Faculty Senate Minutes

September 21, 2005

Attended by:  Phil Droke, Glen Avantaggio, Katie Gulliford, Gloria Rose Koepping, Jeff Wagnitz, Dee Skinner, Aaron Warnock, Darryl Brice, Buzz Wheeler, John Lindsay, Tony Wilson, and Rolita Ezeonu.

Meeting began at 3:05 p.m. in room 410 of the Library.

Introductory Remarks

Chair Phil Droke began the meeting by reiterating the responsibilities of the Faculty Senate.  The Faculty Senate is responsible for overseeing, changing, and approving the graduation requirements for the Associate of Arts transfer degrees that the college offers.  The Senate is also responsible for giving input to and choosing to endorse (or not) campus policy changes, which come through our group. Lastly, the Senate, through our Senators at Large, is responsible for staffing the various Senate committees.  The committee work may range from making decisions about student appeals, advising the administration, or assisting in coordinating commencement.

By way of an example, Phil Droke mentioned that this year we may deal with the issue of developing a new mandated common numbering system at all colleges and universities in Washington.  Enrollment management issues may also be a topic of concern this year as many state institutions cope with decreased enrollment.

Phil Droke then had each of us introduce ourselves along with our Department and Division, as we have new members of Senate this fall.

Old Business

Chair Phil Droke then asked us to review the changes to the A.A. we made last spring.  Dean Jeff Wagnitz began that discussion by mentioning the inclusion of the statements on academic honesty and academic freedom in the new 05-07 catalog.  Most faculty in the Senate had not received a catalog yet, so Jeff Wagnitz agreed to get catalogs to all the members of the Faculty Senate.  The major changes are on page 28 of the catalog.  The most significant change is in the Science distribution.  At least 10 credits must come from the physical and life sciences.  For our purposes here at Highline, that is now defined in the catalog as credits from the Biology, Chemistry, General Science, Geology, Oceanography, Physical Science, and/or Physics departments.  At least one Science course must include laboratory (L) experience. 

There is also a new 10 credit limit in the Social Science distribution area.  No more than 10 credits can come from any one department.

It was pointed out that now the catalog, A.A. worksheets for advising, and the ICRC agreements are all the same.

Jeff Wagnitz also mentioned the statewide push for Major-Ready Pathway (MRP) transfer degrees and reported that he had submitted the Nursing DTA-MRP idea to the relevant departments for consideration this fall. 

New Business

Phil Droke spoke about the importance of the FACTC (Faculty Association of Community and Technical Colleges) which meets quarterly.  He is our representative to that body.

The Tools for Teaching III conference is at Highline this fall on October 28^th.  The cost is only $25.00 and it runs from 8:30-3:30.  Phil Droke has previously emailed all faculty about this opportunity.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Gloria Rose Koepping, Faculty Senate Secretary