Stan State’s Academic Senate held its sixth spring semester meeting on Tuesday, March 20. Topics and concerns from previous meetings spilled over to yesterday’s meeting, but new topics were also addressed.

This session continued the dialogue regarding the mental health needs of the students and staff, potential Ethnic Studies degree requirements, concerns involving camera policies for online courses and a statement from our ASI President.

Among the anticipatory silence at the beginning of the meeting this afternoon, a verdict on Derek Chauvin was reached within the same hour. As participants filed in to proceed with the day’s items and concerns, a figurative weight was slightly lifted off shoulders when the verdict was met.

Dr. Keith Nainby, Professor of Education and host of today’s meeting addressed the excitement in the chat. “I would like to draw everyone’s attention to the note in chat to do with the Minnesota trial verdict.” Sentiments quickly followed the capitalized words “GUILTY ON ALL 3 ACCOUNTS” as justice seemed to finally be served.

Digital Fabrication Labs & Makerspace

Senator and Art Lecturer, Jacob Weigel, gave a short presentation on his proposal for a Warrior Fab Lab. In a presentation that he shared, Weigel wrote that “a digital fabrication lab is a type of makerspace that specifically focuses on digital resources.”

While presenting, Weigel described the Fab Lab as “some kind of space that has technology such as 3D printers, scanners, and laser cutters.” His presentation has many other complex examples.

The goal is to have this ready for Fall but nothing is set in stone yet. Weigel continued by stating that Stanislaus is one of the last CSU campuses without a designated Fab Lab on campus. He hopes to reach out to faculty and staff to help him come up with projects that the Fab Lab can be used for. 

Given the senate’s long agenda, questions were not accepted at this meeting, but they will be accepted at the next one. Weigel also stated that he would be happy to answer any questions if reached out to. His email is [email protected]. 

FBAC Budget Priorities

A short section of the meeting was dedicated to voting on whether the FBAC (Faculty Budget Advisory Committee) budget priorities for 2021 would be approved. The senate members approved the budget with 35 members voting yes. Further discussion on this matter will be conducted at future UBAC (University Budget Advisory Committee) meetings. 

Psychological Counseling Services Faculty
As per previous meetings and the lengthy discussions about mental health across Stan State communities, there’s been a need for more available Psychological Counseling Services (PCS) counselors. Dr. Steven Wood spoke for the Faculty Affairs Committee about the lack of staffing compared to the tensions and emotional well beings across the board. Wood signaled this concern with “providing continuity and care for our students.”
The presence of not only more counselors but ‘culturally competent’ ones that can pinpoint the pressing matters mounting this spring is imperative to the success of students, faculty and campus. Wood went on to say, “our university is increasingly culturally diverse, this resolution is highlighting how critical it is for Tenure-Track PCS faculty to be culturally competent to better serve the student population.”

Time will tell by the next meeting if plans to further this are approved.

Addition of an Ethnic Studies Requirement and its Resolutions 

California state law AB 1460, the legislator puts importance on California State University students to understand the importance of diversity and social justice history. This will enable them to contribute as constructive and responsible citizens to society. This item is to commence in the 2021-22 academic year. 

In the meeting, discussion revolved around how this requirement might affect current and future students, specifically transfers. Some of the language presented by the addition, as well as Resolution, resulted in some clarity needed for multiple members of the Academic Senate. There was confusion whether the additional requirement was correctly categorized as a GE requirement rather than an Ethnic Studies one. There was also debate about how these courses would be selected, if the Ethnic Studies Department would dictate the classes assigned or if other entities would.

There’s yet to be a conclusion on what this means for the students and effected departments. You can expect more time dedicated to understanding the functionality of this item by the Academic Senate representatives.

Web Conferencing Camera Policy

Senate member Dr. Tom Carter, spoke on this existing, but impermanent, webcam policy. Carter explained that “in essence what this resolution says is that we should continue with the policy, strongly supported by students with privacy concerns, etc. That faculty not be allowed to require students to have their cameras on during synchronous sessions.” This policy includes synchronous sessions along with tests and exams. 

Carter is also the chairman of the ATLC (Academic Technology and Learning Committee), so he also stated that the committee is working on creating a permanent policy during the upcoming year. 

ASI President and Senate member, Cynella Aghasi, questioned whether the policy would be enforced given its temporary status. She stated that several students had reached out to her and had let her know that some departments were still forcing them to have their cameras on during class. 

Carter responded by stating that if a student feels as if their grade was negatively affected due to a faculty member not abiding by the policy, then they could file a grade appeal. He also went on to note that this policy was not created with the goal of penalizing faculty members, but rather to provide students with support regarding their privacy. 

Whether or not this policy stays in place will be voted on at the next Academic Senate meeting.

Shared Governance Resolution

Senator Aghasi shared a statement and resolution on shared governance and consultation. Aghasi gave her own account of her first impression of the Academic Senate from two years ago. She stated that she felt disempowered and frustrated for the student leaders at the time because they were sharing vulnerable stories, but it felt like some senate members were dismissive of them. 

During the meeting, Aghasi said, “We student leaders believe shared governance is the process in which numerous constituents contribute to decision making in regards to university policy and procedures, and those constituents include not only administration and faculty but also staff and students.”

Aghasi ended the statement by saying, “My hopes are that you will see the importance of having such a statement seeing that the last one that was passed on our campus is from 2001.”

This topic was discussed for various minutes but a final decision will not be made until the next Academic Senate session. 

ASI Updates

Some final comments were made at the end of the meeting. Senator Aghasi informed everyone that ASI will be virtually hosting their Warrior Festival on Friday, May 14. Because of this event, classes will end at noon on that day.

ASI elections are also being held soon and students will be sent a link to their emails on April 21 at 8:00 a.m. They will have until April 22 at 6:00 p.m. to submit their votes. 

The final Academic Senate meeting will be held on May 4. Minerva Perez can be contacted for the meeting link and password.