Minutes

of

the Purdue University Calumet

Senate Meeting

of September 1, 2004

SFLC 321 - 3rd Floor

PRESENT: Senators C. Boiarsky, J. Coffey, Y. Choi, S. Conners, M. Dakich, M.Darayseh, M.Didelot,
D. Gray, A.Gregory, J. Hack ((Presiding Officer), L. Hollingsworth, N. Jackson, S. Lerner, M. Marthaler, M. Mojtahed, L. Mura, M.O’Toole, D. Pick,  R. Stankowski, J. Tazbir, Chancellor Cohen, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs N. Ibrahim,  Vice Chancellor for Student Services L. Bryant, Interim Vice Chancellor for Advancement F. DeHaan, Parliamentarian F. Colucci, and Secretary A.Agosto-Severa.

ABSENT: M. Longas, O. Farook, A. Mitra, A. Russell, SGA Representative                   

GUESTS:  R. Biddings, R. Evans, M. Gealt, L. Herr, S. Howard, R. Jensen, R. Kramer,
                   B. Pellicciotti, D. Tomko (Chronicle),

I.          Call to Order.

Chair J. Hack called the Senate meeting to order at 3:37 pm.

II.        Approval of the Agenda.

The Chair called for a motion to approve agenda.    Motion to approve the Agenda was made by Professor Lerner. Seconded by Professor Mura.    Motion PASSED Agenda was approved as submitted.

III.       Approval of the Minutes
            The Chair called for the approval of the April 28, 2004 minutes.  Motion to approve the
             minutes was made by Professor Lerner.  Professor Mojtahed indicated that the
             minutes be corrected to reflect that he was present at the Senate meeting of
             April 28th.    Seconded by Professor Stankowski.    Motion PASSED.  Minutes
             approved  as corrected.
 

IV.       Chancellor's Report

·        The Chancellor extended a welcome to the Senators.  He reported this year he would be meeting with the leaders of all the governance groups to think about what could be done to strengthen the University Forum.  This will provide an opportunity to deal with issues that can otherwise get out of hand such as the parking on campus. 

·        The Chancellor reported that the Park and Ride shuttle program is going well and he thanked Professor Marthaler for taking the first ride on opening day.  The students are using the shuttle system.  He thanked everyone who helped bring the parking plan to implementation.

·        This year the Academic Integrity task force will result in the development of  an Honor Pledge, an Honor code and a handbook.  This is a very significant issue in Higher education this year.  Purdue University Calumet needs to make a strong stand on academic integrity.

·        Chancellor Cohen reported that September 10 is the Night for Northwest Indiana event.  This is a joint fund raising effort between Purdue Calumet, WYIN Channel 56 and Northwest Indiana Symphony.  The funds Purdue Calumet will raise will support the Chancellor's scholarship fund for Valedictorian or Salutatorians High School students. The centerpiece for this celebration will be a concert by Tony Bennett.  Tickets are still available and those interested should contact the Office of Advancement.

·        The Chancellor reported that this year the university is making preparations for receiving students who will be living on campus next year.  He appointed a task force on way finding to review campus signage.  The student lounge area in SFLC is currently undergoing remodeling to create a more student friendly and comfortable environment.

The Chancellor asked the Vice Chancellors for updates in their respective areas.

·        Vice Chancellor Ibrahim reported on several initiatives in Academic Affairs.  He reported that there will be an office for Faculty Development which will be led by an Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Development and will house a number of programs such as the Honors Program; Undergraduate research; Center for Instructional Excellence; Grants and Contracts.  Another area is the development of the Technology center in Merrillville will be providing opportunities to help our involvement in economic development.  We have also received a grant from the Lilly foundation that has provided placement of students in Internships with start up companies in the technology area.  There will be ninety people who will be participating in the competition for Business plans with an award of $50,000 and $25,000 for the best business plan. 

·        Vice Chancellor Bryant provided an overview on enrollment.  He reported a six- year high in Admission of entering students.  Dr. Bryant indicated that we are up in every measurable category such as headcount, billing and credit hours.  He further reported that New Student Orientation conducted over 23 sessions and the program was very successful during its first year. The program will be evaluated and improvements made where needed.
Dr. Bryant also reported that the student housing project is progressing and
occupancy for Fall 2005 is still on target.

·        Interim Vice Chancellor DeHaan reported that his office will be working with the various Schools to develop a greater connection between alumni and the university in an effort

IV.       Report of the Chair of the Senate

·       Chair Hack welcomed the Faculty and introduced the various officers of the
      Senate.  She announced that Professor Conners was elected chair of the
      Agenda committee.  The Chair asked all members of the Senate to introduce
      themselves.

·       The Chair asked all Senate members to stay after the meeting to have pictures
      taken for an update to the Website.  Leticia Herr was present to take the
      photos.

·       Professor Hack reported that Summer was busy in terms of planning for the transition of the Senate leadership.  Various issues were addressed such as the Facilities Usage report distributed by Student Services and the Park & Ride program.  She met with the Library director to discuss the update to the Senate website and replacement of the server.  The Senate documents from 1969 through 1996 were digitalized and will be available on the web.

Professor Conners will serve at the representative on the West Lafayette Senate.  She reported that the Senate would be meeting on September 13th.

V.        Special Business of the Day

Smoking Policy- R. Jensen, Wellness, Fitness & Sports     
The Chair introduced Rob Jensen to discuss the smoking policy, which was instituted in February 2003.  He reported that the new policy addressed the areas where smoking would be allowed.  There were many complaints generated by staff, faculty and students regarding the lack of compliance to the new policy.  The Wellness Council met to address these complaints.  They conducted problem-solving sessions to help resolve the problems.  They also spoke informally to smokers on campus and conducted a month long survey funded through a grant received from Smoke Free Indiana.  The Chancellor asked the committee to gather information and present the findings or recommendations to the various governance groups on campus.  The committee recommendations include 1) no change in policy and an increase in signage, 2) a smoke free campus environment.

Professor Lerner made a motion that the Senate back the policy and focus attention on the importance of education on the health issues.  Seconded by Professor Conners.  Motion Passed

The minutes will reflect this approval for the Chancellor's deliberation.

VI.       Unfinished Business.

None

VII.     Reports of the Committees.

Agenda Committee.

Professor Conners reported that the committee met and approved the agenda for today’s meeting.    TheAgenda committee met with Professor Evans from the Academic Integrity Task Force.  Professor Evans provided an update on the work of the Academic Integrity Task Force.  She asked the members of the Agenda committee to meet after the Senate meeting to set up future meeting dates.

Academic Support Services Committee.

Professor Conners reported that the committee has not yet met.

Curriculum & Educational Policy Committee.


 Professor Tazbir reported that the committee would meet on Wednesday, September 22 from 1-2 pm in SFLC 311.  She invited everyone to attend this meeting to learn about the process for preparation of curriculum documents.  Professor Mura requested that the invitation be extended to all academic departments

Faculty Affairs Committee.


            Professor Boiarsky reported that the committee will meet to review the Joint
            appointments on the Promotion and Tenure document.

Nominating Committee.


Professor Mojtahed reported that the committee has not yet met but that a meeting will soon be scheduled.
 

Student Affairs Committee.


 Professor Y. Choi introduced Professor Evans who reported on the work of the Academic Integrity Task force. He provided a summary and a resolution that will be distributed to the Senate.  The elements of the work of the committee is 1) the development of the Pledge, 2) an honor code which sets the context for the pledge, and 3) a handbook to ensure consistency in the policy. The task force will be requesting the establishment of this committee as a standing sub-committee of the Senate. 
The Student Affairs committee will also be reviewing the feasibility of Textbook Rental.  Professor Pick is chairing the task force.  The committee met on June 22 to review what could be done to help student's save money on textbooks.

Student Government.

Dr. Bryant reported that Student Government is undergoing a re-organization.  Evelyn Botando has been hired by Student Activities to assist with this process.  It was recommended that the chair invite her to the next Senate meeting.

IX.       Other New Business.


            None

X.        Adjournment.


 The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.