Purdue University Northwest > Faculty Senate > News > Senate Meeting Minutes > Faculty Senate Minutes, September 12, 2025

Faculty Senate Minutes, September 12, 2025

January 6, 2026

Faculty Senate Minutes, September 12, 2025

10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Hammond – SULB 321

Minutes

Voting Members Present:
Khair Al Shamaileh, Gokarna Aryal, Shreya Bhandari, José Castro-Urioste, Frank Colucci, Jim Dolen, John Durocher, Rob Hallock, Wei He, Maria Hughes, Shontrai Irving, Jessica Ivy, Patrick Keegan, Hansung Kim, Tae-Hoon Kim, Kenny Kincaid, Dave Kozel, Roger Kraft, Robert Kramer, Yun Liu, Patti Ludwig-Beymer, Claudia Mich, Hassan Naji, Laurie Parpart, Sheila Rezak, Pam Saylor, Diane Spoljoric, George Stefanik, Pitparnee Stompor, Nicolae Tarfulea, Kathy Tobin, Melanie Walski, Sarah White, Donna Whitten, Cheng Zhang, Hairong Zhao

Voting Members Absent:
Ali Alavizadeh, Lee Artz, Geoffrey Barrow, Masoud Fathizadeh

Non-Voting Members Present:
Tony Elmendorf, Alan McCafferty

Others Present:
Chris Holford, Marie Mora, Molly Bowler, Jen Williams

  1. Determination of quorum.
    • Quorum determined at 10:01 AM
  2. Call to order.
    • Meeting called to order at 10:04 AM
  3. Approval of the agenda.
  4. Motion for approval by P. Ludwig-Beymer
  5. Seconded by R. Hallock
  6. Approved by voice vote
  7. Approval of the minutes from August 22, 2025
    • The Chair requested a friendly amendment to the minutes
    • Motion for approval by P. Ludwig-Beymer
    • Seconded by R. Hallock
    • Approved by voice vote
  8. Remarks by the Senate Chair
    • The Chair welcomed attendees, highlighted the importance of the day’s documents, and encouraged robust discussion, particularly regarding General Education (Gen Ed) changes.
  9. Remarks by the Chancellor
    • Chancellor Holford provided updates on recent university events, including the State of the University, the STEM industry fair, and upcoming career and sports events. He addressed recent changes to weight room access and facilities, emphasizing that faculty and staff access remains unaffected.
  10. Remarks by the Provost/VCAA
    • Provost Mora thanked the Senate and Faculty Affairs Committee for their work on accessibility plan compliance. Updates were provided on the College of Business Dean search, the Dean of Students search, and the implementation of the Strategic Plan. The Provost also announced upcoming study away and passport fairs, and shared information on faculty research funding opportunities.
  11. SGA Report (Molly Bowler)
    • SGA President M. Bowler reported on the first SGA meeting, open senator positions, and ongoing initiatives, including the pollinator garden, composting bins, and calculator availability. Plans for student input tabling were also shared.
  12. Budget and Enrollment Report from Stephen Turner, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
    • Vice Chancellor Stephen Turner presented the budget and enrollment report. He discussed the impact of a 5% permanent reduction in state appropriations, the implementation of a hiring pause, and essential travel restrictions. Turner reported a 3.14% fee increase in enrollment, surpassing projections, and attributed this success to improved retention rates. Questions were addressed regarding tuition rates, out-of-state and international student pricing, and the use of differential fees. Turner also discussed deferred maintenance, classroom renovations, and health care costs, noting only modest increases in employee premiums.
  13. Unfinished Business
    • None
  14. New Business:
    • Curriculum Documents Approval (Curriculog login)
      1. Biological Sciences, BS
      2. Integrative Human Health, B.S.
    • Maria Hughes spoke on behalf of the Curriculum Committee and presented the documents pending approval.
    • Motioned for approval by H. Kim
    • Seconded by D. Kozel
    • Approved by voice vote
  15. For Action:
    • None
  16. Discussion Items:
    • FSD 25-02 General Education Course Removal
      1. Tobin thanked the committee and presented the proposal to remove certain courses from the Gen Ed list, primarily those not taught in recent years or no longer fitting learning objectives. Department chairs were consulted. Faculty were encouraged to review the list and provide feedback. The document will be up for a vote in November.
    • FSD 25-03 Experiential Learning Course Removal
      1. The committee proposed formalizing experiential learning as a Gen Ed category and removing English 105 as an experiential learning option. The discussion focused on ensuring that all programs offer appropriate experiential opportunities.
    • FSD 25-04 Purdue University Northwest General Education Requirements
      1. The committee presented a comprehensive revision of the Gen Ed core, aligning with the Indiana College Core and benchmarking against other Purdue campuses. The proposal includes new or clarified categories (e.g., information literacy, technology, experiential learning) and omits the First Year Experience (FYE) course as a Gen Ed requirement, though FYE courses remain valued and available. There was significant discussion about the impact of FYE on retention, the need for data, and the importance of departments providing input on these changes.
    • Proposed Gen Ed Course List
      1. The proposed list was distributed for review. Faculty were instructed to discuss with their departments and provide feedback before the next meeting.
    • FSD 25-05 Resolution on Establishing an ad-hoc committee to investigate alternatives to Interfolio for Faculty Annual Reviews
      1. Hallock motioned to move this document for approval
      2. Seconded by
      3. Approved by voice vote
  1. Reports from Senate Standing Committee Chairs
    • Curriculum (Lee Artz)
      1. Maria Hughes provided the report
      2. One proposal to review for approval.
    • Faculty Affairs (Rob Hallock)
      1. The committee will begin work on the ad hoc committee for annual review alternatives, update P&T guidelines, and work on post-tenure review policy. The committee also collaborated with the Provost on ensuring compliance with the accessibility plan.
    • Gen Ed & Assessment (Kathy Tobin)
      1. The committee has been working on the documents presented today. They are assessing experiential learning courses and continuing their work on Gen Ed revisions
    • Nominations, Elections, & Awards (John Durocher)
      1. Committee assignments were updated, and nominations for awards will be solicited.
    • Ed Policy (Pam Saylor)
      1. Discussion and motion to approve changes to FSD 24-08 Academic Organization Change Policy, approved by voice vote.
      2. Working on revisions to FSD 23-11 Guidance on use of AI in Teaching and Learning.
    • Student Affairs (Jim Dolen)
      1. The committee had one outstanding academic integrity appeal, which was withdrawn due to a lack of communication
      2. Academic Integrity Task Force
  1. West Lafayette Report (Joe Coates)
    • Coates reported on the West Lafayette Faculty Senate meeting, including updates on facilities, enrollment, research funding, DEI staff changes, AI integration in curricula, and health plan changes affecting out-of-pocket medication costs.
  2. IFC Report (Geoffrey Barrow)
    • No report.
  3. Open discussion (as time permits)
    • none
  4. Adjournment
    • Meeting adjourned at 12:00 PM