Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

 2.7.2007

Meeting called to order at 3:05 PM

Present: Darryl Brice, Katie Gulliford, Jeff Wagnitz, Gwen Spencer, Kate Bligh, Eric Baer, Jack Harton, Keith Paton, Buzz Wheeler, Rolita Ezeonu, Phil Droke, Aaron Warnock, Michael Armstrong, Glen Avantaggio

1. Minutes of 1/17/2007 approved.
2. Eric Baer moves that the Senate approve the following resolution:

Whereas, the naming and numbering of courses, as well as the setting of which courses are in which departments is a curricular decision;

Whereas the naming of courses determines where they fall into degree requirements;

Whereas the current HCEA agreement (Section 901) states that “Any change in … degree requirements will be considered only after a recommendation from the Faculty Senate”;

Whereas the Board of Trustees has stated that the Faculty Senate is an advisory board to the Vice President and the Deans of Instruction on college wide curricular issues;

Whereas state law [R.C.W.28B.50.140(11)], the HCEA agreement (Section 901), and the Constitution of the Faculty Senate as passed by the Board of Trustees dictate that the Faculty Senate has the “paramount” responsibility for degree requirements;

The Faculty Senate does hereby proclaim that course numbering and naming is the prerogative of the faculty of the College and that dictations by any other body or individual shall not be considered valid without the express agreement of the faculty.

Motion is seconded.   Members discuss this motion.   Motion passes.

3. Eric Baer moves that the Senate approve a second resolution:

The Faculty Senate acknowledges and supports the goal of greater transparency as to the equivalency of courses throughout the Washington State higher education system.  We would encourage and support the establishment of a simple, web-based table of equivalencies such as is being envisioned by the HECB.

The Faculty Senate has determined that common course numbering is not in the best interest of the students or faculty of the College.  We instruct all of the officers of the College to not change course numbering or naming without the agreement of the faculty, including the departments and divisions that would be impacted.

        Motion is seconded and discussed.  Motion passes.

4.  Jeff Wagnitz makes a report on developments in  the Common Course Numbering program.    The CCN Steering Committee last week made a new proposal --  that  common course be identified with a designator rather than with a common number.   This proposal, also referred to as the California Model, was considered and set aside early in the process.  Now it may be reconsidered.

            General discussion of issues pertaining to CCN ensues.

5. Kate Bligh, Associate Dean of Enrollment Services,  reports on issues pertaining to the current WI policies and procedures.  (Position Paper provided for Senate).   Ms. Bligh reports that the policy is confusing for students and cumbersome to administrate.   She offers some suggestions:
   1. 1^st week and 5^th week WIs  have different consequences.  1^st week WI results in a registration action; 5^th week WI results in a grade assignment.  Perhaps these are in fact 2 different policies and might be disentangled.
   2. The 1^st week WI is not used consistently.  Therefore students do not understand what to expect.  This results in students who are baffled or angry.
   3. The use of WI has additional consequences for students, for example it can effect their financial aid status. 
   4. In general, students do not understand the process.

The Senate will reexamine these policies in light of this information. 

Senators agree to discuss the WI policy with their Division members.   A committee will be formed at the next meeting if necessary to examine these policies.

6. Meeting adjourned 4:00