Minutes of the Academic Senate


CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
5241 North Maple Avenue, M/S Thomas 43
Fresno, California 93740-8027

Office of the Academic Senate FAX: 278-5745
Ext. 278-2743 (AS-2)

September 19, 2011

Members Excused:      S. Alley, B. DerMugrdechian, W. Dodd, D. Lewis, K. McCoy, S. Reeves, J. Wakabayashi

Members Absent:       V. Biondo, S. Farnesi, S. Figlioli, R. Fire, A. Jassim, T. Kubal, R. Rai, D. Sharma, , C. Won, M. Zoghi.

A meeting of the Academic Senate was called to order by Chair Caldwell at 4:06 p.m. in the Library Auditorium, Room 2206.

  1. Agenda. MSC to approve the Agenda.
  2. Approval. MSC to approve amended Minutes of 8/29/11.
    Replace last two words of 3.E. with “issues of implementation.”
  3. Communications and Announcements.
    1. Associate Provost Junn announced a Red Balloon update on Thursday, 9/22/11, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and a webinar the previous day. Dr. Junn also encouraged faculty to join one of several learning communities.
    2. L. Kensinger, Chair, Women’s Studies Program, asked about recognizing new Senators. Chair Caldwell responded this will take place after the remaining vacancies have been filled.
    3. O. Benavides, Statewide Senator, shared news regarding the Statewide Academic Senate. Several administrators from the Chancellor’s Office made presentations. Resolutions were passed regarding the selection of presidents and issues concerning shared governance.
    4. Chair Caldwell announced a final presentation he will be providing on the student evaluation of faculty process on September 29 at 3:00 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union.
    5. The Senate took a short recess for the annual Senate photo.
  4. New Business.
    Chair Caldwell and Statewide Senator J. Amaral introduced a resolution (see attachment) regarding the selection of Presidents. There were no objections to adopting the item as new agenda item 5.
  5. Resolution on Selection of Presidents in the California State University-J. Amaral.
    MSC to pass the RESOLUTION ON SELECTION OF PRESIDENTS IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY.
  6. Orientation to Faculty Governance and Parliamentary Procedures.
    Chair Caldwell concluded a presentation reviewing faculty governance and parliamentary procedures.
  7. Proposed Policy for Undergraduate Majors and Minors–Student Affairs–Second Reading.
    L. Kensinger rescinded a motion that was still on the floor from the last meeting of 2010-2011.
    MSC to lay the policy on the table until more information is provided to the Senate.

The Senate adjourned at 5:10 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:
Dawn Lewis                       Michael Caldwell
Vice Chair                         Chair
Academic Senate            Academic Senate

RESOLUTION ON SELECTION OF PRESIDENTS IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

WHEREAS The Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act provides that “the Legislature recognizes that joint decision-making and consultation between administration and faculty or academic employees is the long-accepted manner of governing institutions of higher learning and is essential to the performance of the educational missions of these institutions” [HEERA 3561(b)]; and

WHEREAS The current CSU Board of Trustees Policy for the Selection of Presidents asserts that the “purpose of the campus visit is to encourage candidates to remain interested in pursuing the presidency by engaging in ideas with campus constituents groups and through promotion of the campus and the community” and that the campus visit “generates a foundation for the new president’s success on campus”; and

WHEREAS Each member campus of the California State University (CSU) system displays a unique culture and embodiment of shared governance, the understanding and appreciation of which requires immediate and first-hand experience; and

WHEREAS The engagement and support of faculty, staff and students is essential to the success of any president; and

WHEREAS Arriving on campus without the support and legitimacy provided in part by the process of campus visits would put the chosen candidate for president at a significant disadvantage in building a successful transition; and

WHEREAS Despite well-reasoned legislative mandates, best practice in higher education and its own long-standing practice, the CSU Board of Trustees is proposing the elimination of the campus visit for final candidates for CSU presidents, in direct opposition to its own stated goals in both the current and proposed policy to “generate confidence in the selection process and garner local support for the eventual appointee”;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED That the Academic Senate of California State University-Fresno oppose any elimination of the campus visit in the selection of presidents in the CSU and strongly urge the CSU Board of Trustees to continue past practice as articulated in its current policy.

(Adapted from the Resolution passed at San Francisco State University and CSU-Monterey Bay)

Passed by California State University, Fresno, Academic Senate, September 19, 2011

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