The Faculty Senate hosted its first meeting of fall semester, discussed changes to summer payment policy for instructors, welcomed new senators, and gave committee reports.
David Roach started the meeting by discussing the state of the senate, and going over improvements the senate had made since last year. The improvements include an updated faculty handbook, restored senate representation for the School of Nursing and Health Professionals and adjustments for faculty salaries in an attempt to increase faculty retention.
The meeting included discussions with Provost Dr. Tim Todd and Assistant Provost Dr. K. Renee Fister. The two spoke to the senate about issues regarding minimum credit hour raises and credit hour quotas for faculty.
Senators raised concerns over a new policy announced before the Labor Day weekend which raised the minimum student enrollment a summer course must meet for the instructor to receive full payment. Under the new policy, a summer course must have a minimum of 15 undergraduate students or 12 graduate students enrolled for the course instructor to be paid the full amount for the course. Course instructors that cannot meet minimum student enrollment will be asked to choose between partial pay or dropping the offered course.
Sen. Brian Bourke spoke about the policy. Bourke said that despite the University’s attempts to adjust faculty salaries, the way salaries are calculated based on instructor experience and course specifics means many instructors still rely on summer pay. According to Bourke, the new policy will create additional pay inequality among university instructors.
“So we rely on summer pay even though, extra, too many hands meet. So now if i have 10 students at a graduate course i’m going to be paid per capita rather than full 7 and a half percent of my base salary for that course. Then that becomes an additional layer of pay inequity at this institution.” Bourke said.
The provost and assistant provost continued answering senators’ questions regarding student enrollment, tuition, and financing. Roach thanked the provost office for their willingness to communicate with the senate before welcoming Faculty Regent Melony Shemberger to the podium.
Shemberger welcomed the senators back for a new academic year and spoke about her role as faculty regent. She also spoke on her decision not to seek reelection for another term as faculty regent.
“In 2019 I was fortunate to be elected by my peers to serve my first 3 year term as faculty regent,” she said before explaining the effects that COVID had shortly into her term “I didn’t feel I got a normal term, so I sought reelection because I felt I had some incomplete business to serve you here. So I was reelected in 2022 to my second three year term, which will expire June 30, 2025. I make this note to you because I do not plan to seek reelection.”
Following the announcement of the faculty regent, Roach held a senator spotlight for Sen. Alison Brown. Brown a clinical supervisor and instructor for the Center for Communication Disorders. She was born in Murray and received her bachelors at the University before receiving her masters in communication disorders from the University of Kentucky. Brown has been a University faculty member for 12 years.
After the spotlight the senate began its cord ceremony to welcome new senators. Among these senators included Marshall Hayes, an instructor of criminal justice and social work, Chad Gaylord, an agronomy instructor and Susan Miller, an assistant professor in occupational health and safety. Brown also received her cord and induction into the Faculty Senate.
After the welcoming ceremony, the senate committee chairs took the podium to give their committee reports. Committees included the Academic Policies Committee headed by Bourke, which is focused on providing a path for senior instructors and faculty looking for advancement.
Michael Bordieri of the Governmental Affairs Committee took the podium to give his report. The committee is focused on the faculty senate’s relationship with broader government organizations. Bordieri said the committee was focused on monitoring efforts by the state legislator to target DEI policies within public universities.
The last committee to speak was the University Parking Services committee. The committee spokesperson, Paul Foote, announced that Murray State is planning the installation of two electric vehicle charging stations on campus for students. This project is sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Parking is also looking to turn 18 parking spots near 15th and Olive Streets to exclusively Blue-zone parking spaces. Foote said more information on the electric vehicle charging stations is to be released in the future, though a specific time is not given.
The next faculty senate meeting will be held Oct. 1, 2024.