Terri H. Brown

This document, an annual report for fiscal year 2011-2012, outlines East Georgia State College's strategic direction as a leader in providing higher education access and increasing college completion rates. The institution's strategic vision is anchored by three primary goals: implementing a comprehensive college success program, fostering a robust culture of service, and acting as a catalyst for economic development within its service area. These strategic initiatives are aligned with the Complete College Georgia program, focusing on transitioning diverse students smoothly, promoting optimal student choices, ensuring students attain academic goals, and developing service-learning opportunities, with a target of significantly increasing graduates by 2020.

The Faculty Senate meeting involved discussions with the HR Representative regarding mandatory annual training modules on D2L, noting that federal, state, and Board of Regents policies mandate this training, and proposals for completion methods will be developed by June. Additionally, material on Professional Liability Insurance was presented for information, including a suggestion to investigate the Board of Regents' legal coverage. Key actions included the election of officers for the 2017-2018 academic year, with nominations for President, Vice President/Parliamentarian, and Secretary. Furthermore, the Board of Regents requirement for East Georgia State College to draft written Academic Advising Plans by Fall 2017 was discussed, with a commitment to review the proposed plans in June.

The Faculty Senate meeting addressed several open issues through the formation or amendment of committees. Discussions included a policy review for recent USG required revisions, the creation of a committee to develop a policy on scheduling final exams, and the formation of a committee to revise the policy on assigning overloads and summer courses. A motion to create a committee regarding expectations for Full-Time Online Faculty was rejected. A committee was approved to review the policy on faculty teaching load. Agenda items regarding changes to the Faculty Handbook and a faculty concern about the Withdraw Policy were tabled until the next meeting. Under New Business, a motion to approve revised EGSC Statutes was amended to table the item and request a meeting with specified individuals. Under Unfinished Business, a motion to reconvene a committee to revise the office hours policy was approved, and a motion was approved for the president to revise bylaws to include the maintenance of a faculty senate archive. The meeting schedule was decided to be discussed via email.

The agenda for the regular meeting included several items of unfinished business. The Humanities School election process for two new faculty senators was reported as ongoing, slated for conclusion by the end of April. The Faculty Senate received the final copy of the Online Best Practices statement. Furthermore, the formation of a subcommittee to review deans' Faculty Annual Evaluations is in process, with interested members to be sought during the summer. It was also noted that the Human Resources director will be invited to the next meeting to discuss mandatory training modules and scheduling. Open issues included faculty concerns regarding the English language proficiency of accepted foreign students and the administration of the Mobile Cause fundraising effort, which some faculty perceived as coercive.

The Faculty Senate meeting addressed several agenda items, including the adoption of amendments to the agenda to prioritize New Business from the Academic Policies Committee. New Business involved approving changes to the Faculty Handbook concerning development opportunities, and approving revised policies for CLEP, IB, and AP examinations. Old Business included approving the Faculty Senate Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Further new business involved presenting the agenda for the EGSC Fall Workshop, planning a communication to the general faculty regarding prior approvals, and conducting elections for Faculty Senate leadership positions for the 2014-15 year, specifically electing a president, parliamentarian, and secretary. Discussions also covered the Post-Secondary Inclusion Program, the Fort Valley Developmental Studies situation, Prior Learning Assessment, and general hiring and pay policies.