Minutes of the University Senate Meeting

Anderson, Collin

Anderson, Katherine

Anderson, Suzanne

Axtman, Benjamin

Baker, Mary

Bass, Gail

Behrmann, William

Berne, Jane

Berwald, Olaf

Bradley, April

Broedel, Hans

Buhr, Jordan

Campbell, Katherine

DeMers, Judy

Elbert, Dennis

Elsinga, Lillian

Faruque, Saleh

Ferraro, Richard

Fisher, Jay

Gallager, Robert

Ghribi, Othman

Gordon, Gregory

Gourneau, Bonni

Grandstrand, Tyrone

Graves, Corey

Halvorson, Isaac

Haskins, James

Hoffarth, Janice

Hume, Wendelin

Hunter, Susan

Iiams, Michele

Iverson, Joneen

Jackson, Jon

Jeno, Sue

Jerath, Sukhvarsh

Johnson, Gary

Kaler, Amanda

Khavanin, Mohammad

Kupchella, Charles

Lawrence, David

Light, Steven

Little, Michael

Marshall, David

Mayzer, Roni

Melland, Helen

Mertz, Tara

Mortinson, Matthew

Murphy, Eric

Myrick, Matthew

Nelson, Susan

Perkins, Dexter

Petros, Thomas

Poochigian, Donald

Potvin, Martha

Reza, Hassan

Rice, Daniel

Richards, Thomas

Rieke, Judy

Rosenberger, Thad

Schwartz, Rhonda

Smith, Bruce

Stolt, Wilbur

Sun, Jeffrey

Tepper, Nadine

Watson, John

Weisenstein, Greg

Widmer, Donovan

Wittgraf, Michael

Wu, Min

The following announcements were made:

Mr. Petros announced that Thad Rosenberger, as the next highest vote getter, was elected to the Senate Executive Committee to fill the opening created by the election of the Senate vice chair position.
Mr. Petros announced that tobacco cessation materials were available to be picked up at the end of the Senate meeting.
Mr. Petros called attention to the attendance figures from AY 2006-2007. These were presented for information as SEC discussed the possible attendance policy for the Senate.
Phil Harmeson and Alice Brekke were called on to discuss the transition to Division I athletics and the report from the Division I Commission. Phil Harmeson introduced the discussion. He called attention to the fact that the entire Commission report is on the Senate website and the last pages are the pro forma for the budget. He indicated that the pro forma is a dynamic document. Mr. Harmeson highlighted the academic integrity portion. Alice Brekke addressed the finance aspect. The finance part is a result of two years of internal and external study. The changes in budget from current are inflationary factor, additional scholarships, staff and coach positions, salary market adjustments, and operations increases. Ms. Brekke then addressed funding for the move to DI and used a handout of pie charts that showed the funding sources. Discussion ensued.
Kate Campbell, chair of the Senate Academic Policies Committee, shared additional language added to the resident credit section of the catalog that is to clarify existing practice. The Senate accepted the clarification.

The question period was opened at 4:55 p.m.

Don Poochigian shared a complaint/dissatisfaction from faculty due to additional administrative demands, e.g. assessment. He asked if there was any consideration to integrate these demands. Mr. Weisenstein asked which administrative tasks he was referring to. Mr. Poochigian clarified annual reports, assessment, general education validations and revalidations. Mr. Weisenstein indicated that assessment is required by North Central and we have a visit coming. Assessment of student outcomes is good to do as well as required by NCA for accreditation. He indicated that conversations are occurring to work to condense and simplify reporting.

Mr. Wittgraf asked if, during discussion of the move to Division I, there was any discussion regarding the marching band. Mr. Harmeson indicated that he did not know. Ms. Hoffarth indicated that the marching band is funded by the President and that support is very much appreciated. The comment was that there could be an impact on the band. The President shared that there are funds to increase band numbers and support post season travel and said if there are comments regarding the marching band, to send them to Mr. Harmeson.

The question period closed at 5:05 p.m.

The chair asked for corrections or additions to the September 6, 2007 minutes. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as distributed.

A motion was made by Mr. Murphy and seconded by Mr. Little to accept the Senate Faculty Instructional Development Committee, Senate Honors Committee, and Senate Committee on Committees annual reports. The motion was approved.

Mr. Jackson moved to grant permission for Renee Maybe to speak to the Senate. She presented the University Assessment Committee report. It was moved and seconded to accept and file the report.

A resolution regarding Senate Executive Committee representation on the Research Council was presented. It was moved by Mr. Poochigian and seconded by Mr. Mortinson to approve the resolution. Discussion occurred. Mr. Murphy made a friendly amendment to strike the second “Whereas clause.” The friendly amendment was accepted. The motion was approved with a vote of 63 for and 1 against.

10.

A document describing the implementation of early tenure at UND was presented. There was a motion and second to approve. Mr. Weisenstein explained that the document was developed at the request of the State Board of Higher Education. The Board requested the UND implementation of early tenure and it is to be presented to them in a meeting in the near future. Discussion occurred. There was a friendly amendment by Dan Rice to remove the word “unequivocally.” The friendly amendment was accepted and the motion was approved with a vote of 61 for and 1 abstention.

11.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

Suzanne Anderson

Secretary to the Senate