UNIVERSITY SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Minutes

October 8, 2009

 

Present:  President Mark Becker, Provost Risa Palm, Paul Alberto, Dabney Dixon, Siva Nathan, Jeff Rupp, Don Rietzes

 

I.        The minutes from the April 20, 2009 meeting were approved.

 

II.      President’s Report  -

 

Ø      President Becker was pleased with the increases in this Fall’s enrollments. He especially noted that there are currently 3,000 freshman enrolled compared to 2,000 applications less than 15 years ago.

Ø      President Becker was pleased that we have been able to get through the economic situation without a hiring freeze.

Ø      President Becker noted that this is the beginning of the next 5-year strategic planning cycle. He said three of the items he mentions when speaking to community groups that can be expected of Georgia State in the future are:  (1) recognition for excellence in education and research, (2) constructive partnerships, and (3) Local-Global balance—preparing our students for the globally competitive world.

 

III.    Provost's Report    

 

Ø      Planning is now underway for recruitment of the class of 2010 and beyond. 

Ø      Associate Provost Renick’s office is trying some new recruiting techniques, for example, acquiring the names of the students that should be recruited and  having current GSU honor students contact them to encourage them to consider our offer.

Ø      Starting next summer, a new program will be implemented to provide assistance to students who were at the lower part of the class admitted. 

Ø      The 6-year graduation rate for Georgia State is now 50%, placing us in the 4th tier in US News and World Reports.  It is our goal to replace the schools in the 3rd tier.

 

IV.    Senate Business

A.      Committee on Academic Programs

1.      Policy for assignment of credit hours.  The motion is recommended for a due pass and forwarded to the Senate.

B.      Committee on Budget

1.      Resolution on furloughs and RIFs – The resolution is recommended for a due pass and forwarded to the Senate.

C.      Committee on Admissions and Standards

1.      Temporary transcript annotation in cases of academic dishonesty.   The motion recommended for a due pass and forwarded to the Senate.

2.       Repeat to replace courses policy – The motion recommended for a due pass and forwarded to the Senate.

3.      Review the Academic Calendar – The motion recommended for a due pass. The Committee acknowledges that a friendly amendment will be made on the floor of the Senate moving the Fall break from the 8th M and TU of the semester to the M and TU of Thanksgiving week.  

4.      Military withdrawal policy (information item) – Approved. 

5.      CLEP credit (information item) – Accepted and passed.

6.      Learning Support Program policy (information item) – Approved 

7.      Delete CBT TOEFL scores from admissions requirements (information item) – Approved.

 

D.     Committee on Faculty Affairs

1.      Procedure for student access to SEI results. The motion is recommended for a due pass and forwarded to the Senate.   

E.      Committee on Student Life and Development

1.      Revision to the Student Code of Conduct concerning PreHearing Panels for cases of harassment. (Information item) Approved.

F.       Committee on University Statutes and Senate Bylaws

1.      Amend membership of Admissions and Standards Committee to add the Academic Director for Student Retention and delete the Vice President for Student Affairs as a regular voting member.– The motion is recommended for a due pass and forwarded to the Senate. 

G.     Committee on Nominations

1.      Amendment to April 16, 2009 Committee Report – The changes were approved. 

H.     Discussion Items

1.      Summary reports for triennial evaluations of Associate Provost Albert, Vice President Covey, and Vice President Rackliffe. The reports will be distributed at the next Senate meeting as information items.

2.      Disability Policy – Approval for creation of a University-wide committee to address policy issues forwarded to the Executive Committee by the Committee on Cultural Diversity and the Disability Initiative Committee.  Dr. Alberto will submit nominations to the Executive Committee. The new Committee will be charged by Dr. Palm and Dr. Alberto, and their work will be folded into the larger strategic planning process. The President’s office will address staffing issues as part of the larger issue campus-wide.

3.      Speaker for Senate Meeting – Keith Sumas from Mike Raderstorf group will speak on the H1N1 virus. 

4.      Pick date for next Executive Committee meeting – Tues, Dec. 1, 2:00P.

5.      Green Task Force – President Becker said that members of the task force and their charge will be announced this semester.   

6.      Issues concerning implementation of the new ADP systems were discussed. President Becker said he would look into it.