The Faculty Governance Spectator - the newsletter of Faculty Governance at SSU

We've heard quite a bit of praise for the Retreat this year. We have put together a synopsis of the three main discussions - the definition of student success, closing the loop on Program Reviews and General Education - which will include the next steps for these topics.

Those are posted on the Senate website here.

Here are some of the comments we have received:

The retreat was absolutely fabulous.

It's the one day each semester when we get a chance to talk with faculty from other departments in any depth about teaching.

I think retreat was great since I could understand other colleague's mindset to a much better extent.

Being all together in one space was also great. Plenty of time to talk to colleagues.

It was a very good use of my time.

Emeritus Dinner

The Annual Emeritus Faculty Recognition Dinner will be held on February 25th at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa.

What's Happened in Faculty Governance

During the Fall Semester, the Senate was visited by Assembly Member Bill Dodd who affirmed his support for higher education and the CSU faculty.

The Senate had a preliminary discussion about the proposed changes to the RTP policy in the Fall. The formal first reading of the policy revision was held on February 4th. Interested? Talk to your Senators!

The proposal for a new version of APC created substantial discussion at the Senate in late Fall. A revised proposal was brought forward at the first Senate meeting and was approved. The new name for the committee is Academic Planning, Assessment and Resources Committee (APARC). This new committee is part of the Senate re-organization effort.

Spring 2016 Election

Nominations are now open for the following positions in faculty governance:

Chair of the Faculty
Vice Chair of the Faculty
Secretary of the Senate
Statewide Senator
Lecturer Senator - only lecturers teaching 7.5 units or more
At-Large to APARC - new standing committee
Two positions on URTP - Full Profs only

We need a nomination for Lecturer Senator! We have at least one for all other positions.

You may self nominate. Send your nominations to [email protected] and [email protected] by March 7th.

This is YOUR faculty governance. Participate, rather than spectate.

Don't know our acronyms? Go here.

Resolutions

Resolutions Approved Fall 2015

Sonoma State University 2015-16 Presidential Search

Senate Resolution on the Establishment of a Dream Center at Sonoma State University

Resolution regarding SSU Campus based Equity Program, Second Round

Resolution Calling for Independent Asbestos Testing

Curriculum

Curricular Items approved in Fall

Revision to Biology Zoology concentration
Revision to Political Science minor
Revision to Arts Management Career minor and renamed to Museum and Gallery Methods Career minor
Revisions to Music concentrations
Revision to the Business Minor
Revision to the Early Childhood Studies Major

CALLS FOR SERVICE

S&F Task Force on the Improvement of Faculty Governance

The task force continues to work for on-going improvement of governance and will focus on the committee charges and communication this year. Progress of the task force will be posted here. If you would like to join this task force, please let us know.

Richard J. Senghas

Doug Leibinger

Laurel Holmstrom-Keyes

Sonoma State University Academic Senate

707-664-2801 | [email protected] | Senate Home Page
1801 East Cotati Ave, ST 1027
Rohnert Park, CA 94928