ATTENDEES: Christiansen, Dean, Mehta, Parker, Romberger, Santi, and Thiry

APOLOGIES: Eberhart (on sabbatical), Honeyman, Mitcham, Voorhees and Wolden

GUESTS: Arthur Sacks – Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

COMMENTS FROM GUEST:

1. Arthur Sacks – Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
   
   
   1. Submission of grades - Sacks commented that hundreds of grades were not reported by the deadline for grade submission for the Fall 2004 semester. This delay of a grade can adversely affect students such as admission for next semester, athletic eligibility, scholarship retention, or INS regulations for international students. The problem appears to be the same as in previous semesters. This issued is being discussed with the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils.

      The Senators felt that part of the problem might be the closeness of finals to commencement. They also felt that there was no way under the present system to create a trail as to why a student received a grade.For example a student might be given an “F” because they did not attend class, but the professor cannot make that comment on the electronic grade reporting form like they used to be able to do on the old paper system. They also felt that the student should take responsibility for adhering to class add/drop deadlines. The Senators requested that this be addressed in the Executive Committee with VPAA Middleton. They requested Romberger invite the Registrar to a Senate meeting to discuss this topic.

   2. College Opportunity Fund – The administration attended a kick-off event for the College Opportunity Fund. Sacks reminded the Senators that a student must sign up to be eligible for these funds.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Romberger announced that the memo regarding the Vice President Research (VPR) that was endorsed by the Senate on December 7, 2004 has been forwarded to the VPR search committee, all vice presidents and the President of CSM.
   
   
2. The Faculty Distinguished Lecture will be presented on February 23, 2005 at 4:00 pm. Marvin Kay, Emeritus Professor of Athletics, will present the lecture entitled, “Mines Athletics and Academics, Then and Now – and How!”
   
   
3. There will not be a January Faculty Forum.

APPROVALS:

1. The minutes of the December 7, 2004 Faculty Senate meeting were approved.

COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Graduate Council – Wolden has a conflict with Senate meetings this semester. He will continue to represent the Senate on the Graduate Council and will submit written reports to the Senate. Romberger will also attend these meetings.
   
   
2. Undergraduate Council – Mehta provided the following written report:

   UGC met on 1/12/2005. Proposed additions (LIHU 365/367) were approved. EGGN 382/386 proposals to add EE classes and possibly replace Physics III were discussed.

   Discussion of drop deadlines and student requests for exceptions: Suppose a student doesn't show up for a class that he/she is registered for all semester long, but omits to drop it. Should the student get an F? Current policy: for first offenders, the registrar checks with instructor and the student is withdrawn. Repeat offender: the F stands. Should the policy be changed?

   Grades for Fall 2004: Grades for 211 out of 1100 (18%) sections were not turned in by the deadline. 152 of these were grad, 89 ugrad. Paula had to enter approximately 2100 grades by hand. Statistics are unchanged from previous semesters.

   Mehta will take the Senate’s suggestion back to the Undergraduate Council that a subcommittee be formed to investigate the “drop/add” class issue.

3. Research Council – Parker presented the following written report to the Senate:

   Action taken: The research council approved the memo regarding the Vice-President for Research.

   Discussion:

   1. Dag Nummedal asked the council members to spread the word that he would be delivering a document to our congressional representatives (state I think but honestly I am not sure) about the capabilities for energy research at Mines. His request is for written material to use in this document.
      
      
   2. A note by Arthur Sacks that we need to address policies and procedures for research faculty.
      
      
   3. Discussion of how to choose proposals for on-campus down-selection when mandated by the agency in question. Phil Romig is uncomfortable with our lack of process on this subject and thinks a process needs to be formalized.
      
      
   4. Discussion of how research council can have impact. The issue is if research council: a) can, and b) should invite President Trefny to discuss research on campus and the range of concerns that exist. Discussion was partially on the role of research council and how it operates but more broadly on how such a meeting would be constructed in order to have an impact.

   Parker will communicate the following Senate requests to the Research Council: (1) the Research Council meet with the candidates for the VPR position; and (2) the Research Council address the tuition increase for next year and how it will impact graduate students.

4. Committee on Committees – Thiry announced that there are three vacancies on the Readmissions Committee, one on the Faculty Affairs Committee and one on the Faculty Handbook Committee for the spring 2005 semester. The Committee would appreciate names of faculty who might be interested in filling these vacancies.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Executive Committee Agenda – the following issues were suggested by the Senate:
   
   
   1. How can a transcript be changed if a student is/is not registered in a class by mistake?
      
      
   2. Update from administration on the VPR search.
   
   
   
2. Changing Faculty By-laws to provide for faculty chairs to Councils – Romberger will write proposed changes to by-laws and present to the Senate at February 1, 2005 meeting.

AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:

1. General Procedures – Exceptions and Appeals (2004-05 Graduate Bulletin, pp. 28-29)
   
   
2. Faculty morale.
   
   
3. Update of the campus master plan.

The next meeting will be February 1, 2005 at 1:30 PM in Hill Hall 300.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.