Senators present:
Kim Acuña, Jennifer Anderson, Chuck Bultena, Dave Carlston, Jesse Carlucci, Randy Case, Sarah Cobb, Eduardo Colmenares, Catherine Gaharan, Terry Griffin, Nathan Jun, Tammy Kurzewski, Adam Lei, Marcos Lopez, Matthew Luttrell, Stacia Miller, Jonathan Quam, John Schulze, Beverly Stiles, Tyler Williams, Bradley Wilson
Guests:
- Dr. James Johnston (Provost)
- Patrick Dowling (Staff Senate Representative)
Call to order: 3 p.m.
Housekeeping:
The minutes and agenda were approved.
CURRENT BUSINESS
1. Midterm grade reports discussion—James Johnston, Provost
Provost Johnston stated that retention is 3% above last year and that retention initiatives on campus are starting to have positive effects. He also stated that the purpose of midterm grade reports is to identify students who are in danger of failing so the list can be distributed to TASP, college advisors, and others who can offer support to the students. The midterm grade reports will be available from week 5 to week 8 to allow maximum flexibility in reporting, with reports generated on the Friday of each week the system is open. The suggested syllabus statement included in the email announcing the midterm grade reporting is primarily intended to convey to students that the midterm grade does not affect their final course grade. The statement is not mandatory.
Several senators asked that the process of entering grades be made as easy as possible for faculty. Suggestions included checkboxes rather than drop-down menus for assigning grades; the ability to assign no grade to students not deemed in danger of failing; a limited number of choices for grades to be assigned; and the ability to send data between banner and D2L.
2. Evergreen report discussion—James Johnston, Provost
Senator Acuña moved to accept the new proposed IRB policy. The motion passed.
4. Faculty Recognition—Nathan Jun
- Administrative Council (Dr. Carlston): No report
- Academic Council (Dr. Lopez): No report
- Budget Oversight Committee (Dr. Stiles): No report
- Other active committees: No report
- Financial Report (Dr. Anderson): The Texas Council of Faculty Senates will meet Oct. 18-19. If any senators wish to attend the conference, the senate funds will cover travel expenses.
OLD BUSINESS:
Senators discussed specific processes through the registrar’s office that create problems for students and advisors.
- Course substitutions are often not entered until a degree audit is done.
- Degree plans are sometimes lost and must be sent multiple times.
- The paper advisor-approved schedule form
- Change-of-major forms are often processed slowly
- Confirmation for course substitutions should be sent to the faculty member who requested the substitution
- Graduation audits should be processed early enough to affect registration the semester before graduation
NEW BUSINESS:
None.
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
Submitted,
Sarah Cobb, Faculty Senate Secretary
Dave Carlston, Faculty Senate Chair
Next Meetings:
- The next Executive Committee meeting with be at 3 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Mass Communication Conference Room.
- The next Faculty Senate meeting will be held in the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at 3 p.m. on Oct. 10.