Thursday, September 27, 2007

September 27 Report to Faculty Senate

Presented to members of the Senate on Sept 27:

Since the new term started in July, I attended two Board of Governors meetings that took place on August 22 and July 20, 2007.

Agendas were distributed to the general faculty prior to the meetings and comments were listed on the BOG faculty blog created to discuss faculty concerns, questions, and issues.

At the 8/22 meeting, there were a few items that pertained to faculty policies:

Wording change to the notification of probationary faculty policy: When probationary faculty receive a notification of non-retention in the spring, their employment at the university ends at the close of that same academic year.

Wording change re: revision timeline of BOG AA-22 for faculty annual reports: The other wording change now allows faculty to revise their annual report roles that are presented in December of each year. This lets everyone modify weights if responsibilities change dramatically or unexpectedly (i.e. they receive a grant, fall ill, assume new duties, or a program changes mid-year etc.).

These policy revisions are included in the original agenda I sent prior to the meeting and are linked to the faculty blog.

If you want agendas to be re-sent by email or campus mail, just contact me.

The other noteworthy issues presented to the BOG on 8/22 included:

Projections for increased enrollment for this AY were double the initial assumptions.

Since 3/1/2006, our investments have realized a higher return now that we have more control.

The MCTC agreement was accepted – this is a lengthy agreement that calculates the overhead for the MCTC administrative and academic functions that MU provides to the MCTC.

The Academic committee presented the annual tuition waiver report in which numbers stayed relatively constant for waivers at both the UG and GD levels.

Senator Plymale presented several innovative programs that he is spearheading through the Rayhall Transportation Center on campus. Each involves educational programming that promotes economic and workforce development in our region’s transportation venues (rail, river, & roadway).

The 7/20 meeting was very brief and consisted of the following:

Status of the MCTC presidential search and recommendation from the search committee

Softball field/facilities construction and subsequent fundraising campaign

Acquisition of property at 2124 5th Avenue

Between BOG meetings, I addressed a few questions that faculty asked me to research for them in re: to faculty appointment verbiage in the Faculty Greenbook and the status of funding for construction projects on campus.  I posted an update to both inquiries on the blog. 

Next BOG Meeting Dates:

October 16, 2007

December 5, 2007

 January ?, 2008 (Date of MU/WVU Basketball game in Charleston TBA)

March 26, 2008

June 25, 2008

BOG meeting dates, times, locations, and agendas will be sent to all faculty prior to each meeting when the information becomes available. Pre and post comments will be provided on the blog.  Approved policies and minutes are listed on the BOG webpage: http://www.marshall.edu/president/board/

Questions, comments, or requests for information in any format will always be welcomed so do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience.

Posted by Dr. Larry Stickler at 15:25:42 | Permalink | No Comments »