Grant explained one of the changes to this policy is located in the paragraph under Section I. The change states All transcripts from previous institutions (high school, college, university) must be submitted before admission is complete. Shelley Olsen, Assistant Director of Admissions, explained the purpose of receiving a student=s transcripts before admission can be complete is for correct advising. This change in the policy will be effective in the spring and will only be required for new students.

The policy change reflects that through the third week of instruction students will be able to drop or withdraw from classes and receive a 100% tuition refund. If students drop or withdraw from classes after the third week their tuition refund will be 0%. Shelley explained that the reason for the change in the policy is to have more equity among the students. In the past, the students who tried to follow all the rules would only get a 50% tuition refund. There are also students that do nothing to officially drop a class yet after three weeks are purged from the system and receive a 100% tuition refund. This policy will be to the student=s advantage. Stephanie Larsen, representing the students, agreed with the revised policy.

Forrest Williams handed everyone an evaluation sheet for the Faculty Preservice Professional Development Workshop that was held on August 20, 1998. The committee would like to get some feedback to help develop further workshops. The committee is also working on a mentor program for faculty. They are working in conjunction with the deans and department chairs. Forrest also announced the committee does have funds for instructional development. The guidelines are available in Marti Webster=s office. The funds are awarded through the Faculty Development Committee.

Lisa Lambert announced the Parker Palmer Schedule. The session begins Tuesday, September 15, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ballroom. That session is for the students and faculty. Mr. Palmer=s keynote address will be from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the Ragan Theater. The faculty workshop will be from 4:00-6:30 p.m. in room SC 213. The faculty dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. in room SC 213. Lisa also announced that two of Mr. Palmer=s books were available in the bookstore. She encouraged faculty to read at least one of his books before they attend the meetings.

Duane Miller announced that the salary point forms are available in Marti Webster=s office. Until any changes are made to the current policy they will continue to use that policy as a guide.

Dave Manning will report on his committee=s current projects during the next meeting.

d. Curriculum Committee

Chris Jones announced that the calendar for the curriculum meetings has been finished. He encouraged everyone to be prepared when it is their turn to present to the committee.

Kirk Rasmussen explained the post tenure review policy should be in place by the first of the year. His committee will be looking at tenure files by the end of October.

f. Budget Committee

Ron Hammond explained that the entire Senate Budget Committee felt that its mission is to consider budget issues in the context of fairly meeting the needs of all faculty while including the entire faculty body in the development, modification, and passing of senate budget proposals.

Ron stated the committee has solicited feedback from faculty using the communicator. The committee has also been looking at the pay scale. Ron asked the Senators to e-mail him with any ideas regarding the pay scale. The committee is doing preliminary reviews of each of the schools in the state. They are also currently looking into hiring a consultant who can help us make the transition from a community college to a state college.

The committee has come up with three different proposals. The first proposal states: Do Not award a double step for column advancement in column 9. The second proposal states: Award column advancing faculty in column 9 with a step plus the difference between the value of that step and the averaged value of all non column 9 advancements for the same year (IE: for 1998/99 a faculty in column 9 step U would get $560 plus $370 which is the difference between the average non column 9 column advancement = $930-$560=$370). The third proposal states: drop columns 3,4,5, & 6, add columns 10,11,12 & 13, then renumber the columns.

Ron explained that collectively the committee wants to get more money for all of the faculty. The Budget Committee, Faculty Senate Executive Committee and President Romesburg felt this could be accomplished with the third proposal.

The proposals will be action items during the next meeting. President Romesburg reminded everyone that faculty have fought extending the salary schedule. It makes no sense not to extend the salary schedule. He thought part of the reason for the reluctance is the column headings. He felt the headings could be taken off. The president encouraged everyone to take a good look at the proposals. Keith Snedegar reminded everyone that a readjustment of salary points would need to be done along with the new pay scale.