Faculty Senate Minutes
Date: April 12, 2012
Location: Fulp 400
Time: 1:00 PM
Members Present: Donna Shannon, John Price, Alberta Reed, Amoena Norcross, Cherlyn Brown, Brenda Mattison, Sarah Shumpert, Marla Roberson, Penny Edwards, Rhonda Harris
Members Absent: Robert Newton, Mandy Orzechowski, Franklin Smith, Shannon Farr, Tonique Dennis, Marshall Franks, Elizabeth Bryan
Guests: Brenda Mattison and Sarah Shumpert
Presided: Donna Shannon
Approval of Minutes: approved as submitted
1. Issue discussed and major points of discussion:
Brenda Mattison presented “Faculty Credentialing of Distance Learning Instructors” to the faculty senate. She explained the purpose of the project and deliverables. The purpose is to ensure high quality education and training programs for faculty and SACS requires institutions to address faculty credentialing for instructors of distance learning classes.
She explained the process for the training. This will be course 0136 – Fundamentals of Online Teaching, offered as a self-paced, on-line course by the University of Wisconsin – Madison; 3 CEU’s and expected completion time of 30 hours. It will be supported by TCTC Instructional Support Department.
Full time instructors teaching on-line courses will have 1 year to complete the credentialing process. TCTC will pay for the training. No faculty will be grandfathered in. Full-time instructors will participate in the Course Management Module offered on-line without additional compensation. Enhanced requirements will be up to the faculty and may be funded through the mini-grant program to pay UW-Madison tuition. The instructor will receive a one-time Performance Pay bonus of 1000.00
Adjunct instructors will complete basic requirements. Tuition will be paid for by TCTC. Adjunct instructors will receive training rate pay for 3 hours of Blackboard training provided by TCTC and 3 hours for Course 0136. Adjunct instructors will participate in the course management module offered on-line without additional compensation. Enhanced requirements will not be eligible for additional pay from TCTC but may be supported through the mini-grant to pay tuition.
Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
Faculty senate discussed the proposal and made two comments for changes within the project requirements.
3-2 Required faculty log in, at least once per business day/Student reactions to instruction
3-3 Respond to student inquiries within one business day/Student reactions to instruction
Recommendation: Change language of 3-2 to Require faculty log in, at least once every 2 business days and respond appropriately. This would allow faculty to exclude weekends and holidays.
Recommendations: Delete 3-3 since students can’t determine response time for faculty through blackboard.
2. Issue discussed and major points of discussion:
Donna brought the attendance policy back for comments and revisions.
Attendance Policy will be revised concerning on-line statement, tardiness, language changes to reflect intent statements, and added a statement concerning extracurricular activities.
Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
Penny, Amoena and Donna will make changes with the policy and it will be submitted to Dr. Buckhiester for review.
3. Issue discussed and major points of discussion:
Donna addressed the senate concerning the need for a new Faculty Senate President. Nominations will be made and an election will take place as needed and mandated by the constitution and by-laws.
Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
Donna sent an email out for nomination within the faculty senate.
4. Issue discussed and major points of discussion:
Donna met with the faculty choice scholarship committee to review scholarship applicants. The scholarship recipient was chosen and the name submitted to the foundation office for the award. The recipient was David Allen Howansky, Jr.
Announcements/Concerns:
Electronic voting for next year’s faculty senate is being implemented. Results will be announced as the voting is finished.
Next meeting date, time, and location: TBD
Name of recorder: Donna Shannon
