Minutes of the University Senate Meeting

Anderson, Suzanne

Axtman, Benjamin

Bass, Gail

Benoit, Joseph

Berne, Jane

Broedel, Hans

Buhr, Jordan

DeMers, Judy

Doze, Van

Drewes, Mary

Elsinga, Lillian

Faruque, Saleh

Ferraro, Richard

Ghribi, Othman

Grant, Emanuel

Haskins, James

Hoffarth, Janice

Hume, Wendelin

Hunter, Susan

Iiams, Michele

Iverson, Joneen

Jackson, Jon

Jeno, Sue

Jerath, Sukhvarsh

Khavanin, Mohammad

Kitzes, Adam

Kupchella, Charles

Lawrence, David

LeBel, Paul

Mamaghani, Iraj

Marshall, David

Mayzer, Roni

Mertz, Tara

Moen, Jan

Murphy, Eric

Perkins, Dexter

Poochigian, Donald

Potvin, Martha

Reza, Hassan

Rice, Daniel

Rieke, Judy

Rosenberger, Thad

Schwartz, Rhonda

Sun, Jeffrey

Wettersten, Kara

Widmer, Donovan

Wittgraf, Michael

Anderson, Collin

Anderson, Katherine

Baker, Mary

Behrmann, William

Beneda, Nancy

Berwald, Olaf

Boyd, Robert

Bradley, April

Campbell, Katherine

Covington, Chandice

Cripe, Haylee

Elbert, Dennis

Fisher, Jay

Gallager, Robert

Gordon, Gregory

Gourneau, Bonni

Grandstrand, Tyrone

Graves, Corey

Halvorson, Isaac

Jackson, Margaret

Johnson, Gary

Kaler, Amanda

Light, Steven

Little, Michael

Lothspeich, Jason

Melland, Helen

Mortinson, Matthew

Myrick, Matthew

Nelson, Susan

Petros, Thomas

Rendahl, Stephen

Richards, Thomas

Riedy, Joshua

Schnellert, Gary

Smith, Bruce

Stolt, Wilbur

Tepper, Nadine

Weisenstein, Greg

Wilson, H. David

Wu, Min

The following announcements were made:

Mr. Jackson announced that since the last Senate meeting, Rugao Liu, associate professor from the Anatomy and Cell Biology department, passed away. He stated that Mr. Liu had been very proud to be a member of University Senate. A moment of silence was held in honor of Mr. Liu.
Mr. Jackson reminded Senators that a reception, hosted by the President and Mrs. Kupchella, would be held after the meeting at the Lloyd Stone Center.
Mr. Jackson introduced UND’s new Athletic Director, Brian Faison.
Joan Hawthorne reported on the visit from the Higher Learning Commission. The site visit was completed and UND is in the process of reviewing and responding to report drafts. The process is nearly complete and the final report will be available in fall 2008. There is no further follow-up required by the Higher Learning Commission. They praised work by several UND committees, especially the University Assessment and General Education Requirements Committees. Ms. Hawthorne indicated that we are doing well now and need to maintain the progress that we have made. She thanked the Senators for work done across campus. The Senate recognized Ms. Hawthorne for her good work on Assessment and the HLC visit.
Ms. Potvin announced the posting of the new Essential Studies Director part-time position.
Mr. Munski reported on the Parking Task Force and shared the group’s charge. There is a wide range of campus constituencies represented on the Task Force, which began meeting March 28^th at its established meeting time of 12-1:30 p.m. Mondays in the Prairie Room. Anyone interested in attending the meetings is welcome.
Rick Tonder, Facilities, shared information regarding the UND master plan. He explained that the State Board requires an institutional master plan every six years with two-year updates. Since this year is the six-year request period, UND can submit three projects for funding. The School of Medicine has also been permitted to submit three projects. There is a campus process that ends with a list of prioritizations. The campus number one project is renovation and addition to the Education building which would link to Gillette and include some renovation as well. Number two is a similar project in the Law School. Third is replacement of the coal fire boilers which are beyond their life span. The School of Medicine submitted as their number one priority an allied health facility for various health science majors not currently located in the Medical facility. Number two is a new Bismarck family practice facility. Number three is elimination of the debt for the Minot family practice center. In addition, there are a large number of requests for non-appropriated funding. The entire plan will be posted on the Facilities web page. The process is that the projects go to the State Board, Management and Budget, and then Governor. There was a question on funds for the O’Kelly renovation. Mr. Tonder indicated that the project is progressing and will be started this summer. There was a question on replacement of coal fire boilers and investigation of other renewable energy sources. Mr. Tonder explained that the request will also be for a feasibility study to make the facility a research opportunity to look at clean coal technology. In addition, we are looking at partnering with corporations to look at renewable energy and clean coal.
Lori Robison reminded the Senate that the new Essential Studies program will start next fall. Materials are updated for students coming in this summer. The Essential Studies website will be up next week. The Office for Instructional Development has additional model project funds. The Essential Studies Transition Committee is again offering to talk with departments for help with courses or understanding the new program. Ms. Robison expressed thanks for the help and support of Senate. She recognized the General Education Requirements/Essential Studies Committee, and especially Ryan Zerr. Finally, she thanked Suzanne Anderson and the Registrar’s Office for their work with the Essential Studies website.
Mr. Perkins reported on the Tenure and Promotions Task Force that was appointed by the Provost. He updated the Senate and explained that a report and recommendations will come to the Senate in the fall. He shared preliminary findings that many departments do not have written procedures for promotion and tenure. As a heads up, he indicated that they will probably need to be completed and this summer may be an opportunity to work on it. Many departments indicated that they rely on the Faculty Handbook. He stated that the Faculty Handbook needs review, correction, and updating. The proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook will also be brought to Senate in the fall.
President Kupchella thanked all who worked on assessment and the University Assessment Committee. He especially noted the work of Joan Hawthorne. The Higher Learning Commission was impressed with the General Education Requirements Committee and our new Essential Studies program. The new Essential Studies program shows how assessment was used to improve what we are doing at UND. He expressed thanks to those working on the Essential Studies program and indicated that he is proud to be a part of an institution that has created an Essential Studies program.
Mr. Kupchella presented a plaque to recognize Tom Petros for his service as chair of University Senate. Accepting on behalf of Chair Petros was Mr. Jackson. The Senate gave a round of applause in appreciation of Mr. Petros.
Mr. Kupchella indicated that this was his last Senate meeting and he thanked the Senators, stating that through the years the Senate has been thoughtful and civil as it worked through many thorny issues. He invited the Senators to an appreciation reception following the meeting. The Senate gave Mr. Kupchella a round of applause.

The chair asked for corrections or additions to the April 3, 2008 minutes. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as distributed.

The question period was opened at 4:43 p.m.

Mr. Murphy asked about employee tuition waivers. He asked about the process for admission and whether it is spelled out clearly. Ms. Anderson explained the difference for degree seeking versus non-degree seeking options for undergraduates. Mr. Benoit explained the process for graduate degree and non-degree admissions. Mr. Murphy suggested that it needs to be emphasized that it is a simple process and staff should be encouraged to participate. Ms. Anderson indicated she will take the suggestion back to appropriate individuals.

The question period was closed at 4:48 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Marshall, and seconded by Ms. Jeno, to accept and file the Senate Scholarly Activities Committee annual report. The motion was approved.

Mr. Jackson presented the General Education Requirements/Essential Studies Committee ballot explaining that Adam Kitzes was inadvertently omitted from the election ballot. There was a motion by Mr. Buhr and a second by Mr. Poochigian to approve the ballot. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Mr. Poochigian and a second by Mr. Haskins to accept Adam Kitzes on the General Education Committee. The motion was approved by acclamation. Mr. Jackson then asked that the Senate ratify the Committee. There was a motion by Mr. Axtman and a second by Mr. Buhr to ratify the Committee. The motion was approved unanimously. Finally, Mr. Jackson requested that the entire ballot for Senate Committees be ratified now that it is complete. It was moved by Ms. DeMers and seconded by Mr. Buhr. The entire slate of election results was approved unanimously.

Mr. Jackson presented the list of May candidates for degrees. Mr. Haskins moved approval and Ms. Elsinga seconded. The May graduates were approved unanimously.

10.

The Senate Curriculum Committee report and an addendum were presented. Mr. Marshall moved approval. It was seconded by Mr. Perkins. The curriculum report and addendum were approved unanimously.

11.

The proposed changes to the University Assessment Plan were presented by Renee Mabey. She explained that the changes in the document are predominantly due to the new Essential Studies program and a few minor clean-up items. It was moved by Ms. Bass and seconded by Mr. Axtman to accept the updated plan. The revised plan was approved unanimously. Ms. Mabey thanked the Senators for their campus-wide work. There was applause of appreciation for Ms. Mabey.

12.

There was a motion to adjourn that died for lack of a second.

13.

Mr. Marshall made the following motion:

“The Senate of the University of North Dakota thanks President Kupchella for his nine years of excellent leadership of UND.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Wittgraf. Student and staff senators expressed support for the motion and extended their gratitude to President Kupchella as well. The motion passed unanimously and there was applause of appreciation for President Kupchella.

14.

Adjournment was moved by Mr. Murphy and seconded by Mr. Haskins. The meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m.

Suzanne Anderson

Secretary to the Senate