Executive Council Meeting
February 28, 2007, 12:00 pm, UW2 327
Present: Constantin Behler, Steve Collins, Bill Erdly, Alan Leong, Carol Leppa, Nancy Place and Mike Stiber
Absent: Kevin Laverty
Guest: Tom Bellamy
Adoption of Agenda
Agenda was adopted.
Approval of EC minutes of January 10, 2007
EC minutes of February 7, 2007 were approved with revision.
Discussion with the UW Deputy Faculty Legislative Representative - James Harrington (30 minutes)
The EC welcomed James Harrington. James introduced himself and described his duties and responsibilities as Deputy Legislative Representative through 2007. He is a member of the Council of Faculty Representatives, an ad hoc faculty committee established to coordinate and formulate recommendations on matters that affect higher education. It includes members from all state colleges and universities in Washington State. James responds to and communicates with the faculty on legislative issues to improve the quality and delivery of higher education in Washington State. He sees the Council of Faculty Representatives as serving faculty logistically to cover legislation hearings and coordinating with the UW's Senate Executive Committee, the Faculty Senate Vice Chair and the Faculty Senate Chair to exchange information on legislative issues. He updated the EC on some of those issues that are currently in the legislature. The State budget has been favorable in funding education in general, with higher education receiving the highest part, 25% of the State budget. The Senate Higher Education Committee is chaired by Senator Paull Shin, the House Higher Education Committee is chaired by Representative Deb Wallace. James talked about the "global challenge" statewide tuition policy being considered by the Legislature. State funding for higher education is basing as its goal total per-student funding levels, from state appropriations plus tuition and fees, of at least the sixtieth percentile of total per student funding at similar public institutions of higher education in the global challenge states. Tuition fees may increase no greater than seven percent over the previous academic year in any institution of higher education. Annual reductions or increase in full-time tuition fees shall be as provided in the omnibus appropriations act, with the seven percent increase coming from a combination of general fund revenues and tuition. The EC asked if UWB and UWT are dealt with together on these matters or are their needs considered separately? James remarked that the language in the Governor's proposals look at the 3 campus total needs. The EC wanted James to know that UWB has its special needs, which may differ from the UW's needs. Other bills that James reported on were a bill authorizing the building of a BA institution in Snohomish and Island Counties, this bill passed the Senate, while a bill that called for a merger of UWB, WSU and Western Washington University died in committee. The EC discussed the issues involved in the push for a 4-year university or poly technical institution in Snohomish County and how that could impact UWB. Tom pointed out that data does not support the demand for a new college and political aspirations do not necessarily meet FTE demand. James stated that economic development is driving these arguments brought before the Legislature. He concluded his presentation with the notification that the Council of Faculty Representatives is asking for faculty representation on the UW Board of Regents. He also asked that the EC and the faculty at UWB keep him informed and apprised of any issues or matters of importance to them that he can communicate to the Senate or the Legislature. The EC thanked him for this opportunity to talk with him.
Reports of Officers
Steve distributed a document outlining the response of the Advisory Committee on Faculty Code and Regulations on the legislation in the Faculty Senate on defining a campus. Steve has suggested a few changes in the revisions that the committee implemented which he feels makes the definition of a campus more rigid than the previous legislation. Steve's comments call for clarification of campus authorities over academic standards, admission and curriculum. These authorities were spelled out in the original legislation. He is also asking that language be restored to clarify that faculty governance be defined relating to a campus, not a college or unit. This is important for 2 reasons:
Mike called for the EC to set a meeting schedule for Spring Quarter. The EC meeting schedule will be: Thursday, April 12, May 3 and May 24. The GFO faculty forum will be scheduled for April 5. The AC/EC retreat is scheduled for Thursday, May 31.
Bill Erdly, UW Senator reported on his presentation to the Senate on Distance Learning and how DL courses are designated on UW transcripts. There is a proposal to remove the DL designation on the transcripts and allow all distance learning courses to simply show as UW completed course work on the transcript. The DL designation can be used internally, but should not be on the official transcript. Bill will report to Steve about the status of this matter. Bill would like to see a future EC agenda item on getting Educational Outreach at UWB, so that our students can access some of the distance learning courses. There is also a proposal to set up a process for students to double major, across the 3 campuses. This will go forward to FCAS.
Reports of Committees
A. Curriculum Committee
Constantin asked that the EC clarify the charge of the Curriculum Committee regarding initiating a campus-wide discussion of the sophomore curriculum. What role does the EC want the Curriculum Committee to play? Mike suggested that since FOCUS is guiding curricular development for CUSP that the Curriculum Committee look at the development of the sophomore curriculum. Does it meet the needs of the students and the programs? The committee could look at the design of the curriculum and what goals we want to achieve over the next year.
B. Faculty Affairs - no report
C. Instructional and Research Support Committee - no report
D. Strategic Planning and Budget
Tom will provide the committee with a detailed budget report, with projected enrollment and revenue numbers.
E. Student Relations - no report
Reports from Programs
Education - Nancy reported that Education Program faculty searches are ongoing.
New Business
The GFO Student Relations Committee appointed 2 faculty representatives, Carol Leppa and Pete Nye from the committee to work with Lindsey reviewing the candidates identified in the tier 2 review for further consideration. Carol reported that her and Pete Nye met with Lindsey Wille and successfully reviewed several candidates. Carol stated the goal of setting up a process that will guide Student Affairs in this selection process and allow the decision-making to be designated to the Student Affairs in the future.
The EC reviewed the Admissions Model: Three Screens. The model was revised after the EC endorsed the original document.
Motion:
The EC endorses the revised model with a footnote: If a student meets the verbal/writing screen, but not the math/quant screen, they are referred to faculty for decision. The motion was called by Constantin, seconded by Nancy and the motion carried (see Appendix 1).
Mike opened discussion on the pre-major admission evaluation. The EC is in agreement that if a holistic review is used, it must apply across the board to all students. The criteria outlined for admitting pre-majors is acceptable, sophomores that fall below the criteria, but with an acceptable holistic review score, will go to the Student Relations Committee for review. Tom will work with Hung to finalize the language for the evaluation.
The next meeting will be Thursday, April 12, 2007.
Meeting adjourned.
Minutes submitted by Barbara Van Sant
