St. Mary’s University

Minutes for 411th Meeting of the Faculty Senate

December 14, 2007  1:30 p.m

Alkek 106

1.         Opening Prayer –

The opening prayer was offered by Senator Uhlig

2.         Approval of Minutes –

After minor changes, Senator Cutting moved to approve the minutes;  Senator Merrell offered the second.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

3.         President’s Report –

No meetings between the Senate executives and the VPAA have occurred since the last meeting of the Senate.  Senator O’Connor met with Luisa Martin about the posting of the Banner rollout and training schedule.  Senators expressed concerns about the proximity of the training to the next priority registration period.  President Boggess reported that Dr. Manuel’s office assistant had responded to an inquiry regarding a note in the Academic Council minutes asking the Deans to make sure all “staff” have signed the approved code of ethics.   The response clarified that this was not referring to faculty.

4.         Old Business

a)      Proposed revisions to sabbatical policy – [Peggy Curet]

The proposal was discussed.  The composition of the Sabbatical Review Committee was a focus, as well as the place of Law librarians in the policy.

b)      Report on survey regarding Fall Mid-term break – Roy Robbins

The SGA President told Roy that the SGA is going to send out two surveys early in the spring semester;  one concerning student interest or lack thereof in recycling and the other concerning student interest in foregoing the fall mid-semester break in return for a full week at Thanksgiving.  The surveys will be sent one week apart.  Once we have the results of the student survey we will determine our next move.

5.         University Committee Reports:

                        Alumni Association – Mike Martinez, Mike Forrest[absent]

Mike Martinez reported on the Marianist Holiday Party.  He and Mike Forrest went to the party with the Alumni Board and the Marianists at their residence on campus.  Fun was had by all.

                        Athletic Cabinet – Terri Boggess – No report.          

                        Budget Committee – Terri Boggess, Leona Pallansch – No report; not met.

                        Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning – Caroline Byrd –

The organizing committee met once with Dr. Manuel.  They have examined cohort schools and looked at their centers.  A random selection process has created groups of faculty members who will have focus sessions about the center.  There will be an additional two open group focus sessions.  This will culminate in a report to the VPAA before the end of the semester.

                        Campus Beautification/Design Comm. – Caroline Byrd – No report.

                        Facilities Master Planning – Terri Boggess – No report.

                        Strategic Initiatives in Internat’l Educ. – Leona Pallansch – No report.

                        Student Judicial Comm. – Peggy Curet – No report.

                        University Benefits – Rosie Cutting –

Aon is looking for information about out University wellness program. Report forthcoming from Rosie…

                        University Parking – Bob O’Connor, Roy Robbins –

No report; will meet in January.

                        Retention – Dan Higgins – No report.

                        University Technology – Carol Redfield –

Has not met; no chair has been appointed.

                        Safety Committee – Emily Hartigan – No report.

6.         New Business

a.       Senator Redfield carried concerns of some faculty in S.E.T. that course sizes and caps needs to be addressed. 

b.      Senator Uhlig raised concerns from some faculty in S.E.T. regarding faculty access to classrooms; in particular the ability to open any classroom when needed.  This folded into a discussion of the availability of University Police to fulfill their responsibility for access control of these rooms and other buildings.

7.         Adjournment –                       

A motion to adjourn was made by Senator Redfield; the second to the motion was made by Caroline Byrd.  The motion to adjourn passed unanimously when everyone left!

Next Meeting:      January 25, 2008  Alkek 106, 1:30 p.m.