Faculty Senate Minutes January 28, 2021

January 28, 2021
Via Zoom

Present: T. Moretti (Chair),  D. DeFino (Secretary), M. Bard, A. Bishop, D. Brophy, H. He, A. Howerton-Fox, M. Hughes, L. Ivanov, J. Kaalund, A. Kelso, J. Klein, R. Lacey, E. Mariola, C. Martins, H. Park, S. Petrovic, A. Rosenfeld, O. Soluade, M. Veyvoda
Guest: C. Carlson

T. Moretti called the meeting to order at 3:37pm. Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes to 11/05/20 meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved via e-mail on 11/13/20

Announcements

None

Discussion Item: Purchase of Concordia College

The Senate discussed the recent announcement, and raised questions about how it is being financed, how it might impact the operating budget and the infrastructure of the College (including existing programs and spaces)

Discussion Item: CIT and Mission and Ministries Mindfulness Retreat

C. Carlson and M. Veyvoda solicited ideas for wellness and mindfulness activities to be held during the Spring 2021 term, under the sponsorship of CIT and the Office of Mission and Ministries.  Several suggestions were made, including yoga, mindfulness meditation, guided walks, bonfires, and virtual activities. 

Discussion Item: Middle States Update

T. Moretti reported that the Middle States Working Groups are currently in the process of drafting chapters, and that preparation of the report, and for the site visit, continue on schedule. 

Discussion Item: Faculty Survey

The Senate survey is currently undergoing minor revisions, and will be distributed shortly

Discussion Item: Self-Nomination for Committees

Ballots for annual elections are currently being prepared with the help of OIEP, and will be distributed shortly

Discussion Item: Mixed-Mode Teaching

The Senate reflected on the following concerns:

• Faculty have not yet received data on which students will be attending their courses in-person
• Faculty are unclear as to how long OIEP will supply data on which students have not yet met health requirements for attending in-person
• Given the lower level of accuracy of COVID “rapid” tests vs. PCRs, faculty expressed doubts that College testing protocols will be adequate to the task of identifying and isolating active cases

Action Item: In-Person Classes in Week One of the Spring Term

The Senate voted unanimously to draft a memo to the Provost requesting that the first week of classes be held online, in order to allow more time for the administration of student COVID tests, to avoid confusion for in-person students who may be unaware of faculty currently in quarantine, and to allow for a more uniform mode of communication to “set the table” at the beginning of term. T. Moretti will draft the memo and report the Provost’s response back to the Senate.

Item remains open.

T. Moretti adjourned the Faculty Senate meeting at 5:43 p.m. The next Senate meeting will be held via Zoom on 2/25/21 at 3:30 p.m.