CALL TO ORDER
The last meeting of the 1998 Spring Semester was called to order at 3:15 p.m. by President Linda Ramsey in Gooch Auditorium.  Present were 39 senators and officers, 14 guests, and several senators for the next academic year.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as distributed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Ramsey reported on several items discussed at the Executive Committee meeting.

The senate committee chairs were reminded to send reports on the attendance of each committee member to the head of that person's academic unit.

Several people on the Promotions Committee dropped off of the committee, and it was so late in the year they decided to wait until the next academic year to get started.

Ramsey also reported that as a member of the Academic Council, she was asked to give input on two items.   She decided that it would be better for these to come before the senate.  First the default rate on student loans went up to over 15%.  This could have meant that the University would be responsible for the defaulted student loans and would have been out $80,000.  Second, with the Banner program being implemented, we would have an opportunity to change the way grades are reported.  These items were put before the Instruction Committee at a special called meeting, and they did come up with alternative proposals for solutions.  Regarding the student loans, the University did have to pay $20,000, but the government did work with us.

BUDGET AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS
Robert Nanney stated that there was nothing to come before the senate at this time.

UNDERGRADUATE COUNCIL
Catherine Carls brought the report from the Undergraduate Council.  She asked that the minutes from the April 21 meeting be changed from "motion carried but not forwarded to senate because approval is not required" to "motion carried".  Carls brought the proposal for veterinary medicine as a motion and second for approval.  Course was approved.

The packet from April 7 was brought as a motion and second for approval.  Motion carried.

GRADUATE COUNCIL
Maurice Field brought the curriculum proposals as a motion and a second.  Motion carried.

INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Dan McDonough brought a report from the Instruction Committee.  At the March 31 meeting, they continued to discuss the COMP Test and Dr. Jones will be taking that once again to the Learning Assessment Committee.  The main item of discussion was a rumor that everybody would have to go to the same platform for computers (everybody go to IBM).  This proved to be unfounded.  It was noted that the Banner program would not be very user friendly to Mac users, unless they are Web based, and even then, it will probably be a year before this is achieved.

Items from the April 16 meeting included the repeat policy under the Banner system and student loans and class attendance.  McDonough brought a  motion from the committee regarding the repeat policy as follows:

 The last grade earned will be used in calculating graduation and GPA requirements.  This will be effective with implementation of Banner.

During discussion, it was asked if there would be restrictions on how many times a student could repeat a class, or if they could repeat a B or C to get a higher grade.  Dr. Jones stated that the motion does not change current policy.  It was asked if the previous grade will show up on the transcript, and the answer was yes.    Will the grades be recomputed using the new system?  Yes, there is no way to maintain two systems.

Motion carried.

Regarding student loan defaults, if over 15% for the University, the University would have to repay the loans.  This does not have anything to do with attendance policy, only reporting who is or isn't attending class.  McDonough brought the following motion from the Instruction Committee:

 Faculty will monitor class attendance throughout the semester and report to the Records Office any student listed on the permanent class roll who is not attending class.  Reports will be made at the end of the second week of classes, at mid-term, after the 13th week of classes, if requested, and with final grades.

To clarify one point, McDonough said that the "after the 13th week of classes, if requested" refers to Perkins Loans.  Until the rate drops below the 15%, attendance must be monitored monthly.  After the rate drops below 15%, attendance must still be monitored but not as often.

Ramsey also mentioned that they were leaving it up to the instructor's discretion as to how they were counting attendance, i.e., using test scores, etc.  The criteria to be used is, in the instructor's professional opinion, what was the last date the student attended.

A question was raised as to what happens if we report a student as non-attending and they are dropped, and then they do show up.  McDonough responded that we are not going to be dropping students from class.  The faculty will report any students who are enrolled but not attending to the Records Office.  The Financial Aid office will contact the students if they have financial aid.  If not on financial aid, they will not be contacted.

A note could be attached to the temporary class roll, asking that the faculty member identify any students who did not show up, with a due date possibly two weeks after the beginning of classes.
The faculty could also identify students who are not attending along with the mid-term grades reports, and with the final grade report.  The only addition would be a 13th day report.

After further discussion, Bill Zachry suggested a friendly amendment to his original motion, and the amended motion was stated as follows:

 Faculty will monitor class attendance throughout the semester and report to the Records Office any student listed on the class roll who in the instructor's judgement has unofficially withdrawn from class.  Reports will be made at the end of the second week of classes, at mid-term, after the 13th week of classes, if requested, and with final grades.
 
Amendments were voted on and carried.  Vote on motion.  Motion carried.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE
No report at this time.

PERSONNEL POLICIES
Roger Fisher brought a report from the Personnel Policies Committee.  There is a foundation on the issue of collegiality on which to build, and there will be more work on this issue next year.

AD-HOC COMMITTEES
A report was brought from Doug Sterrett regarding the Technology Committee.  A model was gained from the SQE Report (flowchart attached to minutes).  His report was in regards to the Technology Fee and how it is used.  This committee was charged with the responsibility of taking the SQE recommendations, restructuring the committees and trying to implement that.  The Technology Committee is proposing that a new committee be formed, the Technology Fee Advisory Committee, which will be a sub-set and report to the Academic Computer Advisory Committee (ACAC).  This committee will have two members from the ACAC, three student members from the SGA, one senate representative (appointed by the senate president), and one member from Office of Financial Affairs.  The charge of that committee is to advise the ACAC regarding priorities for the use of the Student Computer Technology Fee.

NEW BUSINESS
Nick Dunagan expressed his appreciation to Linda Ramsey, the executive committee, and the faculty for their work this year.  He stated that Dr. Conn is looking forward to coming to Martin.

President Ramsey expressed thanks to the following people, and gave them a token of her appreciation: Wilma Prater, Connie Cantrell, Shelby Webb, Carolyn Gresham, Edie Gibson, Dorothy Gillon, Kendall Blanchard, Nick Dunagan, the Executive Committee, and Kristy Crocker.  She presented Steve Rogers with a plaque to show appreciation for his work as senate secretary this year.

The floor was granted to President-Elect Jerald Ogg, who briefly mentioned things he wanted to work on next year.  He also presented President Ramsey with a plaque showing appreciation for her work this past year.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:39 p.m.
 

 
Linda Ramsey, President
Steve Rogers, Secretary