NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Minutes of Faculty Council Meeting
FRIDAY, September 10, 2010
Call to Order
The meeting was
called to order by President Denise Deason-Toyne at
3:15 p.m. in SCI 129. Please note that the delay in call to order was as
a result of technology problems. There
was ITV access at Muskogee (SYNR209), Broken Arrow (B225) and Tahlequah.
Council Members in
attendance: Ron Cambiano (COE); Kristopher
Copeland (COLA); Amy Proctor (COLA); Carolyn Cox (COLA); Jennifer
Edwards (COLA); Susan Woitte (Library); Brandon Oberg
(Library); Isaac DiIanni (B & T); Randy Snider
(alternate for John Diamantopoulos, Science &
Health Professions); Dan Sisk (Science &
Health Professions); Ryan Fenska(Optometry)
Council Members
in attendance in Broken Arrow: Anita Ede (Education); Tom Rink (alternate for
Buster Hall-COLA); Pamela Louderback (Library), Julia
Kwok (Business & Technology); Paul Cooper (COLA); Dilene Crocket
Council Members in attendance in Muskogee:
Joyce Van Nostrand (Nursing)
Council
Officers in attendance: Denise Deason-Toyne
(President), Dan Savage (Vice President), Pamela Louderback
(Secretary/Treasurer).
Guests:
Tahlequah: Dr. Donald Betz; President (Administration); Dr. Martin
Tadlock, Provost (Administration); Tom Salmon
(Optometry).
Guests: Broken Arrow: Linda Summers
(Library)
Invited
Presentations (none provided)
[Council
will set aside time at the first of each meeting to visit with Administrative
Officers should they be able to attend.]
President Betz briefly addressed the
Faculty Council and extended a wish for an exceptional year to all -- noting
that although service through the Faculty Council seems like a burden, it is
really an opportunity. Several key points President shared included:
-
His goal to
continue to democratize the University
-
Enrollment
numbers continue to increase; the institution is positioning itself to thrive
in the recovery period that will take place in the near future – to advance the
opportunities for Northeastern State University despite state funding
shortfalls is crucial
-
Over time,
the advancement of grant acquisitions will be very important to the University.
Provost Tadlock
briefly addressed the Faculty Council and stressed that the Council needs to
take a leadership role in soliciting ideas from other faculty members. Tadlock solicited
input via his blog for big ideas of what the University is going to do in the
future. Several key topics the Provost
discussed included:
-
The Council
shall play a critical role in defining the terms “shared governance” – the
University is in the process of determining what shared governance means and
what it looks like. Administration
requests that Deans, Chairs and faculty be “on the same page” on definitions,
processes, etc.
-
Regarding
the tenure and promotion process, Provost Tadlock
would like to see the Council’s committee recommendations as soon as possible
so Administration can move the recommendations forward.
-
Regarding
the curriculum process, the Council is not currently involved in this process;
Provost Tadlock suggested the Council may want to
become involved in the process
Provost Tadlock indicated he was very supportive of the Council and extended a “thank you” for the Council’s service.
Introductions of Newly elected delegates
and continuing delegates
Faculty Council President Deason-Toyne welcomed all new and returning delegates. President Deason-Toyne requested council members talk with other faculty members to get feedback on what shared governance looks like. This is our opportunity to play a critical role in developing guidelines for what the process might look like. Discussion regarding the process of communication included: opening up a Blackboard section, using a wiki to track changes; framing the definition around what the President has said and tying it back to the mission, vision, and values of the University; ideas should speak to the principles we are supposed to be operating under.
A. Committees and Standing
Reports
1. Review/Approval of Minutes of the 06/07/10 meeting
Minutes of the May meeting was reviewed. No corrections were made. Rink
moved to approve the minutes, it was seconded by DiIanni.
The motion passed.
2. Financial Report/Budget for 2010-.
President Deason-Toyne noted monies are allocated to
the Council every fiscal year. As of
July, the Council has $4,100; no monies have been spent/encumbered for this
fiscal year. Monies not
spent by the end of each fiscal year are returned to the University
budget.
COMMITTEE
ASSIGNMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
President Deason-Toyne noted committee assignment opportunities; send an email to Secretary Louderback and President Deason-Toyne listing your preferences. The following committee assignment opportunities include:
– FACULTY WELFARE
– FACULTY AWARDS/CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE (Review of criteria)
– BYLAWS REVIEW COMMITTEE *
– CIRCUS* – Committee Investigating Redundant Committees Undermining Success (a committee on committees)
– CURRICULUM/PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE *
– SHARED GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE *
The following individuals noted an interest in committees: Oberg (Faculty Welfare); Woitte (Faculty Awards/Circle of Excellence); Kwok (Bylaws Review); DiIanni and Fenska (CIRCUS); Savage, Copeland, and Deason-Toyne (Shared Governance).
President Deason-Toyne noted that currently the Council makes recommendations for committees. However, Dr. Janet Bahr also sends out a list to all faculty requesting preferences. Provost Tadlock thinks nominations should probably be coming out of the Faculty Council. Additionally, currently the Curriculum/Program Review Committee does not have faculty input; it goes through the Deans. President Deason-Toyne feels a structure should be set up to allow for more collaborative ideas that include faculty presence.
COMMITTEES/STANDING
REPORTS
-
Tenure
Policy and Procedure committee report – Provost Tadlock
is holding off on any final decisions until he hears from the Council
committee. President Deason-Toyne
stressed a sense of urgency to this process going. One point of concern voiced was the final
report was not sent out to the entire faculty for input. Deason-Toyne moved
that she will send out to all faculty to provide an
opportunity for feedback. All comments
must be received by September 30th; comments will then be viewed at
the Council’s next meeting scheduled for October 1. DiIanni moved to
approve, it was seconded by Rink. The motion passed.
-
Academic
Integrity Policy/Process – Discussion took place regarding the benefits and challenges
of a central depository for shared space on student academic integrity
issues. The main concerns were: securing
of private/sensitive information; portions phrased vaguely and construed as
somewhat subjective; “right to confidentiality” to the extent required by the law. Suggestions for additions included
incorporating phraseology that “can exist in addition to all other codes of
conduct already in place in departments but does not supersede the profession
policy”. President Deason-Toyne
will email out the amended/corrected document and send forward the
recommendations to Administration.
B. Old Business
1. Expansion of Undergraduate
Research Day – more student/faculty participation
President Deason-Toyne stressed the Council “talk it up” with
colleagues, send reminders, solicit ideas on how to generate increased
interest. Van Nostrand
suggested “evidence-based practice” presentations would be a beneficial
addition; it was done at OU and was successful.
Other ideas included: “independent study” opportunities; concurrent
sessions during Facuty Development days, consider
using a general theme that all departments focus their presentations on; and
pair students with industry contacts made through Deans contacts. The Council felt it would be beneficial to
have representatives facilitating Research Day to attend the next Faculty
Council meeting. President Deason-Toyne will make the contacts. Further discussion regarding this topic will
take place during our next scheduled meeting in October.
2. Faculty/Staff Development Days –
add day(s) to calendar to provide time? See proposed 2011-2012 calendar
Council members
requested further clarification; President Deason-Toyne
will contact Dr. Bahr for clarification on student study days and report back
to the Council.
3. Revisions to Criteria for Circle
of Excellence –
Further
discussion regarding this topic will take place during a future meeting.
4. New Faculty Orientation – spread
over semester/first year?
Overwhelming
responses indicated the orientation was very helpful and well facilitated. Proposals for improvement included: Mentoring
committees; links placed on the webpage (i.e., FAQ); setting up a Blackboard
site (Dr. Carolyn Cox offered to create and facilitate)
5. Location for Faculty Gathering –
All campuses
President Deason-Toyne will entertain emails; further discussion
regarding this topic will take place during our next scheduled meeting in
October.
C. New Business
6. GOALS for 2010-2011
Further discussion regarding this topic will
take place during our next scheduled meeting in October.
7. AAUP- Conference on Shared
Governance
This conference
will take place in November. President Deason-Toyne solicited interest; Deason-Toyne
will find out if Faculty Council monies may be used to support attendance. President Deason-Toyne
will send emails; further discussion regarding this topic will take place
during our next scheduled meeting in October.
8.
– ANNOUNCEMENTS - None
D.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:03 P.M.
NEXT
MEETING: OCTOBER 1, 2010
ITEMS
BEING MONITORED-
Location
of Circle of Excellence Bricks
Worker’s
Comp. advocate/liaison
Submitted by Pamela Louderback, Secretary-Treasurer
09/21/10
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