Officers attending: Cindy Beckett, President; Jackie Myers, Vice President; Fred Thomas, Secretary
Senators attending: Derek Allen, James Brooks, Susan Callender, Frank Clay, Ryan Murphy, Amanda Romero, Art Ross, Tom Singer
Senators not attending: Myra Grinner, Marti Shapiro, Marsha Wamsley, Charles C. Williams
Others attending: None
Cindy called the meeting to order at 2:43 in the Green Room
1. Approval of Minutes
Jackie moved to approve the minutes from the Senate meeting of February 23rd and the motion passed. Frank moved to approve the minutes from the Senate meeting of March 2nd and the motion passed.
2. Officer’s Report
2.1.
Board of Trustees
Cindy reported that she and Jackie had attended the most recent Board of
Trustees Meeting. The Board approved plans to move forward with expansion in Warren
County, although additional steps (including action by the Ohio Legislature)
are still required. Progress is continuing with regard to the two proposed YMCA
sites, and the Board is expected to act on these plans at its April meeting.
2.2.
Merit and Incentive Pay
Cindy reported there will be no changes to either merit pay or
institutional merit for the current year. There may still be significant
changes in future years.
3. Committee Reports
3.1.
FITs
Cindy provided Senate with a detailed update on progress in the FITs
discussions, including both the specific faculty proposals for 2005-06 and the
long-term issues being addressed for future years. Senators received a copy of
the survey sent to over 40 Ohio two-year colleges to help in long-term
benchmarking (attachment FSMA20050309-01). Cindy also suggested that an
internal survey may be needed to assess the impact of faculty retirements on
budgets and average salaries. The next FITs meeting is scheduled for March 29th.
4. Special Orders
None
5. Unfinished Business
5.1.
Ellen’s Memorial
No report.
5.2.
Office Hours Proposal
Jackie received additional student data collected by Senators about the
methods students use to communicate with faculty outside of class and about the
timing of that communication. She will organize the data and report back to
Senate.
5.3.
Merit Proposal Results / Next Steps
Cindy summarized the opinions expressed by faculty with regard to decentralizing
the merit determination process. Thirty-five faculty expressed support for the
proposal through email or other semiformal means while 45 faculty expressed
opposition to the proposal. George Sehi will report on the issue to
Instructional Council March 11th. Since neither Cindy nor Jackie is
able to attend that Instructional Council meeting, Fred will represent Senate.
5.4.
Test Scanning Options
Cindy reviewed progress on the proposal to make test scanning more
conveniently available to faculty. The administration has decided against
adding a second self-serve center but has agreed to move the current scanning
service to a more convenient location in the new LRC. Senate agreed that this
represents a significant improvement and agreed to remove the topic from its
internal matrix of unfinished business.
6. New Business
6.1.
Distance Learning Proposal
Deferred.
6.2.
Other
Amanda reported that Dave Bodary is moving forward with print materials
and other methods of promoting Sinclair’s Honor Code. Based on its earlier
approval of the Honor Code, Senate expressed its continuing support for these
efforts.
Cindy reported that Mary Dudash-White will represent Senate on the committee
responsible for Fall Faculty Professional Development Day.
7. Announcements
Cindy reminded Senators that the next Senate meeting would be April 6th.
The meeting adjourned at 4:03.
Submitted by Fred Thomas
Approved by Senate, April 6, 2005