Faculty Senate president Jonathan Sturm shared his thoughts on two issues -- the state Board of Regents' decision on differential tuition and an audit of ISU flight service and use of university planes -- during his remarks at the Dec. 13 senate meeting.
Sturm said the senate's executive board unanimously signed a statement in support of the ISU student government's request to delay the regents' vote on targeted differential tuition and reconsider the comprehensive plan. The statement was submitted prior to the regents' Dec. 5 meeting, but received no response or discussion. Sturm said he followed up with an open invitation for regents to meet with the executive board, but again received no response.
"I'm disappointed and I'm reaching out again in this venue and I will reach out again after this meeting," Sturm said.
In response to the Dec. 12 report to the regents that reviewed President Steven Leath's use of university planes, Sturm said Leath and chief of staff Miles Lackey were "very forthcoming and transparent" with him during the audit.
"I feel this is an issue that the president has admitted that there were some errors made in the past, that he's absolutely stated he's not going to make those again and he wants to move forward. In my opinion, as a faculty member, this is not something we need to dwell on," Sturm said. "I'm going to consider this a piece of history and move on."
New certificate
Senators will vote next month on a proposed undergraduate certificate in merchandising (PDF) that requires a minimum of 22 credits (13 core) taken on campus or online. Administered by the apparel, events and hospitality management (AESHM) department, the program is designed for current students and professionals pursuing merchandising jobs in the textiles and apparel industry -- such as management, allocation and buying positions.
Oversight changes
The governance council introduced proposed bylaw changes (PDF) that address the reorganization of the university's former business and finance office.
As part of its charge, the senate's resource policies and allocations (RPA) council will continue to advise university administrators on budget and finance policies, and review related issues with the chief financial officer (Lackey). As proposed, the RPA council's business and finance committee will be replaced by a committee on university services and serve as the faculty advisory group for the senior vice president for university services (Kate Gregory).
Other business
- Senators approved Faculty Handbook language (chapter 5.2.4.4.5, PDF) that reflects previous updates to the promotion and tenure appeal process.
