Adam Bates

The meeting included a discussion with Christine Portfors about an upcoming Academic Affairs newsletter, the annual Research Showcase, and an experiment using social media in the School of Biological Sciences. The conversation covered apportionment for CFR representation, faculty FTE calculations, faculty raises, and the employment threshold for adjunct faculty benefits. The implementation of the workload policy for annual reviews was also discussed. Announcements included the cancellation of President Cantwell's listening sessions and a call for feedback on General Education Reform. Reports covered Senate discussions on DEI language in the faculty manual and concerns about faculty representation on the President's Co-Design Council and the focus of the Chancellor's Advisory Board. There was also discussion regarding space allocation on campus and parking permit policies.

The meeting included reports on Faculty Senate activities, with significant discussion on a proposed 90-credit degree option and faculty concerns regarding demand, market research, and institutional differentiation. Other key discussion topics included the scheduling of campus Town Hall meetings, potential premature budget cuts, administrative changes regarding the Dean of Education, and the University President's recent campus visit. The committee also planned for the upcoming Faculty Assembly meeting, addressing items such as workload policy, the closure of a campus fountain, and CFR Bylaws. Additionally, the committee discussed the uneven implementation of workload policies and new, stringent requirements for Registered Student Organization (RSO) advisors that increase service loads and personal liability.

Key discussions during this meeting included announcements regarding the final CFR meeting of the term and scheduling for future Faculty Assembly meetings. The committee approved the seating of a new Career-Track Representative to the Faculty Senate. The Chair reported on the status of nominations for the General Education Steering Committee, which is focusing on UCORE curriculum reform, noting concerns about the process for campus representation. The final workshop for Academic Directors regarding the Academic Portfolio and Resources Review, which will focus on college-specific data, was set for December 9th. Updates were provided on the system-wide Redesign Process, where surveys are open until December 5th. Further updates covered WSU Vancouver vaccination compliance rates (86%), the Faculty Senate's investigation into the College of Medicine's approval of continuing education credits from a group deemed controversial, and anticipated state funding cuts. An update on the Ad Hoc Committee on Food Service was provided, noting an upcoming meeting to discuss collected data. Information was shared regarding an ongoing DCYF investigation at the campus preschool operated by Strive NW. Finally, language for CFR ByLaws updates, specifically regarding adjunct representation, was finalized for future voting.

The meeting included several announcements, such as welcoming a new Faculty Senate Representative and noting the upcoming dates for the Faculty Assembly and an informal meeting with the Interim Chancellor. Key discussions focused on the Administrative Services Review Town Hall, suggesting a morning time slot for campus assemblies to increase participation. Reports included an update from the Faculty Representative to the Chancellor's Advisory Council (CAC), emphasizing the need for stakeholders to advocate against further WSU funding cuts, and a report on budget changes, including the removal of the budget number field from room reservation forms and a system-wide 12% surcharge on accruals. Other topics included the formation of a new Gen Ed committee, issues with inconsistent procedures for handling improper student conduct, and discussions regarding the Governor's proposed budget cuts. There was also a detailed conversation about food service on campus, noting the need for kitchen upgrades and the importance of food availability regardless of immediate profitability. Finally, the committee reviewed the proposed 90-credit bachelor degrees, raising concerns about clarity, peer comparisons, and student understanding of degree differences. Data from the rpk Group regarding academic programs was also briefly discussed.

The meeting commenced with brief business before a campus lockdown drill. Discussions subsequently focused on the recruitment of five faculty members for the General Education Reform Committee, with applications open through November 14th. It was noted that Nanette Thrush agreed to run for the CT Senate seat vacated by Shiloh Green-Soto. The Ad Hoc Committee on Food Service provided an update, emphasizing the difficulty in obtaining survey information and the need to unify various working groups addressing food service operations. Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Sinnott discussed the current annual discretionary renewal of the food service contract (expiring June 2026), noting the primary hurdle is operational strategy (staffing, student employment potential, or seeking a franchise vendor) rather than kitchen readiness. The discussion also covered the structure of the WSUV budget, including the 11.5% tuition share for system-level expenses and the unclear rationale for state allocation distribution. Cash flow challenges across the WSU system were noted, although Vancouver campus is generating reserves. Sinnott clarified that current resource review efforts with The rpk Group are proactive, not remedial, despite declines in revenue and enrollment. The impact of closing the Fine Arts program was explained as reallocating faculty to reduce adjunct needs. Finally, funding for the federal digital accessibility mandate, specifically captioning needs, was addressed, suggesting faculty proposals could be developed. Subsequent topics included an investigation into the College of Medicine approving continuing education credit through a group considered an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, inconsistencies between Pullman and WSUV policies regarding disruptive students (AWARE network), and questions regarding the selection process and cost of various redesign/review groups.