Skip to Content

Feb 2, 2000 Minutes

Senators Present: J. Bible, M. Conroy, M. Gillis, S. Gordon,

J. Hays, J. McGee, A. McKinney, B. Peeler, C. Renick,
E. Skerpan, T. Stimmel, B. Stone

Two Seats Vacant

Guests: M. Moore, R. Sawey, R. Smallwood, J. Studer

Chair Hays called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m.
 

FACULTY SURVEY AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS (GORDON)

Based on results of the faculty survey, the following senate
goals were identified:

1. Eliminate the bonus system, except for excellence awards.

2. Address workload problems. Workload policies are being
ignored in some departments.  New policies may not have
filtered down to some departments. Workload is a problem in
the field-based teacher education program, because faculty
must spend considerable time working with pre-service
teachers at professional development schools.  Some
departments can't deliver their curriculum with current
faculty if they follow workload policies.  This should be a
topic at the joint Faculty Senate-CAD meeting. Chairs may
need awareness sessions.

3. Improve the infrastructure.  Walls are crumbling in some
buildings.  Rain is coming through the ceiling in some
offices.  One-third of faculty say they have inadequate
teaching facilities.  Forty-two percent say space is
inadequate.

A proposal to establish a long-term goal of increasing the
level and quality of shared
governance was RTA'ed.
 

LATE REGISTRATION AND REPEATING CLASSES (SMALLWOOD)

R. Smallwood discussed several issues with the Senate:

1. Why are students allowed to register several days after
classes start?   R. Smallwood responded that many
universities allow more time for schedule changes than SWT.
He will gather data on this issue to share with the Senate.
Those who teach night classes believe that students should
be able to attend one night class before they drop or add.
One possibility is to allow four days, except for classes
that meet once a week, for which students would have one
class to decide to drop.  It was pointed out that under the
current system some students are changing classes up to the
12th day.

2. If a student takes a class for a second time, why is the
first grade allowed to vanish?  When a student repeats
a class the second grade replaces the F in the GPA but
the F remains on the transcript. Then the second,third and
subsequent grades are averaged.

3. Why is a student allowed to withdraw from a class so late
in the semester?  R. Smallwood will provide data on what
other universities are doing in this area.

4. Flexible scheduling. There are compensation and workload
issues that must be addressed. One possibility is accrued
workload (banked courses).
 

MOVE TO DIVISION I-A (STUDER)

J. Studer was asked why assessment data on the viability of
a move to Division I-A was not required.  He responded that
it was a question of timing, and that other schools with
less resources than SWT have successfully moved to I-A. The
only new construction linked to the I-A move is the stadium
expansion. Other facilities with go forward regardless of
I-A.  The administration estimates the increased student
enrollment will bring an additional $1.5 million in student
fees, so student fees will not have to be raised.  The move
would not affect money spent on academics. M.Conroy
questioned the accuracy of the statement that academics
would not be affected, since some money from student service
fees is spent for academics.   When asked how the move to
I-A would benefit SWT, J Studer responded that benefits
would result from the prestige associated with being I-A. J.
Studer summarized the financial aspects of the move. To make
the move, SWT must average 17,000 tickets sold per football
game for four years.  Major universities will guarantee SWT
$200,000- $500,000 per game at their stadiums. The goal is
to bring in $750,000 in game guarantees.  A major increase
in expenses will occur in the 5th year, the 1st year in I-A.
Sixteen thousand new seats will cost approximately
$10,000,000.  The current attendance at SWT football games
is 6,000-6,500 per game. Businesses and contributors are
expected to buy large blocks of tickets to help reach the
17,000 per game requirement.  Some senators expressed doubt
that moving to I-A would significantly increase attendance
at home games. Several senators indicated that most of the
faculty members in their departments were opposed to the
move. M. Conroy requested that it be recorded that the
Department of Art and Design opposed the move.
 
 

REQUESTED ITEMS FOR FEBRUARY 9 PAAG

1. Report from Board of Regents.

2. Discussion of why HEAF funds have not been dispersed in a
timely manner.

3. Discussion of developmental leave criteria.
 
 

JANUARY 26 MINUTES

Amended January 26 minutes approved unanimously
 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.