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Scenes from Faculty Senate

Minutes for Faculty Senate Meetings

November 17, 2005

Number 3

1. The regular meeting of the Faculty Senate was called to order at 3:10 p.m. in the Cherry Auditorium, Chester Kirk Building, Chairperson Rice presiding.

All members were present except Senators Conley, Eaton, Echevarria, Ferguson, Hara, Howard, Husband, Kogut, Koske, Lee, Mandel, Pegueros, Rossby, Ruemmele, Shim, Taggart and Thiem; Vice President Beagle; Vice Provost McCray; Deans Farmer, Letendre, Lynch, Mazze and Richmond (Dean Seemann was represented by his designee); Mr. Freeman and Mr. Mills.

2. Chairperson Rice asked if there were any additions or corrections to or questions about the Minutes of Faculty Senate Meeting #2, October 20, 2005. There were none.

Chairperson Rice ruled that in the absence of additions or corrections, the Minutes were approved as distributed.

3. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. Announcements:

  1. Chairperson Rice announced that Senator Tom Husband was replacing Senator Yeqiao Wang for the remainder of the fall semester and was taking his seat at that meeting.

  2. Chairperson Rice expressed his appreciation to Vice Provost McCray who was the sponsor of that afternoon's reception. He invited everyone to the University Club after the meeting.

  3. Chairperson Rice announced that there would be a silent auction at the University Club from 5:30-7:00 p.m. to benefit the RI Habitat for Humanity Hurricane Katrina House. He said that there would be music by Joe Parillo, as well as work by local artists and original design T-shirts will be available for purchase.

  4. Chairperson Rice informed the Senate that students, staff and faculty were invited to nominate students and student organizations for the 2006 Rainville Student Leadership Awards. He said that nominations were due no later than Friday, December 9, 2005 to the Student Involvement Office, Memorial Union room 210.

B. Vice Chairperson Martin said that the Minutes of Executive Committee Meetings #7 through #10 appeared on pages 4-11 of the Agenda. She asked if there were any questions about the Minutes. There were none.

C. Vice Chairperson Martin said that the Minutes of the October 6, 2005 meeting of the JSPC appeared on pages 12-13 of the Agenda and asked if there were any questions. There were none.

D. Vice Chairperson Martin moved that the Faculty Senate abolish the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) and delete sections 5.72.10-13 from the UNIVERSITY MANUAL. The motion carried.

E. Chairperson Rice, Senator Boudreaux-Bartels provided the Faculty Senate with an update on the Academic Investment and Improvement Model (AIIM) process and responded to questions and comments from members of the Senate.

4. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

A. President Carothers reported that as indicated on the Agenda cover, he had approved all of the legislation with the exception of Bill #05-06--2F, because he was not convinced that the burden of proof should be changed from "clear and convincing evidence" to "more likely than not."

B. President Carothers reported that the University had invited members of the general assembly and Senate to tour the University and discuss the upcoming legislative agenda as it pertains to the University. He said that members of the general assembly had already come to URI and that members of the Senate would be coming to campus in the near future. President Carothers asked if there were any questions about his report or other related matters. There were none.

5. REPORTS OF STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A. Senator Luebke introduced the Four Hundred Thirty-Fifth Report of the Curricular Affairs Committee, which appeared on pages 15-16 of the Agenda and said that Section I was informational. She asked if there were any questions. There were none.

Senator Luebke announced that Section II was a joint report of the Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate Council on 400-level courses. She said that part A was informational and asked if there were any questions. There were none

Senator Luebke announced that part B of Section II required confirmation by the Faculty Senate and moved approval. The motion carried.

B. Vice Provost Pasquerella said that the Curricular Report No. 2005-06-2 from the Graduate Council to the Faculty Senate appeared on pages 17-22 of the Agenda. She said that Section I was informational and asked if there were any questions. There were none.

Vice Provost Pasquerella announced that Section II of the Graduate Council Report No. 2005-06-2 required confirmation by the Faculty Senate and moved approval of Section II. The motion carried.

6. SPECIAL REPORT

Vice President Weygand reported to the Faculty Senate on efforts his division has undertaken to streamline administrative processes within and outside the University. He expressed his appreciation to the President's Office and the Provost's Office for their support. Vice President Weygand responded to questions from members of the Senate about his report.

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Chairperson Rice asked if there was any unfinished business. There was none.

8. NEW BUSINESS

Chairperson Rice asked if there was any new business. There was none.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Black Grubman