Minutes of the Academic Senate

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
5241 North Maple Avenue, M/S TA43
Fresno, California 93740-8027
Office of the Academic Senate FAX: 278-5745
Ext. 278-2743 (AS-10)

Members Absent: I. Basurto, J. Bradshaw (excused), S. Delcroix, D. Farris (excused), S. Figlioli, D. Frazier, T. Johnson, S. Lin, S. Liu, M. Lowe, D. Magoc, S. Miller, H. Miltiades, R. Rai, W. Rice, D. Smith, J. Sweeten (student), P. Trueblood, J. Wang, L. Weston, C. Won, M. Xiao, D. Zhang, M. Zoghi.

A meeting of the Academic Senate was called to order by Chair Botwin at 4:07 p.m. in the University Center, Room 200.

  1. Minutes. MSC to approve the Minutes of 4/12/10.

  2. Agenda. MSC to approve the Agenda as distributed.

  3. Communications and Announcements.

    1. Jan Slagter reported on year-long immersion programs in which faculty may serve as resident directors in China, Japan, Italy, Spain and France. Salary is pro-rated on a 12-month basis and a 10% increase of salary is awarded to help defray the costs of living abroad. Financial aid for students is portable.

    2. Chair Botwin outlined the membership of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate in order to facilitate the election of University-Wide Senator and thanked the Senate for support during his tenure as Chair. The Chair was saluted by the Senate with lengthy applause.

  4. Election – Nominations - Nominating/Elections Committee.

    Chair/Vice Chair – Academic Senate: The results were as follows.

    • Chair, Academic Senate: Michael Caldwell (Arts & Humanities)

      Michael Caldwell was unanimously elected by acclamation.

    • Vice Chair Academic Senate: Dawn Lewis (Health & Human Services)

      Dawn Lewis was unanimously elected by acclamation.

    • Executive Committee Member-at-Large (Nominations from the floor), The following individual was nominated and elected:

      Thomas Holyoke (Social Sciences), a three-year term though 2013.

      Thomas Holyoke was unanimously elected by acclamation.

  5. New Business.

    Statewide Senator Otto Benavides requested a presentation at the next Academic Senate meeting comprised of information regarding the Technology Infrastructure on campus.

  6. Parking Policy – Facilities & Campus Environmental Liaison Committee (FACEL).

    James Kus, Chair, Facilities & Campus Environmental Liaison Committee presented information regarding the Parking Policy, as well as information regarding the make-up of the committee.

    Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Vice President for Administration provided an overview of the parking plan, including the potential for a major entry point to campus. The parking structure that is currently in design phase will serve to preserve green space on campus.

    J. Daniel Herring (Theatre Arts) voiced several concerns regarding the recommendations. Vice-President Matson and Matt Babick (Traffic) addressed the concerns. Jan Slagter (Women’s Studies) also voiced concerns about the types of events that will be accepted by the President for free parking. The recommendations are not final and are designed to create a pilot system that will allow the continued collection of data. Jim Henson (Information Systems) addressed challenged with regard to the University Business Center parking lot. J. Daniel Herring (Theatre Arts) asked for clarification with regard to relaxed parking. Vice President Teniente-Matson remarked that there is no current recommendation to return to relaxed parking. Statewide Senator Otto Benavides (KSOEHD) brought forward a request for the implementation of gated access to campus. Rosco Vaughn (Animal Sciences) requested coverage for several events his department hosts.

    Terry Winant (Philosophy) requested semester-long coupon codes. Vice President Matson suggested that all scenarios are being considered and examined. Jan Slagter (Women’s Studies) requested information with regard to the timeline for advanced requests for coupon codes. Matt Babick remarked that multiple events can be approved at one time. Vice President Matson commented that requests must be received within one week of the event to receive approval; however, greater advanced notice would be preferred. Ed EmanuEl (Theatre Arts) suggested that faculty consider whether there was a need for a new system. Statewide Senator J. Amaral asked about the current fine structure and related definitions.

    MSC by acclamation to move the document to the floor and include as a second reading on the next agenda.

  7. Policy On Assessment of Teaching Effectiveness (APM 322) – Personnel Committee – Second Reading - Continued.

    Provost Covino discussed concerns with regard to the current system of teaching evaluations and possible ramifications with regard to the RTP process.

    MSC to accept an adaptation of the final sentence of the proposed amendment of 322-2. Section II-B. “Departments shall select questions having demonstrated reliability and validity from a campus-wide pool approved by the Academic Senate and Provost.”

    MS (carried over 4/12/10 meeting) to accept an amendment. After a brief discussion, no action was take.

MSC to adjourn at 5:43 p.m.

The next scheduled meeting of the Academic Senate will be announced.

An Agenda will be distributed prior to the meeting.

Submitted by: Approved by:
Michael Caldwell Michael Botwin
Vice Chair Chair
Academic Senate Academic Senate

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