Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Present: Karen M. Turner (Pres.), Paul S. LaFollette (V. Pres.), Bonnie Averbach (Secy.), Robert M. Aiken (Past-Pres.), Z. Joan Delalic (Engr.),
Marge Devinney (CLA), Michael Jackson (STHM), Luke Kahlich (BCMD), Lois Millner (SSA), Mark C. Rahdert (Law), Joan P. Shapiro (Educ.), Joel B. Sheffield (CST), Jay Sinha (FSBM), Roberta Sloan (SCT), Roy Stevens (Dent.),
David Waldstreicher (Fac. Herald), Cheryl Mack (Coord)
Absent: David Baron (Med), Pauline Hurley-Kurtz (Ambl),
Stephanie Knopp (Tyl), Charles Ruchalski (Pharm),
1. Call to Order:
Vice President Paul LaFollette called the meeting to order at 1:15 PM.
2. Vice President’s Report: Paul S. LaFolette
- Relative to the University Budget Committee, Leroy Dubeck, Chair of the Committee, would like to stay on for another three year term. He has had considerable experience in this area since he has been on the Committee for many years.
A special concession was made three years ago to allow him to remain on the committee. The problem is that the policy is for someone to be on a committee for only three years and then take at least a one year break before serving again.
Sheffield is a member of the committee and reported that the committee members have seen copies of the audited university reports and have met with Tony Wagner and Provost Lisa. However, the members have little influence on policy. Long term study of where the money is allocated shows that the percentage of the money for education is declining and the percentage of money for research is increasing. It is useful for the faculty to be told this. He feels that Dubeck does have a good understanding of the University policies.
Rahdert mentioned that it is important to have new people on committees to bring multiple perspectives to a committee. He suggested that someone from the Fox School should probably be recruited.
Aiken feels that it was a bad precedent to break the ‘three-year rule’ and that we should explain this to Dubeck. LaFollette agreed to speak to Dubeck and also to ask him to recommend a new Chair for the Committee.
- LaFollette mentioned that several faculty members have applied to be on the Faculty Life Ad Hoc Committee and one has applied to be on the Student Liaison Ad Hoc Committee. A motion was made and seconded to nominate these faculty members to serve on the Faculty Life and Student Liaison Committees. The motion was carried.
3. Unfinished Business:
Aiken needs nominations for the Teaching Learning Technology Round Table. So far Deans are nominating people from their schools. There are representatives of Fox, CST, Boyer, CLA, Health Sciences, Tyler, Sherri Stahler, and Tim O’Rourke among others. Aiken would like the FSSC to nominate someone for this Committee. The Committee will meet at least once a month and will decide on how to continue.
4. Approval of the Minutes:
The minutes of April 14, 2009 and April 21, 2009 were accepted with a few corrections to be made.
5. President’s Report: Karen M. Turner
In the fall, we will make a change to the by-laws to incorporate electronic voting.
A lively discussion followed on the results of the April 16 University Senate Meeting and on the agenda of the Special University Senate Meeting called for April 29.
6. Guests:
Terry Halbert, Gen Ed; Julie Phillips, Associate Director of Gen Ed, Ray Coughlin, Mathematics,
Steven Kreinberg, Music and two students, Annie Wilson and David Isaac.
Halbert introduced two faculty members, Ray Coughlin and Steve Kreinberg, who are teaching outstanding classes in Gen Ed and two students, one from each of the classes. Halbert wanted the FSSC to see what kinds of classes are given through Gen Ed.
Coughlin has a developed a math class based on LSAT problems which are basically logic problems. He discusses logical process in problem solving. His aim is for students to think cogently and consistantly – to use logic when reading a book. Annie, a student in his class mentioned how this class has helped her to put first things first, to see the end concept, and to see what is important.
Kreinberg has developed a new kind of music appreciation class. In the first five weeks of class the students are learning the vocabulary that one needs in order to discuss music. Then students have to choose four concerts to attend from a list including jazz, classical music, opera, and soloists among other types. The students are watching and hearing people from all parts of the world - important musicians. It opens their minds to all kinds of music and to a new type of experience. David, a student in his class mentioned that the class teaches an untrained ear to recognize what it is to accomplish musically. It is a great experience to actually go to concerts and to realize that these musicians actually come from places all over the world. He will definitely continue to go to concerts.
In class, Kreinberg discusses the concerts and even asks students to talk to other concert goers and find out why they are there.
When asked if the classes can be taught by others, Coughlin said that he could hand over his set of notes and overheads to any one who would want to teach the class. Phillips remarked that in conjunction with the Provost’s teaching academy faculty and graduate students could be trained to teach these types of classes.
7. Unfinished Business:
The discussion of the University Senate meeting on April 29 continued.
8. New Business:
None
9. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 PM.
Bonnie Averbach, Secretary
