NORTHEASTERN
Minutes
of Faculty Council Meeting
Friday, October 5, 2007
A. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President Craig Clifford in
SL129.
There was ITV access at
Council Members in attendance: Ernst Bekkering (Business & Technology), Pamela Christol (Science & Health Professions), Ron Cambiano (Education), Denise Deason-Toyne (Business & Technology), Jennifer Edwards (Liberal Arts), Shae Foutch (for Johnston, Education), Harriett Hobbs, (Library), Rick Matzen (Science & Health Professions), Alan McKee (Optometry), Judy Moody (for Williams, Education), Bill Rosener (Business & Technology), Thomas Salmon (Optometry), Amy Aldridge Sanford (Liberal Arts), Dan Savage (Liberal Arts), Dan Sisk (Science & Health Professions),
Council Members in attendance in
Council Officers in attendance: Craig Clifford (President), Lallie Scott (Vice President), Linda West (Secretary/Treasurer).
Guests: Fritz Laux (Business & Technology), John Yeutter (Business & Technology), Chuck Ziehr (Liberal Arts)
Invited Presentations
[Council will set aside time at the first of
each meeting
to visit with President Williams, VP Academic Affairs Bigbee and/or VP
Administration Cherry should they be able to attend.]
A. Committees and
Standing Reports
1. Minutes of 09/14/07
meeting
Minutes of the September meeting were reviewed and
corrrections were made. Scott
moved to approve the minutes as corrected, it was seconded by
Deason-Toyne.
The motion passed.
2. Spending Report
Clifford suggested that Council
purchase a gavel for past President Yeutter and hold a reception.
It was moved to approve by Hobbs and seconded by Deason-Toyne.
The motion passed. It was suggested that funds for food be
requested from VP Bigbee..
B . New Business
1. Student Government Actions concerning
Acting President Cherry
Faculty Council
discussed any need for a response. The Broken Arrow Student
Government has remained neutral. Cambiano questioned whether
there is a need to meet with NSGA about their concerns. No action
was taken. The matter was tabled until the next meeting.
2.
Committees being formed to make recommendations to VP Bigbee on
promotion and continuing employment and Faculty Handbook review
Council received names for the
committees. There are several volunteers for the Promotion and
Tenure committee. Ernst Bekkering has been asked to chair the
committee. The committee will make their recommendations to
Faculty Council. They will be shared with VP Bigbee for
improvements or better understanding of the process.
Faculty Handbook review committee. There were no responses to the email. Pam Christol volunteered to serve on the committee.
C. Old Business
1. Food Service Concerns
Clifford has meet with David Wilcox to pass on Council's concerns. He is willing to come talk to Council. Several recommendations were made. Smaller to go containers were recommended. This was denied. Containers are not encouraged. Some changes have been made at BA from student input. Other places to eat were suggested by Wilcox - Flo's is a more adult focused place to eat. Clifford will invite Wilcox and John Wicksher to a Council meeting. There is a question about who's decision it is to implement changes to food services.
2.
Administrative Restructuring Review - Update
Ziehr informed Council that
Chairs Council had also supported the formation of a committee to
evaluate the current structure. Chairs Council is requesting that
they work with Faculty Council in a joint inquiry about the progress of
our request. A joint memo was sent to VP Bigbee asking about the
status of a committee of task force to review the academic
restructuring.
The resolution has been written and will be delivered. Peggy Kaney reported that the Faculty Development Committee has revised their form to remove SSN. Other forms should be watched and reported if problems are found.
4. Change in class size limits in English
The officers met and formulated the
resolution which will be delivered to VP Bigbee.
D. Other Business
1. General
Education Committee report
It was requested that Council recieve a
regular report on the committee progress. Fifteen people
are on the task force and it has met twice. There is a plan
in order for information gathering. A survey of faculty is being
developed. All stakeholders will be addressed. Council
requested that a general email be sent that gives the scope of
the committee and the members names.
2. Option
Period
Martha Albin clarified the need for signatures for the
period. The 125 plan effects taxes. There was a comment
that the medical reimbursement account has a cap of $3600. It is
a local number and not mandated. There was a question about
Health Savings Accounts added this year.
There was
suggestion to open up comments to faculty on the process and to have
informational meetings next year. There were questions about the
status of any health insurance changes based on the changes at
OSU.
3. Tuition breaks for spouses
Sanford asked about
tuition breaks for spouses. Faculty Council's proposal was
submitted to VP Cherry one year ago and we have received no response.
4. Concern over Japanese
Students and English proficiency
There was discussion over the
perception that there has been a decline in English skills for these
students. It was recommended that faculty have some place to
recommend that they could go to get more help.
5. Faculty Development
Committee
Wilds asked that Council members
look at Faculty Development guidelines and suggest any changes to the
committee. They will be sending a report to Dr. Bahr.
E. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by Linda West, Secretary-Treasurer
11/1/07