Minutes of the Academic Senate

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
5240 North Jackson Avenue, M/S UC43
Fresno, California 93740-8023
Office of the Academic Senate FAX: 278-5745
Ext. 278-2743 (AS-1)

September 8, 2008

Members Absent: I. Basurto, D. Blum, A. Heaney, B. Jones, M. Katti, D. Lewis (excused), K. Magdaleno, F. Ringwald, M. Sanchez, J. Slagter (excused), S. Springthorpe, M. Xiao.

A meeting of the Academic Senate was called to order by Chair Botwin at 4:08 p.m. in the University Center, Room #200.

1. Minutes. MSC to approve the Minutes of 5/5/08.
2. Agenda. MSC to approve the Agenda.
3. Communications and Announcements.
   1. Provost Echeverria distributed a document that discussed
      issues surrounding the proposed changes in the method of
      the collection of student ratings of faculty. The document is
      a discussion piece that includes a series of questions and
      answers about the proposed changes and the role that the
      IDEA Center (Individual Development and Educational
      Assessment)(a non-profit subsidiary of Kansas State
      University) may have in the collection, storage, analysis, and
      dissemination of the evaluation forms. The Provost
      encouraged the senators to bring this document to their
      campus constituencies for discussion. The Provost
      encouraged the senators and other interested parties to
      direct their comments about the document to her office. She
      also emphatically stated there are ongoing discussions
      concerning the policies governing student ratings of faculty,
      such policies have to be approved by the Academic Senate,
      and there are no plans in place to implement a new student
      rating system at this time.
   2. Chair Botwin made a brief presentation about the roles and
      the responsibilities of the Academic Assembly in governing
      the university. He stressed the Academic Assembly, through
      the Academic Senate, is responsible for the matters
      concerning the curriculum, faculty retention, tenure and
      promotion, and the instructional budget. Chair Botwin
      stressed the importance of consultation between the
      Academic Senators and the faculty they represent. He
      encouraged Senators to place a report concerning current
      senate topics on the agenda of faculty meetings in their
      departments.
      Chair Botwin also stated that, at this point in the academic
      year, he foresees two major issues for consideration by
      Academic Senate this year. These issues are student ratings
      of faculty and policies related to the notion of delivering
      accessible course materials using the principles of universal
      design.
   3. Mackie Mason, ASI President, announced a voter registration
      campaign (Why 1509?) to the senate.
4. New Business.
   There was no new business.
5. Standards for Continuation and Procedures for
   Termination of a Graduate Program (APM 223) – Graduate
   Committee – Second Reading.
   MSC to table until a member of the Graduate Committee
   is present to answer questions.
6. Policy on the Administration of Sponsored Programs (APM 501) -
   Research Subcommittee – Second Reading.
   Vice-Chair Caldwell initiated a discussion about sections within
   the policy that summarize existing policies. He suggested referring
   to existing policies as an alternative and reflected upon the need to
   make sure future policies contained appropriate references to
   existing policies.
   
   MSC to table and examine the policy following
   editing by the research committee.
7. Policy on Indirect Cost Recoveries and Allocations (APM 503) –
   Research Subcommittee – Second Reading.
   There was a question regarding item IV. G. and the use of the word
   “expenses.” The new statement will read: “This surcharge may not
   exceed 1 percent of the grant or contract.”
   MSC to approve the Policy on Indirect Cost Recoveries
   and Allocations (APM 503) with the stated amendment
   and forward the President for final consideration.

MSC to adjourn at 5:12 p.m.

The next scheduled meeting of the Academic Senate will be announced.
An Agenda will be distributed prior to the meeting.

Submitted by:
Michael Caldwell
Vice Chair
Academic Senate

Approved by: 
Michael Botwin 
Chair 
Academic Senate

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