ACADEMIC SENATE MINUTES

DATE: March 10, 2011

PRESENT: Scott Murray Stephen Eliason

Don Larsen Sandie Rietz

Rakesh Sah Lorrie Steerey

Craig McKenzie Keith Edgerton

Doug Brown Mark Hardt

Patricia Vettel-Becker Diane Duin (ex-officio)

Tasneem Khaleel (ex-officio) Tim Wilkinson (ex-officio)

Vern Gagnon (ex-officio) Gary Young (ex-officio)

ABSENT: Paul Bauer* Bruce Brumley*

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

Stacy Klippenstein (ex-officio)

* excused

PRESIDING: Lorrie Steerey, Chair

Lorrie Steerey called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. in the Chancellor’s Conference Room.

The minutes of February 17 were accepted as presented.

I. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

Item 39 Common Course Numbering: SOCL to ANTY (anthropology)

Item 39.a Common Course Numbering: ART to ARTH (art history)

Item 39.b Common Course Numbering: FIN to BFIN (business-finance)

Item 39.c Common Course Numbering: EE/PHYS to EELE (electrical engineering)

Item 39.d Common Course Numbering: EVST to ENST (environmental studies)

Item 39.e Common Course Numbering: NAMS to NASX (Native American studies)

Item 39.f Common Course Numbering: BIOL & HHP to NUTR (nutrition)

Item 39.g Common Course Numbering: ART to ARTZ (visual & studio arts)

Item 39.h Common Course Numbering: BIOL & HLTH to BIOH (anatomy & physiology)

Þ Motion by Craig McKenzie, seconded by Mark Hardt to accept Items 39 through 39.h for information.

Þ Motion carried.

II. ITEM – SECOND READING

Item 38 Academic Senate Bylaws Article IV. Section B. 3. Budget Committee. Change composition of the Committee to Senators.

Þ Motion by Mark Hardt, seconded by Craig McKenzie to approve Item 38 on second reading.

It was noted in the “Officers” section:

“The Committee shall elect its chair from among the faculty members appointed by the Academic Senate.”

The “appointed by the Academic Senate” part is not necessary. It was removed.

It was noted that the quorum should be more than five, since the Senate’s quorum is seven. The quorum rule was changed to read:

“A quorum shall consist of six faculty members and one student member.”

Þ Motion carried.

III. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

A. Board of Regents

Dr. Steerey stated at the meeting with faculty representatives, the Regents spoke openly about the issues facing the University System. It was quite possibly the best Regents meeting she has attended.

President Cruzado stated that she is looking closely at administration in Bozeman and the other units. She stated that there are somewhere between 70 and 80 microbiologists scattered across MSU-Bozeman, and not all of them are faculty. She wants us to check out the LEAN program—Dr. Steerey will send out a link.

Dr. Steerey also noted that Regents Todd Buchanan and Major Robinson are in Billings and have agreed to come talk to use about the LEAN program and any other issues. The meeting will be in a few weeks.

It was noted that Todd Buchanan will most likely be the next chair of the Board of Regents.

B. Senate Chairperson

Dr. Steerey noted that her term as Chair ends with the 2011-12 academic year, and she will not serve another term. She will, however, remain on the Senate. She asks that anyone interested in being Chairperson please step forward by the August retreat so we can appoint a Chair Elect in the 2011-12 year. Chancellor Groseth has agreed to pay for two people to go to the upcoming Regents meetings.

C. Announcements

The next Senate meeting is scheduled for the same afternoon as the Faculty Excellence dinner, so it will be postponed to March 31.

Interim Dean Vern Gagnon, College of Technology, stated they will be having a ribbon cutting for the new wind turbine at the COT on May 18 at 11:00 a.m. This is the day before the next BOR meeting.

Dean Gagnon also noted that MSUB has been granted ownership of a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. They plan to have a significant event on the 10^th anniversary of September 11, which is this fall.

The meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.

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