OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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A recording of the meeting is available here.
Note: Pursuant to the Faculty Senate Bylaws, Article X, Sec. 2. "The Senate President, with approval of the Executive Committee, shall call special meetings whenever deemed necessary or when petitioned by five or more Senators.” This special session was petitioned for by Lead Senators Riportella, Dykeman, Dever, Robinson, Long, Donaghy Cannon, Inderbitzin, James, Blackburne, Field, and Smith.
Senators Present:
Senators Absent:
Ex-Officio members present: Batten (remote), Dahl (remote), Du Pont, Dugger, Goergen-Doll (remote), Hamblin, Spitz, Valls
Non-Voting members present: Beachley (remote), Palmer
Staff: Caitlin Calascibetta, Susie Sprinson
Guests: Scott Ashford, Nancy Barbour (remote), Richmond Barbour (remote), Stephanie Baugh (remote), Michael Boonstra (remote), Hilary Boudet (remote), Marisa Chappell (remote), Karren Cholewinski (remote), Kara Clevinger, Sara Daly (remote), Toni Doolen, John Edwards (remote), Kelsey Emard (remote), Dan Faltesek, Kali Fuhrman, Susan Gardner (remote), Nicole von Germeten (remote), Alix Gitelman, Troy Hall, Carla Harcleroad (remote), Ashley Holmes, Heather Horn (remote), McKenzie Huber, Jennifer Humphreys (remote), Nadia Jaramillo (remote), Michael Jefferis (remote), Rebecca Mathern, Janice Nave-Abele (remote), Shelley Nelson (remote), Jay Sepac (remote), Cary Stoess (remote), Emmanuel Sanchez Tovar (remote), Jane Waite (remote), Steve Wuhs (remote), Shiao-Ling Yu (remote)
Comments from Faculty Senate President
Andrew called the meeting to order and thanked the senators and guests in attendance. He noted special appreciation for the lead senators who proposed the motion under consideration today, including Roberta Riportella, who coordinated the group’s efforts with Andrew.
Background: Shared Governance and Course Caps
Andrew provided an overview of the senate’s governance structure and authority. Andrew noted that the OSU President runs the university on behalf of the Board of Trustees and then delegates to others different aspects of running the institution. The President delegates management of the university to administrators who are responsible for its long-term viability, and delegates control of the curriculum to the academic faculty, as the subject matter experts. He noted that course caps are an area of shared interest between the administration and the faculty, as they have pedagogical and curricular aspects, but also significant budgetary implications. He referenced the Board of Trustees statement on shared governance, noting that shared governance does not necessarily mean shared decision making, but it does require meaningful engagement with the faculty by the administration on matters of common concern. He acknowledged OSU’s strong history of shared governance and collaboration, noting that today’s special session is an example of shared governance in action.
Andrew reminded attendees of the Executive Committee’s (EC) role, explaining that it typically serves in a consultative role, and does not have decision-making authority. He noted that the administration came to the EC to consult on the matter of Core Education (Core Ed) course caps. The EC assessed the different plans under consideration and provided feedback and ideas. He noted that all conversations took place during a short period of time before the May 8 Faculty Senate (FS) meeting. To provide senators with a preview of the issue before the May 8 FS meeting, a meeting with the Lead Senators was held on May 6. Since May 8, Andrew has worked with the Lead Senators to facilitate the calling of this special session. He was contacted by Roberta Riportella on May 12 and met with the Lead Senators and the EC May 13. The senators expressed their concerns, and it was emphasized that it was within their power to call a special session and if they did so, the Faculty Senate office staff would make every effort to schedule that meeting as soon as possible. Andrew expressed that he believes everyone has been acting in good faith and within their authority and traditional roles. Andrew asked if anyone had questions or comments before discussing the motion that was on the floor.
Ingrid Scheel, Senator for Engineering, noted that she was a co-mentor of the Learning Outcomes, Criteria and Rationale (LOCR) workgroup. The final LOCR report was submitted in February 2023, which included a DPO-A cap of 25. Ingrid noted that there are inconsistencies between the LOCR report and materials on the OSU website, the latter of which reflect the higher course caps under the flexibility plan presented by Alix Gitelman at the previous Faculty Senate meeting. McKenzie Huber, the Director of Core Education, clarified that course cap information on the website was updated following the May 8 FS meeting when changes were announced, in advance of scheduling for winter term. Ingrid explained that the LOCR workgroup included a process for modifying course caps through the course proposal process.
Lead Senator Roberta Riportella noted appreciation for Andrew’s collaboration with Lead Senators. Roberta shared that a group of Lead Senators felt concerned with the plan for course caps that was presented at the May 8 Faculty Senate (FS) meeting, and hence some of them called this special meeting to provide an opportunity for more discussion and to consider specific motions.
Action Item – Course Caps for Arts & Humanities (General & Global) and Difference, Power & Oppression (Foundations and Advanced)
The motion represents a collaborative effort of Lead Senators, although it was officially moved by Roberta Riportella, Senator from Health, and seconded by Cass Dykeman, Senator from Education. Roberta acknowledged that the motion may not address all issues but encourages FS engagement with the flexibility plan moving forward.
The text of the motion is as follows:
Whereas OSU central administration has a plan to allow increases in the Learning Outcomes, Criteria, and Rationale (LOCR) cap as presented to the Faculty Senate on May 8, 2025, we move to request the following guarantees from the administration:
Andrew asked if there was any objection to dividing the question and considering each of the three sections of the motion separately. There was no objection.
Motion 1: That the Faculty Senate shall be consulted and required to vote on all future proposed changes to LOCR caps.
Cass Dykeman explained Motion 1. John Morris, College of Business, asked if this motion amounted to a censure of OSU administration. Roberta clarified that this motion is not a censure but clarifies the process moving forward. The Lead Senators wanted to codify that the FS shall be consulted and required to vote on future proposed changes to the LOCR caps. She also noted that, while the Senate may vote on something, the administration may not agree with it. Dan Faltesek, Co-Chair of the Core Education Committee, noted that the general principle being expressed is that any general change to the LOCR document itself should be voted on by the FS. He noted that previous changes during the implementation process had been voted on by the FS.
KC Walsh, Senator for Science, asked for clarification on the process when there is a disagreement between the FS and the administration. Belinda Batten, Interim Provost, stated that the administration has worked with the FS on fundamental areas of curriculum as is spelled out in shared governance documents. However, they view course caps as outside of the primary responsibility of the faculty, as the number of students that can be enrolled in a course is a matter of resources: available space, personnel, and budget. Belinda noted that there is a logistical reality to course caps, and that is the responsibility of the administration. She shared that in retrospect, including course caps in the LOCR document may not have been a prudent decision. She explained that decisions about course enrollments are necessary at this time due to budget constraints. Belinda noted that there have been times in the past, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the administration has had to make business and logistic decisions regarding the mechanics of courses. Belinda reminded attendees that nature of the work we do at OSU requires continued evaluation and evolution. The university will be moving forward in implementing revised course enrollments with a commitment to research and learning from the two-year evaluation phase that Alix Gitelman presented during the May 8 FS meeting.
Leah Sundquist, Senator from Extension, asked if there is a reason these are not occurring at the college level. Andrew explained that raising the caps for these courses is not a requirement, but the change in policy allows for the flexibility to do so, if needed. The decision is ultimately at the discretion of the colleges and units. Luhui Whitebear, Senator from Liberal Arts, expressed concern over how this plan was developed. Luhui shared that there was some concern about course caps raised during the LOCR development process.
Roberta revisited an earlier comment about the FS being consulted on changes to the LOCR document as a whole, noting that she is willing to entertain an amendment to Motion 1. Kathy Becker-Blease, Senator from Liberal Arts, also supported this idea. Anne Gillies, Senator from Associated Faculty, requested clarification that this was a resolution seeking that the three motions were commitments from the administration. The answer was yes. Merrick Haller, Senator from Engineering, asked about the timing of the motion, and Roberta explained that this is clarified in the second motion. Woodrós Wolford, Senator from Student Affairs, expressed concern that the choice to solve financial burdens falls on the Difference, Power & Oppression Foundation & Advanced (DPO-F/A) courses. Andrew explained that while the DPO-F&A courses are named in the background and rationale document, the course caps on Arts & Humanities General and Global courses are included in the flexibility plan. These resolutions will be applied to all impacted categories.
A motion to amend was presented on the floor.
Action – Amendment to Motion 1: Kathy Becker-Blease moved to amend the motion to strike "caps" and replace with "document"; seconded.
The amendment to motion 1 passed with 82 votes in favor, 14 votes in opposition and 10 abstentions.
Andrew suggested that, without objection, the word “the” be inserted before “LOCR” in the motion. There was no objection, and the word was added.
Action – Motion 1, as Amended: That the Faculty Senate shall be consulted and required to vote on all future proposed changes to the LOCR document.
Motion 1, as amended, was voted on and passed with 82 votes in favor, 15 votes in opposition and 7 abstentions.
Motion 2: That the Faculty Senate shall have designated representation on all committees convened to review or revise LOCR requirements including any committee evaluating the effectiveness of instruction or success of courses.
Roberta presented Motion 2, explaining that the Lead Senators felt this motion was the best way to guarantee direct faculty involvement in changes to the LOCR moving forward. There were no questions or comments on this motion.
Action – Motion 2: That the Faculty Senate shall have designated representation on all committees convened to review or revise LOCR requirements including any committee evaluating the effectiveness of instruction or success of courses.
The motion passed with 89 votes in favor, 10 votes in opposition and 7 abstentions.
Motion 3: That this flexibility plan shall expire one year from the date of approval unless explicitly renewed by a vote of the Faculty Senate. Any proposal for renewal must be submitted for consideration no later than April 2026 to ensure adequate time for Faculty Senate deliberation and administrative implementation before the course registration period in May. In the absence of renewal, the original LOCR caps shall automatically be reinstated.
Roberta presented Motion 3, explained that some stakeholders were concerned about the two-year timeline presented in the May 8 meeting. Roberta’s motion proposes a shorter timeline of April 2026.
Rusty Root, Senator for Science, expressed concern about the timeline. Terrence Blackburne, Senator from Business, asked if this resolution was necessary, given that FS has passed motions that require the administration to come to the FS for a vote before they make changes to the LOCR. Belinda expressed her concern for the impact that Motion 3 could have on her successor and other administrators.
Dana Warren, Senator from Forestry, asked if the motion assumes that the budget situation that required a deviation from the LOCR document caps will no longer be in place in a year. Allison Hurst, proxy for Senator Dwaine Plaza from Liberal Arts, asked about the issue of a possible censure vote, inquiring about options for faculty who do not agree with the course cap changes, even though they understand that they may be overruled by administration. Andrew confirmed with the Parliamentarian that any motion expressing disapproval of the change in caps for next year would be in order and could be considered after the main motions for the meeting had been voted on.
Selina Heppell, Senator from Agricultural Sciences, expressed that, as someone who helped write the LOCR document and set the original caps and as a unit head, she cannot afford the current course cap levels. She explained that she needs the flexibility the administration is offering with this adjustment. Being on both sides of the issue, she understands that it’s very difficult, but they need to find a way to make it work. Dan Faltesek noted that one year may be insufficient for assessment. Getting an update in one year may work, but the data may not be robust enough for thorough analysis. Jessica Siegel, Science, seconded Selina’s comments about the current budget climate and the intent behind these changes to the course caps. Terrence Blackburne agreed that faculty needed to understand the budgetary tradeoffs before making such a vote and reminded everyone that faculty have an important advisory role in the budget but that the administration also has a perspective on it that the faculty does not.
Action - Motion 3: That this flexibility plan shall expire one year from the date of approval unless explicitly renewed by a vote of the Faculty Senate. Any proposal for renewal must be submitted for consideration no later than April 2026 to ensure adequate time for Faculty Senate deliberation and administrative implementation before the course registration period in May. In the absence of renewal, the original LOCR caps shall automatically be reinstated.
The motion failed with 41 votes in favor, 47 votes in opposition and 12 abstentions.
Adjournment
With no further discussion or business before the Faculty Senate, Andrew adjourned the meeting.
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