NGCSU Faculty Senate Minutes for November 13, 2003

NGCSU Faculty Senate Minutes for November 13, 2003 Call to order:
CEO J. Woods called the November 13, 2003 faculty senate meeting to order at 12:30pm.

Senators present:

K. Benton, K. Biddy, E. Combier, C. Chastain, B. Friedman, A. Gaillard, M. Gilbert, N. Hansford, S. Irwin, E. Lewis, A. Lu, G. Mann, B. Reiselt, L. Reeves, A. Schaffer, A. Sumners

Senators excused:

R. Fuller, A. Ghafarian, K. Hislope, M. Pomphile, A. Sampson

Senators absent:

C. Dare, K. Mace, D. Morris, G. Olsen, C. Powell, S. Smith, A. Stucke, S. Wiedmann

Visitors:

L. Roberts-Betsch, D. Brian Mann

Minutes of October 9, 2003 meeting:

CEO Woods submitted the minutes of the October 9, 2003 meeting for approval and called for any additions or corrections. In the President’s report, the word “cut” was added to the line “[t]he BOR recommended a 10% special funding cut initiative for most colleges.” B. Reiselt moved to accept the minutes. L. Reeves seconded it and the minutes were approved.

President’s report:

The budget has been passed in the Governor’s office. We hope to get the top 10 state projects funded through bond issues, not current revenue. We are number eight on the list with plans for the new library. We are doing site design work and the original site was to be an attachment to Stewart Library. The architect deemed the ground unsatisfactory due to a history of mining under the foundation. Optional sites include the site behind the Chow Hall where the tennis courts are presently located.

CEO report:

All committees have met with the exception of the library committee and the technology committee.

Brian Mann is congratulated for completing discussion forum committee business early.

Discussion forum committee report:

Members: D. Brian Mann, Carl Cavalli, Chuck Robertson, Terry Schwaner, Barry Friedman, Catherine Chastain
Purpose of committee was to explore options for establishing an electronic discussion forum.
Four options were discussed:

1. Bulletin Board: Used until fall of 1999 and terminated because it was open to the world wide web.
2. Newsgroup: This would require special server and support.
3. Weblogs: This would be a small website maintained by one person and focused on one theme. This requires dedicated server.
4. Listserv: This option requires no support or equipment from ITT because as a USG institution, we are free to set up listservs through UGA at not charge. Subscribers to such a discussion forum listserv would receive e-mail messages in their regular NGCSU mailboxes.

Option 4 is recommended for several reasons: a. No overhead, b. By subscribing, individuals agree, by default, to tolerate the discussion and delivery of messages, c. This allows us to verify use of forum for future reference, and d. Participation in the Discussion Forum listserv could be limited to NGCSU faculty/staff subscribers.
The motion, made by a committee, to establish a listserv required no second. B. Friedman moved to amend that the faculty senate sponsor this listserv and Combier seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion to amend carried. B. Mann commented that Jay Steed expressed interest in serving on committee to form rules for listserv. The motion to pursue the listserv option carried.

Student attendance at senate meetings:

Senator Schaffer made a motion to amend the bylaws so as to allow a student representative from SGA to attend Faculty Senate meetings. They wish to be informed of issues. Reiselt seconded the motion. B. Friedman suggested that we allow them to attend simply as guests since the senate bylaws do not address students. M. Gilbert pointed out that the CEO could exercise the discretion to accept them or not. Schaffer withdrew the motion. B. Friedman welcomed the student representative from SGA. Others concurred.

Announcements & other business:

M. Gilbert brought a letter from Carl Weinberg calling attention to the issue of a student who appealed an academic integrity violation to the Academic Integrity Council, requested a hearing, did not attending the hearing that was requested, and won the appeal. Should this be a concern? The matter is being discussed in the Faculty Affairs Committee and senators are encouraged to communicate this to their constituents. Comments may be sent to Sherri Williams, Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:13pm.

Respectfully submitted by E. Combier