CEO Jimmy Woods called the September 11, 2003 faculty senate meeting to order at 12:45 PM.
CEO Woods submitted the minutes of the 21 August 2003 meeting for approval and called for any additions or corrections. None noted; Reiselt moved to accept the minutes. Smith seconded, and the minutes were approved.
President’s report
1. There is almost an 8% increase in enrollment for the fall. This is higher than hoped with best growth shown in graduate student enrollment with 18% increase. Fuller questioned how well we are serving freshman with more students and less classes. Hansford said that fifty cadets took Math or English and a Wellness course in the summer, so more seats were available in those subjects in the fall. The numbers of resident students over commuters grew since more beds were available this fall. Buckheister said that faculty positions were also added and some enrollment growth was due to students transferring in and not just freshmen, so needs were met.
2. The Senate appointed a committee last spring to address the issues surrounding child care. The committee reported that there is a problem; part-time child care is needed but only full-time care is offered in most daycare centers. Two solutions are possible. One, Dahlonega Country Day is the only local service that expressed interest in part-time child care, but it is operating at capacity. Two, a childcare referral agency exists in Gainesville. They have offered to help on an individual basis if contacted. If there is sufficient need, they encourage discussion of possible new daycare center(s). Dr. Brian Mann and the committee were thanked for their thorough examination of this problem and the solutions recommended.
3. There has been discussion on campus for a current
events forum. This suggests two things; an electronic bulletin board
and a discussion forum for current events. The bulletin board is
to allow for campus employees to advertise personal items such as a house
rental while on sabbatical. It is questionable to use university
resources for gain that are available to local commerce; the users should
be individuals on campus. The current events forum could be in a
listserv or a bulletin board. Rules such as, possibly, you must sign
messages on the bulletin board and no profanity is allowed must be established.
The issue remains that these both be used properly and, therefore, there
must be rules and limitations. What is appropriate for posting on
the listserv? Establishment and monitoring either requires work;
ITT cannot do it. The staff council has been asked to monitor a bulletin
board and they are considering it. It is suggested that the senate
address the current event forum by, possibly, setting up a committee to
establish the forum or to address regulations and rules. Discussion
was held regarding use of language, limitations on accessibility, free
speech, inundation of unwanted mail, space on server. Friedman moved
to set up committee and Smith seconded. There was no discussion and
the motion passed. Woods will set up committee.
CEO's Report
Faculty assigned to call the first meeting of a committees and elect
chairs should do so. Recommendations for promotion and tenure (passed
at the August meeting) have been sent to administration.
Agenda Item - Reporting of grades for summer term
Wiedmann pointed out that final grades are reported for Maymester and
first summer session at end of second summer session. She recommends
that grades be available on banner to appropriate faculty at the end of
each session in order to be available to students in a timely fashion.
Friedman moved that the Senate endorse this and Smith seconded. Fuller
questioned the problems. The registrar, Pruitt, said that grades
are already available. Access to final grade rosters is available
on the first day of exams, same for every period, and ceases to be available
once grades are rolled on the deadline. Wiedmann pointed out that
students who finish in Maymester must wait until he end of second summer
session to access final grade and learn if they can graduate or not.
Pruitt explained that grades can not be processed 3 times during summer
since financial aid problems would result; GPA, for Hope, is calculated
at the end of each semester and a student would lose Hope grant money for
a lack of hours or for GPA. Calculating good academic standing is also
affected. Wiedmann also complained that all courses are not always
available to a professor. Pruitt explained that if a course is slated
for X instructor, then the grade roster is not available to specific professor.
Pruitt said that students may access their grades on banner by clicking
on degree audit rather than final grade. He will send email to remind
professors to tell students how to do this. Wiedmann withdrew the
motion; Friedman concered. Pruitt thanked all for attendance and
help.
Agenda Item - Comments ans suggestions from the 2002-2003
University P&T committee
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5.Each department or school should develop a set of very specific guidelines stating the requirements for promotion and tenure. These standards should be included in each candidate's portfolio.
Note: For recommendation #3, considerations relative
to performance-based discipline should be incorporated into the discussion.
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