Purdue University Northwest > Faculty Senate > News > Senate Meeting Minutes > Faculty Senate Minutes, February 13, 2026

Faculty Senate Minutes, February 13, 2026

March 6, 2026

Faculty Senate, February 13, 2026

10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Hammond – LAWSHE 131

Minutes

  1. Determination of quorum.
    • Quorum determined at 10:00 AM
  2. Call to order.
    • Meeting called to order at 10:02 AM
  3. Approval of the agenda.
    • Motion for approval by P. Ludwig-Beymer
    • Seconded by R. Hallock
    • Approved by voice vote
  4. Approval of the minutes from January 16, 2026
    • Motion for approval by P. Ludwig-Beymer
    • Seconded by R. Hallock
    • Approved by voice vote
  5. Remarks by the Senate Chair
    • Google Workspace retirement
      1. The Chair explained the sunsetting of Google Workspace and expressed concern about this occurring mid-semester. He encouraged Senators to read IT emails, notify students, advise them to save or migrate their work, and contact IT/CSC early for personalized help.
      2. He said he spoke to Dan Bruhn about the mid-semester migration, and it was explained that vendors must be available to assist with the transition. Doing this work when it’s least disruptive has proven unhelpful, because performing it in summer would delay discovery of migration issues until faculty and students are largely unavailable to test and resolve problems.
      3. Bruhn noted that this is more of a large data transfer than a proper migration. Major concerns can be addressed to CSC for personalized guidance. For the next few days, GWS will remain in place to prevent any loss of assets.
      4. Senators expressed concerns over the changes and notifications of the process. He encouraged flexibility around assignment deadlines during the migration weekend and departmental/class announcements via Brightspace.
      5. Senators raised concern about the use of MS Office, citing that many students don’t have access to the suite. They also discussed concerns about a learning curve, given that most students are more familiar with GWS than MSO.
      6. Elmendorf said the Vice Chancellor of Information Services is mentioned in the bylaws and should be removed.
    • The Chair said they are planning to meet with S. Turner to discuss next year’s budget outlook, including Zoom licensing and other cost/priority decisions affecting instructional technology and services.
    • He said S. Turner is retiring in June. This is a state mandate. A firm will be hired to find his replacement. The Chair said a faculty member is needed for this committee.
    • Candidates will be brought in in the fall for mentoring before Turner’s retirement.
    • AI working competency graduation requirement
      1. He reiterated that he thought we should begin developing this requirement at PNW rather than wait for it to be imposed systemwide.
      2. The goal is to make sure they understand how to use AI ethically and with discernment. He would like the Gen Ed. committee to start discussing this and looking at what PUWL is doing. Identify the utility of AI in your respective field. They should understand when to use it and when not to use it, in program-specific areas.
    • The AI Tiger Team still needs a Senate rep. The rep doesn’t need to be a senator. Meets 2 hours per month. No compensation. Other faculty are already on the committee without compensation. Will discuss more later.
    • The Chair said he would like Senators to share their post-tenure review process experiences.
      1. Senators shared their experiences. M. Watson has been helpful in the process. P. Ludwig-Beymer said it was laborious and could not confirm its effectiveness because she had not heard back from her counterpart at a higher level.
      2. Kramer said there were many server errors on their end. We’re relying on a system that isn’t fully developed, and it seems M. Watson is taking the onus for these issues. He said it finally went through the next day
      3. Zhao said there is significant variation among colleges in expectations for clinical/professional ranks, which complicates applying a single template/guideline.
      4. Hallock said there is a subcommittee that needs populating, which will look into Interfolio alternatives after it is formed.
  1. Remarks by the Chancellor
    • The Chancellor was not in attendance. He is attending Purdue for Life, working with donors.
  2. Remarks by the Provost/VCAA
    • The Provost thanked the Senate. She shared the Chancellor’s regrets for his absence, as he’s away on essential travel, and noted that she will share his remarks.
    • She acknowledged faculty submission of FAR/PTR materials and reported a system‑wide Interfolio glitch affecting multiple institutions.
    • She stated openness to alternative vendors but emphasized the Senate should lead recommendations, inviting Senate input before administrative selection.
    • She commended M. Watson for extensive assistance with Interfolio issues; Watson will take on the regeneration/submission step as an ongoing responsibility to reduce faculty burden.
    • Provost Mora noted S. Turner’s upcoming retirement in June, per state mandate. A search firm will be engaged, and a faculty Senate representative will be requested to serve on the search committee.
    • PTR
      1. Nine faculty are up for promotion/tenure this year; the Provost reviews all submitted portfolios and praised faculty work.
    • FY ’26-’27 Budget
      1. Reported FY26 is balanced after using temporary savings and vacancy management, but FY27 planning must assume a sustained 5% reduction in state appropriations and include strategic reductions.
      2. Early enrollment projections indicate potential declines; an all‑hands approach will be required to protect the academic mission.
      3. Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Awards have been paused until further analysis of not just our budget, but also whether they are fulfilling the intent that they were designed for as an incentive, as opposed to recognition for teaching.
      4. The Provost clarified that promotion raises (e.g., rank/tenure increases) are not on the table for cuts.
    • AI Tiger Team
      1. Described the team’s charge as AI workforce development and ethical AI implementation, and noted time commitment concerns. Faculty from each college are serving on the committee. Faculty Senate representation is encouraged, .
    • Syllabus posting compliance is currently at 99% with 10 syllabi outstanding; staff assistance has been provided and remaining items are being followed up on.
    • Early‑warning system: She thanked faculty for submitting alerts and reiterated these referrals connect students to campus resources.
    • Student‑athlete academic success: Reported sustained high performance (20 consecutive semesters with >3.0 GPA; Fall 2025 average 3.3; 43 student‑athletes with 4.0; ~50% ≥3.5).
    • Academic excellence of student athletes.
      1. Ten years of 3.0 GPA or higher. 43 had 4.0. Almost half had a GPA of 3.5 or above.
    • RISE and Reflect
      1. Mora thanked those who participated and estimated that 90-100 attended. She noted useful implementation feedback.
    • CHESS Art & Innovation Exhibit in CLO that will run through April 4. Reception to meet the artists on Feb 20.
    • Thank an Educator Program
      1. Over 200 faculty and staff members were recognized.
    • The Parliamentarian commended Mora’s staff for assistance with syllabi posting. Mora said she would share the feedback.
    • The Provost said this was a quickly constructed solution to a mandate. They are in discussions to transition to a more efficient system.
    • Kramer said another option is to fix Interfolio instead of transitioning to a new vendor.
    • The Provost acknowledged the current Interfolio setup is a rapid solution to a mandate and efforts are underway to move toward a more streamlined, system‑wide solution; vendors offer different packages, and budget considerations will guide choices.
    • She responded to suggestions to either replace Interfolio or work to fix it, indicating both options are being considered.
  3. SGA Report (Molly Bowler)
    • Bowler thanked the Senate.
    • She said undergrad admissions will assume responsibilities for graduate outreach.
    • Showcase went well.
    • An advisor is organizing an “Ask the Dean” event (dates/times in planning).
    • SGA is planning a service project for the year.
    • SGA is working with dining to restore/implement recycling in the cafeteria (signage and container constraints under discussion).
  4. Strategic Plan Implementation (Emily McGuire)
    • Presentation Slides
    • Emily McGuire reviewed the strategic framework and noted the five strategic goals
      1. Strengthening Community And Global Partnerships
      2. Fostering Academic Excellence
      3. Enhancing The Quality Of Place
      4. Advancing Student Success
      5. Cultivating Innovation And Transformative Research
    • She described the Strategic Implementation & Action Committee (SIAC), its membership, and ongoing efforts to solicit broader campus participation.
    • She reported that the Experiential Learning working group is identifying ExL‑designated courses, reevaluating current designations, and developing outreach to increase student awareness and participation.
    • She announced the launch of the Student Success Hub and described advisory‑board best‑practice mapping, expansion of tutoring and peer‑mentoring supports, and development of the PNW Academy for K–12 outreach.
    • She said the committee has mapped 14 advisory boards across campus and is considering a more unified advisory‑board model to improve alignment and effectiveness.
    • She noted plans to pilot faculty post‑occupancy reviews of learning spaces to gather faculty feedback for classroom improvements.
    • McGuire reported work on onboarding and student‑employee career development, including planning an onboarding pilot to streamline processes and improve retention.
    • She described dining operations changes planned for the fall and explained that these changes are being coordinated with student employment initiatives.
    • She said the research and innovation group is assessing research mentorship needs, planning workshops, strengthening strategic partnerships, and connecting faculty, students, and staff with the Roberts Impact Lab.
    • She announced that the RISE branding rollout is underway, that Nerissa Fezler’s logo design was selected, and that marketing and merchandise planning are in progress.
    • McGuire summarized the Rise & Reflect forums, reporting approximately 90–100 attendees across events and noting constructive feedback that will inform implementation.
    • She closed by soliciting campus feedback and collaborators, and by directing attendees to the post‑event feedback survey and her contact information for follow‑up.
    • The Provost shared thanks to John Durocher and Patti Ludwig-Beymer for their work as Senate reps on the SPI committee.
  5. Unfinished Business
    • AI Tiger Team Senate Representative
      1. The Vice-Chair said there is a spot for a Senator on this committee. She added that Senate leadership understands that all current Senators already have obligations, so a non-Senator can be appointed to represent the Senate.
      2. Keegan mentioned that the call for reps mentioned a deadline, which may have been a deterrent since the date had passed. The Provost clarified that the date was for
  1. New Business:
    • Curriculum Documents Approval (Curriculog login)
      1. COM 31010 was removed from the agenda due to a lack of consultation with the corresponding department.
      2. Motioned for approval by L. Artz
      3. Seconded by R. Hallock
      4. Approved by voice vote
  1. For Action:
    • None
  2. Discussion Items:
    • FSD 25-14 Revised P&T guidelines
      1. Purpose: Faculty Affairs presented tracked revisions to Promotion & Tenure guidelines; major changes were grouped into four areas.
      2. Key substantive changes:
        1. Clinical/professional ranks — incorporate West Lafayette language and defer detailed criteria to individual colleges while raising alignment concerns.
        2. Committee eligibility — allow non-administrative faculty with course releases (teaching load <50% FTE) to serve on P&T bodies.
        3. Remote participation/accommodations — permit remote attendance and voting for members with approved accommodations (process/approval required).
        4. Administrative updates — update language for electronic workflow, correct typographical/outdated references.
      3. Concerns raised:
        1. College-level variations in expectations for clinical/professional faculty complicate a single campus policy.
        2. Recommendation to include candidates’ offer letters in dossiers for context (discussion of making this recommended vs. required).
        3. Need for clarity about service eligibility and avoiding over lap on multiple levels of review.
      4. Next steps:
        1. Senators to take the draft to departments and return feedback to Faculty Affairs (Rob Hallock).
        2. Faculty Affairs will incorporate feedback and prepare a revised version for future Senate action; Exec/Rob to ensure adequate time for final vote.
  • FSD 25-16 Gen Ed. Courses for Approval
    1. Motion to move to action by A. Alavizadeh
    2. Seconded by J. Ivy
    3. Approved by 2/3 vote.
    4. Motion to approve the documents by A. Alavizadeh
    5. Seconded by G. Stefanek
    6. Approved by voice vote
  1. Reports from Senate Standing Committee Chairs
    • Curriculum (Lee Artz)
      1. Discussing nine proposals today
      2. Agenda items include four biology proposals and multiple computer science proposals
      3. The committee will follow up on the Creative Coding course.
      4. Artz reminded senators to review Curriculog materials before votes.
    • Faculty Affairs (Rob Hallock)
      1. Reported on FSD 25‑14 revision: presented tracked changes, thanked committee members, and identified four main revision areas; clinical/professional rank guidance aligning with West Lafayette but leaving detailed criteria to colleges, permitting non‑administrative faculty with course releases to serve on P&T committees, formalizing remote participation/accommodation procedures (including voting), and updating electronic‑workflow/typographical language. He noted concerns about variation at the college-level and recommended a departmental review. He also reported that a subcommittee to explore Interfolio alternatives needs additional members and solicited feedback to prepare a revised draft for Senate action.
    • Gen Ed & Assessment (Ali Alavizadeh)
      1. Two new members, including Michael Hensley.
      2. Chair election is pending.
      3. AI competency work is underway—committee will begin planning the AI‑related component of Gen Ed assessment and coordinate with Provost/Gen Ed stakeholders.
    • Nominations, Elections, & Awards (Patrick Keegan)
      1. Founders Day is March 6.
      2. Keegan reported award nomination counts (6 engagement, 12 scholarship, 11 teaching packets submitted), ongoing refinement of nomination process to clarify requirements and consent.
      3. Coates has volunteered to serve on the FYE subcommittee
      4. The Interfolio Task Force needs to be populated.
    • Ed Policy (Pam Saylor)
      1. The Academic Restructure Task Force has members from all five colleges and will meet on February 20.
    • Student Affairs (James Dolen)
      1. The Student of the Month nomination process is ongoing.
      2. Academic integrity/grade appeal caseload update:
        1. 13 integrity cases this year: 9 no appeal, 2 failed screening, 4 pending; 6 grade appeals: 1 new pending, 1 failed screening, 1 resolved with instructor, 3 advanced to hearing.
        2. The committee is preparing hearing procedures and a template script.
        3. A meeting with the Provost has been planned to reconcile differences in policy language between Senate documents and the Dean of Students webpage.
        4. Primary near‑term task is running a pending hearing and finalizing updated appeal/hearing protocols.
      3. West Lafayette Report (Joe Coates)
        • Significant contributions to the AI literacy initiative.
        • New staff support to SLT.
        • BOT approved AI competency for the class of 2030 with discipline-specific implementation.
        • Need to update AI usage guidelines across courses.
        • Undergrad curriculum council
        • Emphasized new partnership with Google
        • Senate legislation
          1. DEI
          2. Cultural centers in campus master plan
        • AI curriculum integration
        • P&T reviews
        • Parking
        • Student success and sustainability
        • Shifting fall break to the week of Thanksgiving.
      4. IFC Report (Geoffrey Barrow)
        • Coordinated intercampus discussions resolved FTE/student transfer procedures after varied interim information; reviewed approaches to student acceptance and enrollment handling across campuses; noted ongoing concerns about locating/financing Purdue presence in Indianapolis (facility planning
      5. Open discussion (as time permits)
      6. Web page: Adjournment
        • Meeting adjourned at 12:15 PM