Faculty Senate Minutes
April 18, 2012
Hardin Valley Campus/Room AL 118
I. Call to Order: Brad Rose
Meeting was called to order by Brad Rose, Faculty Senate Business Officer. Senators in attendance: Sally Lighter (BCT), Linda Ellams (BCT), Deanne Michaelson (BCT), Sami Ghezawi (Engineering & Media Technology), Trent Eades (English), Keith Norris (English), Lawana Day (English), Joan Easterly (LA), Charles Cardwell (LA), Mike Rose (LA), Jonathan Lamb (Math), Claire Suddeth (Math), Bob Stern (Math), Michael Lusk (NBS), Amy Tankersley (TS), Pam Smith (TS), Beverly Rogers (Nursing), Rick Bower (Library Services), Robert Baird (Division Street) Ashley Boone (BC), Bob Boyd (Magnolia Avenue Campus), Lara Kajs (Adjunct Faculty), Leigh Moore (Adjunct Faculty), David Meredith (Adjunct Faculty), Ron Bridges (President), Dave Vinson (TBR Rep), Nina McPherson (Secretary), Mark Fuentes (Past President), Ken Swayne (Communications Officer), Donn King (Parliamentarian). Guests: Marilyn Harper, Nancy Pevey, Tyra Barrett, Maria Luisa D-Rivero, Maria Sills, John Smith, Lisa Bogaty, Jim Kelley, Jeff Lockett, Patricia Roller, Pat Zingg, Toni McDaniel, Alex Fitzner.
II. Approval of Minutes: Mark Fuentes
Minutes of the March 21, 2012, meeting were approved with no changes.
III. Officer Reports
Secretary: Nina McPherson – no report
Communications: Ken Swayne
Will post amended Faculty Senate Constitution to the web site.
TBR Representative: Dave Vinson –
Sub council is scheduled to meet next week.
President: Ron Bridges
Bridges introduced new Senators: Lisa Bogaty (BCT), Jeff Lockett (LA), Patricia Roller (TS), John Smith (TS), Pat Zingg (NBS).
Bridges presented his slate of officers for 2012-2013:
Tyra Barrett (President Elect), Keith Norris (Business Officer), Nina McPherson (Secretary), Ken Swayne (Communications Officer), Donn King (Parliamentarian), Dave Vinson (TBR Representative).
Bridges received an email from a faculty member who questioned why faculty can only teach 2 classes in the summer. Pellissippi State policy (06:06:00 Faculty Compensation During Summer Session and Intersessions) states “up to 9 load hours” but also no more than 25% of their regular salary, which is roughly 8 load hours, but there is no guarantee that they will get that opportunity.
Bridges reminded faculty of a
special faculty development workshop on handling disruptive students.
That workshop will be on Wednesday, April 25th at 3:30 PM in AL 118
on the Hardin Valley campus. Information will be sent to each of the
campus deans on how to conduct the same workshop on their campuses.
Tennessee law now requires “use of” cohorts and accelerated programs. Several administrators and faculty members recently attended a “Cohort Camp.” More information concerning this will be available in the fall.
Toni McDaniel is chairing the committee appointed by President Wise to explore the student perception of faculty process. The charge to the committee is to review the purpose and procedures for conducting the student perception survey. The student perception process is an integral part of faculty promotion/tenure. The college reviews all policies on a five year schedule and it is time to review this policy.
IV. Committee Reports
Adjunct Faculty: Lara Kajs, Leigh Moore, David Meredith
Kajs is researching insurance possibilities for adjunct faculty.
Student Scholarships: Dawn Roberts
Bridges reported for Roberts; options are still being discussed and researched. Bridges made a motion that the topic be postponed until the September meeting. Motion passed by acclimation.
Rules: Donn King
King presented four proposed amendments to the Faculty Senate Constitution. Amendments to the Constitution (Attachment 1).
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate Constitution be amended by striking the second sentence of Article VII.3.D, which reads, "Voting is conducted by e-mail within one week of the presentation of the nominations," and inserting in its place, "Voting is conducted by e-mail during the third full academic week after the presentation of the nominations."
Action: Approved. Was presented and voted on at the March meeting. This was the second vote so is accepted and goes into effect immediately.
Resolved, That
the Faculty
Senate Constitution be amended by renumbering Article VIII, Section
3 to Section 4 and inserting a new Section 3 to read as follows:
"The Promotion and Tenure Committee is
established as a committee with the power to carry out its functions as
specified in the college's promotion and tenure policies as delineated in the
Policies and Procedures Manual. As such, its membership is set according to the
college's promotion and tenure policies. The chair is selected by the Faculty
President and appointed with the approval of Faculty Senate. The provisions of
this section supersede other provisions elsewhere in this document regarding
committee membership."
Action:
Presented for first reading, will be voted on at the July meeting.
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate
Constitution be amended by striking
every occurrence of the phrase "Vice President of Learning Division"
and substituting the phrase "Chief Academic Officer."
Action: Presented
for first reading, will be voted on at the July meeting
Resolved, That
the Faculty Senate Constitution be amended by striking from Article VI.2.A. the phrase "(50 percent plus one)"; and
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate
Constitution be amended by striking from Article VII.3.D the phrase " , 50 percent plus one of those voting"; and
Resolved, That
the Faculty Senate Constitution be amended by striking from Article IX.2.C the
phrase "(fifty percent plus one)".
Action: Presented
for first reading, will be voted on at the July meeting.
Nominating Committee: Nina McPherson – no report
Promotion/Tenure: Mark Fuentes
Letters to applicants for promotion and/or tenure will be mailed by April 27, 2012.
Faculty Development: Ron Bridges and Nancy Pevey
Fuentes is a member of the planning committee for fall inservice. He reported that the committee has received several ideas for programs
Faculty Lecture Series: Trent Eades and Keith Norris
April 19, 12:30 “Sexy Shakespeare II: The Further Adventures of the Amorous Bard of Avon: -- Ed Francisco (co-sponsored with Gnosis)
The fall schedule is:
September - Tyra Barett
October - Donn King
November - Pat Riddle
Advising Issues Ad Hoc Committee: Amy Tankersley
Tankersley presented the report of the committee (Attachment 2). There was a great deal of discussion about the proposal. Most of the discussion centered around two issues. It was proposed that university parallel faculty advisors no longer be assigned advisees but advise all students sent to them, either in their office or in the Advising Center. Faculty expressed concern about being able to advise students, regardless of their major; they were concerned about not being able to provide accurate information to the student. Faculty in the career programs were concerned that students with majors in those areas would be advised by Transitional Studies faculty if they were taking any Learning Support classes.
Several votes were taken. A motion was made by Cardwell to postpone discussion. This motion failed on a vote of 11 yes and 13 no votes. A motion was made by Vinson for a roll call vote on the proposal. This motion failed on a vote of 6 yes votes and 25 no votes. Vinson made a motion to vote on the committee recommendation by the raising of hands. This motion passed by a vote of 22 yes votes and 9 no votes. Tankersley made a motion to accept the proposal. The motion failed by a vote of 7 yes votes and 24 no votes.
Student Behavior Ad hoc – Michael Lusk
Will provide a report at the July meeting.
Faculty Hiring Ad hoc Committee – Charles Cardwell
Cardwell is waiting for a meeting with Kae Carpenter to be scheduled. One department noted that the hiring process has been quicker for them due to changes already implemented.
Post-retirement Ad hoc Committee – Tyra Barrett
Barrett will send an email to faculty with a link to the TBR policy concerning post-retirement (Attachment 3). Barrett will provide a report at the July meeting. She would like for Senators and faculty to be familiar with the policy before the July meeting.
V. Unfinished Business - None
VI, Discussion
Student Perception of Faculty – Toni McDaniel
Discussed above in the President’s report section of the minutes.
Faculty Promotion/Tenure Policy Revisions – Ron Bridges
Bridges made a motion for Faculty Senate to form an ad hoc committee, co-chaired by Toni McDaniel and Mark Fuentes; motion passed by acclimation. In addition to suggesting revisions to the two policies, he asked the committee to recommend someone to chair next year’s Promotion/Tenure Committee.
VII. New Business:
Eades made a motion to amend the
Faculty Senate Constitution to change the percentage needed to call for a roll
call vote from a majority to 25 percent.
That way the majority cannot prevent a sizable minority from requiring
that senators be on the record for a particular vote. This amendment will be voted on at the July
meeting.
Keith Norris made a motion for the Advising Ad Hoc Committee to present a recommendation for a proposed advising procedure at the July 2012 Faculty Senate meeting. The motion passed by acclimation.
John Smith asked if there is a college policy or procedure that faculty can use as a recourse against a student who has made a false accusation against them. The Student Behavior Ad Hoc committee will research this issue, including FERPA issues.
VII. Announcements-
Next meeting-Wednesday, July 18, 3:30
PM – Hardin Valley Campus, Room, TBD
IX. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:35pm
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate Constitution be amended by striking
the second sentence of Article VII.3.D, which reads, "Voting is conducted
by e-mail within one week of the presentation of the nominations," and
inserting in its place, "Voting is conducted by e-mail during the third
full academic week after the presentation of the nominations."
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate Constitution be amended by
renumbering Article VIII, Section 3 to Section 4 and inserting a new Section 3
to read as follows:
"The Promotion and Tenure Committee is established as a
committee with the power to carry out its functions as specified in the
college's promotion and tenure policies as delineated in the Policies and
Procedures Manual. As such, its membership is set according to the college's
promotion and tenure policies. The chair is selected by the Faculty President
and appointed with the approval of Faculty Senate. The provisions of this
section supersede other provisions elsewhere in this document regarding
committee membership."
Resolved, That the Faculty
Senate Constitution be amended by striking every occurrence of the phrase
"Vice President of Learning Division" and substituting the phrase
"Chief Academic Officer."
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate Constitution be amended by striking
from Article VI.2.A. the phrase "(50 percent plus
one)"; and
Resolved, That the Faculty
Senate Constitution be amended by striking from Article VII.3.D the phrase " ,
50 percent plus one of those voting"; and
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate Constitution be amended by striking
from Article IX.2.C the phrase "(fifty percent plus one)".
Attachment
2
Faculty
Senate Advising Committee
Committee Members
Lisa
Bogaty – BCT
Ron
Bridges – Faculty Senate President and NBS representative
Charles
Cardwell – Liberal Arts
Rachael
Cragle – Director of Advising
Katie
Lovette – EMT
Toni
McDaniel – Liberal Arts
Harold
Rowland – English
Ella
Ruggles – EMT
Claire
Suddeth – Mathematics
Ben
Sugg – Coordinator of Academic Support
Amy
Tankersley – Chair and TSD representative
Michael
Tomlinson – EMT
Purpose of the Committee
The
Faculty Senate established this committee at the behest of Amy Tankersley to address these advising issues:
·
The
advising work load. Although there are
attempts to equalize the number of advisees assigned to faculty members, there
is widespread concern about equity with some advisors seeing comparatively few of
their assigned advisees while others carry a much heavier load. While some of these differences can be
attributed to campus location and majors’ assignments, faculty advising
workload (that is the actual number of students seen during a given early
registration period) varies widely between and even within departments.
·
The
constant turnover of advisees. While
some of the turnover is caused by change of major or campus location, the
widespread turnover of advisees effectively eliminates the establishment of
long-term relationships between advisees and advisors. Under the current
system, advisor assignment is completed manually which takes a considerable
amount of work thus making changes difficult to implement.
·
Students
often get incorrect advice. This most often occurs during final
registration where there is a rushed attempt to create a schedule AND the
advisor is working out of their normal area of expertise.
·
The
advertised advising period is too short. Encouraging all 11,000 students to
seek academic advice and register for classes within a two-week period of time
is unrealistic.
The
committee met several times to discuss these issues and continued their discussion
via email. All who are serving on this
committee agreed that the current academic advising system was established when
Pellissippi State had a much smaller enrollment. In an effort to encourage all students
enrolled to seek academic advice from qualified professionals, it was
determined that improvements to the system are necessary. The following proposal summarizes the
improvements that this committee recommends to the academic advising system.
Proposal for Changes
to the Academic Advising System
● The Career Tech faculty members will continue
to follow the current advising system. Upon entering the Career Tech programs,
students establish a unique relationship with their advisor and they meet with
that same advisor every semester throughout their career at Pellissippi
State. Since Career Tech students
receive a terminal degree from Pellissippi State upon
graduation, the committee thinks this is the appropriate method of advising for
them.
● Students in certain specialized majors (Music,
Art, Theater, Engineering and others identified) will continue to follow the
current advising system. They will be
assigned to an advisor and remain with that advisor until they graduate from Pellissippi State and matriculate to another school.
● Faculty members who currently serve as
Pre-Nursing or Elementary Education advisors will continue to follow the
current advising system whereby they advise for 20 hours per semester (final
registration + pre-registration) in the
respective Advising Centers if they so choose.
● All students who need to take Learning
Support classes will be advised by either a contracted advisor in the Advising
Center or a Transitional Studies faculty member.
● The Advising Center staff will continue to
advise new students and transfer students.
● University parallel faculty advisors will no
longer be assigned advisees. These
faculty members will commit 20 hours per semester to advising related
activities to be completed as follows:
v 10 hours during final
registration
v 10 hours during the
scheduled advising period during the semester.
v The 10 hours of
advising during the scheduled advising period will be completed either in the
Advising Center or in the faculty member’s office.
v Faculty who elect to
advise in the Advising Center will sign up for hours using a process similar to
that which is currently used for final registration. We believe that faculty who elect to advise
in the Advising Center will become better advisors in the process since they
will have advising professionals close at hand to answer questions that may
arise as they are advising students.
v Faculty members who
elect to advise in their office will sign up for hours using a process similar
to that which is currently used for final registration and must be available in
their offices during their scheduled time. Advising Center staff will send
students to faculty offices in a manner similar to the summer advising process.
v If a faculty member
is unable to work 10 hours during final registration, they will make up the
difference in time during the scheduled advising period for the semester.
v New Faculty will
commit 20 hours per semester to advising related activities determined by their
respective department deans in consultation with the Director of Advising.
● Blount County, Division Street, Magnolia
Avenue and Strawberry Plains, will coordinate a process for students to sign up
to see their assigned advisor that works best for the faculty and
administration at that campus. The campus Deans, the Director of Advising
and the faculty will work together to create an equitable plan based on student
population and full time faculty availability.
● The scheduled
advising period will begin at least three weeks prior to when registration is
open and continue for two weeks into the registration period.
● PSCC administrators will ask TBR for
permission to open registration at an earlier date to facilitate adequate
advising and registration of a college population that now exceeds 11,000. The current compressed advising period,
especially in the fall, is inadequate for both faculty and students.
● A guide to best
advising practices will be developed by the Director of Advising and selected
faculty to be used by advisors during the advising process. It may be necessary to have several versions
of this based on the students’ majors.
● The department
deans will assume the responsibility of holding their faculty accountable for
completing the required number of advising hours each semester. The Director of Advising will submit a report
to the deans pertaining to the number of hours that have been met by each
faculty member.
The
Faculty Senate Advising Committee believes that adoption of these
recommendations will address the advising equity issue by equalizing the
advising load for all advisors. The
recommendations will also insure greater advising expertise for students in
Learning Support classes by training a select group of advisors in this subject
area. Finally, by encouraging greater
use of the Advising Center and providing best practices guidelines, we hope to
support faculty, and ultimately students, in their quest to improve their
experience as advisors and mentors to Pellissippi
State students.
Attachment 3
From:
Barrett, Tyra
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 1:57 PM
To: Bridges, Ron
Subject: Link to the TBR Post-retirement Option Information
Ron,
Could you send this link out to
the Faculty Senate listserve? I’d like everyone to be
familiar with the policy before we vote on a proposal in July.
TBR Policy - Post-Retirement
Option: http://www.tbr.edu/policies/default.aspx?id=1944&terms=post%20retirement
Thanks,
Tyra
Tyra
Barrett
Program
Coordinator, Business Administration
Dept.
of Business and Computer Technology
Pellissippi State Community College
P.O.
Box 22990
Knoxville,
TN 37933-0990
865-694-6465