NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Minutes of Faculty Council Meeting
Friday, April 7, 2006

A.  Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President John Yeutter in UC 614.  There was ITV access at Muskogee, Broken Arrow and Tahlequah.

Council Members in attendance: Harriett Hobbs (Library), Terri Baker (Liberal Arts), Ernst Bekkering (Business & Technology), Rick Matzen (Science & Health Professions), John Milbauer (Liberal Arts), Rebecca Smith (for David Scott Liberal Arts), Lallie Scott (Liberal Arts),  Dan Sisk (Science & Health Professions).

Council Members in attendance in Broken Arrow: Marilon Morgan (Education), Jon Shapiro (Business & Technology), Joan Wipf (Education).

Council Members in attendance in Muskogee: Joyce Van Nostrand (Muskogee).

Council Officers in attendance:  John Diamantopoulos (Vice President), Linda West (Secretary/Treasurer), John Yeutter (President).

Guests:   Janet Bahr (Interim VP for Academic Affairs), Tim McElroy, members of the Chairs Council

Faculty Council met jointly with the Chair's Council for the first part of the meeting.

A. Invited Presentations
 [Council will set aside time at the first of each meeting to visit with President Williams, Interim VP Academic Affairs Bahr and/or VP Administration Cherry should they be able to attend.]

1.  Adult Degree Completion Program - Dr. Bahr presented a powerpoint presentation made by Jim Purcell at the State Regent's Office.  She also presented information about the process that put NSU at the lead of this new program.  She shared details of implementing this program and the timeline for developing curriculum and programs.  There is a goal of offering one to two courses statewide by January 2007.  Students will choose their own home institution.  NSU will coordinate the program and work with faculty across the state.

2.  Northeastern Student Government Association resolutions - Amber Fite presented the resolutions from NSGA to Faculty Council.
    A.  Resolution to establish a "Dead Week" before finals.  During the discussion, it became clear that adding a dead week would make the semester longer.  During this additional week before finals, no assignments, papers or tests would be given.

    B.  Class Attendance Policy.  This resolution actually adds more restrictions to the current policy and gives less flexibility.  The faculty council generally expressed that our current, broader policy allowed for more leeway.  Writing a policy to address every possibility is going to be difficult.

No action was taken by Faculty Council on either resolution.

B. Committees and Standing Reports

    1. Minutes of March 3, 2006 were not approved.

    2. Treasurer's Report

    The report was available to council before the meeting.  The account balance is $4,142.93.

    3. Faculty Welfare Committee Report

    There was no report.  

C. New Business

    1.  Committee Selections

    Names for appointment to several committees will be discussed at our next meeting on May 5th.

    2.  Appellate Committee Election observers

    Tenured faculty members are needed to work the election on April 25th.  It will be from 8 am until 3 pm in Tahlequah and from 3 pm until 7 pm in Broken Arrow.

C.  Old Business

    1.  Peer Evaluations

    John Milbauer presented the rationale behind using peer evaluations in Departments.  This is a flexible document that provides input for faculty salary increases.  This method is less subjective and is based on each individual's annual activity report.  After discussion, it was decided that each delegate needs a better feel of what their colleagues want.  Dr. Baker moved that each delegate contact their college and find consensus on whether they want peer evaluations or not.  Sisk seconded the motion.

    2.  Draft of Research Misconduct Policy

    Please send any comments to Dr. Yeutter and he will forward them to Dr. Jackson.

D. Other Business

E.  Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m.

Submitted by Linda West, Secretary-Treasurer
05/02/06