2003-2004 FACULTY SENATE
OF
California State University, Sacramento

Minutes
November 13, 2003

ROLL CALL [+ indicates alternate]

SPECIAL MEETING - CSUS PLANNING FOR WASC

Background:    One of the issues that must be addressed in the upcoming CSUS WASC review is our sense of identity as a university. It has been some time since this kind of discussion has received serious attention on this campus, so (the WASC Planning Committee) asked that the Faculty Senate and others engage in focused consideration of our mission as a university.

The plan for this process is as follows:

• Various campus constituencies (e.g. Faculty Senate, CUP, ASI Board, Academic Colleges, Student Affairs and other Student Support Programs and units, University Staff Assembly, Alumni) will discuss and reflect on the questions listed below and provide feedback.
   
• The WASC team will compile the feedback, draft a summary, seeking points of overlap and intersection and publish the results. This information will be used to draft a CSUS mission statement.
   
• The campus constituency groups will then review the draft and provide feedback to the team.

This is intended to be an inclusive process that will promote a sense of common purpose among the university community and also provide us with a vision of who we are and what we strive to be.

To prepare for the discussion and reflection, the WASC Planning Committee asks you to review our mission from an historical perspective. For background information, you might want to read through the two introductory sections in our Strategic Plan, namely, “Vision and Goals” and “Identity and Values”. A copy of the Strategic Plan is available at the following web address: http://www.csus.edu/acaf/!98stpla.pdf.

The questions:

1. In order of importance, what are the three to five current VALUES and BELIEFS that define this University?
    
2. In order of importance, what should be the University’s three to five most important ASPIRATIONS?
    
3. In order of importance, what should be the three to five most vital OBLIGATIONS of this University?

After forming small groups, the Faculty Senate developed the following responses:

Values and Beliefs:

Group 1:

• Diversity and equity: student, faculty, staff
• Teaching commitment: faculty engaged in undergraduate education
• Commitment to region of Sacramento to provide trained, educated professionals
• Maintain the integrity of the CSUS degree, strong liberal arts foundation, foreign language
• To have research relevant to the community ("Applied Research" - making human values the goal)

Group 2:

• Accepting all qualified admissions
• Diversity of thought and ideals
• Classical and applied fields both valued (not just professional preparation), Liberal Arts education is important
• To support our junior faculty in their thinking and problem-solving, especially when they differ from senior faculty.

Group 3:

• Quality teaching, faculty engagement, small classes, professional development (real support), appropriate use of technology
• Broad general education, true scholarly approach to wide range of students
• Actively (embedded) involved in the community

Aspirations:

Group 4:

• To produce graduates reflecting quality of CSUS, and contribute to and serve our community
• Truly reflect California's diversity in students, faculty, and staff
• Cultivate agents of change through curriculum, teaching, and community service
• Improve quality of education
• Be a recognized leader in region

Group 5:

• Better articulation/advertisement of CSUS and of our role and place in the community and education plan
• Access to education for all
• Not only have a diverse student body but also graduate a higher proportion of under-represented populations
• Be known for good teaching/pedagogy
• Increased ability to do scholarship through lower teaching loads
• More powerful continuing education program
• More interdisciplinary curriculum
• Improve feeling of community
• "Chicken in every pot"
• Classes scheduled to meet needs of faculty and students (given that most students work)

Obligations:

Group 6:

• Impart knowledge or information about disciplines
• Train minds: critical thought, analytical reasoning, ability to articulate thoughts, both written and orally
• Instill or inspire an enjoyment of life-long learning
• We are a place of broad thought
• To have a relationship with the community (the relationship must go both ways)
• To question the orthodoxies of the moment: in the community as well as on the campus

Group 7:

• Impart skills and the appreciation of education that facilitate life-long learning
• Educate responsible participants for engagement in civil society
• Educate a responsible and capable workforce for the region
• Serve as a regional resource (education, cultural, entertainment, etc.)

INFORMATION

1. Faculty Senate's home page:  www.csus.edu/acse, or, from the CSUS home page, click on Administration and Policy, then Administration, then Faculty Senate.
2. Status on actions taken by the Senate:  http://www.csus.edu/acse/03-04_actions.htm   

3. Upcoming Senate meetings: 

November 20, 2003 - Senate meets November 27, 2003 - Happy Thanksgiving! December 4, 2003 - no meeting December 11, 2003 - tentative

Cheryl Johnson, Secretary for the Senate