THE
university SENATE OF
Minutes of Meeting 464
16 April 2008
Synopsis:
The Senate
(1) heard a summary of the presidential evaluation by Brenda Helminen
(2) heard a budget update by Glenn Mroz
(3) heard a report on commitment to international research, education, and service by Glenn Mroz
(4) heard that the faculty elected Marilyn Cooper to a three-year term as Senator-at-large and Dana Johnson to a one-year term as Senator-at-large, covering Barry Solomon’s sabbatical leave time. The professional staff elected Marilyn Vogler to a three-year term as Senator-at-large
(5) approved Proposal 16-08: GFC and Senate Resolution on Graduate Education
(6) approved Proposal
26-08: Syllabus Requirements for all
Courses at
(7) elected Larry Lankton to the Athletic Council, Rosalie Kern to the Faculty Review Committee, Mohan Rao to the Inquiry Committee, and Beth Wagner to the Public Safety Oversight Committee.
1. CALL TO
ORDER AND ROLL CALL
President Sloan called the University Senate Meeting 464 to order at 5:40 pm on Wednesday, 16 April 2008, in Room B45 EERC.
Secretary Glime called roll. Absent were at-large Senators Barry Solomon, Madhu Vable, and Michele Miller and representatives from Army/Air Force ROTC, Chemical Engineering, Visual and Performing Arts, Geological and Mining Engineering and Science, ME-EM, Physics, SFRES, Academic Services A, B, & C, and Advancement. Liaisons in attendance were Lakshmi Krishna (GSC) and Becky Christianson (Staff Council). Auxiliaries currently has no elected representative.
2. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
Guests included Glenn Mroz (President), Lesley Lovett-Doust (Provost), Tim Malette (Financial Aid), and Bill Kennedy (CTLFD).
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
President Sloan announced that President Mroz had been detained and that Brenda Helminen would make her presentation first.
Nelson MOVED and Christianson seconded the motion to approve the agenda as modified. The motion to approve PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
4. Summary of president's evaluation presented
by Brenda Helminen
Helminen reported that 41.3% of the responses were from faculty and 58.3% were from staff. This accounted for 30.6% of faculty and 31.8% of staff voting.
Respondents rated the President's performance over the last year with a mean of 3.93 on a scale of 5. Staff rated him with a 4.15 mean and faculty with 3.63 mean.
Comments followed four themes: communication, compensation, SFHI (mechanisms, startup), and relations with the faculty and AAUP. They averaged over 100 comments per question.
The biggest difference from last year was on the statement that he maintains an effective senior administrative team, an increase of 0.3 from last year. Effective leadership in addressing compensation issues, working conditions, and career opportunities for faculty and staff, the rating was essentially identical to last year (2.77) with little difference between faculty and staff.
On the question whether the President clearly communicates University priorities and policies, the overall mean level rose from 2.92 to 3.09 with staff rising from 3.0 to 3.23 in one year.
For "invites and incorporates input on university priorities and policies from faculty, staff, and students," the overall mean was 2.71 with faculty rating up by 0.12 and staff up by 0.3.
His leadership in addressing diversity was rated 3.61.
Among the faculty and staff, 89% had read the strategic plan. However, 50% of the faculty and 49% of the staff indicated that they had no input into the plan. Half the faculty felt the plan had influenced their daily work decisions, with about the same percentage of staff.
Evaluation suggestions provided by respondents included two additional question areas and two improvements. The comments were generally positive, but a few respondents were concerned about confidentiality.
Helminen thanked the committee members and Senate Assistant Judi Smigowski for their invaluable help in conducting the evaluation.
Senator Boschetto-Sandoval asked if the report would be available anywhere. Helminen responded that it would be on the Senate web page.
5. budget update presented by President
Glenn Mroz
President Mroz apologized for being late and explained that a cadet had found a threatening message in a rest room of the ROTC building. The building was then locked down, but there was no more information available.
Mroz reported that there had been three estimates of revenue from the state. The Senate wanted a 0% increase in the allotment, the House wanted 6%, and the Governor had recommended 2-3%. The Administration had used the Governor's recommendation as the best estimate, but had actually gotten a little less, suggesting there would be an $83K shortfall.
Mroz predicted a balance of ~$13K at the end of the year.
The state revenue in January and February was behind predictions, causing warnings that allocations might be reduced. However, March revenues increased and the warnings have stopped.
For next year, predictions are for increases. The Senate has suggested 3%; the Governor has used last year's formula and proposed 4.4%. MTU will testify to the House next Friday.
Enrollments are up, with total applications by this time for 2007 of 4771, whereas this year they are 5549, up by 16%. Acceptances are up by 11% and deposits are likewise up. We could have about 1600 new freshmen next fall.
Female deposits are up; females generally are the first to
pay deposits when they are requested.
There are 176 females paid for the
6. Commitment to the international research,
education, and service report presented by President Glenn Mroz
Mroz pointed out several significant publications on internationalization. The Senate had directed him to set up a committee to look at what international connection activities are occurring on campus. That report arrived in November. In December the President delegated responsibility to Provost Lovett-Doust and VP Cook to follow up on the report.
Since then, two MSU persons have come to campus to look at our organization. One is a director of international students and scholars, the other the director of study abroad. They found our international coordination to be scattered.
Representatives from
We have the largest international Peace Corps program in the nation.
MTU is now using AQIP for accreditation and this could be a suitable project. Other AQIP projects for MTU have included a study of space use on campus and development of a single database for space information. There are currently 13 sources needed for full information. Another project is the sustainability initiative. We are developing a carbon model for the University, headed by Peg Gale and John Sutherland. By looking at our carbon use, we hope to make carbon use consciousness part of what everybody does every day.
Mroz reported that we are encouraging those who hire our
students as interns should send them to other parts of the world. For example, Volvo
The Administration is aiming for a full plan by fall and Mroz would be happy to come back to report on that plan.
Senator Veurink asked when the threatening note had been
found in the
Senator Gorman asked if there are 1600 new students in the fall, where would they stress the University the most?
Mroz responded that stresses would be seen in housing and in lab sections in science core courses and perspectives. Most of the growth is in newer programs. Under-enrolled programs are growing and can absorb some of the new students.
ACT scores are higher (25.8) and were also higher last year than the year before. We have been more successful than anticipated on the second tier of students (not the very top). This year we are at 114% on the top.
Senator P. Nelson asked how well we have done with retention. Lovett-Doust responded that we have done very well. Nelson asked if honors had helped and how was it doing. Lovett-Doust responded that it is likely to double this year.
Mroz reported that the highest retention was of black females, then all females, then white males, then black males.
Senator Boschetto-Sandoval said that there was a reference in the international report to the need for staff in the humanities etc. and asked when there might be new faculty lines for language instruction. Lovett-Doust responded that currently the staff are in one place and the faculty in another. They need to work more closely with each other. The Administration recognizes the need for more language faculty in Spanish, Mandarin, and other languages. They want to use the Survey Monkey to find where the demand is. Heidi Bostic is the interim chair in Humanities and will have a strong interest in pursuing this.
7. approval of minutes from meeting 462
P. Nelson MOVED and Gorman seconded the motion to approve the minutes of Meeting 462 as presented. The motion PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
8. President’s Report
Election Results: The faculty elected Marilyn Cooper to a three-year term as Senator-at-large and Dana Johnson to a one-year term as Senator-at-large, covering Barry Solomon’s sabbatical leave time. The professional staff elected Marilyn Vogler to a three-year term as Senator-at-large.
Tenured and tenure-track faculty overwhelmingly passed the two proposed amendments to tenure policy: Proposal 13-06 “Extension of the Tenure Clock” and Proposal 16-07 “Transfer of Tenure and Rank between Academic Units.” They are now being submitted to the Provost, President, and Board of Control.
International Issues: President Mroz sent the Senate a memo on
the report of his task force on international issues at Michigan Tech and has
requested the Provost to follow up on the report's recommendations.
old business
a. Proposal 16-08: GFC and Senate Resolution on Graduate
Education
Veurink MOVED and Boschetto-Sandoval seconded the motion to approve Proposal 16-08. The motion PASSED on voice vote of academic Senators with no dissent.
b. Proposal 26-08: Syllabus Requirements for all Courses at
Kern MOVED and Boschetto-Sandoval seconded the motion to approve Proposal 26-08.
Gorman stated that there had been some question about requiring a written syllabus and that the proposal should be expanded to allow one on the web. Glime and Kern stated that the wording states "provide," which would allow an electronic syllabus.
Senator Drelich questioned the need for grading policies for all courses. Kennedy (CTLFD) responded that students may strike verbal deals with faculty members. There should be a formal, written understanding of expectations.
Kern explained that the examples are just that and need not be followed. The templates are provided if wanted. The proposal is not intended to tell people how to grade. It could be as simple as stating "do what I said, on time, and well."
Senator Luck asked how the syllabus requirement would be enforced. Kennedy responded that it would be the same as teaching evaluations. The student could go to the chair if the necessary information was not provided.
Senator Drelich asked what would happen if someone forgets. Kennedy stated that the intention is to provide students with complete information in required courses, including how to contact the instructor. It is not intended to micromanage teaching.
Proposal 26-08 PASSED on voice vote of academic Senators with dissent.
9. Report of election for senator-at-large and referendum
Luck reported that there were three faculty candidates and two staff candidates.
10. university standing committee elections
President Sloan reported that there are seven committees and only three nominees. She hopes that Senators will become invigorated over the summer so that more will be willing to serve.
Larry Lankton has agreed to run for Athletic Council. No other nominees were presented, so he was elected by acclamation.
There were no nominees for the Conflict of Interest Committee. Christianson asked if this needed to be faculty or staff. VP Polzien responded that it could be either.
There were no nominees for the Distance Learning Implementation Committee or the Faculty Distinguished Service Award Committee.
Kern volunteered to continue on the Faculty Review Committee, but one more Senator is needed.
Mohan Rao agreed to serve on the Inquiry Committee (Misconduct). He was elected by acclamation.
Beth Wagner agreed to serve on the Public Safety Oversight Committee. No others were nominated, so she was elected by acclamation.
11. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Janice M. Glime
Secretary of the University Senate