University of Idaho Faculty Senate Discusses Changes to Faculty Responsibility & Curriculum Changes
The faculty senate addressed several changes during their meeting on January 15. They updated the Universal annual report and strategic plan which outlines all the accomplishments, innovations and involvements within the community throughout the year. Much of the changes were regarding the new training and initiatives regarding inclusion and acceptance of the diverse student body that the university has. The senate also discussed changes to the responsibilities of different faculty senate members while they are looking for President Chuck Staben’s replacement. Some of the changes were giving more responsibilities to the faculty secretary and the Policy coordinator.
The senate moved on to talking about curriculum changes such as adding a new minor in the college of business. This new minor is sales management. This change came from the Department of Business who say that between 40 to 50 percent of marketing students end up working in sales after college and having this minor will allow students to be more prepared for a possible career in sales. Another change is adding more options to the Marketing major endorsements. Other minors that were added are philosophy, political and economics minors. These minors were added because students have specifically asked about them in various advising committees. Students will be able to declare these minors as early as next month.
The senate discussed many special orders involved in the faculty’s role in different events the university puts on during the year. Some of these changes included allocating more funds into giving staff compensation for helping at events, finding more ways to connect with the community regarding events, and delineating roles for different faculty members to have at events put on throughout the year.
The senate adjourned with no new business due to changes that come along with President Chuck Staben leaving the university. Last year, 14 members of the University of Idaho Athletics Booster Organization asked the Idaho State Board of Education to remove him from office. During May of last year, multiple meetings were held to decide what to do about Staben’s behavior. The State Board of Education decided tenure will end at the end of this school year. Some of the comments and concerns about him were that “his lack of leadership, mismanagement and poor policy decisions have damaged the relationship between the administration of the University of Idaho and its faculty, students, alumni and the good citizens of the state of Idaho.”