Minutes of the University Senate Meeting

December 3, 2009

1.

The December meeting of the University Senate was held at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009 in Room 7, Gamble Hall. Wendelin Hume presided.

2.

The following members of the Senate were present:

Anderson, Ernest

Anderson, Julie Anderson, Suzanne

Barkhouse, Wayne

Bates, Sandi

Blackburn, Royce

Bonner, Melissa

Bowman, Frank

Boyd, Robert

Bridewell, John

Broedel, Hans

Christie, Isham

Dewar, Graeme

El-Rewini, Hesham

Elsinga, Lillian

Fincke, Adam

Goodwin, Janice

Grandstrand, Tyrone

Graziano, Rocky

Guy, Mark

Hartman, Joseph

Heitkamp, Thomasine

Hume, Wendelin

Iiams, Michele

Jeno, Sue

Kelley, Robert

Khavanin, Mohammad

Kitzes, Adam

Lawrence, David

LeBel, Paul

Lee, Ethan

Lei, Saobo

Liepold, Loren

Light, Steven

Little, Michael

Marasinghe, Kanishka

McBride, Rosanne

Munski, Doug

Murphy, Eric

Pelton, Brady

Perkins, Dexter

Pohlman, Shelley

Poochigian, Donald

Potvin, Martha

Rakow, Lana

Rand, Kathryn

Rice, Daniel

Seddoh, Samuel

Smart, Kathy

Smith, Bruce

Smith, Wesley

Stofferahn, Curt

Stolt, Wilbur

Tienter, Dan

Tyree, Elizabeth

Ullrich, Gary

Wang, Enru

Werner, John

Widmer, Donovan

Worley, Deborah

3.

The following members of the Senate were absent:

Bakke, Matthew

Bass, Gail

Benoit, Joseph

Berry, Colleen

Bibel, George

Borgerson, Matthew

Brekke, Alice

Crawford, Sean

Drewes, Mary

Elbert, Dennis

Erickson, Daniel

Ferraro, Richard

Fershee, Josh

Flower, Ann

Graham, Cody

Haskins, James

Higgins, James

Houdek, Sherryl

Johnson, Phyllis

Kenney, Lynda

Kenville, Kimberly

Knight, Barbara

O’Keefe, Tim

Petros, Thomas

Riedy, Joshua

Schwartz, Rhonda

West, Jordan

Wynne, Joshua

4.

The following announcements were made:

1. Ms. Hume announced that there was a concern raised by the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee regarding travel for student athletes and absences. That matter has been referred to the Academic Policies Committee with a request to look at the attendance policy.
2. Ms. Hume explained that there are two committees responsible for Intellectual Property issues: one is a University Senate Committee and one is established by the President. These two committees have different purposes. She indicated that the chairs of the two committees will work together, which should alleviate any concerns.
3. The President thanked those that attended the University Council meeting and heard the State of the University address. He indicated that he laid out how the University will go forward but did not plan to reinvent the strategic plan. The goal is to find strategic action items to stress and move the university forward. There will be campus discussion led by Academic Affairs.
4. The President commented on alleged threats left on answering machines on campus. The matter is still under investigation and he will report when the investigation is complete.
5. Janice Hoffarth shared information on the Emerald and Ice Gala. She invited senators to join in advertising the event. The funds raised through the Gala will be used for scholarships for staff dependents. The event is February 6, 2010 at the Alerus, with music beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $6.
6. Ms. Hume shared the following appointments for Senate Committee member openings: University Assessment Committee, Krista Minnotte, Sociology and ROTC Committee, Richard Fiordo, Communication. She also indicated that a staff senator has resigned and will be replaced by the next meeting.
7. The Leadership Forum will be held on December 17 at noon in the Lecture Bowl. The forum is open to the entire campus and everyone is welcome.
8. Ms. Hume indicated that we may have a January Senate meeting. If there are no time-sensitive issues, the meeting will be cancelled. Senators are asked to hold the second Thursday, January 14 at 4:05 p.m., in the event there is a need for the meeting.
9. Pat Hanson, Director of Payroll, spoke regarding paperless payroll. Beginning January 1, 2010, there will no longer be a paper pay advice. She provided a handout that describes the paperless process and accessing the advice online.

5.

Ms. Hume shared a correction to the minutes of the November 5, 2009 meeting. She asked for additional corrections or additions. Hearing none, Mr. Dewar moved approval of the minutes as corrected. Mr. Bridewell seconded and the motion was approved.

6.

The question period was opened at 4:26 p.m.

Mr. Grandstrand asked the President to post an explanation of the goals from the State of the University address. The President indicated that the text is on the web and specific questions can be sent to him.

Mr. Grandstrand asked the President how to get involved in the planning described in the State of the University address. The President indicated that those interested should contact the Provost.

Mr. Graziano asked about the Essential Studies approval whereby Spanish language does not meet the global requirement, but the other languages do. Mr. Bridewell moved to allow Mr. Steen to speak. The motion was approved through consensus. Mr. Steen explained that the Language department made the decision on what to validate. The Essential Studies Committee has asked that it be reconsidered and that is in process.

Mr. Cristie asked the President about more student involvement in global experiences. He indicated that tuition and debt is a concern for students and that it needs to be looked into. The President indicated that affordability is a concern not only for North Dakota but nationally as well. The concern is not only tuition amounts but being able to graduate in a timely manner to not incur additional costs. He encouraged looking at tuition and fee structure across the nation to see the tremendous value in North Dakota. The President indicated that there will be a hard look at this issue going forward.

Mr. Bridewell moved that Mr. Steen be allowed to speak and report on the new Essential Studies office. The motion was approved through consensus. Mr. Steen introduced himself as the Director of Essential Studies. He shared how his position and the new office came about. The office is located in O’Kelly, 113. There will be an open house Friday, December 4 from 3-4:30 p.m.

Mr. Grandstrand asked the President if the finding is that students rush to graduate because of increased cost. The President indicated that the opposite seems to be true. Students need to work, etc., and as a result, it takes longer for them to graduate. Reducing time to degree will reduce cost.

The question period closed at 4:40 p.m.

7.

The annual reports of the Senate Continuing Education Committee and the Senate Student Policy Committee were presented. Mr. Munski moved to accept both reports. Mr. Little seconded and the motion passed.

8.

The Curriculum Committee report was presented. Approval was moved by Mr. Stofferahn and seconded by Mr. Perkins to approve the report. The motion was approved unanimously.

9.

The list of candidates for degrees at the December commencement was presented. Approval was moved by Mr. Little. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pelton and approved with a vote of 53 for and 2 abstentions.

10.

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed policy changes from the Academic Policy and Admissions Committee regarding repeating courses and CLEP and other test credit. Mr. Munski moved to discuss the two proposed changes together. The motion was seconded by Mr. Poochigian and approved. After discussion, Mr. Perkins moved approval of the proposed changes with the stipulation that the committee adjust the language for number five under “College-Level Examination Program” in the academic catalog. The motion was seconded by Mr. Munski. Mr. Grandstrand moved to postpone. The motion died for lack of second. There was further discussion. The original motion passed with a vote of 36 for, 16 against and 2 abstentions.

11.

Mr. Little moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bridewell seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.

Suzanne Anderson

Secretary to the Senate