The Baker University Faculty Senate’s first meeting of the semester continued processes furthering the development of the university and left some members pondering new policy ideas and changes.
Associate Professor of Sociology Timothy Buzzell tabled a motion that, if passed, will expand sabbaticals provisions.
“When you think about the eligibility for sabbatical, the first line in the (policy) section talks about the promotion of professional growth and development through study, research, writing, contact with the outside and other forms of professional activity. I think this applies to a person or colleague who is tenured or not, certainly after six years.”
The motion was held and will be voted on in March. Motions that were passed by faculty senate were the approval of two new education catalog courses for the 2007-2008 academic year and a motion allowing the General Education Task Force to revise and distribute feedback about the current process to find ideas for an updated general education program.Â
Professor of Education Peggy Harris introduced a motion that will allow the Teaching Middle Level Learners course to replace methods courses in various other disciplines. Harris said the class focuses on teaching students how to teach a specific age group, rather than a specific discipline. The senate approved the course.
“(The class) will take the place of the secondary science teaching in our middle level science major and the classroom management in the middle level math major, and then we’ll add it to our middle-level English licensure program,” Harris said.
Karen Exon, chair of the academic standards and enrollment management committee, said there were four grade petitions being looked into.
“It takes an incredible amount of time, but I think we owe it to our students to give them that complete freedom,” she said.
A faculty town meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 22, at the Owens A-V room to discuss retention with President Pat Long.
