Minutes of the November 3, 2005 Faculty Meeting

President Thomforde called the meeting to order at 11:33 am.

Pastor Benson opened the meeting with prayer.

The President introduced Bishop Jan Lindhardt of Denmark.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October Faculty Meeting were accepted.

President's Remarks

The President thanked the faculty for its work in the classroom and thanked Steve Reece for his Mellby Lecture and Anton Armstrong for his Robert Foster Cherry Award Lecture. To frame the work of the college, the President read a brief essay that detailed how the world's current composition would look if it were a village of 100 people. In such a picture, only one person would have a college education.

Order of Business


IDOCS

Mike Swift moved IDOCS 05/06-2, the adoption of a new course. After the motion was seconded, it passed without discussion.

CEPC

Corliss Swain moved CEPC 05/06-3; she specified that the motion include only Education 246: English Language Learners--Issues in Education and exclude the other course listed. The motion was seconded.

In discussion, Corliss Swain introduced the motion. Bob Hanson asked what market this course will have. Mark Schelske responded that they plan for 25 students, primarily education majors. Since it will be held in the evening, it could also draw teachers and other educators. The motion passed without opposition.

Corliss Swain moved CEPC 05/06-4, which proposes revisions for the "Biblical and Theological Studies--Theology" GE requirement. The motion was seconded.

Discussion followed, beginning with Corliss Swain introducing the motion. L. DeAne Lagerquist spoke in favor of the motion. Bob Hanson asked whether this proposal would go into the catalogue. Mary Cisar responded that only part of the proposal would. Guidelines are available on the College's Web Site. Bob Entenmann mentioned that these guidelines are to help the faculty propose courses and are not appropriate for the catalogue as a whole.

The motion passed without opposition.

RPC

Anne Groton moved RPC 05/06-1. No discussion occurred and the motion passed without opposition.

Provost's Remarks

Provost May spoke on the relentlessness of the academic year and addressed the hopes and fears generated by plans for the new mathematics and science building.

Announcements

Solveig Zempel reported that 17 Fulbright applications have been submitted. She thanked the members of the Fulbright committee, student advisors, letter-writers, and all members of the faculty who aid this process formally and informally.

Diane Leblanc announced that the committee on first-year experience has come to the conclusion of its work and its two-year grant. She hopes to initiate a broader conversation of the committee’s findings.

Open Agenda

Mary Carlsen asked for the faculty to discuss the time allowed for students to sit for exams.

Discussion followed, first with Mary Cisar and Provost Jim May responding that college policy has not changed. Sylvia Carullo argued that this also is a concern for the honor society. Dan Dressen expanded the discussion by noting that this relates to the mark of incomplete for grades and hoped that someone could remind the faculty of its college policy at the beginning of every term. Bob Hanson further expanded this discussion to the matter of exams and chapel; he argued that using chapel for exam time also runs up against college policy.

As a result of discussion, Mary Carlsen moved that CEPC and the Honor Committee review the length the time of exams and their scheduling. The motion was seconded.

Matt Richey spoke against the motion. He mentioned that he would prefer a reminder not official policy. Jeanine Grenberg responded that since there already is difficulty with this issue, official response is needed. Karen Cherewatuk expanded the discussion by asking for a clarification of final exam policy as well. Mary Cisar responded that the Registrar’s Office does send out a final exam policy each semester and urged the faculty to read the catalogue.


Anne Groton proposed a friendly amendment that would direct the motion to RPC because RPC will be examining similar issues this year. Mary Carlsen accepted this friendly amendment.

At the end of the discussion, Mary Carlsen withdrew her motion.


The President exhorted the Faculty to read and consider the catalogue to recall its policies concerning exams.


Kathryn Ananda-Owens moved that RPC consider a faculty senate model of governance. It was seconded.

Discussion followed, with Matthew Richey first stating that RPC is discussing governance and that it welcomes this encouragement to consider it more strongly. Bob Hanson mentioned that RPC has considered it past. Dan Dressen and Mark Schelske spoke in favor of the motion. Jeanine Grenberg argued that though the issue is important, it could sidetrack important RPC work.

When put to vote, the motion was defeated.

The meeting adjourned at 12:22 pm.