OUR SENATE TURNS 50!
The first Senate constitution was approved in Spring of 1964, so this Spring marks the 50th year of formal faculty governance at SSU. Watch for celebration events this year!
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Meet the New Chancellor!!!
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Chancellor White will visit SSU on October 9th. An Open Forum will be held in Weill Hall at 4:00pm. If you have questions for the Chancellor and cannot make this event, you may send your questions to any member of the Executive Committee and they will ask on your behalf.
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Upcoming Election! Watch your email for directions for voting. Last call for nominations for: Statewide Senator and 4 faculty for Search Committee for GMC Artistic Director. Nominations can be emailed to Richard Senghas.
Electronic Student Evaluations of Teaching Effectiveness are here. More below.
The Senate Budget Subcommittee has been working hard to convert last year's extensive faculty feedback on clarifying SSU budgeting principles and identifying strategies for generating new resources into a series of reports and recommendations. See more here here.
The Academic Planning Committee developed and the Senate and President approved a new policy on Online and/or Hybrid Instruction. APC is now working on a policy for working the SEIE (School of Extended and International Education) on various kinds of curriculum.
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Resolutions approved Spring 2013
Resolution to Guarantee Year-Round On-Campus Housing for Current and Former Foster Youth Attending SSU here.
Resolution Urging Amendments to California SB 520, Steinberg (D-Sacramento) Creating the "California Online Student Access Platform" here
Resolution in Support of an SSU Statement on Civility and Tolerance here.
Resolution in Support of the War and Peace Lecture Series approved here.
Resolution on the Continuing Service of Margaret Purser and Richard Senghas approved by acclamation here.
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| General Topics of Discussion |
Budget
The Senate Budget Subcommittee is following up on the recommendations it made to the Senate late last spring semester. The first goal is to develop a simple one- or two-page spreadsheet on the SSU budget, modeled on those available for a number of other CSU campuses. This spreadsheet and other materials will be used to facilitate campus discussions later this semester and in the spring semester, to respond to faculty requests to more information on SSU's budgeting process, and more budgeting information in an easily accessible format. Stay tuned for dates and times.
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Electronic SETEs
FSAC is working closely with Faculty Affairs to implement online SETE's for all classes this Fall. Soon, FSAC will be asking for your input on developing policy regarding the use of the data that will become available from online SETE's, so check your email and get involved in the discussion. Contact your School Rep on FSAC for more information - find them here.
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First Annual Governance Social
The first annual university governance social was held on August 29th in the Commons. We had a great turnout from student governance and a good time was had by all who hung around or dropped by after the Senate meeting. Good eats, good conversation mixed with Pandora's picks based on Pink Martini. Look for more of these in the future and plan to join us.
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Policies Important to Faculty
Two new policies of particular interest to faculty have been initiated by governance. As referenced above, a new Policy on Online and/or Hybrid Instruction has been approved through the President. A new policy on Course Instruction Materials Adoption has passed the Senate in the Spring now awaits President approval.
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Report to Structure and Functions about Non-Voters
S&F received a report from the Senate Analyst describing the characteristics of faculty who did not vote in the last election. This report will help systematically inform the composition of focus groups to further inquire with faculty about what would motivate them to vote and how they perceive governance. Astonishingly, 37 faculty who were currently serving in governance at the time of the election did not vote. Our goal with this project is to help our faculty governance be more relevant and meaningful to all the faculty. If you are asked to participate in a focus group, we very much hope you will help us in this endeavor.
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Curricular Items approved in Spring 2013
- Revision to B.S. in Physics and Applied Physics
- Change to GE Area B unit accounting
- Revision/reduction from 124 to 120 units for the Kinesiology major
- Revision/reduction from 124 to 120 units for the Computer Science
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Sonoma State University Academic Senate
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