ACADEMIC SENATE

 

MINUTES

 

April 27, 2006

 

 

 

11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.                                                                ACADEMIC SENATE CHAMBERS

Members Present:  Alva, Bedell,  Buck, Dabirian, Drezner, Fidalgo, Fitch, Fromson, Gass, Gordon, Hagan, Hassan, Hewitt, Holland, Jones, Junn, Kanel, Kantardjieff, Kelly, Kirtman, Klassen, Klein,  Kreiner, Liverpool, Lovell, Matz, Michalopoulos, Napper, Pierson, Rhoten, Rumberger, Shapiro, Vogt, Williams

Absent:  Burgtorf, Emry, Guerin, Hall, Meyer, Nanjundappa, Pasternack, Schroeder, Smith, Syed, Tavakolian, Taylor, Walicki

 

I.              CALL TO ORDER

Chair Bedell called the meeting to order at 11:32 a.m. and requested a moment of silence in remembrance of Gladys Fleckles.

 

II.            URGENT BUSINESS

None.

 

III.          ANNOUNCMENTS

Senator Matz reminded the body that nominations for the All-University Election are due at today at noon.

 

Senator Rumberger announced that Heather Williams was elected ASI President for 2006-2007.

 

Senator Dabirian reported that laptop rollout will begin next week.

 

Senator Shapiro alerted VP Hagan that there has been no hot water in the MH building for the last couple of months. VP Hagan stated that he had been aware of this and will bring it to the attention of the appropriate person.

 

IV.         TIME CERTAIN

Time Certain

11:45 a.m.

Subject: Jennie Volkert, Head Coach CSUF Dance Team

Members of the CSUF Dance Team

Subject: Recognition of the CSUF Dance Team, UDA College National Champions

The CSUF Dance Team was recognized for winning six national titles in seven years at the Universal Dance Association College National Championships, the most prestigious dance competition in the nation. Footage of the team’s performance will air on ESPN2 this Saturday between 9:00-11:00 a.m. PDT. On behalf of The Academic Senate, Chair Bedell congratulated the team and the positive energy the team brings to the campus.

                 

V.           CHAIR’S REPORT

Chair Bedell reported on his meeting with Willem Van der Pol, Director, Physical Plant, regarding

deferred maintenance. He learned that there are currently $893 million in deferred maintenance items for the CSU. CSUF’s deferred maintenance projects are estimated at $90 million.

 

Nine persons have agreed to participate in the ad hoc study group for the Second Language Graduation Requirement.

 

Per the constitutional requirement to notify the campus community of a Senate approved constitutional amendment, Chair Bedell announced the formation and approval of the Committee on Campus Beautification and Facilities.

 

Thirteen petitions have been taken out for the six at-large seats to be elected during the upcoming All University Senate Election. Every constituency has at least one person running for each seat. Four petitions were taken for the two part-time senate seats. The electorate will vote on four Statements of Opinion this year.

 

Chair Bedell reminded the body to complete the two surveys that have been distributed (Survey on Academic Quality and A Survey on CSUF as a Workplace for Faculty).

 

Chair Bedell was made aware that 800 faculty commencement gowns were ordered and only 425 were picked up last year. He is unsure if faculty had ordered them and did not pick them up, or if they were ordered by Titan Shops in anticipation of faculty participation. Nonetheless, Chair Bedell urged all faculty to participate in Commencement exercises.

 

The body was reminded of the party for Senators at the Bedells’ home on Thursday, May 18th, 4-7pm and the BBQ at El Dorado Ranch on May 31st.

        

VI.         STATEWIDE ACADEMIC SENATE REPORT

The Statewide Academic Senate will meet next week. The agenda will include a discussion on lower division transfers patterns.

 

VII.       OLD BUSINESS

7.1 ASD 06-62 Proposed UPS on Student Ratings of Instruction [SRI Committee]

Discussion on the process of student ratings of instruction took place. Comments in support of administering them online were made. It was agreed that online SRI’s would be both more efficient and cost effective. The following concerns were expressed:

 

On Student Ratings of Instruction:

·        How to protect anonymity when there is only one student enrolled in a course.

·        Should a “witness” be present while completion of paper SRI’s is taking place?

·        Some students’ written comments can be problematic. Many faculty members have received hostile and potentially libelous comments on SRI’s.

·        Some students do not take SRI’s seriously.

·        A large number of students do not attend classes regularly, but are allowed to complete SRI’S

·        Some of the questions on the SRI forms do not pertain to student concerns.

·        When is the best time to administer SRI’s? (i.e., beginning of class, end of class, etc.)

·        Validity of the statistics/information collected from SRI’s.

·        Making the storage of data secure and confidential.

 

         Regarding Online Student Ratings of Instruction:

·        Having the SRI’s online creates possibility for technologically related mischief.

·        According to the contract between CFA and the CSU, student ratings of instruction must be completed in the classroom.

·        The mainframe (which facilitates paper SRI’s) will be disassembled and an alternative must be secured.

 

         M/S/P [Guerin/Nanjundappa] to refer back to the SRI committee.

 

VIII.     NEW BUSINESS

         Due to lack of time, items 8.1 & 8.2 were not discussed.

 

IX.         ADJOURNMENT       

        Meeting was adjourned at 12:52 p.m.