at the COT.  Provost White stated that it has been discussed at length, but it’s still undecided.  Dr. White also stated that we should decide if it is appropriate to count the FTE in such a way.

 

Barb Pedula noted that the COT is very pressed for space to hold general education classes.  If they want to offer a general education course at the COT, it has to be at a certain time, in a certain room, and usually there is only one per year from each category.  The students don’t get a choice.  Also, we at the COT are very cognizant of NorthWest’s regulations about faculty who teach general education courses, i.e., they must have a minimum of a master’s degree.  Partnerships with the CAS have been working very well, but it is frustrating when departments on the main campus hire instructors who do not meet the NorthWest regulation, and yes, this has happened.

 

Dean Khaleel noted that there are so many issues associated with the FTE trail, it is not going to be easily resolved.  Students can even register at the COT and take all their general education on the main campus at the reduced COT tuition rate.  Where should the FTE go for those students?

 

It was noted that if we report the general education courses taught at the COT as main campus FTE, we will get more funding from the state.  However, is that extra money being given back to the COT?  If we do report them as such, that makes the COT look bad in terms of FTE production.

 

Provost White stated that he would like to know what questions the Senate wants asked of this situation.  Some suggestions were given, such as:  Who is responsible for quality maintenance control?  Where is the money going?  Can some of the money be reallocated?

 

Dean Cech also noted that as the COT transitions to a community college, there will be mill levies to support COT tuition.  This will even further complicate this FTE situation.

 

C.  Provost White:  BOR Policy Changes Implementation

 

Dr. White distributed a handy summary of the BOR policy changes put together by Curt Kochner.  It also includes the impact of the changes and some actions that we will need to take.  Dr. Edgerton asked the Senators to review this summary for the next meeting as the Senate will have to take action to advise the faculty of the changes.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m.

 

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