Senator Andrea Dewees submitted the following report on Monday, October 8, 2001, on behalf of the Academics Committee, and pursuent to its October 3, 2001 recommendations, by general consent:

Attendance:

There were seven (7) Senators (Dewees, Feucht, Frazier, Jolly, Palin, Pinson, Zellner) present;

There are one (1) Senator (Mcilmail) absent;

A quorum was present.

There were three (3) Guest; Senator Dixon, Crystal Young, Fatima Varner

Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm.

Resolution 41

Purpose:
The purpose of this legislation is to show student support for implementation of a University-wide evaluation that would provide a standard instrument of teacher evaluation as well as a tool of historical value for comparison.

Background Information:
• There is currently a standing committee in place for the implementation of the university-wide evaluation---which is also in support of the evaluation.
• The show of student support will be valuable due to past lack of support based upon the thought of lack of student support.

Debate:
Some thought that legislation was not enough and more action should be taken due to the importance of this implementation. Also some thought on the timing of the bill. But concerns had been previously addressed in the following committee meeting. Dr. Peele would like a statement showing student support to use as a tool to get evaluation in place. Due to the unknown timetable it is important to pass this legislation as soon as possible so that this tool can be put into place to support the evaluation when needed. And as always, legislation is never a stopping point for senate. Addition action will be taken on the issue as the committee and senate see fit.

Recommendations:
The academics unanimously passed the Resolution 6-0 through committee and hopes Senate does the same.

Amendments:
None.

Resolution 38

Purpose:
The purpose of this legislation is to aid in identifying and reducing prejudice on campus by including demographic information such as race and gender in the university-wide evaluation.

Debate:
• Concern people who will fill out the demographic information will be only those who feel prejudice and sway the numbers. However,…statistically it is shown that a large percentage of people fill out optional demographic information to provide a proper representation.
• Concern that information will be misused against teachers.
• Concern with whom sees what information and if identity will still remain anonymous.
• Concern with how effective the demographic information can be against fighting prejudice on campus.

Recommendation:
The committee decided that more information should be gathered in order to make our legislation more powerful such as:
• Statistics on the number of reported cases of prejudice on campus
• Statistics on how many people would likely fill out this demographic portion
• Who gets what information and in what form will they see it

Amendments
Line 5- change toleration to tolerance
Line 5- change value to values

Music in the Classroom

Follow-up Information:
Meeting with registrar---Senator Feucht feels that the situation has been resolved. She is personally wanting to help groups find rooms that will accommodate their needs without disrupting others. She has found a place for IV, which was one of the student organizations that had voiced concern.