Faculty Senate met Wednesday afternoon and discussed the Foundations of Excellence program, parking issues and the resignation of Faculty Senate President Paul Stoddard, among other items.

Stoddard said the Foundations of Excellence program is a way to help students’ freshman year to be a great experience so they will enjoy their stay here.

“The first-year experience is important for a student and not just in the classroom but around the campus,” Stoddard said. “So, with the Foundation of Excellence we will be able to give first-year students the best possible experience at Northern so students don’t want to leave after their first year here.”

Stoddard made an announcement that he will be stepping down as Faculty Senate President after this semester.

“This will be my last semester sitting up here as President,” Stoddard said. “I will be leaving council next semester, so I can’t hold this position and we’ll be looking for someone to take over.”

He said in order to be eligible for the Faculty Senate position, a faculty member needs to currently be a part of council this semester and the next semester as well.

Parking concerns for faculty were further addressed again.

Several staff members expressed how parking has gotten worse with the snow in the parking lots, which eliminates parking spaces. They also expressed how difficult it is to find a blue parking space.

A few members said they had to cancel class because they could not find a parking space.

Some other staff members said they had to park on side streets or park in the yellow parking spaces resulting in being ticketed because they had no other options.

Stoddard acknowledged that he was aware of the problem and is working on it the best he can.

“I’m going to be at next month’s parking committee meeting and will bring up the issue once again,” he said.

Stoddard gave suggestions on what faculty members could do in the meantime.

“Everybody should send e-mails or write letters to the Department of Public Safety and as well to Eddie Williams, executive vice president of operations for the Department of Finance and Facilities,” he said.