The fourth academic senate meeting of the school year was held today, once again led by Dr. Steven Filling, speaker of the faculty. Topics discussed at Tuesday’s meeting included land acknowledgment, the switch from Blackboard to either Blackboard Ultra or Canvas, a potential pilot program for the school’s Creative Media BA program, and the upcoming National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week.
Land Acknowledgment
Dr. Cueponcaxochitl Sandoval, assistant professor in ethnic studies, sparked the conversation of land recognition during the October 15th academic senate meeting. Dr. Sandoval urged the university to further their advancement in recognizing that the school was built on indigenous land.
The proposed ideas to further recognize the indigenous population and their land includes the adoption of the “Land Acknowledgment Statement.” Dr. Filling explained how President Junn and the rest of the university plan on using the statement.
“They suggest that we make that statement visible [by] using it at the front of meetings. We encourage our colleagues to include [the statement] in their syllabi, and use it where else appropriate, most likely in the formal events that take place on campus,” said Dr. Filling.
Liberal Studies Professor, Michelle Soto-Peña, continued the conversation by introducing a motion to move the land recognition and acknowledgment to a state-wide academic senate discussion. 
Professor Sam Regalado, history department representative, showed support of the idea to spread the message of acknowledgment, but wanted to make sure that this message would truly stick with those receiving it.
ASI President Maria Marquez responded by providing some reassurance to those questioning the lasting impact left on those who hear the statement by providing an example of students’ constant curiosity.
 “The student center Board of Directors, last year working with ethnic studies and book club, have actually contributed with 50,000 dollars to potentially bring a statue of Chief Estanislao to campus. Sometimes when we see artwork on campus, we ask ourselves ‘Who is that?’ That could be one potential way,” explained Marquez.
Professor Soto-Peña’s motion would go on to pass by unanimous decision.
Blackboard and Canvas
The decision for the school to officially switch learning management systems from Blackboard to either Blackboard Ultra or Canvas is still uncertain. Dr. Mark Thompson, University Educational Policies Committee (UEPC) representative, reassured the audience that they are looking for recommendations regarding the potential switch from the senate by May of 2020. In hopes to make the decision easier, Dr. Thompson added that they will consider the feedback received from faculty members at CSU East Bay and San Jose State. These institutions have recently switched to Blackboard Ultra and Canvas respectively.
If the decision to switch to one of the two options is approved, the implementation time of the elected system could possibly take an entire year.
Creative Media Pilot Program
Dr. Robert Werling, chair of UPEC, expressed that the art and journalism departments had requested a creative media pilot project to be implemented. “The pilot proposes to bring together several departments that will allow students to experience a liberal arts education,” said Werling.
Political Science professor and CFA president Dr. David Colnic added that schools are limited to two pilot programs to take place at the same time and that Stan State already has one in place in the biological sciences department.
Discussion was held on the floor regarding the advantages, disadvantages, and overall effects the program would have on the rest of the departments on campus.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness
Student Affairs vice president, Dr. Christine Erickson, announced that next week will be National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Dr. Erickson encouraged all faculty to participate in next week’s events.
To further encourage faculty involvement next week, Dr. Colnic delivered some troubling news regarding the food box distribution that took place earlier in the day. 
“Today was another food box distribution. I haven’t heard the exact numbers, but unfortunately we had more demand than we had boxes, but it’s something we will be continuing to work on,” Dr. Colnic said.
The next academic senate meeting will be held on December 3.
Correction: The story posted November 12th about the day’s Academic Senate meeting said that Dr. Cueponcaxochitl Sandoval first brought up the issue of Land Acknowledgment on the October 29th Academic Senate meeting. She first brought the topic up during the October 15th meeting.
It was also mentioned that the pilot program was being considered for the Bachelors of Fine Arts program. The pilot program is actually being considered for the Creative Media BA program.