The University Senate held its first meeting of 2018 on Jan. 18, where members voted to approve changes to the Senate charter’s language about election procedures.

The proposed revisions clarified the definition of a faculty member as “all persons in the full-time employ of the University who hold faculty rank.” This excludes visiting and part-time faculty, faculty with one-year, nonrenewable appointments and faculty who “hold administrative positions that encompass personnel decisions.”

The revisions were approved by the senate. 

Provost David Lee discussed Gov. Matt Bevin’s proposed budget cuts, which would eliminate 70 programs throughout the state and $4.6 million from WKU.

 “The spring semester is probably going to be its usual intriguing self as we try to sort this out,” Lee said.

Lee said Bevin’s recommendation includes cutting funding from Kentucky Mesonet, a statewide weather and climate monitoring system at WKU. This cut in funding would result in an additional loss of $750,000.

Filling in for SGA President Andi Dahmer was SGA Director of Public Relations Amy Wyer who discussed SGA’s goals for the spring semester, which include a look at replacing the Safe Ride bus service and a Parking and Transportation food pantry drive.

Reports from the Colonnade General Education Committee, Graduate Council, and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee were unanimously approved by the senate.

Reporter Emily DeLetter can be reached at (270) 745-6011 and at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @emilydeletter.