Minutes waiting to be approved by Faculty Senate

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Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

Harrison Hall 123

February 4, 2026

3:15pm-4:30pm

I.       Call to Order 

1.      Meeting called to order at 3:16pm

II.      Approval of FS Minutes from January 21, 2026

1.      Jennifer Boles moves to approve. Hayes Goosey seconds. None opposed. No abstentions. Approved. 

III.     FYI Items 

1.      994-Journeys, Catherine Kirkland, 4:00PM, SUB, 2/9/26

2.      Founder’s Day Faculty Awards Ceremony, 8:30AM, NAH, 2/17/26

3.      Provost’s Distinguished Lecture, Yves Idzerda, 7:00PM, MoR, 2/17/26

4.      Link to surveys on Chrome River and SmartBuy

 https://montana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rlnws11wT20kqW 

IV.     President Tessman

1.      Spoke to Senate.

V.      Undergraduate Courses and Programs

1.      New Courses-First Read

a.      ACTG 493 : Study Abroad

b.      EQUS 219 : Foaling Management

2.      Course Changes-Second Read

a.      M 090 : Introductory Algebra

i.        Credit change from 4 to 3

b.      MSSE 509 : Implementing Action Research in Science Education

i.        New learning outcomes

c.       MSSE 575 : Capstone Paper and Symposium in Science Education

i.        New learning outcomes

3.      Course Changes-First Read

a.      AHMA 209 : Patient Care Across the Lifespan: Aging, Disability, and Home Health

i.       Title change from Geriatric Care

b.      CHTH 443 : Program Planning and Evaluation for Community Health

i.        Title change from Program Evaluation for Community Health

ii.       Changes to learning outcomes

c.       COA 395 : Practicum: Coaching Application

i.        Credit change from 1-2 to 1-3

d.      COA 405 : Advanced Concepts in Coaching

i.        Changes to learning outcomes

e.      PHSX 499R : Senior Capstone Seminar

i.        Changes to learning outcomes

VI.     Graduate Courses and Programs

1.      New Courses-Second Read

a.      ACTG 593 : Graduate Study Abroad

b.      EM 555 : Granular Mechanics

2.      Course Changes-Second Read

a.      ARCH 560 : Masters Studio Project

i.        Credit change from 4 to 6

b.      BIOH 586 : AP Biology Principles for Teachers

i.        Title change from AP Biology for Teachers

c.       FILM 510 : Fundamentals of Filmmaking

i.        Credit change from 3 to 4

d.      Rubric change from HDCO to COUN

i.        COUN 502 : Counseling Ethics and Professional Orientation

ii.       COUN 503 : Professional Issues in Counseling

iii.      COUN 508 : Counseling Theories I

iv.      COUN 510 : Counseling Theories II

v.       COUN 521 : Counseling Skills Lab

vi.      COUN 522 : Group Counseling

vii.     COUN 541 : Introduction to Mental Health

viii.    COUN 542 : Communication and Helping Skills

ix.      COUN 563 : Multicultural Awareness

x.       COUN 565 : Couples Counseling

xi.      COUN 569 : Advanced Family Counseling

xii.     COUN 571 : Prof Counsel Practicum

xiii.    COUN 589 : Graduate Consultation

xiv.    COUN 598 : Internship

3.      Course Changes-First Read

a.      NUTR 528 : Advanced Food Systems Management in Dietetics

i.        Credit change from 3 to 2

ii.       Changes to learning outcomes

4.      Course Inactivations-Second Read

a.      AGBE 589 : Graduate Consultation

i.        Course no longer offered

VII.    Information Updates 

1.      Second Read:  Proposal for Board of Regents: “MSU Interdisciplinary Institute on Artificial Intelligence (IIAI),” Doralyn Rossman, Will Thomas, et al.

a.      Maggie Thorsen moves to approve on second reading. Erick Johnson seconds. 

i.       Jennifer Boles of Steering moves to propose an amendment with the suggested addition in the slide presentation. “As an institute ON AI rather than FOR AI.”

a.      Chris Posbergh seconds. 

i.      Will Thomas is concerned about the part of the statement on environmental impact in this statement. 

1.      Asking for assessment on environmental impact would set precedent for other entities on campus. 

a.      Is it fair to ask one group to do it and not everyone?

2.      What activities do you have in mind for assessment?

a.      Do not have a specific answer at this time. 

3.      Do not see the intent behind the assessment of environmental impact.

a.      Ethics in AI can be an afterthought. This would give you that space to have those conversations. 

4.      Can see this on a broader scale for the entire university and not just in this institute. Institute is funded on research that is funneled through it. 

a.      Earlier version spoke to an annual assessment. 

b.      Read it as the institute won’t get in the way of these activities vs. telling anyone what to do.

c.       The second part of the sentence reads like a commitment. 

5.      Steering will flesh out the language. 

b.      None opposed. No abstentions. Amendment approved. 

b.      None opposed. No abstentions. Proposal approved. 

2.      Second Read: Proposal for Board of Regents: JJCBE organization into departments

a.      Myleen Leary moves to approve the proposal on second read. Erick Johnson seconds. 

i.        Will Marketing and Analytics be adding a new degree at this time? 

a.      Not at this time.

ii.      Have the costs of administrative growth been discussed?

a.      Yes.

b.      None opposed. No abstentions. Proposal approved. 

3.      Presentation on “Student Field Trip Policies,” Justin Arndt, Matt Caires

a.      If it’s closer than 25 miles this policy does not apply. This is for trips over 25 miles.

b.      When is “student travel” travel?

i.        More than four students.

c.       Can these “students” be graduate students, or post-docs?

i.        Probably

d.      A group of student volunteers. We encourage it but we don’t track it. 

e.      Does the policy lay out who is told about the Trip Coordinator and Sponsoring Unit Contact Person?

i.       The Trip Coordinator is the instructor. The Sponsoring Unit Contact Person would be here on campus. Does anyone outside of the department need to know this information?

a.      Yes, if something bad happens. 

f.        https://www.montana.edu/policy/review 

g.      Does the ratio of instructor to students get spelled out in this policy?

i.       Not domestically.  

h.      Current Policy and Draft Revisions links available on the slide presentation

4.      Council Updates (University Council, Grad Council, Research Council, ...)

a.      See slides

5.      Policy revision process reminders

VIII.   Senators’ Open Conversation

1.      Some faculty members from Sociology and Political Science are talking about some programming around “know your Right’s around immigration. Looking for people with expertise, passion etc. that might want to be involved. 

2.      Student visa question. Do they have to finish in four years?

a.      Doug’s answer: If the proposed guidelines are approved, yes. If the visa expires before you graduate, you would have to leave and get it figured out and try to get back.

3.      Senate leadership had any communication from the university administration about planning for possible immigration enforcement activity in Bozeman or at MSU, in light of what we have seen happening in Minneapolis?  

a.      There is no statement from the university at this time. 

b.      The MSU Police chief has offered to come talk about what he knows. 

4.      Should we offer alternatives for classes held on protest days?

a.      There is no policy on that. The instructor would need to be careful and use their best judgement. 

IX.     Public Comment

1.      Online only students and students that travel the state for clinicals. Is there a policy focused on insuring online only students get the information that is only made available face to face?

a.      We will continue to talk about this.

X.       Adjourn

1.      Chris Posbergh moves to adjourn. Carrie Myers seconds. Meeting adjourned at 4:32pm.