The PSU Faculty Senate has legislative authority in all matters dealing with the courses and curricula, subject to review by the president of the University. In accordance with the Board of Regents' policy, upon the authority of the chief executive officer, the Pittsburg State University faculty has the legislative authority and responsibility to adopt policies, regulations, and procedures intended to achieve the educational objectives of the University.
About us
The roles of the Pitt State Faculty Senate are to:
Who can be a Faculty Senator? In order to be eligible for election to the Senate, a person must be:
Who can vote for Faculty Senators?
The electorate for the Faculty Senate are the members of the general faculty. The general faculty include those faculty members eligible for election plus those excluded because of administrative assignments.
Faculty Senate Officers (2025-2026)
2025-2026 Faculty Senate Membership
David Weaver (Kelce College of Business, davidweaver@pittstate.edu, x. 4045)
Norman Philipp (School of Construction, nphilipp@pittstate.edu, x. 4347)
Art, Olivia Timmons (1, otimmons@pittstate.edu, x. 4309)
Biology, Peter Chung (1, pchung@pittstate.edu, x. 4736)
Chemistry, Irene Zegar (2, izegar@pittstate.edu, x. 4903)
Communication, Kristen Livingston (1, kmlinvingston@pittstate.edu, x. 4715)
English and Modern Languages, Janet Zepernick (2, jzepernick@pittstate.edu, x. 4340)
English and Modern Languages, Myriam Krepps, (2, mkrepps@pittstate.edu x. 4710)
History, Philosophy and Social Sciences, Kris Lawson (1, klawson@pittstate.edu, x. 4319)
History, Philosophy and Social Sciences, Chris Bakke (1, cbakke@pittstate.edu, x. 4362)
Mathematics, Scott Thuong (2, sthuong@pittstate.edu, x. 4429)
Military Science, Josh Shay (1, jshay@pittstate.edu, x. 4898)
Music, John Ross (2, jross@pittstate.edu, x. 4477)
Nursing, Gena Coomes (1, gcoomes@pittstate.edu, x. 4440)
Nursing, Tracy Stahl (1, tstahl@pittstate.edu, x. 4445)
Physics, Serif Uran (1, suran@pittstate.edu, x. 4395)
Women’s Studies, Jason Malcolm (1, mjason@pittstate.edu, x.4723)
Undergraduate, Stephen Zornes (1, szornes@pittstate.edu x. 6196)
Undergraduate, David Weaver (2, davidweaver@pittstate.edu, x. 6045)
Undergraduate, David Sikolia (1, dsikolia@pittstate.edu, x. 6040)
Health, Physical Education & Recreation, Natalie Bird (1, nbird@pittstate.edu, x. 4281)
Psychology and Counseling, Chris Spera (1, cspera@pittstate.edu, x. 4501)
Family and Consumer Sciences, Shelia Cook (1, skcook@pittstate.edu x. 4573)
Teaching and Leadership, Bridget Fincher (1, bfincher@pittstate.edu, x. 4509)
Teaching and Leadership, Jennifer Richardson (1, jennifer.richardson@pittstate.edu, x. 4917)
Automotive Technology, David Ferguson (2, dferguson@pittstate.edu, x. 4827)
Engineering Technology, Dan Spielbusch (1, dspielbusch@pittstate.edu, x. 4367)
School of Construction, Chad Crain (2, ccrain@pittstate.edu, x. 4268)
Graphics and Imaging Technology, Doug Younger (1, dyounger@pittstate.edu, x. 4420)
Technology and Workforce Learning, Charlie Phillips (1, cephillips@pittstate.edu, x. 4924)
Library Services, Sara DeCaro (1, sdecaro@pittstate.edu, x. 4883)
Michelle Barnaby (2, History, Philosophy, & Social Sciences, mbarnaby@pittstate.edu, x. 4323)
Christel Benson (1, Technology & Workforce Learning, cbenson@pittstate.edu, 4426)
Denise Bertoncino (2, School of Construction, dbertoncino@pittstate.edu, x. 4458)
Rebeca Book (1, Engineering Technology, rbook@pittstate.edu, x. 4034)
John Daley (1, History, Philosophy, & Social Sciences, jdaley@pittstate.edu, 4311)
Kevin Elliott (1, Technology & Workforce Learning, kselliott@pittstate.edu, 4294)
Kristi Frisbee (1, Nursing, kfrisbee@pittstate.edu, x. 4431)
Mark Johnson (2, Technology & Workforce Learning, mjohnson@pittstate.edu, x. 4628)
Erin Jordan (2, School of Construction, edjordan@pittstate.edu, x. 4824)
Jorge Leon (2, Library, jleon@pittstate.edu, x. 4892)
Barbara McClaskey (1, Nursing, bmcclaskey@pittstate.edu, x. 4431)
Darren Botello-Sampson (1, History, Philosophy, & Social Sciences, dbotello-samson@pittstate.edu, ext. 4334)
Melinda Roelfs, (Registrar, mroelfs@pittstate.edu, x. 4205)
Committees and Subcommittees (2025-2026)
Note:
A one (1) means the first year of a 2-year term.
A two (2) means the second year of a 2-year term.
Composition: One executive committee member, and five members of the general faculty (two of whom are senators) and two students.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointees (2 Seniors)
Graduate Student Association (1 Graduate Student)
Composition: The Academic Honesty Committee is convened under the auspices of the Provost. It is composed of nine members. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee is responsible for appointing five of these members and one member is appointed by the Graduate Council Executive Committee. All must be full-time members of the teaching faculty. Members chosen by the Executive Committee serve staggered two-year terms. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee shall make its appointments at the beginning of the academic year. In addition to its six faculty members, the Academic Honesty Committee shall include three student members. Two (2) students shall be appointed by the Student Government Association. An additional (1) student shall be appointed by the Graduate Student Advisory Council. The students from both organizations will be appointed annually and at the beginning of the Fall semester.
Student Appointees
Ex-Officio Members
Composition: This committee shall consist of five faculty members. The five faculty members shall be from schools/departments participating in the academic honors program with one from the College of Education, one from the College of Technology, one from the College of Business and two from the College of Arts and Sciences. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, there will be separate committees including one representing the school/departments of natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and nursing) and one from one of the other departments (art, communication, English & modern languages, family & consumer sciences, history, philosophy & social sciences, military science, music and interdisciplinary programs). When possible and filled in a timely manner by the Student Government Association, two students who are eligible to participate in the Academic Honors Program shall also be included in the committee membership. The Director of Honors College and the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall serve as an ex-officio members.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A.6 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointees
Composition: This committee shall be comprised of six faculty members of which one is an executive committee member and five are members of general faculty (two of whom are senators) and four students.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.C in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Ex-Officio
Composition: Membership for this committee shall be one individual from the College of Education, the College of Business, and the College of Technology, and two individuals from the College of Arts and Sciences. The sixth committee member shall be a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. The seventh committee member shall be the University Vice President of Administration, or his/her designate, who shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.G in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Ex-Officio
Composition: This committee shall be composed of six faculty to include one member of the Executive Committee and five general faculty of which two are senators.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.E in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student appointees
Ex-Officio Members
Composition: This committee shall consist of one faculty member from the Department of Teaching and Leadership, one faculty member from Teacher Education (Secondary), one faculty member from each of the other college/schools (Arts and Sciences, Business, and Technology), two at-large faculty members, and two students. The Director of Student Diversity Programs and the Director of Institutional Equity shall serve as ex-officio members of the committee.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A.10 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Ex-Officio Members
Composition: This committee shall be composed of six faculty to include one member of the Executive Committee and five general faculty of whom two are senators. The Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology will serve as an ex-officio member of this committee.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.D in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointees
Ex-Officio
Composition: Members of this committee shall be comprised of one full-time faculty member from the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Technology, two full-time faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences, and an at-large member to be selected by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and two students appointed by the Student Senate. At least four of the six, full-time faculty members must teach a General Education course at least once a year.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.F in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointees
Ex-Officio Members
Composition: This committee shall consist of six faculty members, one of whom shall be the director of the Honors College serving ex-officio, and two students eligible to participate in the Honors College Program, one from the junior class and one from the senior class. A faculty member term shall be two years, with three members selected in even numbered years and two members selected in odd numbered years. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall be an ex-officio member of the committee without voting privileges.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A.8 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Ex-Officio Members
Composition: This committee shall consist of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences who shall serve as Chair, Vice-President for Student Life, Chairperson of the English Department, a faculty member from Communications, four Faculty Senate representatives, two Student Government Association representatives, one classified representative and one student from each of the four colleges/schools. Members who are ex-officio will be the Editor of the Collegio, Editor of the Kanza and the Student Publications Director.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.C.1 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointees (1 Graduate, 1 Undergraduate)
Ex-Officio Member
Composition: This committee shall consist of five faculty members ( with at least one representative from each College in the University), plus three faculty representatives from Library Services, two students (one undergraduate, one graduate student), with the Dean of Library Services, and the Academic Vice-President serving as ex- officio members, without voting privileges.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A.3 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointees (2)
Ex-Officio
Composition: This committee shall include one faculty member from each of the four colleges, one faculty member from Axe Library staff, two faculty from the Faculty Senate membership, and two students. The Academic Affairs Vice President and Director of Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology shall serve as an ex-officio members.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A.5 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Appointees
Ex-Officio
Composition: This committee shall include four students in addition to six Faculty (1 member of the Executive Committee, and 5 general faculty members of which 2 are senators); the Assistant Vice-President for Student Life and the Registrar shall serve as ex-officio members.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.B in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointee (1)
Ex-Officio Member
Composition: Five faculty and one student member. Each school curriculum committee will nominate one of its members (normally the elected chair) to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee for appointment. Academic Vice President is ex-officio.
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A.1 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Student Senate Appointee
Ex-Officio
Composition: The committee shall consist of two members from the College of Arts and Sciences, one member from the College of Business, one member from the College of Technology, one member from the College of Education, one student member, one member from Library Services, the Director and Assistant Director of Writing Across the Curriculum, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs (ex-officio).
For duties and responsibilities, see Bylaw IV.A.9 in the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Meetings, Agendas and Minutes (25/26)
Faculty Senate Meetings, Agenda and Minutes (2025-2026)
Faculty Senate meets Mondays at 3 p.m. in the Sunflower Room at the Overman Student Center. The dates are listed below. Agendas are posted five calendar days before the meeting. Minutes are posted when received from the Recording Secretary but are not official until approved by the Senate at their next meeting.
Agendas and minutes are posted as "pdf". In order to read the pdf files, you will need to download the Acrobat Reader
| September 29, 2025 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 27, 2025 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 17, 2025 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December 8, 2025 | Agenda | Minutes |
| January 26, 2026 | Agenda | Meeting canceled due to weather |
| February 23, 2026 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 30, 2026 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 27, 2026 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 11, 2026 | Agenda | Minutes |
Legislative Process for Undergraduate Curriculum Items and Forms
Overview of Curriculum Legislation Guidelines
Curriculum Legislation Flowchart
Procedures Document - Which form to use for what.
Current University Catalog - Program Guides
Curriculum Legislation Forms
Course Fee Form - Send to Provost
Academic Planning Excel - Needed with any Curriculum Form
New Minor/Emphasis/Certificate Form
General Education Course Approval Form
KBOR New Program Proposal Form
Curriculum Legislation Timeline (Revised Summer 2013, Updated 7/30/21)
| 8/11 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 8/25 | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 9/5 | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 9/17 | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 9/19 |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 10/6 |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 10/78 |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 10/27 |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
SEPTEMBER LEGISLATION
| 9/8 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 9/29 | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 10/3 | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 10/15 | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 10/17 |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 10/27 |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 11/7 |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 11/17 |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
OCTOBER LEGISLATION
Last opportunity for new Major/Program approval prior to the upcoming semester
| 10/13 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 10/27 | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 10/31* | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 11/5* | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 11/7* |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 11/17* |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
|
11/21*
|
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 12/8* |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
NOVEMBER LEGISLATION
| 11/10 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 12/1* | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 12/6 | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 12/17 | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 12/18 |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 1/5* |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 1/16* |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 1/26 |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
DECEMBER LEGISLATION
| 12/8 |
Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due |
| 12/19* | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 1/9* | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 1/21 | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 1/23 |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 2/2 |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 2/13 |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 2/23 |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
JANUARY LEGISLATION
| 1/12 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 1/26 | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 2/6 | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 2/18 | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 2/20 |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 3/2 |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 3/13 |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 3/30* |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
FEBRUARY LEGISLATION
| 2/9 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 2/23 | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 3/6 | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 3/11* | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 3/13* |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 4/6 |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 4/17 |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 4/27 |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
MARCH LEGISLATION
Last date to submit items for approval at May Faculty Senate meeting
| 3/9 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 3/30 | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 4/3* | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 4/8* | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 4/10* |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 4/20* |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 5/1* |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 5/11* |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
APRIL LEGISLATION
| 4/13 | Preliminary draft of proposed curricular items due in College Curriculum "Preliminary Legislation" SharePoint folder posted by department chair. Preliminary legislation items submitted after this date should be moved to the next month's preliminary legislation folder. |
| 4/27 | Final draft of Preliminary Legislation due in College Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder posted by each College. |
| 5/8 | College Curriculum Committee meet by end of first week of 2nd month. |
| 8/19 | Approved College Curriculum Legislation with appropriate signatures due in FS SharePoint "Approved Curriculum from Colleges..." |
| 8/21 |
10-day posting by Registrar's Administrative Specialist |
| 9/8 |
Curricular items sent to Faculty Senate University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee SharePoint folder by Registrar's Admin. |
| 9/18 |
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet by the end of the 2nd week of month 3. |
| 9/28 |
Faculty Senate Meeting |
Documents and Links
Each document or link opens in a new browser window.
for *.pdf files, get the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader
for *.doc files, you need Microsoft Word or equivalent
10-day University Wide Viewing of Legislative Items for Faculty Senate Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Approval
College of Arts and Sciences Legislation
Courses - ART 479, BIOL 301, CHEM 593, 601, 681, MLL, ENGL 301, 308, 478
Curriculum -BIOL Environmental Educ Cert, ART Educ Emph, HIST No Emph, General Emph, CHEM Forensic Chem Emph, Polymer Emph
Kelce College of Business Legislation
College of Education Legislation
College of Technology Legislation
Courses - CMCET 235, GC 430, 535
Other Units Legislation
Archived Meeting Agenda/Minutes
2025-2026 Agenda and Minutes
September 29, 20252024-2025 Agenda and Minutes
September 30, 20242023-2024 Agenda and Minutes
September 25, 20232022-2023 Agenda and Minutes
September 26, 20222021-2022 Agenda and Minutes
September 27, 20212020-2021 Agenda and Minutes
September 28, 2020
October 26, 2020
November 30, 2020
December 7, 2020
January 25, 2021
February 22, 2021
March 29, 2021
April 26, 2021 - Elections
May 3, 2021
2019-2020 Agenda and Minutes
August 15, 2019**
September 23, 2019
October 28, 2019
November 25, 2019
December 9, 2019
January 27, 2020
February 24, 2020
March 30, 2020*
April 8, 2020**
April 27, 2020*
May 11, 2020*
*Via Canvas **Special Meeting
2018-2019 Agenda and Minutes
September 24, 2018Archived Documents
Each document or link opens in a new browser window.
for *.pdf files, get the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader
for *.doc files, you need Microsoft Word or equivalent