Meeting Date:

13 April 2006

I.

I. Celeste called the meeting to order at 3:35.

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II.

Announcements

1. Celeste recognized the members of the Senate Executive Committee who are completing their terms on April 15th: Jannis Floyd, Chair of Academic Affairs, Andy Gaskievicz, Chair of Instructional Technology and Chair of Library; Vice-President Joe Murphy, and Interim Secretary Kathleen Carico.
2. Celeste also recognized new officers who were present: Bob Timko,Vice-President; Christine Moulton, Secretary; Holly Pieper, Chair of Library; as well as those returning for their second year of service: Donna Dietz, Treasurer (on medical leave); Lou Labuski-Brown, Student Affairs; and Phil Savoye, Chair of Academic Planning Committee. Other new officers: John Phillips, Chair of IT; Teri Doerkson, Chair of AAC. Kathy Thorne, Chair of AAC.
3. Andy Gaskievicz announced the APSCUF Banquet to be held on April 27th in North Manser. David Werner will be present at the banquet.

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III.

Old Business

1. Constitutional Revision (J. Murphy): First Year Committee has been operating for close to three years, but it hasn’t been in the constitution yet.
   

   Discussion:

• History of First Year Committee: The motion passed quickly at Senate, and the committee has been active since then; however, was never part of the formal Constitution process. The assumption from the beginning was that the committee would report to AAC, as it has done. The current membership was not elected. They volunteered or were asked to join.
• Current members: Denny Murray, Adrianne McEvoy, Jeff Bosworth, Deb Rotella, Jan Minetola, and James Lohrey: Student representatives are Brian Smith and Michael J Malick. Margaret Launius is the ex-officio member from the Provosts’s Office. Currently no representative from Student Affairs.
• A vote from the entire faculty will be taken ________(when?)
• Acceptance as a Constitutional committee brings it into the formal election process. How and when should the elections be held? Concerns: An entirely new committee is not desirable (no history); rotating membership is (two people per year); it may be difficult to get nominees; having an election in the fall (at the same time there is a Senate run-off election) may be difficult because Shawndra will no longer be serving as Elections Chair. Are there discretionary powers of the president of the Senate to appoint the committee?
• C Burns checked the constitution, which stated the Senate does have the power to appoint a committee. Therefore, the committee may operate until the normal election time in the spring.

  Decision: Faculty voted as follows: In the fall, the chair of AAC will reappoint the committee, with the election of new members to be held in the spring.

2. Senate meeting will be held next Thursday to discuss what was on the CAN and the general education issue.

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New Business

1. Bob Timko reminded the Assembly about the House Bill 1706 and Senate Bill 1147. Hearings are being held right now and what happens will affect the core of what we do in curriculum. The Faculty Assembly is the highest academic body and can overrule the Senate. If the president fails to take the motion, the FA can take the recommendation right to the Board of Trustee. Celeste Burns recommended we keep on top of this as a faculty and, if necessary, have a meeting in the fall to see where things are and determine if the Faculty Assembly needs to act.

   Discussion:

• Should we do individual letters to legislators? B. Timko:Yes. That would be best.
• Shall we form a committee to alert faculty about critical legislation? Although APSCUF does provide this service, there may be an extra service a committee could provide: a special alert that it is time to voice a collective concern. If there is a committee, we should ask Bill Chabala, who stays apprised of legislative matters.
• A related issue: The Presidential Search. Is it time to speak collectively about the actions of Harrisburg, i.e. the BOG requiring a third candidate after Dr. Richard Rafes withdrew as a candidate for the Mansfield Presidency, having accepted another position? The new date for interviews is May 11. The concern is what happens if another withdraws and the BOG requires us to submit another name. Is it time for a Faculty Assembly Resolution?
  How can faculty be more involved? Ideas were floated for scholars on campus to track budgets and other issues of importance to MU. Those who organize get what they want; those who don’t get what others want. The involvement of a few faculty and trustees could help insure we get a President we support. Who could voice a concern at the trustees meeting? Joe Murphy can attend. Joe volunteered to talk to Ralph Meyer, Search Committee Chair. Is the press at the meetings? Dennis Miller is, not necessarily Williamsport or others.
  C Burns: Senate Executive Committee always has the power to appoint committees. If there is significant interest in gathering a political action or other committee, that will be up to Joe Murphy, as new President, to oversee. Trustee meetings are open to the public; however, visitors cannot speak without prior arrangement with the chair.

2. Denny Murray thanked Celeste for her service.

V.

Adjournment at 4:30 (D. Murray/J. Floyd).