Faculty Senate Minutes – Friday, May 4, 2018

Portage Meeting Facility

Voting Members Present:

K. Al Shamaileh, A. Alavizadeh , R. Brusca-Vega, C. Chandramouli, M. Connolly, D. Detmer, K. Donah, J. Duzinkiewicz, A. Elmendorf, P. Hecht, K. Kincaid, J. Kuhn, S. Mo, C. Morrow, S. Nakayama, D. Nalbone, L. Pelter, J. Pula, V. Quinn, S. Rezak, C. Roper, A. Schooley, G. Schultz, K. Scipes, S. Smithson, J. Spores, P. Stompor, J. Thomas, S. Trekles, F. Wang, D. Whitten, D. Wilbur, X. Yang, Y. Zhang

Voting Members Absent:

A. Angriawan, M. Block, R. Calix, N. Desai, T. Dobrowski, L. Garcia-Verdugo, R. Hallock

Non-voting Members Present:

T. Keon, S. Lerner, R. Mueller, R. Owens, C. Panlilio, D. Thibideau, M. Watson, D. Williams.

Others present:

A. Biro, D, Clark, J. Colwell, L. Feldman, L. Goodnight, E. Hixon, B. Law, K. Parli, R. Scribailo, B. Stankowski, T. Sullivan, J. Tazbir, J. Williams

1. Determination of quorumA quorum was declared at 10:00 A.M.
2. Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order by the Chair, G. Schultz.
3. Approval of the AgendaA few minor changes to the agenda. FSD 17-33 PNW Graduate Curriculum Requests is for information only and not action. FSD 17-32 Grade Notification and 17-35 Active Shooter Video are from Student Affairs. FSD 17-36 Resolution on Summer Scheduling is from the Executive Committee. F. Wang motioned to approve the agenda with the amendments and it was seconded. The agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote.
4. Approval of the Minutes of the January 12, 2018 meetingG. Schultz moved to approve the minutes and D. Nalbone seconded.  Minutes approved unanimously by voice vote.
5. Remarks by the ChairG. Schultz mentions that it’s been an honor serving this group and part of a professional growth activity.The Board of Trustees is curious of how things are doing, especially Senate. G. Schultz explained some of the highlights of the year; the Resolution on Concurrent Enrollment; Athletics and the expansion, we have a faculty voice on the Athletics Committee; the Promotion and Tenure document. There was compromise on the administration side and we managed to get it passed. All these things required negotiation, compromise and working with Senior Leadership.Professor Janusz Duzinkiewicz gives a memorial of K. R. Johnson.
6. Remarks by the Chancellor or DesigneeThe Chancellor congratulated us as completing the second year as PNW. We’ve grown closer to understanding each other’s roles and responsibilities.The biggest achievement is the Promotion and Tenure document that is critical for the faculty you represent.Provost Mueller mentioned a number of ad hoc issues that came up this year. We need to ask what are the major milestones that we want to accomplish this year? Maybe have a joint agenda and pick some things to work together as shared governance.

   Like the Provost report that was sent out this fall, should there be a Senate Report of what we’ve accomplished this year and what we want to accomplish next year.

   Provost Mueller concluded by wishing everyone a good summer.

7. Digital P&T FilesDr. Lori Feldman gave an update on the Digital Promotion and Tenure File project. There have been two vendors on campus; Interfolio and Digital Measures, who gave presentations. Those presentations have been recorded for those who could not attend. Results from the Qualtrics survey had representation all across the board. There are questions that still need to be answered from the vendors. We will reach out to other schools to get their experience with either of the two vendors.F. Wang asked about using Sharepoint as that is what Purdue is using. Dr. Feldman says while it is a secure place to deposit documents, it does not have the workflow feature.S. Lerner asked when will a vendor be selected? Dr. Feldman would like to have a decision be made relatively soon so implementation could take place Fall of 2019.S. Trekles asked if there is a significant cost savings between the two products? Dr. Feldman response was there is not.

   Heather Zamojski from IS is on the committee and a decision will be based on what will work for the community.

   K. Scipes encourages sending documents through from someone who already is tenured to work through the whole process.

   Dr. Feldman says there will be training for everyone who plays a role in the Promotion and Tenure process.

8. New and Old Business
   1. Curriculum Document Approval
      • • CES 17-09, 11 through 35
        • CHESS 17-27, 31, 38 through 43, 45 through 49
        • COB 17-19 through 20
        • CON 17-13
        • COT 17-22 through 24

      D. Whitten moved to have the curriculum documents approved, D. Detmer seconded. The curriculum documents were approved by unanimous voice vote.

   2. Election of Senators/Vice Chair Election (Nominations)
      D. Nalbone gave an update of the At-large elections. Geoff Schultz and Staci Trekles will be the At-large senators.There are 45 senators for 2018-2019; 30 from Hammond and 15 from Westville.All standing committees have been staffed.P. Hecht would like to know the process to make changes to the committees. D. Nalbone said to trade with someone on another committee.

      C. Roper said in placing the senators on the committees, they followed the preferences from the senator.

      G. Schultz thanked D. Nalbone for organizing and populating the committees.

   3. Senate Documents for Discussion/Action
      • FSD 17-26 University Calendar (Ed. Policy ACTION). D. Detmer brings forth the revised,  extended calendar until the year 2031-2032. The summer detail and Founder’s Day have been added. This has been approved by Cheryl Arroyo, Registrar. F. Wang motioned to approve the document and it is seconded. The document is approved unanimously by voice vote.
      • FSD 17-27 Student Progress Reports (Ed. Policy ACTION). Tara Sullivan presented. Faculty Progress Reports are a retention tool. 40% of students receive a D or an F in the first year of college. It’s been discovered that seven different offices are requesting the same information which resulted in poor faculty participation. This resolution is asking to use the Student Success Collaboration Campus Progress Report system that is already is in use.This system focuses on at-risk and special population students.K. Kincaid asks if there is any communication once the email is completed. Tara explained that there is follow up with the faculty member.T. Elmendorf would like to know if there is a connection with the Dean of Students. Tara said that her office is part of Academic Affairs and they have a collaboration with Student Affairs.

        F. Wang mentioned that SSC is already available on campus and we’re not purchasing an additional system. Tara’s office is working with all the other offices who are requesting this information, as some offices have required reporting needs.

        S. Trekles asks about the availability of reporting.

        Lisa Goodnight says there is a Student Concerns Form in the Dean of Students office.

        S. Lerner thinks the timing is critical. This would have to take place sometime at mid-terms.

        L. Pelter thinks it’s a good initiative, but concern of some forms might violate the confidentiality of the student. Tara said this is the Student success management system that it is Banner.

        K. Scipes motions to move this to action and F. Wang seconds. The document is moved to action unanimously by voice vote. F. Wang motions to approve the document and K. Scipes seconds. The document is passed unanimously by voice vote.

        G. Schultz thanks K. Scipes for his work on Ed Policy.

      • FSD 17-29 TIP Resolution (FAC ACTION). J. Pula states that there a number of concerns expressed regarding using student evaluations and the scoring method. West Lafayette will have a committee review which method to move to. J. Pula motions to approve this document. D. Detmer had a minor edit of changing the word “criteria” to criterian”. T. Elmendorf seconds the document with the minor edit.K. Scipes states that students in into courses tend to give lower scoring evaluations.G. Schultz says the senate leadership reviewed this issue and the Chancellor is willing to look at this.The Provost is interested in input to improve the process and look at teaching excellence with a more comprehensive teaching portfolio, but doesn’t feel comfortable excluding the student evaluations.

        F. Wang has a concern of the return rate of student evaluations and to have Faculty Affairs look at the teaching evaluation.

        D. Thibideau mentions with a student perspective, the timing of the student evaluations is at the end of finals week. Student are not inclined to complete them due to finishing other projects.

        K. Scipes mentioned that the participation rate of students was higher when using the scantron method.

        C. Chandramouli has his students do the evaluation during the last class.

        Document is approved unanimously by voice vote.

      • FSD 17-30 Senate Budget Priorities (Executive ACTION). T. Elmendorf mentions that the document on the web site is the old one and there is a revised document .J. Duzinkiewicz feels that if the University Rep is chosen as a co-coordinator then that person would need release time.The Provost is quite clear to not to go to other offices for additional funds.D. Whitten would like to be consistent in the wording. Change “Head” to “Chair”.T. Elmendorf states that given the amount of funds from the Provost, there should be funds to give releases.

        F. Wang would like this to be reviewed annually.

        D. Wilbur asks if someone has both University Rep and IFC, are they give 2 course releases? J. Pula said to combine them into one.

        T. Elmendorf motions to approve the document, C. Chandramouli seconded. P. Hecht wants everyone to pay attention to the last paragraph of the resolution. The Executive Committee approves expenditure of funds. The Executive Committee shall conduct an annual review.

        The document is approved by majority vote with 1 opposed.

      • FSD 17-31 General Education Course List (Gen Ed/Assessment). P. Hecht says this document has a number of deletions from the Gen Ed list and general clean up.F. Wang motions to approve the document and V. Quinn seconds. The document is approved unanimously by voice vote.
      • FSD 17-32 Grade Notification (Student Affairs DISCUSSION). T. Elmendorf presents this document with the SGA resolution that requests faculty to inform students in a timely manner of their performance in class.D. Thibideau comments that the overall goal is to have professors post grades in a timely manner. We would like to see the grades up-to-date by mid-terms so the students could decide to drop the course. R. Owens mentions that he personally had three courses that didn’t have mid-term grades posted.K. Scipes mentions that he does not use Blackboard, but he does let students know their grades.J. Duzinkiewicz feels a well-built syllabus should have all the information the students need. D. Thibideau says that not everyone follows the syllabus.

        F. Wang says that Blackboard is not a mandate unless teaching an online course. Ed Policy states that mid-term grades are not required.

        D. Whitten states that timely posting is a minimum of what faculty should do.

        A. Schooley says that this generation functions electronically.

        F. Wang suggests an electronic grade book mandate for next year.

        J. Thomas reminds everyone that with FERPA rules we’re not supposed to send grades by email.

        K. Kincaid says securing a better relationship with the student by meeting face-to-face to discuss their grades will result in better course evaluations.

      • FSD 17-33 PNW Graduate Curriculum Requests (Curriculum INFORMATION). D. Whitten says this document is for information only. G. Schultz thanks Joy Colwell for providing the information.
      • FSD 17-34 Senate Calendar Dates (Executive DISCUSSION). T. Elmendorf presents this document with the dates of when Faculty Senate and the Executive Committee will meet next year.T. Elmendorf motions to move this document to action and D. Wilbur seconds. Document is moved to action unanimously by voice vote. T. Elmendorf motions to approve this document and is seconded by F. Wang. F. Wang would like to make a small edit; to move all the Executive Committee names from “Disapproved” to “Approved”. Document passes with the edit unanimously by voice vote.
      • FSD 17-35 Active Shooter Video (Student Affairs DISCUSSION). T. Elmendorf presents this document that the PNW Faculty Senate endorses the SG resolution on viewing an active shooter video.D. Thibideau is working with Brian Miller on this.C. Roper says we do active shooter drills. Have the instructors show the video before the drill takes place. She says this would be a good topic for a faculty workshop in the Fall.S. Lerner spends time discussing this with students. He has spoken with Brian Miller as every room in CLO has a window.

        Provost Mueller encourages everyone to talk with your constituent. We have a double-digit percentage of faculty who refuse to participate. It is critical that all of us participate when the university runs these drills.

        VC Panlilio says that Brian Miller would volunteer to discuss the video. She will bring the CLO window concern to Brian’s attention.

        L. Pelter says the labs must have windows.

        C. Roper says that there is a debriefing after the CERT drills and faculty are reported of not cooperating. In the TECH building, the glass in the doors was put in backwards where someone can look in but you can’t look out.

        D. Whitten suggests getting the list of the drill dates and add it to the syllabus.

      • FSD 17-36 Resolution on Summer Scheduling (Executive DISCUSSION). D. Whitten brings forth this resolution for discussion supporting academic units considering faculty seniority and rank when assigning faculty summer teaching assignments.F. Wang want to add a sentence regarding the primary teaching location. D. Whitten would rather not amend the resolution as new faculty already have a statement like that in their contracts.Provost Mueller states it is the responsibility and duty of the Dean and Department Chair to assign faculty members to courses. The problem with the schedule is being dictated when and where faculty want to teach courses. Deans and Department Chairs are in charge of scheduling.J. Pula also notes that the problem with leaving it to the Dean and Department Chair is they play favorites. He asked VC Panlilio at what point are summer courses cancelled. VC Panlilio states that those decisions do not belong in EMSA, but in Academic Affairs

        Provost Mueller says there are policies that are college specific. During the summer, there are no rights for academic appointments.

        V. Quinn wants to know why P. Hecht did not approve of this resolution. P. Hecht feels that standing committees should be creating the resolutions and not the Executive Committee. He just isn’t comfortable with the resolution.

        D. Whitten motions to move the document to action and is seconded by Y. Zhang.

        J. Duzinkiewicz would like to continue this discussion for the next year. F. Wang agrees and would like to have Faculty Affairs look at the issue.

        Call to question. A majority vote approves the document.

9. Remarks by the Representative(s) of the Student GovernmentOutgoing president, Daquan Williams, introduces next year’s SGA President and Vice President, Dustin Thibideau and Riley Owens. Both whom express their thanks to being here.
10. Remarks by the University Senate/Intercampus Faculty Council Representative(s)J. Pula reported that in the University Senate, the Chair of West Lafayette is following up on the approval of Purdue University Global (PUG). President Daniels announced a salary pool at 2.5%. 59.% of graduates have no debt. And there is a proposed winter session for online courses.J. Pula reported that in IFC it was reported that IUPUI began banded tuition and there is a serious drop in summer session this year. It is also assumed the banded tuition is the caused the drop.Access to CIC libraries is being eliminated, but WL had not heard of this.

    K. Scipes expressed concern with PUG and want to make sure our students can’t take their courses and wipe us out. If they can take courses from PUG why take them with us.

    J. Pula has already heard radio ads promoting students to register at PUG.

    Provost Mueller was told from the senior administration of PUG that they are not after our students unless they are enrolled in a program. There is no interest in taking individual courses.

    VC Panlilio mentioned that in the April 4 talking session, it was asked the same questions. If a student enrolls taking a course not a program, they would not be admitted to PUG. PUG recruiting leads differ from ours. They are not targeting the same students.

    Joy Colwell stated that there is a distinction at the undergraduate level with PUG, but the distinction is not so clear at the graduate level.

    C. Roper commented that Mitch Daniels said our courses would not transfer to PUG, but with the Core Transfer Library, their courses would have to transfer to us, which is more dangerous to us.

    J. Pula says that WL has the same concern with the Core Transfer Library.

    F. Wang mentions part of our degree requirement is 300 level courses and 32 credit hours for residential courses.

    G. Schultz thanks J. Pula for all his work.

11. Open DiscussionT. Elmendorf says the Student Affairs Committee and Gen Ed Committee are switching rooms.D. Detmer, the new chair-elect says that next year he will need the help of all of you. He wants to take advantage of everyone’s expertise and to think of ideas for the next year.
12. AdjournmentG. Schultz motioned to adjourn and it is seconded. Meeting adjourned at time 12:15 p.m.