Minutes
LCSC Faculty Senate
February 5, 2004

I.                    The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Kathie Wilcox at 3:20PM.

II.                 Members present: Lynne Bidwell, Okey Goode, David McCullough, Scott Brainard, Gary Mayton, Leanne Parker, Clay Robinson, Linda Coursey, Marilyn Heckendorn, Susan Odom, Chris Riggs, Alan Marshall,  Mike Vernon, Heather Rogers, Arnold Caines, Diane Johnson, Dr. Tony Fernandez

III.               Introduction of visitors: no visitors

IV.              The minutes of January 22, 2004 were approved as presented.

V.                 Treasury Report: As of December 31, 2004 the balance in the allocated account was $1542.15.  As of December 31, the balance in the service account was $4135.22. 

VI.              Chair’s Report

A.     Office space offered by Provost: The office next to the Provost is now the Faculty Senate office.  Thank you to Dr. Fernandez for offering this space to the Senate.  The phone will be moved from the old office to the new one and the Senate will be receiving a new computer for the office as well.

B.     There is a message from Stephanie Froehlich on the Intranet. Dean Froehlich’s cancer has returned.

C.     Items from President’s Council: 

·        The enrollment at LCSC is at 3240, which is higher than spring 03.

·        There is an 81% retention rate from fall semester.

·        Polly Blasko of the Foundation Office requests that all organizations let her know about any fund raising events.  Centralizing and sharing this information with all organizations should increase the effectiveness of fund raising efforts for everyone.

B.     SBOE meeting of Jan. 26 -  27: 

·        The State Board of Education approved an 8.5% raise in tuition.

·        This issue will probably be addressed at future meetings of the Board.

C.      ICHEF:  The President of the Presidents’ Council for 2004-2005 will be the President of Boise State University, Bob Kustra, and George Murgel of BSU will chair ICHEF.

D.     Higher Education Week in Boise provided good exposure for LCSC.

VII.            President/Provost’s Report: 

·        Following the SBOE meeting, the Board met with legislators and President Thomas.  The legislators were very supportive.

·        JFAC:  There was a discussion of how LCSC handled the holdback that the governor asked of LCSC last year.

·        The Governor recommended a 2% salary in addition to coverage of increased benefits costs.

·        Each institution gave examples of “brain drain” as faculty leave state because there have been no raises or increases for the past two years.

·        President Thomas hopes to fund promotions separately from the 2% increase.

·        Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), accrediting agency, will make its interim visit this fall.  For the interim visit, four of the five areas, which had been cited, have been addressed.  Our assessment criteria is still an area of concern, progress is being made. 

VII.            Old Business

A.  The “Coffee Talk” with Rep. Mike Mitchell has not yet been rescheduled.

B.     Memorial suggestions to ED, T&I, Benevolence Committee: 

·        Many suggestions have been made.

·        A golf tournament has been scheduled in the spring as the Vicki Cerutti Memorial. 

·        It is important to send suggestions through the Ed Division and the T&I Division so that efforts can be coordinated.  It is important to make sure both David Sears and Vicki Cerutti are adequately remembered through the coordination of these efforts.

VIII.         New Business

A.  Standing Committee Reports

1.   Administrative Procedures – Patricia Keith no report

2.      Faculty Affairs – Jeff Matthews  no report

·        Point of information: Diane Johnson said that the committee is considering a policy for “disenrolling” students for nonattendance in classes.  Currently nothing can be done until after the Registrar’s office receives information from Controller’s office.

·        Financial aid is a key issue.  For students who receive aid but don’t attend class and fail, the college must reimburse the federal government. Currently this reimbursement has been as much as $40,000 annually.

3.      Budget Liaison – Kathie Wilcox  At the meeting on 2/18, the committee will be looking at what money might be available for salary increases.  Possibilities for how any raises will allocated will be the topic for discussion.  Each division needs to send their information to the Budget Liaison committee members. 

4.      Faculty Development – Susan Odom 

·        Sabbatical issues will be assessed at a “Thinking Through Lunch on Friday, February 6th.

·        There are currently eight faculty development grant proposals that have been submitted with $14,000 total available for grants.

·        These will be ranked, with the grant monies to be used by the end of the fiscal year in July. 

·        On line submission of grant requests is now available.

·        All committee members will be able to view the proposals on line as well.

5.      Curriculum – Mike Vernon  There are six proposals up for first reading and six proposals up for second reading. There are none to report to the Senate at this time.

6.      Student Affairs – Wayne Carroll, no report 

·        Intramural Basketball: Faculty won their first game this year against the students.

7.      Technology Advisory – Gary Mayton

·        A project team is gathering important information regarding how students use technologies in order to succeed in LCSC courses.  All instructors are being asked to help by completing a survey.

·        Survey data, once summarized will be valuable in informing upcoming discussions about what technological skills are considered important as tools for learning.  It will also help all of us to determine how we might best serve students, instructors and their courses by providing skill diagnosis and instruction in any combination of strategic ways.

·        The location and instructions for taking the survey will be announced the week of February 9 – 13.  Faculty participation will be greatly appreciated.

B.     Other:  AAUP membership has grown to 18 so that we have an LCSC chapter.  Alan Marshall and Dave Thiessen are the LCSC contacts.  The Chair asked that Senators mention this to division faculty.

IX.       Adjournment:  4:21PM