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Scenes from Faculty Senate

Joint Strategic Planning Committee

Thursday, November 2, 2006

1:00 - 2:45 p.m.

President's Conference Room, Green Hall

Attendance: Robert Carothers, M. Beverly Swan, Tom Dougan, Robert Weygand, Michael Rice, Barbara Luebke, Marilyn Barbour, Jim Kinnie, Jim Kowalski, Jim Miller, Domingo Morel, Neil Cavanaugh, Abu Bakr, Ann Morrissey. Guests: Linda Acciardo and Vincent Wilczynski.

Announcements: President Carothers reminded everyone that it was less than a week before the general election. He said that he was hopeful that Question #4 would pass but everyone should continue their efforts to promote the "yes on 4" campaign.

President Carothers announced that one of the finalists for the Vice Provost for Research, Graduate Education and Outreach and Dean of the Graduate School was on campus for a second visit.

Minutes: The Minutes of the October 12 Meeting of the JSPC were approved.

Spellings Commission Report: The JSPC discussed the report of the Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education, "A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education," which was published in September. (The Final Report can be downloaded from the web at http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/reports.html). It was noted that the Commission's Report focused on affordability, accessibility and accountability in higher education. Concerns were raised about the implementation of the recommendations especially with regard to their interpretation by the U.S. Department of Education and potential legislation by congress.

Strategic Plan: The Committee was brought up to date on progress being made in student affairs, administration and academic affairs with regard to implementation of the Strategic Plan in each of the divisions.

University Policies and Procedures: At the Faculty Senate Executive Committee's request, the Appendix G of the UNIVERSITY MANUAL and the process for approving University Policies was discussed. It was noted that the original enabling legislation was approved in 1980 and that the University has undergone significant changes in 26 years.

It was agreed that Vice President Weygand and his staff would review the Policy on Establishing University Policy and would consider possible modifications to it. Examples would include a definition of what should be considered a university policy, whether the process outlined in Policy #80-1 should be reconsidered, and whether the UNIVERSITY MANUAL remains the appropriate repository for University Policies.

It was agreed that members of the committee would forward to Ms. Morrissey agenda items for the November 30 meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.