University Senate Minutes 10 Aug 2011

University Senate Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2011
Location: West Campus

Members Present: Amy Pinney, Andrei Barkovskii, Beauty Bragg, Bryan Marshall, Cara Meade, Carol Bader, Carrie Cook, Catherine Whelan, Chris Skelton, Craig Turner, David Deposada,, Dean Baker, Debby Macmillan, Diane Gregg, Dianne Chamblee, Doreen Sams, Edward Whatley, Evan Karanovich, Greg Mahan, Holley Roberts, Jan Clark, Jason Rich, Fadhili Mshana, Jennifer Flory, John Swinton, Joshua Kitchens, Judith Malachowski, Ken Mcgill, Kirk Armstrong, Leslie Moore, Liz Havey, Lyndall Muschell, Martha Colvin, Mary Magoulick, Maxwell Pichan, Mike Augustine, Mike Rose, Mike Whitfield, Rebecca Mcmullen, Ryan Brown, Sandra Jordan, Scott Butler, Stas Preczewski, Stephen Auerbach, Stephen Price, Susan Allen, Susan Steele, Toi Franks, Will Hobbs

Regrets: Jen Maraziti

Absent: None

Guests: None

Call to Order

Jan Clark - CALLED TO ORDER @1:46

Approved Agenda – SENATE ACTION APPROVED

Approved Minutes - SENATE ACTION APPROVED

President’s Report

• Interim President Stas Preczewski provided information on the president’s search. He provided a basic review of the anticipated time line as follows: A presidential search normally takes about 10 months. The Board of Regents has a search committee composed of 5 members. The USG put out proposal for a search firm. USG chancellor’s office requested from GC a list of who should be considered to be on the committee from the campus and community. A broad list was then sent up from GC. Notification letters have gone out to those individuals and that will be announced shortly.
• The Board of Regents will charge the committee members in early September who will be serving on that committee. All the committee members must sign a nondisclosure form. The search firm will meet to provide information about the prospectus in conjunction with the search committee. Information about the search will be located on homepage – will be updated with new information as soon as it is known, and the goal is for it to be transparent and easy to get to. Then 60 days after ad goes out (Thanksgiving – cutoff for application) files will be reviewed and airport interview (12 or so semi- finalists) will be flown into Atlanta (January) and meet with a panel. After this will select finalists be vetted and brought to campus to be interviewed by committee and meet everyone on campus (February to early March). Feedback from committee will be used and 3 to 5 will be recommended to Chancellor. Negotiates (March - April) with candidates are private and announcement will be made. An announcement is anticipated perhaps second week in April. The new president would start when available – normally he or she will finish out academic year at their current institution if they are in academia. This is intentionally a deliberate and reflective process aimed at selecting a president that will be a good fit for the University and one that will remain here a long time. A specific goal of the search is geared toward locating a president who will accurately reflect what GCSU is looking for.
• Current Board of Regents Makeup: 4 top people in the system have a strong financial background. There has been some Board of Regents turn over and Benjamin Tarbutton is now the chair. President Preczewski reports that this may have a significant impact on the University System. We should anticipate Performance Metrics for all universities. The goals for retention and graduation rates have already announced by Governor. President Preczewski discussed the need to involve people from university system in setting of performance measures (he is currently involved with this). He reports anticipating an increase in funds for next year, but will still be far short of the cutbacks of the past. An additional 2% cut had been asked for by the governor (doomsday projection) but no other cuts are anticipated at this time.

Provost Report:

• Dr. Sandra Jordan brings greetings from the USG Board. She reported a freeze on all new curriculum for new programs. She stated that the Exercise Science Program is at the Board now, but will not be reviewed until new program evaluation criteria are completed. All programs that were sent up during spring 2011 have been approved.
• Dr. Jordan discussed the current email situation; which is fraught with small problems still, but urged us to please be patient. She stated that these issues are being addressed and a resolution should be soon.
• Dr. Jordan also reported that the Teaching Circles would be back by popular demand. Financial support for these will be available. Additional information will be forth coming. The SACS Committees will be gearing up once school starts. The main focus this year will be the self-report. Jason Huffman, Director of Strategic Initiatives will be reporting on the current situation and goals and directions as that develops. Dr. Jordan also discussed the new assessment software that will be implemented. At this time, committee is reviewing 3 different products and Dr. Jordan is waiting for their final report.
• The new class schedule has produced some problems with the exam schedule. Dr. Jordan states that to address this issue she will use a process that she has used with other committees: advice from this Senate will be taken back to deans, registrar, and financial aid. A final decision will be made hopefully by tomorrow.

Committee Reports: None were provided today.

Student Government Association:

The President of the Student Government Association, Evan Karanovich, gave his report. He stated that his goal for this year was to move the Student Government Association from good to great. Some of the projects in the planning are:

• The GIVE Center (student paid for).
• Being involved with the opening of the new Wellness Center in October.
• Looking at use of the Centennial Center and ways broaden out the athletic programs for both faculty and students.
• Get brown tile out of the bathroom.
• Investigation of Mobile apps that can be used by students with smart phone, ipads like the SNAP App – for students need rides.
• Recent meeting with Student Advisory Committee – looking at impact of HOPE changes.

New Business:

Exam Schedule. Jan Clark encouraged us to review all the discussions from the groups that are posted about the final exam policy. Please take back and discuss with your departments or school. The option that received the most support from the majority of Senate members was as follows: Four 135 minute blocks (8,10, 1, & 3:30) which would leave plenty of time for evening to start at regular time. This is a slight decrease in exam, but not as much as original proposal.

Handed floor to Ken McGill because of conflict of interest so that motion could be presented.

Jan Clark brought forward a motion (1112.CN.001) from the SubCommittee on Nominations proposing revisions to the 2011-2012 Senate Committee Membership for approval. A motion was made by Catherine Whelan to take Ken McGill off APC to be replaced by Robert Blumenthal. A clarification was offered by Provost Sandra Jordan noting that she made this recommendation being that this is a modification to the Chief Academic Officer designee position on APC. The vote of the university senate was to approve and the motion carried.

Jan Clark presented Senator Pins to new Senators that did not receive them in the spring. The pins were presented to the following individuals: Stas Preczewski, Jason Rich, Gregg Mann and Deborah MacMillan.

Jan Clark presented Certificates of Appreciation to Senators for past service.

Jan Clark gave a special thanks to Retreat Committee Members for great job.

An opportunity to service on planning committee for the Senate Retreat for the next year is available. If you are interested in serving, please indicate that on back of your retreat evaluation.

Announcement about next Senate meeting to be held on September 23^rd.

Adjournment: 3:01.

Approved 9/23/2011