September 2015 Minutes

In Attendance: Amy Ackerson, Leigh Adams, Craig Albin, Cathy Profitt-Boys, Ed Birdyshaw, Michelle Branton, Cleo Fawn Cockrum, Bobbi Dykes, Melinda Denton, Ana Estrella, Alex Graham, James Hart, Phillip Howerton, Sylvia Kuhlmeier, Renee Moore, Connie Morgan, Kathy Morrison, Jason McCollom, Neva Parrott, Joyce Pineda, Gary Phillips, Alex Pinnon, Jacob Poulette, Frank Priest, Linda Risner, Joseph Rugutt, Dasha Russell, Brenda Smith, Cindy Smith, Rajiv Thakur, Jay Towell, Jerry Trick, Ben Wheeler, Angela Totty, Michael Orf

Call to order - 9:00 AM

  • Mission Statement read by Ed Birdyshaw: Missouri State University-West Plains is a teaching and learning institution providing quality post-secondary educational opportunities to the communities we serve.
  • Additions and Approval of Agenda: Gary Phillips moved to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
  • Approval of minutes from previous meeting: Jim Hart made the motion to approve minutes of the last meeting, May 1, 2015. Gary Phillips seconded the motion. Motion carried.

University Updates

Chancellor Bennett Updates:

Chancellor Bennett presented an overview of building projects and renovations made by the University since 1987. Building renovation plans were discussed for Missouri Hall, currently the post office building. An architectural consultant will be selected at the October Board of Governors meeting. Faculty members shared additional classroom renovation and technology needs in Lybyer, Melton and Looney Hall. Chancellor Bennett recommended faculty members meet with Scott Schneider to review their needs, then Scott can prioritize for budget considerations. In response to a question regarding the position for Instructional Design, Chancellor Bennett explained the position was not eliminated but rather gapped until enrollment and credit hours increase. Funds allocated for the position remain in the general fund.

  • Dean's Hour, Ed Birdyshaw: Discussion was held regarding continuance of the Dean's Hour. Recommendations were made on streamlining Faculty Senate business as a priority and following our constitution and bylaws. Gary Phillips suggested to postpone discussion of other options for the dean to address the faculty until the next meeting.

 

New Business:

  • Ratify Per-Course Representative, Ed Birdyshaw: Bobbi Dykes was ratified by voice vote.
  • Executive Budget Committee position, Ed Birdyshaw: Rajiv Thakur was nominated by Leigh Adams to serve on the Executive Budget Committee. Kathy Morrison seconded the nomination. Jerry Trick made the motion to cease nominations. Rajiv Thakur's nomination was approved by acclamation.
  • Faculty Budget Committee - Ed Birdyshaw: Bobbi Dykes nominated and Gary Phillips seconded the motion for Joyce Pineda to serve as Chair. Motion carried. Kathy Morrison, Connie Morgan, Amy Ackerson, Jacob Poullett, Dasha Russell, Ana Estrella agreed to serve as committee members.
  • Institutional Analysis Committee - Joyce Jennings-Pineda/Kathy Morrison: Joyce Pineda and Kathy Morrison provided a description for new faculty members of the IAC Ad Hoc Committee. IAC addresses concerns brought forth by faculty members and gives a report to Faculty Senate in April.
  • Advising International Students, Rajiv Thakur. Rajiv suggested an International Programs Office be formed or at least a committee to assist international students in advising, visa issues and acclimating to their new environment. Rajiv Thakur and Gary Phillips volunteers to form and International Advising Task Force or working group to study the local issues and make a proposal to Faculty Senate for further action.
  • Reading Apprenticeship Program, Leigh Adams and Alex Graham. Leigh Adams and Alex Graham gave a description of the Reading Apprenticeship Program. A new cohort can be formed if enough faculty members are interested. Any faculty members wanting to receive the training should contact Leigh Adams or Alex Graham.

Committee updates

  • Assessment Committee - Jim Hart: During August Faculty Development 36 faculty members participated, 35/36 have used Chalk & Wire. Assigned assessments are due October 2 through Chalk & Wire. Faculty Course Assessments are due September 15 to Department Heads, then on to Division Chairs by October 15.
  • Curriculum Committee - Leigh Adams: Leigh described the process for curriculum and course changes. Online catalogue changes are to be submitted by October 9 for spring semester, February 12 for fall semester, or April 8 for summer semester. Curriculum Committee recommendations are presented to Faculty Senate and approved through the Consent Agenda, if no objections are made.
  • Faculty Evaluations Committee - Craig Albin: The committee has not met.
  • Handbook Committee - Kip Rugutt: The new RPT procedure was reviewed. Division Chairs need to elect two tenured faculty members to serve as Division Personnel Representatives.
  • Public Affairs-Committee - Gary Phillips: Gary reported committee members attended Springfield Service Learning workshops during the spring semester and some attended the Springfield Faculty Development Day in August. Gary described different formats and organizations for Service Learning. Positive feedback is received from most students after participating in SL projects. Different instructional delivery formats for service learning were shared.
  • Institutional Analysis Committee (IAC) - Joyce Jennings-Pineda/Kathy Morrison: Report was given earlier.

Announcements:

  • New student enrollment is down 9.2%.
  • Discrepancy reports now mandatory for all faculty (to meet financial aid requirements).
  • Chancellor would like input regarding the best time/place for his faculty outreach activities Jerry Trick suggested Divisions can meet and schedule a meeting with the chancellor as needed.
  • Citizen Scholar nominations must be completed by September 17. These students must be attending classes in Springfield and have transferred from West Plains.
  • Please submit names of students who have achieved something significant to Cheryl Caldwell so that they may be showcased in the newspaper.
  • Please refer questions regarding changes to the dual-credit program to Dr. Michael Orf.
  • Faculty Photo updates 9:00 AM-Noon Sept 10th in Lybyer 104-105. Send Biopage updates to Grayson Gordon.

Kip Rugutt, New student enrollment down. Dr. Totty addressed the decreased enrollment went from 16% to only 9% due to dual credit, CFD initiative and recruitment areas being explored outside of the regional area. STAR group is meeting to address new students, dual enrollment and recruitment efforts. Cathy Boys reported Renee Moore and CFD brought in 108 students with a new initiative for Head Start to expand student enrollment and increase credit hours in a very short timeframe. Renee Moore recognized her department and per course instructors, Dr. Lancaster, Dr. Totty and registration and records staff for making this happen.

Connie Morgan, Any news on possible $1M fine from Department of Education regarding the Sheriff's Academy? Dr. Totty stated the appeal to the findings are being made. No further report at this time.

Dr. Totty Announced:

  • Jared Cates, career development coordinator, can make presentations to classes.
  • Student engagement for students to announce events in classes if approved by instructors.
  • New person at the bookstore, Matt, doing a great job.
  • Need information and pictures of students doing Service Learning projects for Cheryl Caldwell to send back to students' hometown for recruiting.

Gary Phillips. The form for Nominating for Public Affairs Award for this campus has been sent to all by email. This is for the students not eligible for Citizens Scholar Award.

Ed Birdyshaw called for adjournment to go into closed session regarding academic affairs.

  • Open to voting members only.
  • Gary Phillips moved to adjourn. Motion carried.

Closed Session

Academic affairs.

Adjourn

Motion made by Gary Phillips to adjourn. Motion carried. Open meeting adjourned at 10:52 AM.

Brenda Smith, Secretary

9/4/2015

2015-2016 Minutes