Approval of Previous Minutes —

Meeting minutes from December 12, 20204 and February 6, 2025, were sent before the meeting. There was a motion to approve the minutes by Frank Weinhold. The motions was seconded by Josh Arpin.. Motion passed by acclamation.

Guest Speaker Presentation —

Guest Speaker. Rusty Monhollon, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Kansas Board of Regents. Sam introduced Dr. Monhollon. Sam said that Dr. Monhollon was invited to speak about general education matters and respond to the Faculty Senate Core 34 letter. 

Comments and Responses

• Comment: The KU Faculty should have authority and responsibility on evaluating classes and teaching.

Response. Curriculum is primarily the responsibility of KU faculty, but not solely. KBOR has a role in shaping the curriculum. There was faculty involvement in developing this general education.

• Comment. KU faculty would like some control over the list of courses that meet the outcomes. Some courses, especially interdisciplinary, are being left in the current system.

Response. This seems like a reasonable request and something that may be able to be flushed out and worthy of a discussion.

• Comments. The 120-hour rule is problematic in the School of Music. It would be helpful if exceptions to the 120-hour rule are allowed. 

Response. This can be a source of further discussion.

• What are your priorities?

Response. Administrative issues and processes. A priority is that the system needs to work for transfer students. 

• Comment. There is a lack of integration of research that is specific to students’ education. This is a disservice to students in their education. This is viewed outside of the classroom.
• Comment: What types of transfer students is Core 34 designed to help?
• Response. A student who has completed an associate’s degree has completed general education requirement. It does not relieve students of completing requirements of a specific program.
• Comment. Are there numbers on negative impacts? 

Response. We know transfer students going to universities end up taking 12 more hours than non-transfers. This is national data. We are trying to reduce added credits for transfer students.

• Comment. Our contribution as faculty is to decide what courses can meet the outcomes or goals set.

Response. We could present these arguments to the Regents. 

• Comment. What are some issues that KBOR is hearing?

Response. Provided info on report from Washington. The tenure issue is important. 

Faculty Senate Report

Sam reported the following.

• Josh and Sam met with the Provost and Chancellor.
• Worked with FacEx on changes to the CODE.
• Sam will attend the KBOR meeting next Wednesday and will follow up with that meeting.
• Collaborating with the Council of Faculty Presidents on statements. They thought it would be good to have two statements. Sam would like to get approval to release the statement and the unified statement as or when needed.

University Senate Report

Josh reported the following.

• Sam and Josh went to the Higher Learning Commission event.
• We discussed Grade Replacement Policy in the University Senate Meeting. We will change in the SenEx meeting and it will go to the University Senate meeting in April.
• We sent two letters to the administration from SenEx: Gateway District Project, which asked all of the hard questions. The other was the letter of support to a student resolution on the dual employment issue.
• We potentially have a change coming about competency-based education.

Unfinished Business —

There was a discussion on the speaker’s remarks. Senators gave feedback on the discussion.

Sam shared a statement that was approved by FacEx about House Bill 2348. He shared another statement from the Council. There was a discussion. There was a motion to grant Sam authority to release the letter, if needed. first. Josh Arpin made the motion to accept this. Roberta seconded. None opposed. Motion passed by acclamation.

New Business —

University Senate Code Proposals:

Three proposed Code changes were distributed prior to the meeting.

Roberta Schwartz made a motion to suspend the rules and vote the same day as initial consideration for the three proposals.. Frank Weinhold seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 

• University Senate Code Article II, Section 4 Election of Officers. Specific change: Create a liaison for UAKU.

There was a motion to accept the proposed changes to Article II, Section 4, Election of Officers. Brendan Mattingly made a motion to accept the change. Roberta Schwartz seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

• University Senate Code Article XIII, Section 2 Membership Faculty Rights Board. Specific change: remove “tenured” and allow all faculty.

There was a motion to accept the proposed changes to Article XII, Section 2, Membership of Faculty Rights Board. There was a discussion. Roberta Schwart made a motion to accept the changes. Josh Arpin seconded. The motion passed with 13 in favor and 2 opposed. 

• University Senate Code Article XIII Section 2 Membership Standards and Procedures on Promotion and Tenure Committee. … Proposed addition of the VP or "Associate Vice Provost" for Faculty Affairs shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Committee on Standards and Procedures for Promotion and Tenure committee. Sean Seyer made a motion to approve. Frank Weinhold seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned.