Minutes waiting to be approved by Faculty Senate

Printable PDF

Slide Presentaion

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

Leon Johnson Hall 346

Sept. 16, 2026

3:15pm-4:30pm

I.       Call to Order  

a.      Meeting was called to order at 4:23pm

II.      Approval of FS Minutes from Sept. 2, 2026 

a.      Ada Giusti moves to approve. Susanne Cowan seconds. None opposed. No abstentions. Approved.

III.     Approval of Consent Agenda 

Please review second-reading courses and programs in particular prior to the meeting. Individual courses or programs may be removed from the consent agenda by any Senator’s request, to be considered individually. All items remaining on the agenda will be approved when the consent agenda is approved.  

a.      Maggie Thorsen moves to approve. Susanne Cowan seconds. None opposed. No abstentions. Approved. 

b.       New Undergraduate Courses-Second Read

i.        EELE 111 : Introduction to Printed Circuit Board Development

ii.       LS 338 : The Cultures, Science, and Languages of the Fur Trade

c.       New Undergraduate Courses-First Read

i.        ANSC 275 : Large Animal Physiology

ii.       ANSC 276 : Large Animal Physiology Lab

iii.      COLS 112 : Introduction to Durable Skills

iv.       HONR 221 : Current Conversations

d.       Undergraduate Course Inactivations-Second read

i.        BIOH 431 : Student Assistant Training for Advanced Human Torso Anatomy (BIOH 409)

1.       No longer offered

ii.       BIOH 433 : Student Assistant Training for Neuroanatomy (NEUR 309)

1.       No longer offered

e.       New Undergraduate Programs-First Read

i.        -BS : Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (Ecology, Conservation, and Fish and Wildlife Biology Option)

f.        Graduate Course Reactivations-Second Read

i.        IMID 505 : Gene Regulation in Human Development, Disease, and Immunity

g.       Graduate Program Changes-Second Read

i.        ACCO-CERT : Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling

1.       Addition of an accelerated version

IV.      Information Updates

a.       Greetings from Provost Beth Burroughs

i.        Questions

1.       What sets us apart from others? Do we need to continue doing certain things well. 

a.       Open access institution 

b.      Getting students degrees is the most important

i.        Don’t mistake enrollment numbers for graduation numbers

2.       Has faculty growth kept up with student growth? Yes, but mostly NTTs. 

3.       Why are we enrolling more students than other institutions? Are our standards as high as other institutions?

a.       If we enroll students who are starting out behind, what are we doing to help them keep up?

i.        A “How to study for an exam” course would be great for freshmen.

1.      There are learning strategies courses. Not required for all. 

4.      How are faculty to be evaluated now based on requirements that were written ten years ago when there was more federal funding?

          a.      First level of evaluation for faculty is in their Role and Scope. Shift in funding                            landscape will hit every department differently. They need to start the conversation and                send recommendations forward. 

b.       Update on continuing productive conversations with president and provost on faculty status and experience on campus

c.       Updates from Office of Disability Services, and Genio Notes---Wendy Guido, ODS, and Jennifer Glad, Office of Legal Counsel

i.       What can we do to address the concerns of recording/screen shotting and then posting or sharing and still help the student?

1.      There may be reasons why you don’t want that to happen and you can work with ODS to see if it is appropriate or not. 

a.      Can’t share recordings

b.      Must delete at end of semester

i.       If they don’t, we can rescind their accommodation

ii.      What about students who don’t use Genio? They didn’t sign up to have their comments recorded.

1.      It is a legal obligation for us for equal access purposes. 

a.      There may be times where there are sensitive information being discussed and that would not be recorded. 

2.      Can instructors use the old way, with note takers?

a.      Note takers are not always reliable to be there, or to turn in the notes on time.

3.      Instructors are permitted to notify students that the course will be recorded, without mentioning the specific students. 

iii.      How long has Genio been used at MSU?

1.       Three years

2.       Other universities use it. What has happened at other universities that was a negative impact?

a.       Concerns were not with the accommodated students, but with others. 

iv.      We have an obligation to provide equal access for students with disabilities.

v.       Not that we don’t trust the students, but don’t trust the companies that use AI and may do things that are unethical.

1.      With Genio, students can’t upload it just anywhere and there are terms of use they have to follow.

d.      Update on digital accessibility action planning 

e.       Seeking committee representatives:

i.        Digital Accessibility Committee—developing guidelines and support materials to help faculty update digital resources for accessibility

ii.       Other university committees you know of with empty faculty seats or faculty rotating off, please email Doug 

V.       QCORE Proposal—second reading

a.       Carrie Myers moves to approve. Seconded.

i.        What is our obligation as senate in terms of playing hard ball? It seems grandiose about involving everyone. A lot of pretty words. Doesn’t say how they will bring other disciplines into it. It seems at odds with itself. 

1.       There are quite a few disciplines involved. 

2.       Still new and evolving.

ii.       What challenges would they think the Center would encounter in the future, and how they will address them?

1.       There is lots of collaboration already. At least 50 researchers are offering ideas for the center, council and committee Updates

iii.      Do you have relationships with those other than Defense?

1.       Sponsored research agreements

2.       Membership programs

a.       MOUs are being signed

3.       Industry funding

4.       Sponsorships

iv.      What exactly are we voting on? A portion of funds? 

1.       We would be endorsing what is in the proposal. 

a.       Centers fund themselves.

v.       Educational piece in this proposal seems not to be getting enough attention. 

1.       There are many educational opportunities

vi.      What happens if the Air Force funds are not renewed in 2028?

vii.     There are other centers on campus that use DOD funding. Why are we treating this one differently?

viii.     We have all of the info needed to vote that we’re going to get. 

ix.      None opposed. 4 abstentions. Approved. 

b.       Academic Council

c.       Graduate Council

d.       JAGS (Joint Academic Governance Steering committee)

e.       Montana University System Faculty Association Representatives (MUSFAR) committee

f.        Other reports? 

VI.      FYI Items

a.      Provost search committee is formed and will be announced shortly if it hasn’t already—it includes 22 members, includes Senate Chair, and is majority faculty. Begins meeting Sept. 22.

b.      Jones Hall grand opening: Fri Sept. 18, 3:00 p.m. 

c.       Sustainability Summit: Tues Sept. 22, all day. https://www.montana.edu/sustainability/summit/

d.      994 Journeys, first of the year: Dave Miller, Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Mon. Sept. 28, 4-5 p.m., SUB 233. https://www.montana.edu/research/events/994-journeys.html

e.      Dyslexia Symposium (DXI) is looking for suggestions for student panelists – Oct. 22.   https://www.montana.edu/dxi/ 

VII.    Faculty Discussion Sessions-off-weeks to Senate meetings, same time/place

a.      Report on 9/9 discussion session---research translation in tenure and promotion

b.      Call for topics of discussion

VIII.   Senators’ Open Conversation  

IX.     Public Comment  

X.      Adjourn  

a.      Meeting was adjourned at 4:45pm