Approval of Previous Minutes —

Chris Wallace made amotion to approve the September 13 minutes.  Justin Blumenstiel seconded the motion.  All approved and none opposed.  Minutes were approved.

Guest Speaker Presentation —

Ada Emmett, Ombuds joined the meeting to give input to the relevant code language changes that were discussed at the previous meeting.  Ada suggested that we take “we accept grievances” as the Ombuds does not do that.  Instead, she suggested “…help informally resolve individual grievances for the community.”  The group discussed moving section 6.2 up to section 6.1, like a preamble.  Next, there was a discussion about the years of experience at KU required for the Ombuds position. The group discussed if three years of experience was the right amount.  Ada said that she and Mike had discussed the years of experience needed.  In the past, the reason it was ten years required could have been that’s when you’re going up for Professor and you’d understand what it’s like to go up for tenure.  Ada said she is comfortable with 3-5 years.  Another suggestion was to make a global change of Ombudsman to Ombuds, which is considered a technical change.

Approval of the revisions was taken by an email vote distributed by Ani after the meeting.  The vote was in favor, unanimous.

Student Senate Report

She is revising the list of student senators and will send an update to Suzanne.  They removed 10 student senators who weren’t attending. 

Staff Senate Report

They met with the Provost yesterday.  They talked about remote workforce policy and HR to review one time a year.  We’ve gotten feedback about how this has not been uniformly applied.  Jessica will follow up with Mike Rounds to get more information. The paid time holiday winter break may not happen.  She discussed notice of non-reappointment and that she met with HR.  Accountability and oversight will be reviewed.  What they do on the staff side will be reflected on the faculty side.  Jeff Chasen said that non-reappointment numbers on faculty will be shared and we will meet at least once a year.  Jessica said they will all meet in May and look at the data and address code.  Jessica said there were about 12 to 13 non reappointments per year. 

Faculty Senate Report

He discussed the native remains and program discontinuance.  He discussed a survey for non-tenured track faculty on campus to assess how they are feeling.  He discussed the recent conviction that was dropped for the KU researcher.

University Senate Report

Ani Kokobobo reported on shared governance and the document they are created.  There are four phases, which she briefly discussed.  Two areas mentioned for communication were the broadcast channel and meeting with dean’s leadership team which has group meetings with the provost.

Unfinished Business —

Chris Wallace made a motion to move forward with the shared governance document that Ani presented.  Alessia Garcia seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously. 

New Business —

Nate said that Wint Winter of the Regents was invited to the next Faculty Senate meeting.  He said that Winter is tenured focused.

Chris Wallace made a motion to move to a closed session.  Corey Maley seconded.