NUMBER 2
University of Rhode Island
Faculty Senate

MINUTES
Faculty Senate Meeting – October 20, 2005

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 Carson, Dunn, Ferguson, Ginis, Hara, Kogut, Koske, Lauzon-Clabo, Lee, Mandel, Manfredi, Miller, Narasimhan, Pegueros, Rossby, Sun, Suzawa, Thiem and Wang; Vice President Beagle; Vice Provost McCray; Deans Farmer, Letendre, Lynch, Mazze, Richmond, Seemann and Wessells; Mr. Mills.
 
2.     Chairperson Rice asked if there were any additions or corrections to or questions about the Minutes of Faculty Senate Meeting #1, September 22, 2005 or Faculty Senate Meeting #1a, September 29, 2005. There were none.

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

Chairperson Rice announced that President Carothers had requested that item 4 be considered before item 3.  He asked if there were any objections to changing the order of business.  There were none.  The Senate moved directly to item 4.

4.     REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
    
A. President Carothers introduced Dr. Carolyn Callahan, who is serving as his ACE Fellow during the 2005-06 academic year.

He then announced that he had approved all but one of the Senate Bills from the previous meeting.  He said that he had approved Bill #05-06--1 and #05-06--2A, #05-06--2B, #05-06--2C,  #05-06--2D, #05-06--2E.  These were the first five recommendations of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee.  He said that he had disapproved #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 said that the RI Supreme Court would hold a session in Kingston on Tuesday, October 25.  He said that it was a wonderful opportunity for the members of the University Community to observe the court first hand.  He urged that people interested in attending arrive early in order clear Security in time for the beginning of the session.

        President Carothers asked if there were any questions about his report.

        Chairperson Rice recognized two students, Mr. Jesse Whitsett-Lynch and Ms. Cristin Langworthy, who had requested permission to speak about the Student Rights and Responsibilities Report.  Mr. Whitsett-Lynch and Ms. Langworthy then read from prepared statements.

        Following discussion, Senator Kowalski moved to refer the Student Senate Bill (SS-05-06-23) to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee for consideration.  The motion to refer to the Executive Committee carried.

    C.    Vice President Weygand expressed his appreciation to Ms. Barrett and her staff for providing the series of slides that accompanied his presentation. He then presented the State of the Budget Address for the 2005-06 academic year and answered questions throughout and following his report.  A PDF version of the Budget materials is available on the web at http://www.uri.edu/facsen/FY06_Faculty_Senate_Budget_Present.pdf

The Faculty Senate then resumed its regular order of business.

3.     REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A.    Announcements:

        1)    Chairperson Rice welcomed two new Senators who were taking their seats at that meeting:

* Senator Kathryn Quina, representing the College of Arts and Sciences;
* Senator Bridget Ruemmele, representing the College of the Environment and Life Sciences.
    
He noted that the Faculty Senate now has a full complement of Senators for the 2005-06 academic year.

2)    Chairperson Rice announced at the request of the Department of Art, that a reception was scheduled for that afternoon from 4-6 in Ballentine Hall to open a show of the work of Professor Sherri Wills.  He said that if members of the Senate were unable to attend the opening, the exhibit would continue through December 1.

3)    Chairperson Rice expressed his appreciation to Vice Provost Pasquerella who was the sponsor of that afternoon's reception. He invited everyone to the University Club after the meeting.
   
B. Vice Chairperson Martin said that the Minutes of Executive Committee Meetings #4 through #6 appeared on pages 3-13 of the Agenda. She asked if there were any questions about the Minutes.

Vice Chairperson Martin and Senator Kowalski responded to questions about the Executive Committee Minutes.

C.    Vice Chairperson Martin said that the Minutes of the September 8, 2005 meeting of the JSPC appeared on page 14 of the Agenda and asked if there were any questions.  There were none.

D.    Vice Chairperson Martin moved that the Faculty Senate endorse the revised Mission Statement for the University of Rhode Island:

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MISSION
The University of Rhode Island is the State’s public learner-centered research university. We are a community joined in a common quest for knowledge. The University is committed to enriching the lives of its students through its land, sea, and urban grant traditions. URI is the only public institution in Rhode Island offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the distinctive educational opportunities of a major research university. Our undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, research, and outreach serve Rhode Island and beyond. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are united in one common purpose: to learn and lead together.  Embracing Rhode Island’s heritage of independent thought, we value:

* Creativity and Scholarship
* Diversity, Fairness, and Respect
*Engaged Learning and Civic Involvement
* Intellectual and Ethical Leadership

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion, Senator Carroll moved to amend the Mission Statement by rephrasing it in the active voice.

 The amendment was ruled out of order.

After discussion, the motion to endorse the University of Rhode Island Mission Statement carried.

5.    REPORTS OF STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
        
A.  Senator Luebke introduced the Four Hundred Thirty-Fourth Report of the Curricular Affairs Committee, which appeared on pages 29-33 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 required confirmation by the Faculty Senate and moved approval.

Following discussion, the motion carried.

 Senator Luebke announced that Section III was a joint report of the Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate Council on 400-level courses.  She said that the entire section was informational and asked if there were any questions.  There were none
    
B.    Senator Kowalski explained that Vice Provost Pasquerella had to leave the meeting early because of a previous commitment.  He said that the Curricular Report No. 2005-06-1 from the Graduate Council to the Faculty Senate appeared on pages 34-35 of the Agenda.  It was noted that the entire report was informational and did not require any action.  

6.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

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

7.    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