Minutes of the Faculty Senate

(2011-2012)

Meeting convened at 1:42 p.m. by Sanjeev Kumar, 2010-2011 President.

ROLL CALL

Members present: Om P. Agrawal, James S. Allen, Ira J. Altman, Ken B. Anderson, Gary Apgar, Kimberly Asner-Self, Connie J. Baker, Blaine Bartholomew, Lisa B. Brooten, Ronald A. Caffey, Tsuchin Chu, Sandra K. Collins, Lisabeth A. DiLalla, Stephen D. Ebbs, Qingfeng Ge, Stephanie Graves, Jyotsna Kapur, Allan L. Karnes, Michelle Kibby-Faglier, Meera Komarraju, Mary E. Lamb, John T. Legier, Douglas W. Lind, James A. MacLean, Diane Muzio, William Recktenwald, Benjamin F. Rodriguez, Jose R. Ruiz, Gerald R. Spittler, Nicole K. Roberts, Brooke H. H. Thibeault, Stacy Thompson, James Wall, Jonathan S. Wiesen.

Members absent: Rita Cheng (ex officio), Nancy Mundschenk (ex officio).

Members absent without proxy: James E. Garvey, Marla H. Mallette.

ORIENTATION

S. Kumar welcomed new and returning Senators. He pointed out that the Senate is a great opportunity, and there are many things that can be accomplished by everyone working together. He indicated that the agenda for this meeting consists of electing officers and organizing committees.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

S. Kumar reported that the voting procedures were distributed along with the orientation materials. He noted that if there are only two nominees for a particular position, the vote will be determined by the majority. If there are more than two nominees, a preferential voting system which the Senate adopted, called the Borda Count Method, will be used. He will explain the procedure if the Senate reaches that point.

S. Kumar opened the floor for nominations for President. M. Lamb nominated G. Spittler, who accepted. A. Karnes nominated J. Allen, who declined. K. Asner-Self nominated G. Apgar, who also declined. M. Lamb noted that she had attempted to recruit L. DiLalla, who will be on sabbatical in the fall. She mentioned this because she wanted Senators to know that [the current officers] did try to [put her name forward]. L. Brooten asked if there are any particular qualifications that make someone eligible to be president of the Senate. S. Kumar responded that it is his understanding that any Senator can run for president. L. Brooten then nominated W. Recktenwald who, albeit stunned, agreed to be considered. J. Allen nominated K. Anderson, who declined. A motion was then made and seconded to close nominations.

Motion to close nominations carried on a voice vote.

S. Kumar recognized both candidates, G. Spittler and W. Recktenwald, who both gave brief candidacy statements. Paper ballots were distributed for the vote for President.

W. Recktenwald was elected President for 2011-2012.

S. Kumar opened the floor for nominations for Vice President. O. Agrawal nominated G. Apgar, who accepted. M. Lamb nominated J. Kapur, who declined. S. Collins nominated L. Brooten, who declined. J. Allen moved to close nominations; seconded by G.Spittler.

Motion to close nominations carried on a voice vote.

J. MacLean moved to elect G. Apgar by acclamation; seconded by J. Allen.

G. Apgar was elected Vice President for 2011-2012 by acclamation.

S. Kumar opened the floor for nominations for Secretary. He noted that there is one declared candidate for the position, J. Wiesen. O. Agrawal moved to close nominations; seconded by S. Graves.

Motion to close nominations carried on a voice vote.

J. Wiesen clarified that he does not normally send his bio as a nomination statement. He then gave a brief candidacy statement. S. Graves moved to elect J. Wiesen by acclamation; seconded by S. Collins.

J. Wiesen was elected Secretary for 2011-2012 by acclamation.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES

S. Kumar reported that there are four vacancies to be filled on the Committee on Committees for two year terms. He opened the floor to nominations/volunteers.

The following people were nominated to serve: O. Agrawal, M. Komarraju, G. Spittler, R. Caffey, Q. Ge, and T. Chu. J. Wall moved to close nominations; seconded by G. Spittler.

Motion to close nominations was approved on a voice vote.

Ballots were distributed, and Senators were asked to vote for four candidates. While votes were being tallied, A. Karnes gave a brief overview of his role on the Faculty Advisory Council to the IBHE.

The following people were elected to serve on the Committee on Committees: M. Komarraju, R. Caffey, Q. Ge, and T. Chu.

COMMITTEE PREFERENCES

S. Kumar asked that Senators turn in their committee preference forms.

NEW BUSINESS -- None.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

S. Kumar announced that after adjournment, the new and continuing members of the Committee on Committees will meet to [elect a chair] and determine standing committee assignments.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 
Mary Ellen Lamb, 2010-2011 Secretary

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