Skip to Content

Aug 27, 1997 Minutes


Present: Bechtol, Bible, Bourgeois, Conroy, Deduck-Evans, Hays, Hunter,
Irvin, Oliver, Pascoe, Sawey, Simpson, Stimmel and Winek.

Absent: McGee

Guests: John Davis (Psy), Rebecca Bell-Metereau (Eng), Chris Frost
(Psy),and Jeff Gordon (Phil)

CONTENTS:

COMMITTEES ON COMMITTEES REPORT
PPS 7.10 MERIT AND PERFORMANCE
LEARNING EXCELLENCE TEAM (LET)
DEAN/CHAIR APPOINTMENTS TO GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
NEW BUSINESS


The meeting was called to order by Chair Bible at 3:03 pm

COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES REPORT

John Davis, Chair, Committee on Committees, presented his report and the
recommendations of his committee. Dr. Davis first thanked his committee
for their work on behalf of the senate and SWT, and he then recapped its
work. (NOTE: At its last meeting the Senate eliminated two committees
(Academic Core and Recreation), added three new ones (Temporary Faculty,
Academic Policy Oversight, and Learning Excellence Team) and changed the
name of the Faculty Dining Room and Lounge Committee to the University
Club Committee.)

Dr. Davis related that there were many more slots to be filled this year
than in previous years. Several committees which had no volunteers for
the chair position, a situation that happens often. After discussion,
the senate voted to ask the outgoing chair to serve as Interim Chair to
get the meetings started and to then let the committees elect their own
chair. Another issue which has been of some concern is that of some
department chairs holding committee positions. The senate voted to deal
with those situations on a case-by-case basis, concluding that some
committees could benefit from input from a chair but that others should
be reserved for faculty.

Individual committee recommendations were discussed and appointments
were made in cases where there were still vacancies. Due to time
constraints, other issues related to the three new committees, including
appointments, charges and term dates were RTA'd until August 27.

PPS 7.10 (MERIT AND PERFORMANCE

RTA'd until August 27

LEARNING EXCELLENCE TEAM (LET)

Profs. Frost and Gordon returned to discuss their Learning Excellence
Team (LET) proposal. The senate had asked them to clarify the
objectives, develop some way to measure the first year success, and make
recommendations about the membership for the first year. The objectives
and outcome measures are as follows:

1. To promote faculty and administrative involvement in improving
teaching and learning in higher education. Outcome measure: a survey
and/or focus group.

2. To co-ordinate initiatives to improve teaching and learning within
the SWT community. Outcome measure: a log of significant contact with
entities that offer teaching workshops, lectures, etc.

3. To advocate the implementation of equitable structures for the
assessment of teaching within the SWT community. Outcome measure: the
compliation and communication of a list of assessment criteria.

4. To advocate the implementation of equitable structures for
recognizing and rewarding effective teaching. Outcome measure: A
report of existing criteria and methods for rewarding teaching.

5. To promote initiatives and mechanisms that facilitate interdisci-
plinary teaching--learning. Outcome measure: A report on discussions
with faculty involved in interdisciplinary teaching endeavors.

6. To promote participation by SWT teachers in the national dialogue on
teaching and learning. Outcome measure: the compliation and
communication of a list of opportunities for such participation and a
log of contacts made.

Regarding the membership, it was noted that it is essential that these
faculty be committed to teaching excellence, and that they be a wide
representation of the SWT campus including gender and race. The Senate
requested copies of the proposed activities which have been developed by
the committee in light of the goals and objectives of the LET team.
Further action was RTA'd until August 27 to allow for more study.

DEAN/CHAIR APPOINTMENTS TO GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

RTA'd until August 27

NEW BUSINESS

Senator Sawey asked the senators if there were any objections to his
linking some important data (merit & promotion, bonuses, etc.) to the
Senate web page. They were none.

MINUTES OF 7-16-97

The Minutes of July 16, 1997 were approved with corrections.


Due to the large number of agenda items, the senate will meet for 3
hours next Wednesday, August 27, from 3-6 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 5:20.

Shirley Pilus
Administrative Assistant