Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
April 4, 2007
Senate members present: Ruth Frickle, Jack Harton, Glen Avantaggio, Aaron Warnock, Rolita Flores Ezeonu, Eric Baer, Darryl Brice, Phil Droke, Jeff Wagnitz, and Kate Bligh
Guest: Gwen Spencer
The meeting was called to order at 3:07 and the minutes of the meeting of February 21 were approved.
The first item of business was the 5 week WI. There was general agreement that the 5 day WI is a registration action that can be generated by instructors when course sections are full. As to the 5 week WI, the Humanities and Pure & Applied Science divisions reported mixed responses to a query about faculty using the WI. Some do and some don’t.
Kate Bligh recapped the problems generated by the 5 week WI. As discussion continued, it became clear that even if the WI is changed to a different designator (e.g. V) the same problems will exist because a) not all faculty use it and, b) faculty who do use it don’t always use it consistently.
Kate pointed out that if faculty are concerned about the impact on student GPA, retaking the class and replacing the grade is probably a superior option. Also, if concern is about extenuating circumstances, the students can formally petition to expunge the quarter’s record.
Ruth Frickle remarked that faculty will not come to a consensus on the use of the WI and suggested a vote. Eric Baer moved that the 5 week WI be eliminated as a grade option. Jack Harton seconded. Kate Bligh suggested an amendment to set the effective date for Fall 2007. The motion was unanimously approved. The proposal now goes to the Policy Committee. Kate Bligh and Ruth Frickle will present the context of the decision.
Second order of business was the AAS degree. Eric Baer moved that the Senate approve the following:
An Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree offered by Highline Community College shall include, at a minimum, the following requirements: Complete a minimum of 90 credits as outlined by the program in which the student is enrolled. The 90 credits must include one five credit course in Communications, one five credit course in Interpersonal Relations and one five credit course in Computational Skills.
The motion was seconded by Darryl Brice and unanimously approved by the Senate.
The final order of business was a discussion of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Discussion centered around concerns about academic dishonesty policies. Specific concerns included a lack of detail, insufficient/meaningless penalties and the policy being ‘buried’ in “Property Offenses” rather than a stand-alone section. Toni Castro is undertaking a rewrite, and the Senate discussed sending a letter stating these concerns and specifically requesting a section on Academic Integrity in the handbook.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:10.