Minutes
Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Emporia State University
September 2, 1999

Members Present: Calhoun, Kuehn, Moore, Robinson, Schwenn, Simpson, Swanson, Wyatt

Visitors Present: None

  1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Kuehn, at 11:40 AM, in the KSN Room of the Memorial Union.
  2. Minutes: The minutes of the August 26, 1999 meeting of the Executive Committee were approved as amended.
  3. Announcements and Comments:
    1. VP Schwenn provided clarification about the University's Mission Statement. Kuehn had recently pointed out via email, that different, often-abbreviated versions of the Mission Statement appear in a variety of university-related publications. Moore reported that only the first paragraph of the Mission Statement was on the University's official website. When he [Moore] inquired at President Schallenkamp's Office, he was led to believe that the Mission Statement in its entirety was on the website and that it was, in fact, only one paragraph in length. Schwenn indicated this information was not correct. He then distributed copies of the official Mission Statement to the Executive Committee. He stated that the existence of abbreviated versions does not mean the Statement had been changed without the Faculty Senate's knowledge. The Committee agreed the Mission Statement should be presented in a consistent and accurate way in university publications. Schwenn indicated he will communicate the concern to appropriate individuals on campus.
    2. President Kuehn discussed possible changes in the Faculty Senate by-laws relating to the recent election of the Second Vice President. He reported that some members of the University Community had expressed concern about the by-laws and policy dictating voting eligibility. Robinson and other Executive Committee members stated that individuals who didn't get a ballot and thought that they should, were told by President Kuehn during the General Faculty Meeting who they should contact to resolve the issue. In regard to election procedures, Wyatt suggested that the candidate fact sheets be distributed by COCG and contain information about candidates' views on issues affecting the university. He also suggested that Candidate Forums could be held prior to the election. Discussion ensued. Calhoun cautioned that when changing the by-laws, care must be taken to ensure that other related sections of the by-laws are changed as well so that the by-laws are consistent. Kuehn concluded the discussion by stating that the Committee on Campus Governance (COCG) would address by-laws concerning election of the Second Vice President this session so there is no confusion during next year's election. He stated that COCG would be reviewing all sections of the Constitution and by-laws this year.
      Kuehn reported that select members of the Senate have agreed to serve on two Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committees: the Faculty Guidebook Committee and the Administrator Evaluation Committee. Members of the Handbook Committee include Judy Calhoun (Chair), Scott Irwin, Ron Keith, John Schwenn, and Gary Wyatt. This committee will be responsible for ensuring the correctness of the Guidebook. Revision will include addressing concerns and considering suggestions of faculty about the contents of the Faculty Guidebook. This Committee will hopefully present a copy of the Guidebook to the Senate for endorsement this spring. The second committee will revise procedures for evaluating ESU administrators. Members include Joella Mehrhof (Chair) William Cogswell, Chris Lovett, Darren Smith, faye smith, and Jennifer Summerville.
      Kuehn then mentioned other concerns that some faculty have communicated about the Faculty Guidebook. He stated that while a few members of the faculty have expressed concerns about the effort, it is the best, most realistic approach available to obtaining a Faculty Guidebook in a reasonable amount of time. He indicated that suggestions made by some faculty to revise the entire Policies and Procedures Manual first and then derive a Faculty Handbook from that Manual would delay the creation of a useful Guidebook for an unacceptable period of time, perhaps a number of years. He stated that the direction we are taking will provide faculty with a "useful tool" in a much shorter period of time even though the Guidebook being developed at this time will not be considered official policy for the University.
      Calhoun distributed a draft of a letter that will accompany the draft of the Faculty guidebook. She invited Committee Members to read the letter and provide feedback to her at our next meeting. Discussion ensued about the proper title for this document. Calhoun and Schwenn suggested naming the document the Faculty Handbook may be misleading and create the wrong impression about the nature of the document. Discussion ensued.
      Kuehn informed the Committee that the Council of Faculty Senate Presidents (COFSP) may encourage the Faculty Senates of each Regents University to consider two resolutions about issues that appear to be important at some Regents Universities.
      The Executive Committee then discussed the recent Developmental Course Policy that was implemented during the summer. Schwenn distributed information about the policy. Discussion followed. A number of Committee members expressed support for the policy. Moore argued that as a SAC advisor a policy like the one implemented was long over due. Simpson said that the policy addressed serious problems faced by the math personnel. Schwenn provided an example of a student whose academic progress was negatively effected by the lack of a policy. Wyatt, on the other hand, raised concerns about the policy being developed and implemented without the input of either the Faculty or Faculty Senate. He shared concerns raised by students about the way one of the developmental courses is taught Schwenn responded that the Deans were informed of, and approved, the policy. The Deans informed the Chairs. Calhoun suggested that the Senate should probably review both the policy and developmental courses anyway. Discussion ensued. Swanson agreed to have the Academic Affairs Committee review the policy and the University's approach to developmental courses.

  4. Committee Reports:
    1. Committee on Campus Governance (Robinson): Robinson reported on a recent meeting with ASG President T.J. Templeton. They discussed ways to improve student membership and participation on campus-wide committees. She informed the Executive Committee that COCG is preparing to mail letters to campus-wide committees informing them of policies including the need to provide copies of minutes of their meetings to COCG. Finally, she reported that she had compiled a data base on campus-wide committees for President Schallenkamp's Office.
    2. Academic Affairs (Swanson): Swanson reported that the Academic Affairs Committee would be reviewing policy related to registration holds. This topic is in addition to the three issues raised at the August 26, Executive Committee Meeting.
    3. Faculty Affairs (Simpson): Simpson reported that the Faculty Affairs Committee has declined to make some of the changes requested by President Schallenkamp in FSB 98017, the grievance policy. One point of concern was a change regarded by the some members of the Faculty Affairs Committee as something akin to administrator immunity. Simpson and Schwenn will meet and attempt to resolve the differences. Some discussion ensued concerning options offered in the by-laws for how this Bill would be introduced on the Senate floor when the time comes.

  5. Old Business: None
  6. New Business: Kuehn indicated that individuals have raised questions about the inclusion of "graduate students" in FSB 98007. This issue has to do with issuing mid-term grades for graduate students beginning next fall. After some discussion it was felt the Academic Affairs Committee knew that the phrase "graduate student" was a change in procedure and felt it should be included in the Bill. The Executive Committee believes we should support the action of the Faculty Senate taken on this issue last spring.
  7. For the Good of the Executive Committee: no comments
  8. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 1 pm by President Kuehn.

Submitted by:

Gary Wyatt
First Vice-President of the Faculty

Last updated on 9 September 1999.
Provide comments about the text to Gary Wyatt at wyattgar@emporia.edu.
Return to the Minutes of the Faculty Senate.