ACADEMIC SENATE MINUTES

 

 

DATE:            February 22, 2007

 

PRESENT:     Mark Hardt                                          Rakesh Sah

                        Sandie Rietz                                         Bruce Brumley

                        Johanna Mitchell                                   Keith Edgerton

                        Gershon Bulgatz                                   Noreen Lee

                        Craig McKenzie                                   Matt Redinger

                        Tedee Cuomo (student)                        Tasneem Khaleel (ex-officio)

 

ABSENT:       Agnes Samples – excused                    Audrey ConnerRosberg – excused

                        Lorrie Steerey – excused

                        David Garloff (ex-officio)                      Gary Young (ex-officio)

                        Mary Susan Fishbaugh (ex-officio)        Karen Heikel (ex-officio)

                        John Cech (ex-officio)                          George White (ex-officio)

                        Terrie Iverson (ex-officio)                     Stacy Klippenstein (ex-officio)

 

PRESIDING: Sandie Rietz, Vice Chair

 

 

Sandie Rietz called the meeting to order at 3:41 p.m. in the Bridger room.

 

The minutes of February 15 were accepted as presented.

 

I.          ITEM – FIRST READING

 

Item 56  MEd Interdisciplinary Studies Option:  Teacher Licensure Program of Study.  Modification of an existing program.

 

It was noted that this change removes one three-credit course from the Professional Core, because it has become inappropriate for the degree.  There are no issues associated with the credit reduction for accreditation or teacher certification.

 

Ž Motion by Matt Redinger, seconded by Bruce Brumley to approve Item 56 on first reading.

 

Ž Motion carried.

 

Ž Motion by Matt Redinger, seconded by Noreen Lee to waive second reading of Item 56.

 

Ž Motion carried.

 

II.         DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

 

A.  Academic Senate Budget Committee

 

Keith Edgerton stated that he dropped the ball on restarting the Budget Committee and asking the Chancellor for all of the budgetary information.  The inactive Senate Budget Committee was superseded by the University Budget Committee because the Senate Committee did not allow the administrators to vote.  The Senate was going to change the voting rights so that the Chancellor would agree to turn over all the budgets.

 

Craig McKenzie agreed to join the group as a COT representative.

 

Ž Motion by Keith Edgerton, seconded by Mark Hardt to revise the Academic Senate Bylaws, Article IV, Section B, 3. Budget Committee, to strike the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning and include the College of Allied Health Professions.

 

Ž Motion carried.

 

B.  Fall 2007 Academic Senate Retreat:  Pick a day

 

The Senate agreed to set the Fall 2007 Retreat for Monday, August 27, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

 

C.  Volunteer Needed for Committee for Selection of Faculty Award Winners

            Single meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 11:00 to 2:00 – lunch will be served

 

It was noted that the Senate has not been asked for a volunteer previously, so this is good.

 

Johanna Mitchell agreed to serve on the committee.

 

D.  Percentage of Part-Time Faculty that Teach MSU-B Classes

 

It was noted that the Provost is not here today, but the Senate needs to have this discussion with him.  Some research will be done on the percentage of part-time faculty, general education courses taught by part-time faculty, online courses taught by part-time faculty, and so on.

 

E.  HB525 “Intellectual Diversity”

 

Tedee Cuomo stated that students went to Helena to speak on HB525, but there were not many professors present.  It would greatly help the case if some academics were there.  Ms. Cuomo noted that the bill was not voted on in committee, so it will end up in the House.

 

Dr. Rietz requested that the ASMSU-B send their resolution to the Academic Senate, and the date HB525 will come up again.

 

It was noted that the faculty union recently sent out some contact information so that faculty may contact their Montana representatives about HB525.  The Senate could send that information again, when HB525 comes up again, which will probably be in April.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.

 

rjrm