Present:

Present: S.A. Davis, C. Burns, N. Sidell, B. Holtman, F. Blanco, P. Savoye, T. Doerksen, W. Yacovissi , L. Rashidi, T. Elsasser, B. Cunningham, L. Clifford, J. Tan, A. Longoria, W. Thornsley, B. Smith, W. Sanders, W. Keeth, K. Thorne, J. Bosworth, M. Syrett, D. Dietz for P. Junius, D. Crowder, R. Timko for I. Newman, S. Brown, J. Floyd, C. Coleman, J. Howe.

I.I.

S. Davis called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.

III.

Minutes of March 18, 2004 were approved (C. Coleman/B. Smith).

APPROVED

IIII.

Treasurer's Report (B. Holtman)

The current account balance is $125.00. The scholarship has been deducted from the account. Additional contributions are encouraged.

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APPROVED

IV.

Announcements

1. Davis announced that the Senate-approved Music course change was approved by J. Halstead.

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V.

Committee Reports

A.

Academic Affairs (F. Blanco)

The following motion from AAC was presented:

MOTION ONE: AAC moves to approve the course request for CJA 4475 Serial Murder.

This course provides students with a broad overview of serial murder and why it has become one of the most highly visible topics in criminal justice today.

Discussion: What is the difference between this course and the one currently offered? It was offered as a special topics course; this makes it a permanent course. MOTION PASSED.

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B.

Academic Planning (P. Savoye)

Approval was recently given to minimal changes in the pre-law minor housed in Philosophy. The committee will receive a briefing on next year’s freshmen class at its next meeting.

C.

Administrative Affairs & Elections (S. Davis for T. Doerksen)

All were encouraged to vote electronically on the current Senate elections.

D.

Student Affairs & Admissions (S. Kasperek)

No report.

E.

Information Technology (W. Yacovissi)

No report.

F.

Library Advisory (L. Rashidi)

M. Syrett recently e-mailed faculty regarding the Digital Millenium Copyright policy and resources. Senators were asked to query faculty regarding their questions and concerns about this issue. These should be forwarded to committee members L. Rashidi, M. Syrett, S. Brown or A. Gaskievicz. The committee is hoping to inform the entire faculty of the law and our obligations regarding it

.

Provost (M. Lane)

No report.

Constitutional Review Committee (C. Burns)

Constitutional revisions were distributed (see Appendix A). In error, Special Education and Foreign Language were omitted from the appendix. Senators were encouraged to review the document, to share it with others, and to forward concerns to any member of the Senate Executive committee. A formal proposal will be made to Senate at the 4/15 meeting. If Senate approves the changes then, a fall Faculty Assembly will be held, followed by a vote via written ballot. Was there any discussion of re-examining the wisdom of allowing students to vote on curricular matters? If there are questions regarding tenure and promotion, APSCUF should be contacted. Why is there a limit of two standing committees on which an individual may serve? This will prevent a few persons to be spread too thin and will encourage wider participation. Persons would not be prohibited from running, but would serve on the two committees on which the most votes were received. We have a larger number of junior faculty now than before. Will there be a vote before or after the Faculty Assembly? Senate will vote at its next meeting, then 30 days will pass, then a Faculty Assembly to discuss it, then a final vote. Faculty Assembly has the right to propose its own amendments. If a person is currently serving on more than two elected committees now, they will be grandfathered in. Anyone with concerns should contact a member of Senate Executive committee, particularly C. Burns.

VI.

Old Business

1. A. Longoria asked if M. Lane passed along requested information to S. Davis regarding budget reduction figures. S. Davis has the tables to share with anyone interested. Will the decimation of the cultural arts on campus be discussed at all? What are the deadlines for program cuts? A motion was made to append the information to these minutes, to discuss it at the next meeting and to invite M. Lane to respond (S. Brown/L.Rashidi). Discussion: none. MOTION PASSED. See e-mailed attachments for this information.

VII.

New Business

1. C. Burns is in the process of arranging a spring Faculty Assembly on the budget reallocation plan. S. Bronn has verbally agreed but no date has yet been set. This may be another venue in which to discuss the impact on small programs.

VIII.

Remarks for the Good of the Order

1. T. Doerksen encouraged everyone to vote; 54 faculty have already done so. When conducting run-off elections, the sabbatical position vacancy will be re-run because of some confusion regarding candidates. One candidate’s name was misspelled after four persons voted; a correction was made.
2. S. Davis noted, in concluding his last meeting as Senate President, that the process has been “interesting.” Appreciation was extended to participants, particularly those who chair standing committees. A loud round of applause was extended in recognition of a job well done.

IX.

Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m. (J. Floyd/L. Rashidi).

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sidell
Secretary of Senate