Meeting 2 Central Missouri State University September 12, 2001

Faculty Senate Minutes 
(Approved September 19, 2001)

The Faculty Senate met at 3:15 p.m. in Union 237A with President Michael Bersin presiding.

ROLL CALL:
Twenty-two senators and four alternates were present. Also present were University President Bobby Patton, Provost Kyle Carter and Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Services Fran Waller.

MINUTES AND COMMITTEE NOTES of the April 25 meeting were approved as printed.

FS Vice President nominations were taken from the floor. Michelle Myers was elected unanimously. It was moved by Small, seconded and passed, to have the EHS caucus for a FS Executive Committee member. Tom Atkinson was approved unanimously.

The 2001-2002 Special Rules of Order were approved as printed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
University President Patton reported no problems on campus spurred from the East Coast tragedy. Central will cosponsor a candlelight vigil on Sunday from the Courthouse to campus at 8 p.m. as a walk "for peace and remembrance." In response to Limback, Patton noted that yes; the Alumni Chapel is open. Counseling emails have been sent across campus.

Provost Carter reported questions regarding what would we do if the National Guard students were called up. Direct any other issues that may arise to Carter. NCATE accreditation planning continues. The Strategic Plan is close to completion, and should be available after September 19 electronically. Hard copies will then be available. Dr. Robert Dickeson will be on campus October 16 and 17 to speak on "Prioritizing Programs & Services". The front row seats have been reserved for the Faculty Senate on October 16 from 3-5 p.m. A special time has been scheduled for October 17 from 1-3 p.m. for the FS Executive Committee, SPRC and deans to meet with Dickinson. Dickeson’s book is available on reserve at JCK Library. Dr. Dickeson comes to us at no charge. Carter is working with deans to come up with the final allocation payback from the withholding. Any funds left will be put in a "trust". If not used it will be turned back to departments and colleges next semester. Congratulations to the Department of Criminal Justice for hosting the three-day International Symposium on Corrections.

Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Services Fran Waller announced that nominations were received for the Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

Bersin announced the next FS meeting would be on September 19 to continue review of the Promotion & Tenure document. The updated document will be available with today’s minutes at the September 19 meeting. The FS Executive Committee meets on September 13 in Union 109 at 3:15 p.m. Bersin referred to the printed Academic Council, Administrative Council and President’s Cabinet report, highlighting specific items. There will be changes in faculty search procedures by the start of the year. Contact the Provost Office if you would like to volunteer. There will be a Task Force on Student Advising. Contact the Provost Office if you would like to volunteer. There is also a pilot program for faculty evaluation. Bersin referred to the printed report and form for the Faculty Annual Report and Development Plan. Bersin concluded by referring to the proposed parking increase from $8 to $13 monthly. View the complete proposal at the Public Safety website and click at the top of the left column on "Proposed Parking Increase."

Small referred to the printed Council of Deans report. Bersin expressed appreciation to Small for attending the summer Council of Dean’s meetings in the absence of a FS vice president.

Bersin reported that the next Board of Governors Academic Affairs meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18 at 3 p.m., place to be announced.

In response to Callahan, Bersin report that 252 of the 465 full-time faculty surveys were returned. Final tabulations were distributed to the FS Executive Committee members for the meeting tomorrow.

OLD BUSINESS:
After an explanation from Parliamentarian Staab, Small moved, it was seconded and approved to act as a quasi-committee in which President Bersin would serve as chair to continue reviewing the April 18 Promotion & Tenure document.

Provost Carter recapped that he had given input on the document and then it went to the Faculty Senate last year. We have been working on the document for two years. During the evaluation process Provost Carter noticed people move up in rank rapidly at Central compared to its peers. The probationary period is much shorter. He also noted the collapsing of the categories from four to three. Carter concluded by noting that he hoped to have additional progress made at the next few Senate meetings. In response to Atkinson, Carter thought the effective date of implementing new guidelines for promotion and tenure could be recommended by the Faculty Senate. Originally there was a five-year grandfather clause. Robert Yates noted that AAUP guidelines should be followed not only for the probationary period but for the collapsing of categories as well. Eason concurred.

Myers opened discussion regarding past accomplishments mentioned on page 2 and 10. Some expressed importance of the history of a faculty member who has applied for tenure.

Best recommended adding "at central" to the first sentence in the second to last paragraph on page two. Eason moved to include "all accomplishments from other places and at Central for the initial promotion &/or tenure considerations." Seconded. After further discussion it was agreed to drop the "at Central", as it was not pertinent. After continued discussion Eason’s motion passed with 23 yes votes and 2 no votes. After further discussion Nikaido made a suggestion and agreed with Eason to withdraw the motion. It was seconded and approved to withdraw the suggestion.

Small moved to change the sentence to read "Promotion is recognition of a faculty member’s sustained and distinguished service to the department, college and university and is based upon accomplishments." Kemp expressed concern with those who may be coming from an area other than academic. Small’s motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Martin moved for adjournment. The motion was seconded and the meeting was adjourned.

The updated document will be distributed at the September 19 Faculty Senate meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

Ginny McTighe

Faculty Senate Secretary

Meeting 3 Central Missouri State University September 19, 2001

Faculty Senate Minutes 
(approved as corrected 9/26/01)

The Faculty Senate met at 3:15 p.m. in Union 237A with President Michael Bersin presiding.

ROLL CALL:
Twenty-two senators and three alternates were present. Also present was Provost Kyle Carter.

MINUTES AND COMMITTEE NOTES of the September 12 meeting were approved as printed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Provost Carter referred to the distributed Board of Governors Academic Affairs Committee report. Governance groups will have until the October Board meeting to give input. Bersin reiterated that those faculty present at the Board of Governors Academic Affairs Committee meeting yesterday, do not have a vote. Bersin reported that although there is a merit pay policy it hasn’t been funded for ten years.

Myers referred to the printed Council of Dean’s report. Contact Myers with concerns.

Bersin referred to the distributed report from the Board of Governors Academic Affairs Committee on faculty compensation, noting it would probably be an action item on the Board’s October 17 agenda. All faculty will receive the report. The Board of Governors approved extension of the suspension of the salary cap and renegotiating policies another 12 months.

OLD BUSINESS:
Laster moved, it was seconded and approved to act as a quasi-committee of the whole in which President Bersin would serve as chair to continue reviewing the April 18 Promotion & Tenure document. (Page 2 was replaced prior to this meeting, to reflect the single change made at the September 12 Senate meeting.)

Picked up at item 9. Eason referred to the printed A&S information.

Myers noted an inconsistency on page III-12. Franz moved, it was seconded and approved unanimously to remove under the scholarship section everything after the first two sentences. Rewrite the last sentence in the same paragraph to read The following items should be used as evidence of scholarship.

Myers and Eason referred to page 2. After a few ideas were discarded, Eason moved for approval of the amended motion that read Recommendations concerning promotion should reflect careful evaluation of (1) effectiveness in teaching, (2) scholarly performance involving discipline-related inquiry, and/or creative activity, and (3) service to and recognition’s within the university community and the professional discipline. Myers moved that the statement be on page 9 B. candidate section, and page 16 criteria for awarding tenure. Motion was seconded. Small amended the motion to include the superscript on page 16. The amended motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Eason moved to replace a section on page 3. After discussion regarding the importance of service, Laster called for the question. The motion read, All candidates are expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching and also achievements in both the scholarship and service categories. Achievements in the scholarship and service categories need not be balanced, but in toto they must demonstrate the candidate is worthy of promotion to the next rank. The motion passed with 18 yes votes, 4 no votes, and 1 abstention. The superscript would be included.

After discussion of those who may not have a terminal degree but could apply for promotion, Eason made the following motion for page 2-Eligibility for promotion. Candidates must be full-time faculty; must, except in exceptional circumstances, hold a terminal degree appropriate to the discipline in which promotion is granted and must have completed at least the minimum number of years in a given rank. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Small opened discussion on item 11. Clarification of instructor/assistant professor. It was noted that Small could bring forth a motion that permitted promotions for non-tenure faculty. Bacon, Morgan, Nikaido and Davis gave examples. Carter said most instructor positions are there because of financial reasons. The English Department currently has six instructors who do not stand for promotion, in part because of limited funds.

Eason noted that the AS caucus had the following questions. Can someone be tenured who has not fulfilled the criteria set forward for promotion to associate professor? Can someone be promoted to associate professor prior to eligibility for tenure? The caucus would answer yes to both questions.

In response to Mihalevich, Bersin said AAUP language is very explicit with tenure, less explicit with promotion. AAUP language is about due process more so for promotion. (Go to www.aaup.org to get Red Book information.) Franz reported HCBA would like the two issues tied…both promotion and tenure. Bacon thought of situations where we would not want to tie the two together like major restructuring of a department. Bringing in someone and promoting them before tenure may not be good. Franz was in favor of extending the time for tenure, especially for those who earned a degree after being hired. Small referred to some departments that may require stricter requirements. In response to Myers, Carter did not think there were any specific legal issues regarding promotion prior to tenure. Carter suggested contacting Judith Siminoe.

Callahan moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded and passed.

The updated document will be distributed at the September 26 Faculty Senate meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

Ginny McTighe

Faculty Senate Secretary