The Faculty Senate voted Thursday afternoon to endorse two SGA resolutions: 2-25-S and X-22-S.
Resolution X-22-S is a resolution to support extending the hours of the Commons at Helm Library during finals week.
The resolution notes that while WKU is the third-largest university in Kentucky, it “does not offer a single 24-hour space for students.”
According to the resolution, Dean of WKU Libraries Joshua Vossler said, “This is not a feasible project as the staffing of the libraries do not have the flexibility to extend these hours nor do they believe the students will make use of such hours. The lack of student use does not justify the potential staffing cost increases that it will require.”
The Faculty Senate cannot keep the Helm-Cravens Library open for additional hours, but chose to endorse the effort of finding a 24-hour study location for students during finals week.
Fischer suggested contacting Jessica Steenbergen, scheduling applications coordinator, to find another study space in the future.
Resolution 2-25-S is a resolution to support the installation of elevators in Gordon Wilson Hall. The resolution cited that the lack of elevators in Gordon Wilson creates “unreasonable difficulty” for students with injuries or disabilities to attend class.
The Herald reported in February that the resolution was authored by “honorary SGA member” Kiersten Washington, who is a wheelchair user.
Washington wrote the bill after she was scheduled for a class on the third floor of Gordon Wilson Hall.
“The provo (Provost Bud Fischer) shared with us that this is actually already on the books as a top priority,” current Senate Chair Gordon McKerral said.
Fischer also updated the Senate that the Honors 2.0 committee is nearing its recommendations to be sent to the provost and president.
During his annual WKU Faculty and Staff Convocation in August, WKU President Timothy Caboni detailed plans to appoint a task force to consider revisiting curriculum and programming within the Mahurin Honors College, expand the honors self-designed studies process and more.
Caboni told the Herald in January that he hopes to expand honors beyond the MHC, integrating its curriculum into each of WKU’s colleges.
Fischer said the university is also in the middle of its search for an MHC director, with candidates coming to campus over the next two weeks.
“I would please ask you (faculty members) to attend those and give us your feedback as we move forward,” Fischer said.
The Senate elected new officers for the 2025-26 term on Thursday.
The newly elected officers are:
- Dan Clark, current vice chair and associate math professor, will be the next chair.
- Brooke Gross, health sciences librarian, will be the next vice chair.
- Sheila Flener, senior instructor for interior design, will be the next secretary.
Also during the Thursday meeting:
- Fischer updated the Senate on Kentucky House Bill 424, which requires university presidents, along with all faculty, to undergo evaluation. WKU evaluations are currently pending approval by the Board of Regents. “424 asks you to be evaluated every four years, but we evaluate annually,” Fischer said.
- The Colonnade work group report, which sought to add BCOM 200: Broadcast Sports & Culture, FILM 307: 007 Masterclass: The Cinema, Style and Legacy of James Bond and HIST 318: Age of the Reformation, was withdrawn by its sponsor. No reasoning for the withdrawal was provided during the meeting.
