CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
ACADEMIC SENATE

MINUTES FROM MEETING 1
SEPTEMBER 13, 2007

1.	CALL TO ORDER
Chair Soni called the meeting to order in the Towner Auditorium at 2:05 p.m. All voting members were present except: COTA: Martin Herman; CLA: Victor Rodriguez; CHHS: Henry O’Lawrence; CNSM: Thomas Kelty; LIB: Roman Kochan. Excused absences: CHHS: Cheryl Lee; CLA: Alexandra Jaffe; ADMIN: F. King Alexander; David Dowell; EX OFFICIO: Doug Robinson
2.	APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The Academic Senate Agenda for September 13, 2007 was approved as amended.

3.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the May 10, 2007 were approved as distributed. The Minutes of the May 17, 2007 were approved as amended.

4.	REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS

4.1	Executive Committee (Welcome and Introductions—Chair Soni)
Academic Senate Chair, Praveen Soni, welcomed the Provost and acknowledged the new leadership of the University. He introduced the members of the 2007-08 Academic Senate Executive Committee and announced that an election would be held later in the meeting to replace member, Jay Kvapil, for this year due to his reassignment as Interim Associate Dean of COTA.
4.11	Announcements
a.	The Academic Senate Retreat is scheduled for Friday, October 19, 2007 at the Pointe. The topic will be Educating the Digital Generations: Student Success and Academic Technology.
b.	The 2007/08 Academic Senate Handbooks are available for pick-up. The Academic Senate Office has changed the design this year. The handbook is stored in a binder and re-used from year to year. Rather than reproduce the entire book, you will receive a packet of updates at the beginning of the new Senate year.
c.	Former Academic Senate Chair and Interim AVP of Academic Personnel, Margaret Merryfield, has joined the Chancellor’s Office as Senior Director of Academic Human Resources.
d.	Holly Harbinger, former Associate Dean in College of the Arts will assume the position of Interim AVP of Academic Personnel for 2007/08.
e.	Jay Kvapil, Senator and Executive Committee member, is the Interim Associate Dean for COTA.
f.	Sue Stanley is the Interim Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. 
g.	Cecile Lindsay’s title has changed to Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies. Sharon Taylor is the new AVP of Financial Management.
h.	Forouzan Golshani is the Dean of the College of Engineering.
i.	The Office of the Chancellor has issued the formal authorization to convert the pilot Master of Arts degree in Global Logistics to regular status effective Fall 07 and will keep the current campus code ECONMA02.
j.	Academic Senate Parliamentarian for 2007-08 is Senator William Johnson, Philosophy.
k.	The 2006-07 Academic Senate Year End Report is available at the entrances for pickup and will be posted on the web site.
l.	Senator Sharon Olson, University Academic Projects announced she is leaving UAP for a new position in the Center of International Education where she will assist the faculty and students in Study Abroad planning. She also announced the first Faculty Supper Club dinner for Fall ’07 from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26 at the Dance Courtyard; the guest speaker is faculty member Andy Vaca from the Dance Department and a Greek dinner is featured.
m.	Betsy Decyk, University Ombuds, announced that new brochures for the office are at the doors for interested Academic Senate members.
4.12	  Academic Senate CSU Report—Praveen Soni
Praveen Soni, one of three Academic Senate CSU representatives provided a written report for Senate members and took a few moments to highlight a couple of issues. First, a Call for Consultation on Professional Fee for Graduate Business Degrees concerning the potential fee increase for students that would generate funds to increase compensation for faculty teaching in CBA Graduate Programs. The second point of interest concerns the “Community College Governance, Funding Stabilization and Student Fee Reduction Act” which is on the February ballot. The CSU sees the adoption of this initiative as contrary to CSU fiscal interests as it commits a dedicated percentage of the state budget to the CCCs from monies comprising the 8% discretionary budget. CTA and CFA are also formally opposing the initiative.
In response to questions concerning higher compensation for some graduate faculty Provost Gould told the Senators that nationally speaking the CBAs do have higher fees for Graduates. Employers often help to offset the educational cost of the employee/student; lessening the impact to the student. The entire CSU system is getting further and further behind in keeping up with other colleges mainly because of salary incentives. She noted that the issue may come to the campuses first for consultation.
4.13	 CFA Report—None
4.2	Nominating Committee
Senate Chair Soni introduced Margaret Costa, College of Health and Human Services, as the Chair of the 2007-08 Academic Senate Nominating Committee. NC Chair Costa in turn introduced her Committee and commented on the large task ahead of them in the next few weeks to fill numerous search committees. She also encouraged people to speak to her concerning volunteering to serve on committees. NC Chair Costa concluded her announcements by taking nominations from the floor to fill a vacancy on her own Committee. Senator Albie Burke was nominated and seconded; no other nominations were made and Senator Burke was unanimously approved for the position.
4.3	Councils
4.31	Chair Soni made a brief statement concerning the status of policy statements before the Academic Senate (Consent Calendar) because the meeting included an orientation for new Senators. He explained that non-controversial policies are generally approved after appearing on the consent calendar for two times and these usually include policies concerning discontinuances.
At this point, Chair Soni opened the floor to nominations for the vacancy on the Executive Committee created by Jay Kvapil’s interim administrative position; Luis Arroyo, College of Liberal Arts, nominated Eileen Klink, Chair of the English Department; the nomination was seconded. No other nominations were heard; Senator Klink was unanimously elected to the 2007-08 Executive Committee as an at-large member.
5.	REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES—None 
6.	SPECIAL ORDERS
6.1	Report of the President—Provost Karen Gould 
Provost Gould welcomed everyone to the 2007-08 Academic Year on behalf of President Alexander who was in Washington representing the CSU Chancellor. She promised a busy and fully engaged year. University enrollment is at full capacity; and yes, parking problems and traffic congestion exist as a result.  The Provost sincerely appreciates everyone’s efforts in preparing for, and accepting the impact of an additional 1,400 students over the target number planned. Retention is up, along with increased numbers in Graduate Programs. CSULB has a Freshmen class of 4,250 students. Acknowledging that over enrollment does strain all aspects of the University, including the budget, she stressed that the campus is working together to stretch funds and commit assistance. 
The University hired 76 new tenure track faculty; and purchased nearby Brooks College for expanding residence halls for students and faculty, as well as, developing new course offerings. The current vision is that the acquired facility will be fully functional within two years. Provost Gould concluded with a summary of the changes already noted concerning searches and new positions; and the eventual breaking of ground for the new College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics building in the Spring, once final approval has been secured in November at the Public Works Board.
7.	UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND MATTERS POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS—None
8.	NEW BUSINESS
8.1 RESOLUTION: Academic Senate Meeting Calendar for 2007-08 (AS-715-07/EC). 
The system wide Senate Calendar changed which caused changes to the Calendar as formerly approved. With no questions, Chair Soni called a vote, which passed.
8.2	 Senate Liaisons to Councils and Committees
Individuals with dual memberships will serve: David Huckaby is liaison to CEPC; Alan Colburn, FPPC; Margaret Costa, URC; Keith Freesemann, PARC; Mike Walters, COA; and the liaison to the Campus Climate Committee (CCC) will be on the agenda at the next Academic Senate meeting.
8.3	 Membership of the Advisory Council on Enrollment Management
Senator Arroyo recommended Kent Merryfield, CNSM; Cheryl Lee, CHHS; Jalal Torabzadeh, COE; and Jose Moreno, CLA. He also recommended that the Executive Committee elect someone from the College of Education to fill a vacancy created by Dawn Person. A question arose asking for clarification of the last point. The Executive Committee will make the nomination for the approval of the Senate. Senator Arroyo was asked to repeat his motion; it was seconded and the motion passed with no opposition. 
8.4	 Academic Senate Structure
Chair Soni explained the role of the Academic Senate and its Committees and Councils for the benefit of the new Senators.
8.5	
 Mock Motion
A scripted mock motion took place to demonstrate the process for new Senators. 
8.6	 GE Policy—FIRST READING (AS-716-07/GEGC/CEPC)
A motion was made by Senator Huckaby for the First Reading of the GE Policy and to accept amendments to date from the May 10 and 17, 2007 meetings. Brenda Vogel, CHHS, posed a question concerning the first reading. Senator Huckaby noted that the first reading referred to changes proposed from last year, but not discussed or amended; those changes are located below the line. He also explained that once the existing proposed amendments are discussed and either pass or fail, the whole document will be reviewed once again by this year’s Senate. In the meantime, new amendments may be proposed to items below the line. A point of clarification arose concerning the last motion made to the document. Senator Freesemann agreed with the notation in the minutes that the last motion did not pass. William Johnson, CLA, suggested that the terms “motion passed” and “motion failed” be used in the future. Senator Hood seconded the motion on the floor by Senator Huckaby and the motion was passed.
8.7	 Open Discussion
Senator Huckaby raised a question concerning traffic congestion on roads into the University and whether or not the problem is under consideration as part of enrollment management. The Provost responded that the situation is under review; however, financial assessments need to be taken into account before proposing solutions.
Gladys Garcia, CLA, expressed alarm about the remodeling of the food court without student consultation. Lucy Montano, Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Vice-President fielded the question stating that Don Penrod, General Manager of the 49er Shops is slated to address the Student Senate. Mark Andrews, ASI President assured Senator Garcia that there has been regular consultation with students about changes, that microwaves are once again available for student use, and that there are four student representatives on the 49er Shops.
Tim Caron, CLA, made a motion that in the face of our changing University, if the Executive Committee could undertake the task of making recommendations for the streamlining of the Academic Senate meetings in order to have more time for substantive discussions. Vincent Del Casino, CLA, seconded the motion suggesting that open discussions have topics of importance to the campus community represented in the senate. Dan O’Connor, CED, added that topics be posted two weeks ahead of time so that there’s time for gathering comments from the college each Senator represents. Discussion followed with Senator Burke stating his preference for reports by the President and various other regularly scheduled speakers to remain on the agenda. Senator Johnson agreed. Marka Burns, COTA, was opposed to the electronic distribution of reports suggesting that people may not read them. David Hood, CLA, responded that we expect students to be prepared for class, as Senators, we should be prepared for Senate meetings. The final word came from Senator Klink who suggested an Ad hoc Committee if necessary on which both Senators Caron and Del Casino might serve. 
9.	ADJOURNMENT
    The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m., followed by an Open House in the Karl Anatol Patio Room.
 	
	Submitted by 					Approved by

	Beth Smith, Recording Secretary			Keith Freesemann, Secretary of the Senate