Editor’s note: This article was updated for clarity and accuracy. This article previously referred to the Senate Executive Committee as the “Faculty Senate” and stated handbook amendments as “passed” instead of “approved.” The Herald regrets this error.
In the wake of backlash regarding planned renovations of Cherry Hall, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee (SEC) met Monday and discussed the controversy.
WKU revealed renderings of Cherry Hall’s remodeled interior on May 1, sparking many opinions from the WKU community. Construction on the building is set to begin this summer and last until fall 2027.
The SEC asked Provost Bud Fisher if he had spoken to WKU President Timothy Caboni about responses to the renderings. While he had not spoken to Caboni, he said he was willing to share his own opinions.
“A building that is about to crumble and is a main building on campus that everyone lives in has to be improved to be able to be here 50 years from now,” Fischer said.
School of Media & Communication Assistant Director Angela Jerome responded, criticizing the glass classrooms the renderings show.
“It doesn’t have to have a glass classroom where people can get shot,” Jerome said.
Fischer said he understood the concern and said it could be corrected at a later date.
“Those are the kinds of things I think you go back and have a conversation with the committees who did that,” Fischer said.
Fischer said he understands some of the negative feedback but that a balance needs to be found between the old and new.
“I think finding that medium is what has to happen,” Fischer said. “There has to be change, right?”
Fischer also told the SEC that “Honors 2.0” is complete and is currently under review by himself and Caboni.
Caboni told the Herald in January that he hoped the “Honors 2.0” project will integrate the honors program into each academic college. A committee was formed in the fall, but no updates have been shared.
“We have started to read it and have had some discussions,” Fischer said.
Fischer also updated the SEC on the expanding collaboration between WKU and the University of Kentucky’s medical school.
“Dr. Carolyn Paul is the new person in charge and she’s been great because she wants to expand cooperation,” Fischer said. “She’s offered her students to be mentors for our students who are pre-med.”
Fischer said the collaboration is a good initiative because half of all UK medical students start as WKU pre-medical students.
Faculty Regent Shane Spiller asked about the issue of fewer faculty members gaining tenure.
“I’m curious about what trends we’re seeing on promotion and tenure: if we have faculty leaving, if we are not approving faculty, or is there a trend?” Spiller said.
Fischer said there is less tenured faculty because there are fewer new faculty and encouraged senate members to consult the Fact Book.
Julie Shadoan, a legal studies professor, presented an amendment to section II.V of the Faculty Handbook, which relates to student-faculty dating.
The amendment fully prohibits student-faculty dating by removing two exceptions for faculty who do not directly advise, evaluate or supervise students or faculty and students who are in different departments.
Shadoan said the revision “would have a much broader application.”
Matt Pruitt, a sociology and criminology professor, debated the amendment and defended certain exceptions. Pruitt clarified the exceptions were not for him.
“What if one of our professors had a relationship with someone who’s getting a master’s from business administration, who’s in their 40s or something?” Pruitt said.
A lively debate erupted, leaving Pruitt’s question unanswered.
The Senate unanimously approved the amendment.
The Senate also approved the following Faculty Handbook amendments:
- I.B.1, a modification to Faculty Senate membership.
- II.O Grade Reporting, an update to the name and process of 5th Week Check-Ins.
- XII.W University Publications removes the College Heights Herald from the list of institutional publications that “provide helpful information relevant to faculty life.”
- XII.Y Mail Service, an update to more accurately reflect current mail service on campus.
- Criteria for Rank reduces the required 10 years of service to 5 years to be eligible for promotion to an assistant professor.
The approved amendments will be on the agenda for the May 15 Faculty Senate meeting.
