ACADEMIC SENATE MINUTES

 

 

DATE:            October 11, 2007

 

PRESENT:     Agnes Samples                                     Jeff Sanders

                        Rakesh Sah                                          Bruce Brumley

                        Audrey ConnerRosberg                        Lorrie Steerey

                        Johanna Mitchell                                   Keith Edgerton

                        Gershon Bulgatz                                   Mark Hardt

                        Craig McKenzie                                   John Cech (ex-officio)

 

ABSENT:       Sandie Rietz – excused                         Alicia Esteves (student) – excused

                        James Ellis (student) – excused

                        David Garloff (ex-officio)                      Tasneem Khaleel (ex-officio)

                        Gary Young (ex-officio)                        Mary Susan Fishbaugh (ex-officio)       

                        Karen Heikel (ex-officio)                      George White (ex-officio)

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

 

GUESTS:        Valerie Martinez                                   Jim Hughes

 

PRESIDING: Audrey ConnerRosberg, Chair

 

 

Audrey ConnerRosberg called the meeting to order at 3:46 p.m. in room B57 of the College of Technology.

 

The minutes of September 27 were accepted as presented.

 

I           New Senator

 

Steve Coffman has agreed to fill the vacant at-large spot on the Senate.  He will be at the next meeting.

 

II.         ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

 

Item 8  Committee Roster 2007-2008.  Student representatives.

 

Ž Motion by Lorrie Steerey, seconded by Craig McKenzie to accept Item 8.

 

Ž Motion carried.

 

Item 4  AAS in Power Plant Technology.  New program.

Item 4.a  PPT 250 Power Plant Basics.  Delete course.

Item 4.b  PWRP 201 Power Plant Equipment and Operations.  New course.

Item 4.c  PWRP 203 Energy Sources and Conversion.  New course.

Item 4.d  PWRP 210 Turbines, Accessories and Basic Operation.  New course.

Item 4.e  PWRP 214 Power Generation.  New course.

Item 4.f  PWRP 216 Electrical System Components and Protections.  New course.

Item 4.g  PWRP 218 Advanced Plant Operations and Troubleshooting.  New course.

Item 4.h  PWRP 296 Cooperative Education/Internship.  New course.

 

Ž Motion by Keith Edgerton, seconded by Bruce Brumley to accept Items 4, 4.a, 4.b, 4.c, 4.d, 4.e, 4.f, 4.g, and 4.h.

 

It was noted that there is no tenure-track faculty member in charge of this program.  The program itself looks excellent, but the budget does not indicate where the money will come from to fund this new program.

 

John Cech, Dean of the College of Technology, noted that he does have a 0.5 FTE faculty line built into the budget, and at the October 31 Provost Council meeting he will be required to present staffing plans for all COT programs.  It was cited that the Senate needs that staffing and budget information.

 

Ž Motion by Lorrie Steerey, seconded by Keith Edgerton to table Items 4, 4.a, 4.b, 4.c, 4.d, 4.e, 4.f, 4.g, and 4.h until the Senate receives the appropriate budget data.

 

Dean Cech noted that they need this program approved soon because it has a Spring 2008 start.  It was cited that the paperwork indicates it will be a Fall 2008 start.

 

Ž Motion carried with 3 abstentions.

 

The Senate noted that it has no problem with the curriculum, which looks great.

 

Item 6  EDCI 385 Junior Field Experience.  Change prerequisite and course description.

 

Ž Motion by Bruce Brumley, seconded by Lorrie Steerey to accept Item 6.

 

Ž Motion carried.

 

III.       DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

 

A.  Discussion Topics for President Gamble Next Week

 

The Senate agreed the agenda for next week will be:

  • Summer Schedule Memo:  What is his response?
  • Faculty Morale Survey:  What steps would he take if these were his faculty?
  • Shared Governance
  • Communication, Specifically New Personnel—Faculty on campus do not know which staff are being let go or reorganized and the faculty have no input in these decisions
  • How does President Gamble see us at MSU Billings?
  • Frequency of Meetings:  Once a year is not enough

 

B.  Discussion with Local Media

 

Keith Edgerton stated that he was contacted by Mary Pickett from the Billings Gazette.  She is interested in talking with the Senate about current Senate issues.  It was agreed that the Chair, Vice Chairs, Secretary, and Dr. Edgerton as Past Chair should meet with Ms. Pickett.

 

C.  Morale and Engagement Survey Data:  What do we want to do with the results?

 

It was cited that the basic results of the survey indicated that staff and faculty are satisfied with their jobs, the students, and their immediate supervisor/department chair.  However, they are very dissatisfied with the upper administration, with the Senate, and with the budget process.  Faculty do not feel respected, they do not feel their opinions matter, or that they are valued.  It was noted that we should hear President Gamble’s opinion on the results before taking action.

 

It was observed that Senators have to talk with faculty about what they want their Senate to do.  Senators can also get on their respective department meeting agendas to update faculty about Senate activities and receive feedback.

 

D.  Summer Schedule Memo Retraction

 

It was suggested that the Summer Schedule memo be retracted as the whole Senate had not reviewed the final version.  It was noted that faculty members have been approaching Senators stating how pleased they are about the memo and that the Senate has taken a stand on this issue.

 

It was agreed that the memo will not be retracted.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

 

rjrm