Members Present: G. Avent, E. Bateman, D. Bolinder, A. Cates, P. Cortez, F. Daniels, K. Dannehl, X. Du, S. Ehrmann,J. Emerson, H. Estes, P. Fox, D. Gonzales, M. Hall, G. Heberer, B. Hofland, C. Hyslop, P. Jones, P. Josey, R. Kampf, J. Kempster, P. Klem, J. Larson, J. Licht, K. Martin, M. McFarlane, C. McMullen, K. Mowrey, P. O'Hanahan, L. Owens, M. Ports, C. Pyatt, B. Robertson, J. Rosenthal, L. Sanchez-Saenz, S. Sanders, K. Schwandt, J. Shaw, R. Siler, G. Smith, Ja. Smith, P. Smith, T. Staley, G. Sundseth, L. Uhlenkott, P. Warren, J. Williams

Others Present: Cliff Ferry and Kristen Kolsh, GBC Strategic Plan; Chris Mitchell, “The Vagina Monologues”

1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 1:18 p.m. Chair Daniels declared a quorum present. Three proxy votes were noted.
2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Chair Daniels welcomed everyone to Senate. Patty Jones of the Foundation was introduced as a new employee and non-teaching Faculty Senate member.
3. “THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES”: Chris Mitchell, a Classified Staff member and student of the college, presented a petition for support from the Senate to bring “The Vagina Monologues” back to Elko, this time on the college campus. Chris thanked the overwhelming support shown by faculty during the first performance. The last performance was a large success with audiences to full capacity at Pat Palmer's Cowboy Joe's Eastside coffee shop. The group has been approached by various community and college members to consider undertaking the project once again. The project itself is sponsored through the author, Eve Ensler, who wrote the book as a healing mechanism for her own experiences with incest and domestic abuse. With the success of the book and then the play, Eve began her non-profit organization, V-Day. V-Day's mission is to end violence in general, but specifically bring an end to violence against women and girls. Through V-Day, Eve allows performances of “The Vagina Monologues” without payment of copyrights or royalties to college's who use performance profits to benefit organizations which intercede on behalf of violence victims. Many questions arise as to why this is so important for Elko. There is a need as substantiated by the Committee Against Domestic Violence where it is reported that domestic violence is wide-spread throughout Elko County. Having colleges perform the piece targets audiences which will be able to have a dramatic impact in recognizing/preventing behaviors and passing laws to protect victims. Much controversy appears to have surfaced over the title of the play. Chris Mitchell explained that the purpose is quite clear to those who have seen a performance or have read the book. The play is tackling the tough questions of shame, ownership, and inferiority which has enabled an anatomically correct term to be seen as dirty. However, there is also the direct realization that violence against women and girls in most instances is targeted upon this area of a woman's body. The proceeds from the performances will benefit a local organization; proceeds from the last performances benefited CADV. The performances are not unique to the system; UNR and UNLV are holding performances during the academic year also in conjunction with V-Day. UNLV will be hosting the author, Eve Ensler, on November 2 and Chris Mitchell and performance director Wendy Ramirez will be attending the workshop event. The GBC performances are scheduled for February 12, 13, 14 in the GBC Theatre. John Patrick Rice has approved the use of the theatre and has stated that there are no performance conflicts. There are also plans for a short film festival and an art exhibit to be held in conjunction with the V-Day event. A motion was made and unanimously approved to support the performances of “The Vagina Monologues” on the college campus, specifically in the college theatre.
4. STRATEGIC PLAN: Cliff Ferry, a respected retired administrator with the college, has been asked to work with GBC in the development of its strategic plan. The project was in direct response to an accreditation recommendation, although it will serve many facets including requests for a five-year institutional plan by the UCCSN. All of the working subdivisions of the college develop their individual plans (i.e., facilities, academic, foundation, economic, economic development for Elko region, etc.). Most of these individual plans have been updated on a regular basis with the academic plan being the core. Four goals have been established, keeping with the current vision of the institution through individual planning and incorporating accreditation recommendations, which will construct an active, usable institutional strategic master plan document. Cliff Ferry will be meeting with individual groups to garner additional information.
   1. Goal 1: Educational Programs – This goal refers to the current operational programs as well as the additional programs to be established by 2009. It also will refer to meeting the academic recommendations or concerns of the NWASC Evaluation Committee: evaluation of learning outcomes, a long-range plan for distance education, increased enrollment projections, etc. Much of the work is being accomplished by individual Faculty Senate committees. Additions to these goals will be seen over time making it the largest of the goals.
   2. Goal 2: Resources – This goal refers to such issues as faculty workload, faculty recruitment and faculty evaluation; budgeting formulas and staffing; equipment and technology needs; and goals for the GBC Foundation.
   3. Goal 3: Culture – This goal refers to collegiality and communication within all facets of the college; student services, evaluation of services; and program and institutional improvement.
   4. Goal 4: Economic and Community Development – The goal refers to the institutional role in the economic and community development for our service area.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the September 12, 2003 meeting were unanimously approved.
6. SENATE CHAIR REPORT:
   1. Board of Regents – Chair Daniels and Vice Chair Schwandt attended the meeting intermittently due to instructional conflicts. Vice Chair Schwandt attended the Council of Senate Chairs on October 8 and Chair Daniels had the privilege of attending the full board meeting on October 9.
      1. Adjunct Salary Proposal – A proposal was accepted which sets the target salary for community colleges at $806 per credit hour by 2010. Current GBC average is approximately $460 (a range of $420 - $495). President Killpatrick supported the plan strongly stating that the adjuncts deserve it.
      2. A Circus of Language – Chair Daniels entertained Senate with several comical glimpses to the serious business at hand.
         1. Athletic programs were discussed in great length with most, if not all, Regents going on record as being athletic supporters and one Regent calling for a return to “the glory days.”
         2. Procedural action pertaining to the extra fees for the UNLV student center (carry over from last meeting) ensued which erupted a great deal of passion from one board member who made a dramatic exit (also a carry over from last meeting).
         3. It was noted in regards to presidential evaluations that it can never be quite determined who the presidents are in bed with.
         4. After major revision and reduction, approximately six values for the Regents statement were adopted which, evidently, should mirror the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Final language is forthcoming.
         5. There is money available for students to enter orthodontics programs, however, the donor of the money was heavily criticized by a particular Regent.
         6. The System is proposing a name change. Suggestions included “The Nevada System of Higher Education;” a suggestion which seemed to garner the most support.
      3. GBC will host the Board of Regents in June.
      4. The FTE reporting dates have been moved to the end of the semesters, in January and June, which will allow a more reliable figure.
   2. Procedural Author Extraordinaire Eric Bateman – Professor Eric Bateman was congratulated for the statement on textbook adoption at GBC. The Chancellor's Office commended the statement and requested that all other institutions use the GBC as the model when formulating their language.
   3. B-Designated Courses – B-designated courses currently do not transfer to other system institutions. GBC Professor Ed Nickel defended that the omission of B-designation for GBC courses are at the institution's discretion due to BoR Handbook definition which gives such authority to those institutions which accept transfer credit toward baccalaureate education. GBC clearly meets this definition.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
   1. Academic Standards – Written report; the report was approved with one opposed. The committee met on October 6 and reviewed the following student submissions:
      1. Don Gilbertson was recommended award of 10 credits of experiential credit.
      2. Yvonne Webb was recommended waiver of INT 349.
      3. Denise Bradshaw was recommended waiver of INT 349. There was a discrepancy on the feelings of the academic department and the findings of the Assessment Committee. However, Academic Standards felt that the college should honor the student's AA degree.
      4. Academic Standards made two general recommendations for experiential credit of the AAS in Mining Management. The program is still in the preliminary discussion stage. Senate requests that the committee review the guidelines of Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to ensure that the recommendations meet typical policy. Experiential credit should not be based on experience, but on the amount of knowledge and skills which the student holds and which meet the instruction of the institution. In other words, the number of years does not necessary equate to the amount of knowledge held. Institutional policy appears to give a number of credits for work experience if substantiated; the policy language may be open to interpretation. It was noted that the block credit policy of other institutions in the nation is usually granted for up to 25% of program requirements for areas of expertise; therefore, the proposed scale substantiates the formula for certain levels of management experience. Academic Standards argues that awarding of credit is not automatic; petitions with required substantiation must come before the committee for approval. The scale gives the department a tool to use with the mining companies who will enroll their employees. General Education courses and management core courses will not be waived; the credit comes in the form of credit for electives. This portion of the report was for information only and no action need be taken at this time.
   2. Assessment Committee – Written report; unanimously approved. The committee is working on a process to respond to the criticism in Policy 2.2 of the Accreditation Report. The committee is requesting support to hold a faculty workshop in January to discuss and implement the inclusion of learning outcomes into syllabi across the curriculum. Progress must be shown by Fall 2004 for the accreditation follow-up visit in 2005. Faculty requests that adjuncts be invited and involved in the forum as convenient and that administrative allowances be made for occupational education faculty who will already be in the classroom. The committee will be responsible for the coordination of the workshop; the committee will make arrangements so that the workshop reaches a majority of faculty. A plan will be brought forward at the next Senate meeting.
   3. Bylaws – Report withdrawn. A report should be available by the next Senate meeting.
   4. Compensation and Benefits – Written report; information only. The System Faculty Workload Taskforce report was given to the committee by Chair Daniels. The committee will be meeting next week with Administration to discuss the financial feasibility of the proposed workload plan. Faculty notes that the delegation to faculty of administrative functions does have a tremendous impact, especially with the money being distributed from instructional dollars; each institution handles the situation differently. The report from Vice President for Administrative Services Diekhans is confusing and appears to be inaccurate; the committee will request an explanation.
   5. Curriculum and Articulation – Written report; approved. The committee brought the following items forward for Senate consideration.
      1. The committee proposes an addition to the Course Articulation Form which delegates that the course “Is an Elective within a Program.”
      2. The committee requested approval of several courses. The committee is requesting clarification on measurable outcomes for HIST 401. Many syllabi do not incorporate such indices although through the Assessment Committee this will be rectified. The committee will discuss the item further since it may not be justifiable to require a standard which is not in practice throughout the college.
      3. The committee recommended the following courses for approval: GEO 371, NRS 101, ANS 101, NRS 100, TT200B, and MGT 251. It was noted that MGT 251 was under previous discussion by the faculty regarding authority for removal of the “B” designation. The committee decided to request approval and await the outcome of system-level action.
   6. Distance Education – Written report; information only.
      1. The committee discussed prioritization of interactive course times. The college has a limited number of time blocks available and must find a system of prioritization. The committee requests faculty input for development of a two-year template. The committee will meet with President Killpatrick in the upcoming week and would like to have a proposed solution outlined. The number of IAV courses continues to increase; however, no additional infrastructure has been proposed under the auspices that there is no available funding. Certain remote sites may be meeting their total bandwidth allowances which will not enable use of additional infrastructure and acquiring additional bandwidth is an expensive undertaking for the System. Currently, classes receive priority for scheduling with meetings being secondary, which also imposes limitations on efficiency for GBC which relies heavily on this technology to limit travel time. Increased course use will make scheduling long-distance meetings more troublesome.
      2. The committee asks for clarification on the extensive amount of distance course submission sheets which appeared in each department's mailboxes. Many of them are not feasible for IAV instruction (labs, etc.). Departments should be solicited to consider offering instruction in those sites to save on paperwork and effort. The purpose is to service the more remote sites and boost enrollment in those areas. This was a trial performance; one which will probably not be repeated. The cooperation of the faculty is appreciated.
      3. The committee is requesting the use of extended syllabi to be used in conjunction with IAV courses. Hybrid courses through WebCT are one suggestion. It will save the time for the instructor, the facilitator, and the students. Curriculum Development is willing to offer training and support.
      4. The committee would like to see increased use of GBC courses in the remote sites. Suggestions include open houses. Faculty urges the department not to divide the service population – serving the population with core courses or specific courses of interest. An upcoming grant-funded needs survey should target this question.
      5. The training for WebCT courses has been modified with the use of a website. This is will a tremendous savings in the amount of equipment and postage which is seen by issuing individual instructional CD's and correspondence.
      6. The committee would like see increased faculty participation in training sessions for interactive video and online courses.
   7. Personnel Committee – Written report; approved as amended. The committee brought forth several items for consideration.
      1. Faculty was reminded that the deadline for receipt of sabbatical applications is October 31.
      2. The search committee for the position of the Vice President of Academic Affairs will be chaired by Deputy to the President Danny Gonzales although extensive faculty involvement is welcomed. Dr. Mike McFarlane, Dr. Cydnee McMullen, Prof. Bret Murphy, Prof. John Patrick Rice, Dir. Pat Warren, Dir. Lynette Macfarlan and Dr. Jack Smith are the initial committee recommendations for committee composition.
      3. A faculty hiring list was distributed to faculty for consideration. The committee informed Senate that there had been very recent changes which have affected the report and that the political nature of the report has been very complicated. Committee Chair Jack Smith presented substantiation for the list. It is noted that certain positions are current line position and do not affect the ranking of new positions.
         1. History position vacated by Dr. Shrock will be re-advertised in order to fulfill the requirements as a tenure-track position. The position has been temporarily filled by Dr. Peter Klem who was brought on just prior to the beginning of the academic year. This position is funded; no Senate approval is required for this item.
         2. Eric Bateman has stated a willingness to accept a lateral transfer to the Winnemucca student advisory position. The Vice President for Academic Affairs has been informed of Prof. Bateman's intentions. This position is funded; no Senate action or approval is required for this item.
         3. Computer Office Technology will continue to fill their vacant position through the services of Linda Reber. This position is funded; no Senate action or approval is required for this item.
         4. Vice President Elliott will be moving into a teaching role for general biology. Faculty will be absorbing the position which will be funded according to established Board of Regents practice and regulation. Vice President for Administrative Services assured the committee that the money was in place so as not to affect needed positions. Funding for the position will take affect in Fall 2004. As part of system policy, VP Elliott will be taking a one-semester sabbatical in order to prepare for return to the classroom; she is expected to take up instruction in Spring 2005. This position is partially funded; no Senate action or approval is required for this item.
         5. Please note that this item was added to the minutes after adjournment but in conjunction with the wishes of Chair Daniels. The education position previously held by Nancy Remington may need to be filled. The committee was asked to plan for the possibility of replacement. The position is funded; no Senate approval is required for this item.
         6. The prioritized list of new positions has been discussed and revised twice before being brought to Senate for consideration. The committee informed Senate that list is basically fictitious. The funding for the additional adjunct pay increases will take one position as will placing into reality the funding of the revised faculty workload proposal. A motion was made to accept the list as discussed to allow the committee to proceed as applicable. The motion was unanimously accepted.
            1. Nursing - After discussion by the Chancellor and the Regent's mandate for increased nursing instruction with no Regent funding, it has occurred to the committee that a rank for a nursing position may take more precedence than the rank indicated on the distributed report. The committee clarified that this position has no affect on the BSN program. VP Elliott will be moving into a teaching position; however, by mandate of the State Board of Nursing, nursing faculty must hold at least a Master's in the nursing field and, therefore, VP Elliott's instructional position will be of no assistance to this need beyond support of the general education courses. Therefore, the committee recommends that the position take first priority in the list of faculty hires.
            2. English – This position will fill the 40% of Eric Bateman's duties and the position held by Christiana Varner whose contract will not be renewed for the next academic year. Additional hire recommendations may follow in next academic year.
            3. Molecular Biology – The position is immediately required for proposed concentration areas within institutional programs. The department may have to substantiate the need of the position when hiring action on the list is undertaken. Molecular Biology deals specifically at the cellular level which is substantially different than general biological science.
            4. Business/Accounting – The position will fill the vacancy within the department left by Heather Estes who accepted the administrative oversight of the Winnemucca Branch. The department requested the change from Business/Finance to Business/Accounting in order to meet the needs of a proposed AAS Accounting program, an Accounting Certificate program, in addition to established programs' enrollments and requirements (i.e., BAIPS, Land Surveying, Mine Management).
            5. EMS (Health Sciences) – This recommendation, at the request of the department, was changed to EMS (Health Sciences) from EMS (Nursing) to better describe the position required. The committee supports the recommendation on the reasonable assumption of acquired FTE; the current average FTE over a five year period of time is 33. Continuing Education has been exploring a paramedic program. Through the current grant, the EMS program has been able to offer a substantial amount of instruction by IAV; although there have been barriers within the clinical experience and field experience requirements. The Elko Fire Department has approached the college to issue Paramedic Training for their current Fire Fighters. Surprisingly, standards for the programs are set by the Department of Transportation. Rural areas are most in need of instructional opportunities.
            6. Surveyor – Please note that following the full Senate meeting, justification was made for a position to cover the upcoming Surveying Program; the item was added to the minutes after adjournment but in conjunction with the wishes of Chair Daniels. The position may initially be funded for one year by the sponsoring organization; however, to establish a permanent tenure-track hire, the position should be part of the current list. The committee heard the substantiation and allowed inclusion of the position on the final list distributed to Administration.
            7. Technical Theatre – The proposal will not immediately create a large FTE difference. The Speech and Theatre Department's FTE has increased steadily over the years with only one full-time instructor. The college continues to be increasingly seen as a cultural epicenter for the community and the addition of the position will relieve a great burden for Professor John Rice allowing him to increase the number of his courses taught each semester while relieving the areas of theatrical coordination required of his position.
            8. Criminal Justice/Political Science/Sociology – The position is in response to the overburdened Social Science Department. The workload will continue to increase with the addition of the Social Work program.
      4. The committee brought before a detailed procedure for the filling of academic and administrative vacancies. The committee informed Senate that slight revisions were required just prior to Senate; therefore, the procedures were read to the Senate in completion (please see attached – revisions included) with clarifications provided as needed. Included in the report was a summary for Search Committee Chairs listing responsibilities which was not presented to faculty for approval as it simply summarized the duties for Search Committee Chairs. Senate was advised that the procedures specifically refer to Faculty Senate's role in the hiring process. The Senate informed the committee of an incident during the summer which called into question by an Administrator the honesty of a search committee during an evening dinner engagement. The hiring committee meeting outside a formal setting, with or without the candidate(s) present, can cause problems in terms of privileged information in relation to those members of the committee not included – even if absent members are invited to attend and subsequently decline the invitation - which may be in violation of federal hiring policies. Senate noted that there have been several instances of lunch engagements which take place during the day-long interviewing process. Language will be included which specifically prohibits outside committee contact with an interviewee. Campus tours of the interviewee(s) will be conducted by senior support staff or by a student representative provided by Student Central/SGA. Informal dialogue by committee members outside formal committee structure will also be prohibited. The Senate would like to include the invitation of staff and students to any teaching demonstrations; the committee agreed and will make this adjustment to the procedure. A motion was made to accept the procedures with the incorporation of all recommendations. The motion was unanimously accepted.
   8. Student Relations Committee – The committee is without a chair following the departure of Beth Kern. Dr. Mike Hall will consider the position. The committee recommends Julie Smith although not a member of the committee. The committee's decision will be brought forward at the next Senate meeting.
8. FOUR YEAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
   1. BAS – Written report; information only. The program has 17 applications pending for the February meeting. There are 85 active students; 2 on probation and 2 graduating in December.
   2. BAIPS – An Arts and Humanities Administration program concentration area was brought to the committee by John Rice for consideration. More information regarding the concentration is pending and will be made available to faculty at the earliest possible opportunity.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
   1. Code Changes Regarding Tenure – The system senates have eliminated the “needs improvement” situation which created extensive controversy. CCSN took issue with entities/individuals allowed access to personnel files which is a part of the existing procedures and was not under earlier recommendation for revision. A motion was made to accept the procedures as stated with affirmation of the CCSN recommendation restricting personnel file access (Section 4). The motion was unanimously accepted.
10. NEW BUSINESS: No new business was brought forward.
11. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
    1. David R. Pierce Award – This is a technology award sponsored by Microsoft which awards an unrestricted $5,000 with the winner recognized at an annual convention of community colleges. One person from each institution may be nominated. Nominations were submitted via ballot and faculty was encouraged to have votes into the Chair Daniels as soon as possible.
       1. Following adjournment, ballots were tallied with overwhelming nomination votes received for Cindy Hyslop, long-time adjunct instructor within the COT department and Interim Information Development Technologist.
    2. NENV Museum – The NENV Museum has a list of activities planned during the summer which incorporates a number of humanities lectures. The lectures may be topic specific. Faculty is asked to consider participation as presenters for the lecture forums.
    3. Senate Goodies – Prof. Patty Fox was thanked for providing the refreshments for the day's meeting. Dr. Anna Cates graciously volunteered to provide refreshments for the November 14 meeting of the Faculty Senate.
12. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:11 p.m. Senate will convene on Friday, November 14, at 1:15 p.m.