Abstract of Nov. 5, 2012, Faculty Senate meeting

Johann Neem, Faculty Senate vice president and parliamentarian, called senators to order at 4:06 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. Senators accepted the Senate minutes of Oct. 29, 2012, and standing committee minutes.

Vice President Neem announced:

  • Faculty Senate President Karen Stout is not here but sent a message asking senators to seek input from their constituents regarding the effectiveness and performance of the senate and its standing committees
  • Vice Provost Steven VanderStaay is reforming an ad hoc calendar committee to consider parameters along which the university calendar is set; please contact Jackie Caplan-Auerbach for further information.

WWU President Bruce Shepard reported:

  • Western’s performance is superior despite our rank as 50th out of 50 in state funding, and that performance-based funding does not work the way people think.
  • The Student Achievement Council that replaced the HEC Board is still seeking to define its role.
  • Academic honesty is a result of a culture of honesty and is promoted by the entire university community.
  • The Faculty Handbook is in the important process of being updated. 

Provost Catherine Riordan announced:

  • The academic honesty policy revision is occurring in several stages: a quick update to the current policy for clarification, a longer review of the bigger policy and a consideration of the culture of academic honesty.
  • Faculty are encouraged to nominate candidates for honorary doctorates, and to forward names to Paul Dunn in the President’s Office.
  • Summer in Seattle will be better organized to provide access to students and give Western greater visibility in the Seattle area. Traditional summer school will continue on campus.
  • The six-year plan is being updated in the colleges to provide synchronicity with the capital and operating budgets through coordination with UPRC.

Dan Boxberger, faculty legislative representative, asked faculty to send him “talking points” as a proactive way to strategize for Olympia; Boxberger would like outlines of faculty engagement in the community.

United Faculty of Western Washington President Steven Garfinkle suggested that faculty need to be more fully involved in decisions surrounding summer school. Garfinkle announced that forums to discuss issues related to the CBA, the new dues structure, and the representation fee will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in Bond Hall Room 105 and 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in Communications Facility Room 110.

Victor Celis, the Associated Students vice president for academics, announced that election ballot boxes will be available in Viking Union Room 714.

University Diversity Task Force: Bill Lyne discussed a task force created by President Shepard to survey diversity activities on campus and draft a strategic plan to address diversity issues. Lyne asked Senators to send title and contact name of any faculty engaged in diversity-related activities to Paul Dunn. Senators suggested broad discussions would be helpful to solicit information.

Faculty Handbook: Senators discussed a preliminary draft of a revised faculty handbook and are asked to forward editing suggestions to Johann Neem.

Senate moved to faculty caucus at 5:31 p.m. and adjourned at 5:42 p.m.

Appointments and elections (Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, officer):

  • Approved appointments: Senate Library Committee, fall and winter 2013: Tilmann Glimm, mathematics, for Doug Clark.
  • Vacancy: One senator to serve on the Senate Library Committee.