Meet and Confer Notes

WSU Faculty Association

        Monday, September 29, 2003, 3:00 p.m.

0.          Additions or Deletions
             Previously Scheduled:

  1.         Course Approvals
              2.         Handgun Safety/Emergency Plan
              3.         Enrollment and Faculty Growth Data
              4.         2004-2006 Calendars
              5.         Rochester Program Request
              6.         New University Actions
              7.         University Studies Progress Report Referral
              8.         All-University Technology Committee Report (administration)
              9.         IFO Professional Improvement Funds Change (administration)
            10.        Posthumous Degrees (administration)

             Senate Bonding Tour Change (administration) [announcement only]

            The administration announced a change to the Senate Bonding Tour (originally set for Monday
           10/20/03 5:30 + dinner with SE Senate Bonding committee member), it is now Oct.   22.

 Additions:

11.        [Teacher Education] Unit Planning Council (Administration addition)

12.        Invitation to take the IFO Senators to tour the NSB (Administration addition)

WSUFA Executive Committee:             Mary Kesler (President), Bruce Svingen (Vice-President), David Bratt (Board/Past President),
                 Matt Hyle (Negotiator), Sara Barbor (Past Negotiator), Darrell Downs (Treasurer), Bill Ng                     
                 (Secretary),     Vacant Seat (Board).

1.         Course Approvals

 The administration was informed that Faculty Senate approved the 3 to 2 credits change for Ed. Leadership 705.   Papers already delivered and signed by the administration.

2.             Handgun Safety/Emergency Plan

 The administration was notified that Faculty Senate has requested that V.P.  Winbush provide the Handgun Safety/Emergency plan
by the end of October. 

 The administration was also informed that Senate requested local GRC to draft language to repeal the Handgun law, present it at
the State GRC level, and then lobby for it at the IFO Board meeting.  These efforts would include GRC support of any grass-root efforts.

 Administration responses:

1.          Already have a (comprehensive) draft, including train derailment & terroristic activities, hazardous wastes issues, now will
move up Handgun portion of draft.  End-of-October request is doable.

2.             Employees DO NOT have any authority to post Handgun signs. 

3.             Enrollment and Faculty Growth Data

 As instructed by Faculty Senate, M. Kesler asked the administration to provide data to substantiate their claim of faculty growth
(item 6 in the M&C-9/15/03-notes, administration response 3:  WSU has had faculty growth (not probationary) with student growth.
The administration is now beginning to discuss how/whether to increase probationary faculty numbers.) by the next Senate meeting.
[If possible, by electronic means.]

 The administration agreed to provide a one-page document summarizing the above queries.

4.          2004-2006 Calendars

 The administration was informed that Faculty Senate thanked the administration for bringing back the calendars, but re-iterated
that this calendar is not academically sound and that faculty reps on the Calendar Committee were unanimously against this
calendar.  These issues will be pursued strongly again this year at the All-University Calendar Committee.

The administration was queried for their rationale for the Thursday start dates in the spring of each calendar?

 Administration responses:

1.          The administration has carefully considered all sides of the issues and came up with the best possible comprise
for both faculty and students.

2.          Perhaps faculty can apply a strict attendance policy for Thursday and Friday.     

5.             Rochester Program Request

 The administration was questioned regarding the listing of BS of Applied Science in Health Sciences under WSU-RC under
Appendix A in the document “Revised principles related to academic leadership and programs in Rochester,” especially when
there was an earlier request for its removal last year.   Furthermore, there is no such program at WSU.  

 Administration responses:

1.          During the agreement discussions last year, it was interpreted that the BS AS degree might be a possibility.  It is now
difficult to remove something within a signed agreement.

2.          Mute point since MnSCU did not get any where with the BS of Applied Science degree.

6.          Winona Experience (NU) Actions

The administration was informed that the Faculty Senate has accepted NU in principles (with the intention of making changes
(such as representation) within Study Group structures/charges).

 The administration was further informed that the Faculty Senate requested representation of 5 Colleges + 1 non-teaching
faculty for the four Study Groups; with the allowance that Committee on Committees use its wisdom to choose composition,
if, for example, no one from one unit/college applied.   Committee on Committees may begin solicitation for members at its
earliest convenience.

 Administration responses:

1.          Prepared to make the following recommendations:  6 faculty and 3 MSUAASF on the four Study Groups, 3 students
on the Program Excellence/Quality Study Group, and 8 students on the Student Services Study Group (instead of
majority, give plurality to students on Student Services Study Group).

2.          Provided draft document on “Process for the NU” describing how to mobilize university community for the massive
NU undertaking.  Document mentioned setting aside existing money within present budget to handle the possible
disbursement of $5,000 per department for work on NU.

3.          Not to specify an end, but rather bring people together as quickly as possible. 

4.          Careful not to have a large group set the direction before the Study Groups; also careful not to allow consultant to
'can'  the process for the NU.

5.          Bring in the consultant to work with the Study Groups and at the time making sure all Study Group members’ eyes
are open to ideas.

6.          NU will have to most likely create from scratch since there might not be any examples of institutions out there for
WSU to model.

7.          Still trying to keep the present time line; if anything, will broaden view of WSU.

8.          Steering committee could take on the financial aspects of WSU.  May come back with a much smaller group
(4-5 people with 1 faculty) to discuss financial conditions.

9.          Two Trustees on the MnSCU Board are also interested in financial aspects and tuition increases.

10.        It’s most likely that the administration would back off the December deadline, but next fall’s deadline must be met for MnSCU.

11.        The lack of resources is the key driving force for the NU project.

12.         Perhaps several (consecutive) day retreats are needed for groups to work.

13.        Each Study Group could set up forums to gather issues and visions for the NU.

14.        Department involvements are critical in the successful building of the NU, wants to see all departments involved.

7.             University Studies (US) Progress Report Referral

 The administration was informed that Faculty Senate referred the US Progress Report document to A2C2 with the request that
A2C2 provide a progress report to Senate by the end of the fall semester.

8.         All-University Technology Committee Report (administration)

 The administration provided the Faculty execs with a report from the All-University Technology Committee.  Ken Gratz reported
relative to the PowerPoint report.

1.          Four different groups were formed to study different aspects.

2.          Nine recommendations presented in May.

3.          AUTC website contains a lot more information, including data on student surveys.

4.          The committee agreed to continue with the Laptop program.

 Administration accepted the AUTC recommendations, will follow up with studies to make Laptop program even better.

WSUFA exec. Questions/comments:

1.             Requested Ken Gratz to be available at next Senate meeting.

9.          IFO Professional Improvement Funds Change (administration)

 The administration retracted the following statement regarding Faculty usage of IFO Travel Fund (from last year): Faculty
can use funds IFO Travel Funds for certification purposes.

 The administration was incorrect to allow for that usage last year.            

10.             Posthumous Degrees (administration)

 The administration provided a draft document on regulation for awarding a Posthumous Degree to undergraduate and
graduate students.  The draft establishes the posthumous degree eligibility requirements for undergraduate and graduate
students and prescribes the procedures to be followed in making recommendations for awarding the posthumous degree.
The document came from the Commencement committee.  MnSCU should not have any problems with this regulation.

 WSUFA questions/comments [administration responses]:

1.          Why last year stated and not credit hours?  [Credit hours is not necessary an indicator for graduation status; i.e.
someone with 150 credits (with multiple majors) might not be anywhere close to graduation status.]

 The administration is requesting Faculty input on the draft document.

11.             [Teacher Education] Unit Planning Council

 The administration forwarded the revised document to the WSUFA.

12.             Invitation to take the IFO Senators to tour the New Science Building (NSB)

 Dean Jannik extended an offer to IFO Senators to tour the new Science Building, to be arranged (time and number),
limited by the number of hard-hats.  This is done to give thanks to Senators and GRC members for their support and
hard work in lobbying for the NSB.

Adjourned 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bill Ng.