Faculty Senate
Special Session
January 20, 2006
APPROVED
Present
Senators Boggess, Byrd, Curet, Cutting, Diaz,
Guest
Vice President of Academic Affairs David Manuel
The meeting was called to order by President Hampton at 1:35pm. Senator Lesher made an announcement about the upcoming Marianist Heritage Week. President Hampton then turned the floor over to V.P. Manuel.
V. P. Manuel addressed the Senate on several matters.
1. He passed out a list of the current members of the “Committee on Strategic International Initiatives” and asked that members of the Faculty Senate provide him with feedback on a new chair for the Committee. Nominations can be made directly to the Vice President.
2. Budget
He discussed first year student class size from Fall of 2002
(a large entry class) to the Fall class of
2005 which was 493. He noted that
retention rate had been dropping slightly.
The undergraduate discount rate had increased resulting in a decrease in
our net revenues. Senator O’Connor asked
if retention problems were unique to St. Mary’s or if it was a larger
problem. V.P. Manuel said the trend was
not unique and was a problem in other universities similar to ours and especially in
There will be a shortfall in the budget this year, partly solved by unfilled positions. He believed that after the 2006-07 fiscal year that the university would be in a better financial position.
3. Administrative Reorganization
Oversight of English as a Second Language will be moved to
the
4. Academic Review Board
V.P. Manuel explained the purpose of the Academic Review Board which is to advise on academic programs which are in jeopardy because of low enrollment. He noted that at the request of the Earth Science Department that this program is under review. There are no current majors in Earth Science. Classes will still be offered for students who are being certified in interdisciplinary education.
5.
The University’s new mission statement is hopefully complete. It has been endorsed by the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees and will next go before the full Board for approval. Senator O’Connor noted the importance of having the mission statement before implementation of the strategic plan.
6. Core Transition
The Core Transition Team has been reviewing documents. In particular, V. P. Manuel noted the “Heritage & Innovation” document. Senators discussed the effort to recast the core curriculum proposal taking in the importance of Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
7. Faculty Handbook
There will be a new Faculty Handbook issued incorporating approved changes. The Handbook will be issued in a CD ROM format. Faculty members will sign for the CD ROM just as they signed for the print version. Senator Juarez asked about the changes that had been made. President Hampton said he would look back through the archives and put together a packet.
President Hampton thanked V.P. Manuel for his presentation. Senator Curet stated that the Senate would like to have more time for open discussion and asked that V.P. Manuel return to directly address Faculty Senate issues.
V.P. Manuel left for another meeting. Discussion continued.
Senator Boggess expressed concern that no Faculty members are on the Retention Committee. After discussion Senator Pallansch made a motion that the Senate convey to V.P. Manuel that the Faculty Senate would like to select two faculty members to serve on the Retention Committee. Motion carried.
Parking issues were discussed. President Hampton also noted that a meeting with President Cotrell to discuss Strategic Initiatives was also “in the works.”
The meeting was adjourned at 3:20p.m. by a motion from Senator O’Connor and a second by Senator Uhlig.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcella Lesher
Faculty Senate Secretary 2005-06