NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

Minutes of Faculty Council Meeting
Friday, December 2, 2011

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President Deason-Toyne SCL 129.  There was ITV access at Muskogee, Broken Arrow and Tahlequah.

Council Members in attendance in Tahlequah: Ron Cambiano (Education), Shari Clevenger (Liberal Arts), John Diamantopoulos (Science & Health Professions), Isaac DiIanni (Business & Technology), Spencer Johnson (Optometry), Chris Miller (Liberal Arts), Dan Sisk (Science & Health Professions), Susan Woitte (Library)

Council Members in attendance in Broken Arrow:  Kelly Dunbar (Education), Cheryl Van Den Handel (Liberal Arts)

Council Members in attendance in Muskogee: Joyce VanNostrand (Muskogee)

Council Officers in attendance:  Denise Deason-Toyne (President), Pamela Louderback (Vice President), Linda West (Secretary/Treasurer).

Guests: Martin Tadlock (Interim President ) - Tahlequah.  Tom Rink (Library) - Broken Arrow

President Tadlock addressed the Council.  He outlined some changes in parking due to construction.  Two lots close to the library will be closed.  As construction is finished, parking will increase.  One is projected to reopen by the end of January.  We will be turning dirt for the Events center in January.  Then construction will start will about eighteen months to finish.  President Tadlock thanked the Council for the work we are doing.  He praised our resolution concerning the presidential search process and President Deason-Toyne's part in the process.  He encouraged us to be patient and help Dr. Turner learn about us and NSU when he comes January 1st.

A. Call to Order

    1. Review/Approval of minutes of the November 2011 meeting (http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~faculty_council/minutesnov2011.html)

         Minutes were accepted with a few corrections.

    2. Budget Report

          President Deason-Toyne attended a Faculty Advisory Committee in OKC.  The remaining budget is about $4,000.

B . Committees/Standing Reports 

1.  Need volunteers to serve on and chair the following:
          Nominating Committee- will need to get busy next Spring to get candidates for Fall elections.  It was reported that there was a change in the Bylaws to have a Fall election.  Volunteers for positions should send President Deason-Toyne an email.
          Faculty Welfare –including New Faculty Orientation - no report.
             
C.  Old Business/Pending Issues

    1.   Review/Restatement on Policy regarding sale of Textbook samples.
            This issue is still pending.  There was a question of whether there is a policy to require textbooks for all classes.  This varies by Department.  Some classes have the same text for all sections and some don't.  Some classes would not benefit from a textbook.  Course packs and professor written materials were also discussed.  This question came from a student complaint.

    2.  Number of course preps - particularly for new faculty and with online courses.
         Advising responsibilities –equitable assignment of advisees
            Deason-Toyne will see what came from the discussion at Chairs Council or take the issue to the next Chairs Council.  There will be a reminder to chairs to watch for three preparations and equal advising loads.  Banner will be able to monitor advisees.    

D. New Business
  
    1.  URD  ASKING FOR $2K for undergrad research day – in past gave $1600

          Diamontopolus moved, DiIanni seconded and the motion passed to allocate $500 for Undergraduate Research Day.
          There was additional discussion about changing URD to focus on one topic across the various disciplines.  It might focus on an issue unique to our region.  The Gen Ed capstone was also discussed and the idea of reading one book across campus and applying it to various disciplines.  There was an idea of having a "Faculty Council Challenge" award at URD for the submission best fulfilling the focus topic.  We will invite members of the committee to attend a future meeting.

    2.  Proposed Academic Calendar for 2012-13

       There was discussion of finals week being a full week or a split week and what faculty prefer.  There was also discussion of the usefulness of the Professional Development Day.  Deason-Toyne would welcome more input through examples.  We also discussed study days and when those days are in a split week schedule.  They would be the Thursday and Friday before the start of finals in the next week.  Deason-Toyne will give feedback to Dr. Bahr about the schedule and the feelings on finals week.  The due date for grades has changed this semester.  We suggest that faculty be surveyed through a survey tool about these issues in the future.
 
    3.  Next meeting

        The next meeting will be January 13th.  Locations will be verified later.  We will invite Dr. Turner to attend the meeting.
      
Announcements:      

        Self-serving Announcement by Dr. Deason-Toyne reminding that the Thompson
House is having its Victorian Christmas Sale – located at 300 College (College &
Choctaw)  Friday until 6pm. ; Sat 12/3 from 10-6; Sun. 12/4 1pm – 5-pm

We are still looking for a faculty gathering place in Broken Arrow.  Faculty are encouraged to use the room on the Tahlequah campus behind Flo's.
       
E.  Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m.
Next meeting: January 13th


Submitted by Linda West, Secretary-Treasurer
12/16/11