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Call to Order and Announcements

The University Senate was called to order at 3:50 p.m., in Room 111, Harrison Hall, Oxford Campus, on Monday, September 25, 2017. Members absent:  Jason Abbitt, Juan Carlos Albarran, Sheldon Anderson, Ann Elizabeth Armstrong, Susan Baim, Rodney Coates, Michele Dickey, Michel Pactat, Dave Sauter, and Stan Toops.

1. Announcements and Remarks by the Chair of University Senate, Phyllis Callahan

   1. Michael Colligan will be lecturing October 10, 2017, in Parish Auditorium, Hamilton Campus.

   2. Senators were reminded to communicate to their constituents to complete the campus climate survey, which is open through October 27, 2017.  Currently, student response rate is only at 5%.  Student senators were asked to reach out to their constituents to improve the completion rate.

   3. An update regarding the LCPL 2^nd promotion point was given.  An ad hoc committee was formed in 2015 and made recommendations.  COAD is continuing the discussion.

   4. To continue the discussion regarding curriculum growth, a brief presentation was given to show the net growth of majors, departments and courses at both the Oxford and regional campuses. (Attachment A-I)  There are procedures in place to delete unused courses as well as to report courses with low enrollment. In the future, a curriculum report will be presented every fall with a summary from the prior academic year.

Approval of University Senate Minutes

2. A motion was received, seconded, and carried to approve the September 25, 2017, minutes of University Senate.

Consent Calendar

3. The following items were received on the Consent Calendar without debate: 

• Senate Executive Committee Minutes – August 21, 2017

• Senate Executive Committee Minutes – September 5, 2017

• Senate Executive Committee Minutes – September 18, 2017

New Business

4. Awards and Recognition Committee – Andrea Ridilla, Chair, Awards and Recognition Committee
   

   1. An overview was given on the current selection criteria for the Benjamin Harrison Medallion, the Distinguished Professor Award, and the Distinguished Service Award.  The committee has found the criteria to be vague and therefore, has drafted a proposal to revise the criteria to make the process easier and fair.

   2. The committee is also proposing a change in committee composition to ensure that the members are full professors and ensure there is representation from different cognate areas and divisions.

   3. A change in the By-Laws was presented to Senate.  A friendly amendment was made to add a staff member to the committee when Distinguished Service Awards are considered.

SR 18-01

October 9, 2017

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate endorse proposed revisions to the Awards and Recognition Committee, as set forth below:

In the ByLaws of University Senate, 6.C.2.a., regarding Committee composition and membership of the Awards and Recognition Committee, the faculty composition will include tenured faculty at the rank of full professor. The composition of the membership will be changed to include at least one member with expertise in arts or humanities; at least one with expertise in social sciences, education, or business; and at least one with expertise in science, math, technology or engineering.  Efforts will be made to select members from across academic divisions and who have experience with promotion and tenure reviews.  For the Distinguished Service award, a classified or unclassified staff member shall serve as an additional voting member.

 SR 18-01 was passed by voice vote.

Special Report

5. Undergraduate Research Committee Report – Kate de Medieros, Chair, Undergraduate Research Committee 
   

   1. An overview of the composition and function of the committee was presented.

   2. There are two rounds of funding and each proposal is reviewed by three committee members.  The distribution of funds was discussed. Last year, funds were dispersed to a broad range of disciplines. This year, there were adjusted guidelines allowing no more than four proposals sponsored by one mentor. 

   3. The First Year Research Experience (FYRE) was discussed.  Students apply to be part of one of the FYRE courses, which are 2 credit hours each semesterAn overview was given on the current selection criteria for the Benjamin Harrison Medallion, the Distinguished Professor Award, and the Distinguished Service Award.  The committee has found the criteria to be vague and therefore, has drafted a proposal to revise the criteria to make the process easier and fair..

Report

6. Report by the Chair of the Executive Committee of University Senate, Shelly Jarrett Bromberg

   1. An overview of the September 5 and September 18, 2017, Senate Executive Committee meetings were given.

   2. Senate Executive Committee will be sending out a brief survey to determine what committee reports are wanted this year.  Once the results are tallied, committee chairs will be asked to give their report to Senate.

Adjournment

7. A motion was received, seconded, and carried to adjourn the Regular Session of University Senate.