MINUTES
UAF FACULTY SENATE MEETING #136
Monday, April 3, 2006
1:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Wood Center Conference Room C/D 

I	Call to Order – Paul Layer

Faculty Senate President Paul Layer called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

A.	Roll Call

Members Present:  
	Members Absent: 	
Allen, Jane 	Ayagarak, Nancy	
Anahita, Sine 	Bailey, Scott	
Anderson, Jodie	Wolsko, Chris	
Berge, Anna		
Brown, Liz		
Burleson, Derick		
Cahill, Cathy		
Chowdhury, Ataur		
Collins, Jim		
Cooper, Christine	Others Present: 	
Corkern, Cliff	Bartlett, Michelle	
Davis, Mike	Hapsmith, Linda	
Genetti, Jon	Hardy, Cindy	
Gray, Patty 	Jones, Steve	
Haugen, Lee	Layral, Sheri	
Illingworth, Marjorie	McHenry, Sue	
Iken, Katrin	Morrison, Joy	
Kawula, John	Raymond, Nate	
Konar, Brenda	Reichardt, Paul	
Lan, Ping	Sherman, Todd	
Layer, Paul		
Newberry, Rainer		
Patil, Shirish		
Prakash, Anupma		
Rickard, Anthony		
Riley, Julie		
Roberts, Larry		
Thompson, Joseph		
Weber, Jane		
Wiechen, Heinz		
Wies, Rich		
Zhang, Mingchu		
Zhou, Wendy 		

Non-Voting Members Present:  
	Non-Voting Members Absent:	
Morrow, Phyllis - Dean, CLA	Hazlett, Susan - GSO 	
Williams, Richard - Dean, CEM	Porter, David - UNAC	
Stickel, Tim - Registrar (Melissa McGinty)	United Academics-Adjunct	
Salganek, Maya - Staff Council President 		
Blanchard, Joe - ASUAF (& Patrick Frymark)		
Illingworth, Ron - ACCFT		

B.	Approval of Minutes to Meeting #135

The minutes were approved as distributed.  

C.	Adoption of Agenda

The agenda was adopted as distributed.

II	Status of Chancellor's Office Actions 
	A.	Motions Approved:
1.	Motion to amend the UAF Advanced Placement Credit for Foreign Languages/Alaska Native Languages.
2.	Motion to amend the grading policy to change the "I" and add the "NB" grading option.
B.	Motions Pending:  none

III	Public Comments/Questions - 

Abel Bult-Ito spoke on academic freedom, freedom of speech, and shared governance in regards to the email memo from the Chancellor to staff and faculty governance leadership related to the marriage constitutional amendment pending in the state legislature.  Jane seconded his concerns.  

Todd Sherman spoke on the motion on stacked courses.  Many of their Art courses are stacked, particularly in the summer.  The contact hours of the courses allow for individual instruction.  It is their studio courses that are stacked, not their introduction course.   

Michelle Bartlett also spoke on stacked courses.  Summer Session is an administrative unit and is not involved in the approval of the stacked courses.  Courses come from the academic units.  Her main concern is the effective date of the motion.  They began registration for summer sessions on February 20.  She asked that the effective date be in the fall.  Art courses require more contact hours to accommodate individual instruction.  

IV	A.	President's Comments - Paul Layer

Paul Layer made an announcement about the Demo on E-workload scheduled for April 20 and 21.  There will also be a live stream demo on April 17 for faculty in the rural sites.  For more information contact Hild Peters in the Provost Office.   

Another announcement is about a Promotion & Tenure Workshop to be held Friday, April 28 from 1-4.  This is on SpringFest day (no classes).  Encourage faculty in you college to attend this workshop.  

Staff Appreciation Day is Thursday, May 18.  An Ice Cream Social will be held from 12-2 in Wood Center.  It is an opportunity to thank the hardworking staff that we have.  There is a raffle they are doing for the Carolyn Sampson Memorial Scholarship Fund.  

An issue from Faculty Alliance has to do with the General Education Requirement (GER's) between the three MAU's.  There is a proposal out to get faculty together from the three campuses for a massive meeting to discuss the GER's.  In talking with Mark Box and the Administrative Committee we felt that would not be very productive because there are very strong philosophical differences between our Core approach to the humanities requirements and the general education requirement more a restricted menu approach.  We will start with the Faculty Alliance becoming more aware of how difference units reach their conclusions.  We will look at what UAF has done and how they fit the aspirations we have for the Core.  Secondly, we need to discuss smaller issues that have more direct impact, e.g., English treatment of AP and IB exams.  These criteria haven’t been established, so what we want to do is get faculty from various department from the three campuses together to work out common ground rules on how to deal with these exams.  From those discussions we can then move to discussion in terms of curricula and GER's.  Developmental Education may be another area that will need some discussion, especially with the distance courses, making sure there is common ground to make life easier for students to go between the campuses.

Jane Weber asked about the e-workload and if it was a done deal.  Paul responded that going to these sessions, getting educated about it and then speaking up is a way that it might change. Marjorie Illingworth asked why nothing has been set up downtown, as none of the times will work for her.  

B.	President-Elect's Comments - Shirish Patil

Shirish Patil followed up with some more information from Faculty Alliance.  They are looking at the outreach activities and performance based budgeting and how they are linked together.  The Educational Technology Team (ETT) and the Distance Education Steering Board (DESB) need representation.  

Something new is coming up with all the changes in retirement. Mike Humphreys and others at statewide are talking to a company called Emeriti to look at options for retirement health care.  They are looking at three options:  health savings account, health reimbursement, and voluntary employee benefit account (VEBA).  Emeriti has received inquiries from several hundred educational institutions and they are talking with Aetna to see if they can give a good rate.   The university will continue discussions to provide some kind of retirement health benefits.  

V	A.	Remarks by Chancellor S. Jones   

Chancellor Jones announced that tomorrow they would be issuing an announcement for an internal UA search for a Vice Chancellor for Research.  Paul Reichardt will chair the committee.  Two members include Larry Duffy representing faculty, and Phyllis Morrow from the administrative side.  The position description encompasses what the Chancellor's Director of Research is doing now plus the directors of IAB, ARSC, IARC, and GI will report to the position.   Five specific responsibilities include:  chair UAF's Research Working Group, serve as liaison to the systems Research Advisory Council, act as leader and coordinator of UAF's federal initiative process, will assist with faculty recruitment and retention and proposal matching requirements, and development and maintenance of a close working relations with Provost on a range of issues including promotions, tenure recommendations, program reviews, academic decisions that impact both instructional and research programs.  The application period is open for five working days.  

A second item Chancellor Jones spoke about was the replacement for Paul Reichardt.  We will soon be launching a search for an Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost.   It will be the same as it is currently configured with the exception of the direct reporting line of the four research institute directors.  The title is intended to reflect that this senior level position is the first among equals around the Chancellor's administrative table.  And we intend to clearly define this positions role across UAF within academics affairs including academic oversight of CRCD.  The search committee will have co-chairs:  Paul Layer and Phyllis Morrow.  Chancellor Jones will meet with them to discuss committee make up.  We want to have the person selected so there is some overlap with Paul.  

Anna Berge asked about the five-day internal search for the VCR.  Anupma Prakash spoke about the increase in upper level administrators, when we don’t have funds for teaching faculty.  Chancellor Jones indicated that this position would be a replacement for Ted DeLaca at an elevated level.  Jane Weber seconded Anupma's comments.  Her impression is that we are getting top heavy while we are struggling to get faculty in our departments and enough office space.  

The Senate finance subcommittee reported out $27 million for the university and Gary Wilkins has asked for a postponement for public comments to bring it up to full-funding level.  

Paul Layer asked Chancellor Jones to provide an outline of what he envisions the UAF administrative structure to look like once we have the new positions in place.   

	B.	Remarks by Provost P. Reichardt	

Psychology Ph.D. - Paul Reichardt indicated they have submitted a prospectus to the Northwest Commission.  Every time the Board of Regents passes a new degree program or a modification to an existing program, they fill out a form, send it in to the Commission, and receive their blessing.  The Commission felt the prospectus as written did not clearly state that this was a UAF degree.  It was too each to read into it that this was an authorization for UAA to get into the doctorial business.  After negotiations, a revised statement has been submitted.  We are optimistic that it will be passed.  

Institutional Accreditation - Every 10 years the university goes through a self-study and a full-scale review for reaffirmation of accreditation.  At the five-year mark an interim report is made to the Commission.  It addressed two things:  recommendations that were made from the review and any significant changes in the institution as they relate to the accreditation standards.  A committee of nine people, chaired by Godwin Chukwu has been established and the will divide the work into six working groups.  The goal is that by the end of the semester to have rough outlines of the chapters of our report.  We will then write the first draft of the report over the summer and have it available on the web in mid-August.  We will then have just a few weeks to review it before it has to be turned in.  Our site visit will be mid- to late October and we have to have the report in at least four weeks prior to that visit.  

FY08 budget Development - Over the summer is when the system develops the FY08 budget request (07-08).  The budget that the Chancellor was talking about is the FY07 budget (July 06-June 07).  Over the summer will be the beginning stages of the FY08 budget request.  We have in place a Planning and Budget Committee as part of the process.  A week ago we got the responses to a request for proposals from units.  There is now a list of over 80 proposals that total over $24 million.  Probably we will look at putting forward $6-8 million.  The Chancellor’s Cabinet and Provost Council will also look at the list.   

Space issue – There is no more space on campus.  There are opportunities for space off-campus.  The Downtown Center presently has the Museum administration in it and they will be moving back on campus in early summer.  The Aurora building is a large warehouse off Aurora Drive.  The Wells Fargo space is currently occupied by the Office of Electronic Miniaturization.  We've asked Kathleen Schedler to look at those three spaces and tell use what kind of space is available and what costs are associated with them.  The Downtown Center is presently leased by the University until 2010 or 2011.  Ataur Chowdhury asked about a long term plans for more building on campus.  Paul Reichardt indicated that we have not gone through the next cycle for planning the Capital Budget, but on the top of list for the Fairbanks campus is a life science building on West Ridge.  This would free up two floors in the Butrovich Building.  The highest priority for space on lower campus is to finish the deferred maintenance project in the Fine Arts Complex.  There is a need to get the non-academic units off-campus.  That may incur some lease or rental costs.  

VI	Governance Reports 

	A.	Staff Council - Maya Salganek

Maya Salganek indicated that she is on her way to Juneau to meet with Staff Alliance.  They have a number of visits planned with legislators.  

Staff Alliance has been keeping folks apprised about the change in the health care policy.  We are moving to a new pharmaceutical provider.  Maya indicated that she has received a letter from the state asking if she was interested in moving from Tier 3 to Tier 4.  From the university side there has been no discussion that the state is looking at this option.  

Maya met with the Chancellor's Cabinet earlier this month and talked about communication issues.  There is no clear format in terms of who has access to our list-serve.  Or what kind of notes go out on it.  There is a need for guidelines for list-serves.  

Staff Council passed the FIP's resolution at their last meeting.  They also approved a motion to change the Chancellor’s Recognition award and created a second award for supervisors.  This is to highlight people that are serving as leaders on campus in a role as supervisor.  Only staff are eligible for the Staff Recognition Award, but both staff and faculty are eligible for the Supervisor's Award.  Nominations are being accepted immediately and the awards will be given out at the Staff Appreciation Day on May 18.  

Staff Council is looking at providing recommendations about the staff handbook.  There has been discussion about the need for it for accreditation purposes.  The Council feels very strongly about the need for a staff handbook.  They are advocating for both a printed manual and an on line version.  

	B.	ASUAF - Joe Blanchard 

Joe Blanchard indicated that student Senate will be looking at the Marriage & Benefits amendment.  Elections will be moved to May 3-4.  

Patrick Frymark stated that Senate meetings are held at 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, either in Wood Center or Hess Rec.  They will be drafting a motion on add a faculty member on the student Senate.  Patrick will also ask for an amendment to add a faculty member on their University Relations Committee.  

Patrick presented the following Senate Resolution on student concerns about the increase in fees.  This resolution is being presented to Staff Council, the Chancellor, USUAA, USUAS, President Hamilton, the chair and members of the Board of Regents, State Representative Guttenberg, and State Senator Seekins.  

SR166-007A
A Demand for Recognition of Student Concerns
Sponsored by: Patrick Frymark
Submitted: 2006-03-01
State: Effective

Whereas, ASUAF has demanded in the past an increase in the quality of food, living conditions, and building maintenance and has seen little result; and,

Whereas, Fees, such as those relating to tuition, housing, transportation, networking, student life, the health center, vending machines, and the overall cost of purchasing food on campus (as examples), continue to increase despite this lack of results; now, therefore be it

Resolved, That ASUAF expresses its extreme dissatisfaction with the disproportionate amounts of fee increases when compared to the amount of improvement of services and living conditions on the UAF campus; be it further

Resolved, That ASUAF demands that the University administration justify continued fee increases with measurable improvement in the areas in which fees are increased; and be it further

Resolved, That should fees continue to increase without satisfactory justification, the ASUAF Student Government shall demand the audit of all University budgets and accounts by a 3rd party organization; and be it further

Resolved, That ASUAF recommends that the UAF Faculty Senate and Staff Council adopt similar resolutions; and be it further

Resolved, That ASUAF encourage the student governments of UAA and UAS to look at the cost of their particular universities and take appropriate actions.

	C.	GSO - Susan Hazlett

Susan Hazlett was not in attendance.  

VII	New Business 

A.	Motion to clarify course stacking policy, submitted by Curricular Affairs 

Rainer Newberry indicated this motion brings out the fact that these stacked courses are taking place, often without review.  There are three issues: 1) change effective date to fall and 2) can you teach the same class at the 100 level and the 600 level or does it require you to do something different.  The intention of stacked courses was to stack 400 with 600 level courses not to stack 100 and 600 level classes.  Paul Layer asked about the difference between concurrent courses and stacked courses.  Rainer stated that concurrent courses are two different courses with two different instructors.  Stacked means that there is one instructor in the same room offering the same course at two different levels.  If your students are at similar levels, then instruction can be more effectively given to everyone.  Phyllis Morrow indicated that instruction in studio art courses is significantly different from other classes.  There is individual instruction.  After more discussion a motion was made to refer it back to committee.  The rationale needs to clarify the intention of the motion.  The motion passed.  

MOTION REFERRED BACK TO COMMITTEE: 
====================================

The UAF Faculty Senate moves to include the following clarification on course stacking to be added to current regulations:

“With the exception of 400/600, stacked courses must be of adjacent levels (e.g. 200/300).  Other stacked combinations (e.g., 100/600) are not allowed under any circumstances." 

	EFFECTIVE:  	Immediately

RATIONALE: 	Although never explicitly stated, the stacked course concept was intended for 400/600 courses.   Stacking could be applied to other combinations, but some, e.g., 100/600, are clearly not appropriate for such.  These other stacked combinations have occurred recently for several summer courses and have been proposed for regular semester courses.  This change is to clarify that some course stackings are simply not acceptable.

****************

B.	Motion to amend the Mandatory Placement Policy, submitted by Curricular Affairs and Developmental Studies 

This motion was moved to a discussion item.  

****************

C.	Motion on Admission Standards for Baccalaureate programs, submitted by Curricular Affairs 

Rainer Newberry indicated that the Provost would like to have some support from faculty to institute the recommendations from the Task Force on higher admission standards.  Jane Weber spoke against the motion as it is against the open admission and the community college mission.  Rainer indicated that we still have open admission, however, if a student is not ready for the baccalaureate level, they would not be admitted to that program level.  Cathy Cahill agreed with the motion and indicated that this would give students a progression to succeed.  Marjorie Illingworth is concerned that we don’t have the structure and support for those students that are not prepared.  Rainer indicated that this has to be coupled with resources toward dealing with these students.  We need advising and developmental education for these students.  This motion is to identify those students so we can help them.  Jane indicated that we need to be assured of those resources.  

Sine Anahita asked a question on financial aid.  Paul Reichardt indicated that as long as they are degree seeking and making progress they are eligible for financial aid.  

Ataur Chowdhury asked how will we fair against the other two MAUs if we change our standards and how it will effect our enrollment.  Paul Reichardt indicated that we already have higher standard than the other MAUs.  The University of Montana experienced small declines in enrollment for a year or two and then their enrollments went above what they had before.  In Alaska the reality is that most students in the urban cities choose to go to school close to home.  It becomes a question of access and our students are unwilling to move to pursue their secondary education.  

Rainer said that to a large extent how this effects our enrollment will depend on how well we follow through on advising and assisting students identified as baccalaureate intended.  We need the resources so we don’t turn students away.  

Jane asked for an amendment to add financial support for resources prior to implementation.  The amendment passed.  Linda Hapsmith stated that there is a range of SAT scores that are equivalent to a score of 18 on the ACT.  Paul Reichardt indicated that the scores are open to interpretation.  Rainer stated that we could state that an equivalent SAT scores can be substituted.  The motion passed as amended unanimously.  

MOTION:
=======

The UAF Faculty Senate endorses the Enrollment Management Task Force’s recommendation that the requirements for admission to UAF’s baccalaureate program be raised to:

3.0 cumulative high school GPA or 
2.5 cumulative high school GPA and ACT Composite score ≥ 18.  An equivalent combined SAT score can be substituted for the ACT Composite score requirement.  

We further endorse the recommendation that financial support for academic resources to assist Baccalaureate Intended (BI) students at UAF be significantly increased prior to implementation.

EFFECTIVE:  	Fall 2007

RATIONALE:  	By accepting a student into a baccalaureate program UAF is essentially saying to the student: "you're ready to start this program".  At one time an Alaskan high school student with a C (2.0) average was in fact ready for UAF. Today, however, an Alaskan high school student with an overall GPA of 2.0 is simply not ready.  Either the student hasn't learned enough of the subject matter taught or hasn't displayed the study skills necessary to complete assignments successfully.  By raising the requirements for admission to the baccalaureate program we are more realistically specifying the level of academic background that we expect incoming students to have before beginning baccalaureate courses at UAF and to succeed in those courses.  For those students who do not meet these admission criteria, we'd be sending the message: "based on your previous level of academic accomplishments, you're not yet ready and we want to help you get ready."  Our intention would be to identify such 'at risk' students and give them a chance to 'get up to speed' in terms of whatever they need--be it academic background or study/academic work habits.

****************

D.	Motion to approve a Certificate in Automotive Technology, submitted by Curricular Affairs Committee 

This motion was withdrawn from the agenda.  

****************

E.	Motion on "walk-though" requirements for graduate students, submitted by Graduate Academic & Advisory Committee 

Cathy Cahill indicated that the purpose of this motion would allow graduate students to walk through graduation if they meet the requirements of graduation with only a few minor revisions.  Cathy Cahill changed the word dissertation in the last requirement to "memorandum".  Ataur Chowdhury spoke about the length of the abstract.  Less than or equal to 50 words was added.  Jim Collins spoke against the notion of a walk-through policy.  Susan Henrichs indicated this request came from outside of GAAC.  Right now there is no flexibility in the policy and sometimes results in a student who is all but done not being able to participate in graduation.  Marjorie Illingworth stated that since we only have graduation once a year, it could be very costly for student to have to return for graduation.  And it looks better for the university to have the Ph.D. candidates attend.  The motion as amended passed unanimously.  

MOTION:
=======

The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend walk through requirements for graduate students as follows:

[[   ]]  -  Deletion
CAPS - Addition

Graduation "Walk-Through" Policy

To meet the definition of having "essentially completed all degree requirements" (current policy) to "walk through" graduation ceremonies, a student must have met the following requirements:

a.	successfully completed all required tests, course work and thesis/project defense; and 

b.	submitted to the Graduate School by the date set for filing a thesis/dissertation in Spring Semester, a memorandum signed by the student and the major advisor certifying that any required revisions to the project/thesis/dissertation can be completed by july 31 of the same year.  FOR A THESIS/DISSERTATION, THE STUDENT MUST MAKE A COMMITMENT TO SUBMIT THE FINAL COPY TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL BY JULY 31 OF THE SAME YEAR. [[the student is essentially completed the graduate degree, and that all required signatures will be obtained and the thesis, project or dissertation filed by the last day of instruction.]]  If the student is a Ph.D. candidate, the major advisor or designated committee member must also agree to participate in the graduation ceremonies; and

c.	[[filed a copy of the required project/thesis/dissertation with the Graduate School with all required signatures, by the last day of instruction in Spring Semester; and

d.]]	for Ph.D. candidates, filed a ≤ 50 word abstract of the dissertation research along with the signed [[dissertation]] MEMORANDUM.  

NOTE:  Individuals who "walk through" graduation ceremonies will NOT be listed in the graduation program.  These students’ names, and if Ph.D. recipients, descriptions of dissertation research, will appear in the program of the academic year in which the Degree is formally granted.  

EFFECTIVE:  	Immediately 

RATIONALE: 	 Because students currently can participate in commencement only in May, and most relocate soon after completing their graduate degrees, the present policy is overly stringent.  On the other hand, GAAC feels that passing the important milestone of the project/thesis/dissertation defense is a necessary condition.  Further, this should be limited to cases in which the project/thesis/dissertation requires only minor or moderate revision, which can be accomplished in time for summer graduation.

****************

F.	Motion on dormant courses, submitted by Graduate Academic & Advisory Committee and Curricular Affairs 

Cathy Cahill spoke about the misrepresentation of the courses in the catalog that have not been offered for five years.  We are requesting that every five years the Provost get a list of those courses that have not be offered for five years and are still in the catalog and/or active in Banner.  The program would have to justify why they should be maintained or remove them.  This would follow the standard Faculty Senate procedure a little bit streamlined.  Marjorie Illingworth stated that we have to be careful that we don't eliminate courses that are taught on the rural campuses but not on the Fairbanks campus.  Anumpa Prakash had a question on process and the involvement of departments.  Cathy indicated that the list would be given to the deans and they would contact the departments for justification.  Sheri Layral indicated this would follow the Senate process that includes publicizing a list and a 10-day comment period.  The motion passed unanimously.  

MOTION:
=======

Every five years, to correspond to the UAF accreditation schedule (i.e., 2000, 2005, 2010, etc.), the Provost will request that the Registrar provide a list of courses that have not been taught in the preceding five years.  That list will be submitted to the Deans with the following instructions:

a)	The Dean reviews the lists carefully and identifies courses no longer offered that will be deleted from the catalog and from the Banner system.  The regular Faculty Senate process for deleting courses must be followed.  To simplify the process one form per subject area may be used, with a list of the courses that are to be deleted attached. 
b)	If the Dean requests it by the given deadline, the course will be retained in the Banner system, but deleted from the catalog.
c)	If the Dean sends a substantive justification and a request to retain the course in the Catalog to the Provost by the given deadline, and the request is approved, the course will continue to be published in the catalog.

EFFECTIVE:  	Immediately

RATIONALE:  	There are nearly 300 courses still active in Banner (and about 200 still listed in the catalog) that have not been offered for five years.  We need to give students (and prospective students) a realistic view of our course offerings.   Given that none of these courses has been taught for five years, it is very unlikely that any of them is needed by a student to complete degree requirements.

****************

G.	Resolution on the Outstanding Senator of the Year, submitted by the OSYA Screening Committee 

Paul Layer indicated that we received one nomination.  Shirish Patil chaired the screening committee.  Confirmation ballots were distributed and tallied.  The Senate voted to confirm Sine Anahita as the 2006 Outstanding Senator of the Year.  A formal resolution has been drafted and will be presented at the May meeting.  

****************

	H.	Nomination and Election of President-Elect 

Shirish Patil indicated there was one nomination for President-Elect.  He called for any additional nominations.  With no additional nominations, the nominations were closed and the election of Jon Genetti by affirmation passed without objection.  

RESOLUTION:
===========

BE IT RESOLVED, That the UAF Faculty Senate ratifies the election of Jon Genetti as President-Elect of the UAF Faculty Senate for 2006-2007 by affirmation.

****************

I.  Discussion Item

A.  Motion to amend the Mandatory Placement Policy, submitted by Curricular Affairs and Developmental Studies 

Cindy Hardy indicated this motion comes as a result of the Enrollment Management Task Force and our recommendations on Mandatory Placement.  Faculty in Developmental Education have been working with the English department.  Curricular Affairs put forward the motion including the first paragraph addition.  Developmental Studies added the language for the rest of the motion.  It is still a work in progress.  Rainer Newberry indicated that what they are looking for is concerns people might have.  Jane Weber asked if the English department has agreed to the policy.  Cindy indicated that having the language out would raise the awareness of the issue with faculty.  Marjorie Illingworth indicated that reading level is a key piece of mandatory placement.  Anna Berge agreed that reading needs to be included.  However, the implied ability to do a timed written essay needs to reflect the ability to comprehend the material.  There was more discussion on when the timed essay should be completed.  Ataur indicated that the current SAT has a writing component.   Linda Hapsmith indicated that Admissions is looking at requiring a written essay as part of the admission process.  She also expressed concern in coming up with a schedule for students that are placed in developmental courses.  What alternatives will be available for courses that will count toward graduation?  Paul Layer indicated that the first two paragraphs reflect that this is how we want students to be prepared.  We don't want to lose that in how we are going to make sure they are prepared.  Specific language changes can be forward to Cindy and Rainer.  Rainer stated that the question is "Should be try harder to make sure that the people enrolled in our core classes are really prepared to take them?"

DRAFT MOTION:  
=============

The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend the Mandatory Placement Policy (Senate meeting #116, May 5, 2003) to read:

CAPS - Addition
[[   ]]  -  Deletion

Mandatory Placement

Students who do not meet basic skills standards in reading, writing, and mathematics must complete appropriate Developmental Education course instruction.  Such students [[should]] MAY not enroll in 100-level or above courses that depend on these skills until they have satisfactorily met the exit criteria of the appropriate Developmental Education course(s).

STUDENTS MAY NOT ENROLL IN CORE LIBERAL ARTS CLASSES UNLESS THEY MEET THE PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGLISH 111 AND MAY NOT ENROLL IN CORE SCIENCE CLASSES UNLESS THEY HAVE PLACEMENT AT DEVM 105 OR ABOVE AND PLACEMENT INTO ENGLISH 111.  STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN A COURSE WITHOUT MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE INVOLUNTARILY WITHDRAWN FROM THE COURSE.
  
STUDENTS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES (ACT/SAT/COMPASS/ASSET), ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDITS, TRANSFER CREDITS, OR PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK MUST HAVE UAF-APPROVED PLACEMENT TEST SCORES PRIOR TO REGISTERING FOR CLASSES THEIR FIRST SEMESTER AT UAF.  PLACEMENT INTO APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL OR CORE CLASSES MUST BE DONE WITH THE HELP OF AN ADVISOR.

FOR PLACEMENT INTO ANY DEVELOPMENTAL MATH COURSE OR MATH 103X, 107X, 161X, OR 200X, PREREQUISITE COURSES AND/OR PLACEMENT EXAMS MUST BE TAKEN WITHIN ONE CALENDAR YEAR PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF THE COURSE.   

FOR PLACEMENT INTO ANY DEVELOPMENTAL ENGLISH COURSE AND ENGLISH 111X, STUDENTS WILL WRITE A TIMED ESSAY FOR EVALUATION.  

STUDENTS PLACED IN DEVELOPMENTAL ENGLISH OR READING SHOULD ENROLL IN THE APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL READING CLASS THEIR FIRST SEMESTER AT UAF.

STUDENTS WHO PLACE IN TWO OR MORE DEVELOPMENTAL CLASSES SHOULD ALSO ENROLL IN A STUDY SKILLS/COLLEGE SUCCESS CLASS THEIR FIRST SEMESTER AT UAF.

EFFECTIVE:  	Fall 2006, with enforcement to begin no later than Fall 2007

RATIONALE:  	Mandatory testing, advising, and placement have been identified as elements, which have a strong correlation with increased student success in college-level coursework.  A motion to phase in mandatory placement in appropriate Developmental Education courses was approved by the UAF Faculty Senate on May 5, 2003.  

Further, the additions more clearly spell out the implicit expectations for Core 100-level courses at UAF—namely, that a student has sufficient academic preparation to be able to complete college-level English and math classes.

Note:  Additional Banner augmentation to support prerequisite and test compliance will need to be coordinated with UAA and UAS. The UAA Faculty Senate recently approved a similar motion on Mandatory Placement.

*******************

VIII	Committee Reports

	A.	Curricular Affairs - Rainer Newberry 

Rainer indicated that he had nothing more to report that had not been discussed.  

	B.	Faculty Affairs - Jon Genetti 

Jon said they have been looking at a demo on faculty workload.  He encouraged faculty to attend the upcoming demos.  Anumpa said they would like to look at the cost as well.  Liz Brown asked about the purposes and uses of the electronic workload.  Paul Reichardt indicated that he is interested in the activity report and CV and less interested in the workload.  The argument for the workload is that usually by the time the activity report shows up the workload is lost.  It's hard to tell what someone has done relative to what they set out earlier.  The biggest value is in the electronic activity report.  One, it will simplify things for all of us involved in preparing or reading them.  Second, if it is in fact connected to banner, it will allow us to do reporting.  Liz commented about the privacy of the reports.  Paul Reichardt said that the construction of the report is limited to the individual and the dean.  It terms of access to it, there is no difference in the access to the written reports.  The deans currently have the authority to go into the written report to extract the information we need to report to the legislature under missions and measures and the budget summary.  

	C.	Unit Criteria - Glenn Chappell 

A report was attached to the agenda. 

	D.	Committee on the Status of Women - Jane Weber 

A report was attached to the agenda. Jane reminded everyone of that the committee is holding a Promotion and Tenure workshop on April 28 from 1-4 p.m. in 109 Butrovich.  This will be a three-hour hands-on workshop.   They are also planning a women's faculty luncheon next fall.  

	E.	Core Review - Mark Box

A report was attached to the agenda. 

	F.	Curriculum Review - Rainer Newberry

The committee is still working on course and program proposals.  

	G.	Developmental Studies - Cindy Hardy/ Joe Mason

A report was attached to the agenda. 

	H.	Faculty Appeals & Oversight - Larry Duffy

No report was available.  

	I.	Faculty Development, Assessment & Improvement – Larry Roberts  

The following report was submitted as a handout.  

University of Alaska Fairbanks Faculty Senate

Faculty Development, Assessment, and Improvement Committee

Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2006

Meeting was called to order at 1:05pm

Attending: 	Christie Cooper, Clifton Corkern, John Kawula, Joy Morrison, Larry Roberts-Chairperson

Agenda items:  	Roll-call
			Approval/changes to agenda
			Approval of minutes
			Report from Joy
			Old business
			New Business
			Adjournment

Larry Roberts opened the meeting with a roll-call and it was determined that we had a sufficient number of members for discussion; no votes were on the agenda. The agenda for the day was approved. The minutes of the February meeting were approved. Further business was conducted resulting in the following decisions and shared information.

Report from Joy:	Joy reported on a conference she attended 3/9-3/11 in Phoenix put on by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The focus was on assessment with multiple 3 hour hands-on workshops. She will provide information on program assessment to Susan Henrichs and assessment of students’ prior learning to the rest of the committee (of course it is available to all faculty). The prior learning information is designed to help all faculty determine at the beginning of the semester their students’ readiness for the course.

	Joy picked up an excellent book at the conference by Derek Bok after hearing him speak: “Our Underachieving Colleges.” The presentation made by Bok (interim president at Harvard) at the conference can be downloaded as a pod cast from the AAC&U website.
	
	Upcoming development sessions include a day long workshop on Critical Thinking in the Classroom (follow-up to last spring’s workshop), and Compassion and Civility in the Classroom (StarLink).

Old business:	Discussion of distance education assessment was tabled until the following meeting when Marjorie I. could present information.
		
Old business cont.:	Larry reported that The Conference on Teaching Excellence had 75 in attendance out of 80 registrants. The feedback was very good and the conference seemed to create a great deal of interest statewide. Much of the conference will be available in video format in a few months. 

	Discussion ensued about the feasibility of making this an annual conference. The cost this year was about $350.00 a person. Continued funding from outside sources combined with more self support in the future may make this possible. To highlight the value received and encourage future attendees to pay a modest fee, it was suggested that a report be put together showing what this years’ participants received for the money spent.

New business:	Larry brought up an article provided by the Provost by Gray and Bergman addressing student evaluation of faculty. Members discussed the value of our current assessment forms and other options that may provide more useful and valid information (particularly information from the I.D.E.A. workshops). In addition, Joy suggested the committee propose that new faculty have peer evaluations of their classroom work conducted over a period of time. She offers that service, but would like to have more specifically qualified evaluators to increase the applied value of the feedback.

	Review of teaching by students and peer review of instruction are two key issues that need both committee and university discussion and action. Therefore, the committee will address these issues holistically and bring a suggestion to the full senate perhaps by early fall 2006.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:55pm.

Next Meeting:  April 20, 2006 @ 1:00pm

Respectfully submitted by:  Christie Cooper, Secretary

******************

	J.	Graduate Academic & Advisory Committee – Cathy Cahill

A report was attached to the agenda. 

*****************

IX	Members' Comments/Questions - 

Jane Weber stated that after the May 1 meeting there would be a no-host dinner.  They will provide a time to get together with the rural members. 

Anupma Prakash asked about the discussion on the plus/minus grades.  Rainer indicated he would be sending out an email to faculty and there would be two public forums.  He also anticipates an electronic referendum.  Paul asked that the Sun Star be notified of the forums.  

X	Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Tapes of this Faculty Senate meeting are in the Governance Office, 312 Signers' Hall if anyone wishes to listen to the complete tapes. 

Submitted by Sheri Layral, Faculty Senate Secretary.