ATTENDEES: Christiansen, Davis, Dean, Honeyman, Mehta, Parker, Romberger, Santi, Thiry, Voorhees and Wolden

APOLOGIES: Eberhart (on sabbatical) and Mitcham

GUESTS: Arthur Sacks – Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Joseph Dahdah - Graduate Student Association representative

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Dean reported that it was announced at the department heads meeting that the 2005 freshmen class would probably be 700 to 720 students. This is smaller than what was indicated in the strategic plan. The smaller class size was decided upon because the retention rate has increased and the entrance index will be increased. Sacks added that Dan Montez, Associate Vice President for Operations and Finance, is looking at the numbers.
   

APPROVALS:

1. The minutes of the November 16, 2004 Faculty Senate meeting were approved.
2. A motion made by Voorhees and seconded by Parker to approve the BS graduates as listed by the Registrar’s Office provided that each candidate meets the requirements for his/her department/division. Motion passed unanimously.
3. A motion made by Santi and seconded by Wolden to approve the list from the Graduate School of graduate students receiving his/her MSc or PhD degree provided that each candidate meets the requirements for his/her degree. Motion passed unanimously.

COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Graduate Council – Wolden reported that the Graduate Council unanimously approved two new graduate courses – CHEN 568 – Introduction to Chemical Engineering Research. GPGN 570 – Applications of Satellite Remote Sensing. Also approved was a course name change – ESGN 527 – from Environmental Systems Analysis to Watershed Systems Analysis.
   

   The Council also approved a Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program that will offer a PhD and both a thesis and non-thesis masters degree. The Senate unanimously passed a motion by Wolden and seconded by Santi to approve the Hydrology Program with the proviso that there be a balanced representation from the departments on the recruiting and admission committee and that the membership of this committee be an “odd” number. Wolden will communicate to the Graduate Council the Senate’s concern that applications for this program are forwarded to the correct department from the Graduate School as this has been a problem with other programs.

   The Graduate Council endorsed the Research Council memo regarding the announcement for the vice president for research position.

   The distribution of the Colorado Graduate Fellowship funds was discussed. The Graduate Council would like a report from Vice President Cheuvront regarding the disbursement of these funds.

2. Undergraduate Council – Mehta provided the following written report:
   

   A UGC meeting was held on Nov 10, 2004. Proposals to add or modify LIHU 101, 460, PHGN 333, and a military science course were unanimously approved. A proposal to change the MCS minor and Area of Special Interest was also unanimously approved.

   The registrar advised the UGC that (1) grades will not be mailed to students any more but will be available online (2) A "Z" grade rather than an "INC" grade will be used when faculty members do not enter a grade in the system. Faculty members not turning in grades on time is a significant problem. 183 sections in Spring 2004 had grades completely or partially missing. The registrar also brought up some of the practical difficulties resulting from our current schedule with final exams ending on Thursday afternoon and commencement being held on Friday morning. This is a problem for seniors with lowest possible grades of "F" when these grades haven't been updated for commencement. A joint subcommittee with grad council will be formed to address this complex problem.

3. Research Council – Parker presented the following memo from the Research Council:
   

   To: Faculty Senate
   From: Research Council
   Re: Response to Announcement of VP for Research Date: December 2, 2004

   Research Council endorses the decision to hire a VP for Research. Our perspective is that dynamic leadership is needed to assure that CSM remains on the vanguard of technological change, and that research is the core of our institutional mission. Active research not only keeps this institution technologically advanced, but also provides substantial financial support. In addition, both undergraduate and graduate classes and labs rely on the equipment and resources provided through sponsored research. As such, the status of research must be elevated to greater importance on campus. This perspective is in full agreement with the adopted Strategic Plan for the institution.

   For the research goals of the Strategic Plan to be realized, it is imperative that the position of VP for Research be established in such away that it can effectively, and equitably, interact within the campus' administrative structure. Accordingly, we strongly feel that the VP for Research should report directly to the President and should have the following authority.

   1. Oversight and spending authority for overhead dollars collected from research contracts. These monies should be available to the VP for use in fostering the research and education missions of the institution.
   2. Oversight and management authority of the Office of Research Services.
   3. Oversight and coordination of the institution's research centers (i.e., the ability to enforce sun-setting policies, to initiate centers, etc.).
   4. Oversight of regulatory compliance requirements of all of CSM's research programs.
   5. Responsibility for marketing CSM research centers to respective sponsors.
   6. Advancement of, and then oversight for, a new Office of Research Development.
   7. Support and development of CSM's main focus areas.
   8. Coordinate and oversee institution's efforts related to technology transfer and commercialization of research products.

   The individual characteristics that we consider desirable for meeting these demanding expectations and responsibilities include the following.

   1. Significant record of scholarly accomplishment as evidenced by a significant publication record in technical journals specific to his or her field.
   2. Significant record of fund raising for his or her own research endeavors.
   3. Successful management skills running large research programs that directly involve the graduate educational mission of an institution.
   4. Leadership in forming teams to respond to specific solicitations and organizational management of institutional responses.
   5. Experience in multidisciplinary fund raising and research project coordination across geographic, institutional and disciplinary lines.

   The Senators endorsed this memo. It was moved by Christiansen and seconded by Parker that Romberger forward this memo to the President, all vice presidents and the vice president for research search committee. Motion passed with one abstention.

   Sacks will communicate the Senators’ concerns regarding the vice president for research to the Vice President for Academic Affairs: (1) serious concern regarding the reporting structure; (2) job description does not give position authority only interaction; (3) what is “Dean of Academic Programs”; and (4) Office of Research Services should be under this position. The Senators would like the job description removed from the web, reworked and then reposted on the web.

4. Marketing Meeting – Romberger reported that this meeting was a focus group facilitated by a consultant who gathered input from attendees on their impressions of CSM.

AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:

1. Academic Advising Coordinator
2. Changing Faculty By-laws to have faculty chair councils
3. General Procedures – Exceptions and Appeals (2004-05 Graduate Bulletin, pp. 28-29)

The next meeting will be January 18, 2005 at 1:30 PM in Hill Hall 300.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 PM.