FACULTY SENATE MEETING
Emporia State University
December l, 1998
Members Present: Aber, Allen, Blaufuss, Calhoun, Camara, Cohee, DeDonder, Goltra, Henry,
Howell, Hunsaker, Keith, Koch, Kuehn, Lovett, Robinson, Russell, Ryan, Salvatore, Saunders,
Schrader, Schwenn, Shapiro, D. Smith, f. Smith, Stephens, Summey, Swanson, Waters,
Weber, Wright, Wyatt , B.Yanik
Members Absent: Cogswell, Simpson
Liaison: Hawes
Substitutions: Yanik for Simpson
Visitors: Ryan Wilson (Bulletin)
I. Call to Order
President Calhoun called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. in the Ballroom,
Memorial Union.
II. Announcements of Attendance (see above)
III. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made and seconded that the minutes from 11/17/98 be approved as
stated on the Senate Web page. Motion passed.
IV. Distribution of Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes
President Calhoun announced that minutes of the Senate Exec. Committee
meetings will be placed on the Senate Web page after they have been approved
by the Executive Committee.
V. Announcements and Remarks
A. Vice-President Schwenn reported that the General Education Council voted to
expand the opportunity for transfer students to use another alternative to the
competency examinations. (see L & A's memo from Dean Black to Rod Sobieski)
This action was supported by Dean Black and signed by Vice-President Schwenn
on November 30, 1998.
B. ASG President Holstin
1. On December 3, ASG will be looking at line item requests for the new ASG
budget.
2. President Holstin indicated there appear to be concerns across Regent
institutions about the academic advising that students receive. He indicated that
he believes ESU does not have the problems other institutions have and believes
that most of our students are satisfied with the advising they receive.
3. He indicated that there is a survey (surveys) going around campus regarding a
new campus recreation center. It (they) are not sponsored by ASG.
4. He indicated he attended a meeting with city officials regarding a housing
needs survey in Emporia. It appears there is adequate housing but that the quality
of housing is of concern as well as the responsiveness of landlords to maintenance
needs of facilities.
C. Faculty President Calhoun
1. President Calhoun announced that she had met with President Schallenkamp
regarding the recent Bulletin article and the status of the concern about
elimination of the phrase "sexual orientation" from certain university publications
and policies. President Schallenkamp has been invited to provide clarification on
the issue at our meeting today. No objections from Senate membership were
noted.
2. President Calhoun announced that at the COFSP meeting in Liberal a mission
statement was passed (endorsed) for the organization and that a request has been
made to include it in the Board of Regents Policy and Procedures Manual.
3. There are still some issues to be resolved regarding the academic calendar for
regent institutions and changes that have been proposed.
4. Several documents will be available soon that support the faculty salary
initiative of the Board of Regents.
5. There are still some concerns about the Intellectual Property Document
approved by the Board of Regents; some issues are still being clarified.
VI. Comments - President Schallenkamp (comments and discussion from 4:00-4:40 p.m.)
President reviewed her statement in the Bulletin regarding removal of phrase "sexual
orientation" from the ESU non-discrimination policy. She mentioned several points: (1)
the action was not a personal conviction but an administration decision, (2) the
importance of shared governance, (3) the phrase became a concern when inconsistencies
were noted in policy, (4) the reasons why, when, and how the phrase were added to
university policy are unclear (was a resolution in ASG which passed in 1991), (5) a
definition of "sexual orientation" is not defined in Kansas law, and (6) retaining phrase in
policy statement is putting institution in jeopardy (opinion of three attorneys who were
consulted). An example was provided that might put institution in jeopardy if a
definition of sexual orientation discrimination is not stated in Kansas law.
President Schallenkamp indicated a Values Task Force was working on a values
statement that would address issues related to diversity and tolerance. A report and
recommendations are expected in January.
Several questions were asked by various senators and the President provided responses
The following questions (paraphrased) were asked and statements made: How does the
phrase "sexual orientation" put us in jeopardy or create a liability for ESU? What
happens now if there is perceived discrimination? Are there efforts to talk to legislators
about getting something in the law? Are there any implications for the Student Bill of
Rights? Doesn't K.U. have a statement in their policy ?
Finally a concern was expressed that a resolution was passed in 1995 that affirmed the
importance of maintaining open communication between the administration and faculty
and keeping faculty informed about issues involving the faculty. This understanding was
not followed in the decision to remove the phrase in question.
VII. Committee Reports
A. Academic Affairs (Saunders)
No new information to present at this time.
B. Committee on Campus Governance ( Robinson)
Senator Robinson reported the committee was finalizing the details on administrator review procedures. It is hoped a bill will be ready by the first Senate meeting in January.
C. Faculty Affairs (Keith)
Nothing new to report except that the committee is looking at the maternity
leave/rights policy at ESU. More information is being obtained. Jackie Scott has
been invited to come to a committee meeting to provide clarification.
VIII. Old Business
1. FSB 98007 (Policy on Drop-Add, Withdrawal, and Midterm Grading) was
presented for second reading in the Senate. Senator Saunders submitted an
amendment which would be added to the end of the fourth paragraph.
Amendment: Two weeks after the end of the semester, the Office of the
Vice President for Academic Affairs shall send to the Chair of Academic
Affairs a list of all students who requested a grade of "w" after the
withdrawal period for that semester, the reason that the student used to
justify the request, and the action taken on their request.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the amendment. Discussion followed
with most questions about the drop-add deadline. Questions were also related to
concerns about refunds, not requiring mid-term grades for graduate students, how
would the change effect on-line courses and courses that don't start at the
beginning of the semester. After some discussion a motion was made (B. Yanik)
and seconded to lay the question (amendment) on the table until the first meeting
of the Senate in January. This motion passed.
2. President Calhoun reviewed the status of bills and resolutions.
A. Senate-approved Resolutions
a. 98001 (establish radiation safety committee) (received by President)
b. 98002 (prohibit smoking in ESU vehicles) (received by President)
c. 98004 (use of the +/- grading system) (received by President)
d. 98006 (further discussion and examination of +/- grading system prior
to implementation) (received by President - waiting for response)
e. 98007 (drop-add, withdrawal, and midterm grading) Amendment
added-action to be taken at first meeting of Senate in January)
B. Status of Senate-approved Bills
a. 98003 Academic Appeals Policy (has been received by President
Schallenkamp. There are three questions that will be forwarded to
the committee for consideration and clarification before the policy is
endorsed.)
IX. New Business
No new business
X. For the Good of the University
Senator Ryan reminded everyone about the comedy, Picasso at the Lapin Agile,
Weds. through Saturday this week.
Senator Allen reminded everyone that basketball has started and to support the
Hornets by attending games at White Auditorium.
XI. Adjournment
It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned by President Calhoun at 5:03 p.m.
Marvin D. Kuehn
First Vice-President of Faculty
Last updated on 1 February 1999.
Provide comments about the text to Marvin Kuehn at kuehnmar@emporia.edu.
Return to the Minutes of the Faculty Senate.