Mansfield University Senate - MINUTES


MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY SENATE SESSION XVI, MEETING #14 "Fin de Millénium" April 13, 2000
Present:			B. Loher, A.V. Lapps, P. Travis, M. Lambert, K.S. Young, W. Yacovissi, R. M. Timko, K. F. Thorne, D. Rotella, D. Kotowski, S. Salter, T. Loomis, A. Ghods, B. Ganong, M. Robinson, K. Musselman, S. Wooley, W. Sanders, H. King, M. Materese, K. Guenther, L. Schankman, J. Mumma, N. Boston, S. Brown, A. Mabe.
I.	B.Loher called the meeting to order at 3:31. K. Musselman is alternate for C. Burns.
II.	A.V. Lapps/P. Travis moved approval of minutes for March 30, 2000			APPROVED
III.	Treasurer's Report (Lambert)			To Contents
	Thanks to a generous donation, the new balance is $352.52 dollars.
[Point of Order]
	R. Timko raised a point of order concerning previous Senate actions that recommended approval of courses of action that recognized courses numbers 251 and above as upper division courses when the policy had not yet been changed. He cited Robert's Rules as stating that "no motion is in order that conflicts with current policies." B.Loher stated that since there is no discussion on a point of order, the chair decides on the point of order. Then the assembly can overturn the chairs decision if they so desire. He divided the point of order into two parts. Since the President had already approved the changes with regard to geography, B. Loher declared the point of order moot on this point. Since the President had reserved approving the policy changes in regard to education pending the approval of the 251 change, the point of order stands on this issue until it is resolved today. B. Loher thanked R. Timko for bringing this to the Senate's attention.
IV.	Announcements			To Contents
	A.	President Halstead has approved actions of Senate on 3/30/00, with three conditions that apply to the changes in the Education/Special Education curriculum. (1) Some additional number changes may be necessary to avoid using old numbers, (2) Reference in the Senate materials to COM 112 should be COM 101, and (3) Courses numbered 250 and above to be upper level will be 251 if Senate recommends.
	B.	Other - none
V.	Committee Reports
	A.	Academic Affairs (W. Yacovissi)		To Contents
		Motion 1: For purposes of meeting the 40% rule under degree standards, courses numbered 251 and above will be counted as upper division courses. This replaces the current policy of using 300 and above as the dividing line between upper and lower division courses.
			(See attachment for the explanation of the motion which was distributed). [CLICK HERE FOR ATTACHMENT] Extensive discussion included the following issues: public perceptions and standard of 300/400 being upper division, gen. ed. proposal has possibility of adding 300/400 to left side of ER, problems of 255 experiemental courses falling under upper division even though they are introductory, impact on the B.A. in Liberal Studies, accrediting agencies assume that 300 is upper division while 200 is lower division, courses are already numbered as they are for a reason. R. Timko moved to amend by adding *"With a cap of no more than 2 courses, equaling 6 total credit hours, at the 251-299 level be allowed to count as upper division courses."* S. Brown second. More discussion about too much record keeping, should we think through the implications before voting. The question was called. Vote on calling the question was passed. Vote on the amendment was not carried. Back to the original motion. A little more discussion. R. Timko called for a roll call vote. The secretary called the roll and recorded. 17 in favor, 4 against, and 2 abstained.
				MOTION APPROVED
			J. Mumma asked a point of information-Will this go into effect for people graduating this May? B. Loher stated we can ask the President to be specific and clarify to whom this applies and when it goes into effect.
		Motion 2: To approve the new course, COM 335: Gender and Communication No discussion.
				MOTION APPROVED
		Motion 3: To approve the new course, MAP 670 Recital J. Mumma asked why the 600 numbering. Answer was it is a graduate-level course.
				MOTION APPROVED
		Motion 4: To approve the new course, SCI 500 Special Topics in Science Education No discussion.
				MOTION APPROVED
	B.	Academic Planning (B. Ganong)		To Contents
		No report.
	C.	Administrative Affairs & Elections (R. Timko)		To Contents
		Meeting tomorrow at 3pm. Ballots are coming in.
	D.	Student Affairs & Admissions (D. Rotella)		To Contents
		Student center opening delayed. New student award in community service. Gender Equity Plan is being reviewed by the Cabinet. SGA will have a form coming out on violence. Please announce upcoming SGA elections on 17th and 18th. Five students suspended for violence in April. Increased use in the fitness center and the Health Center is working on immunizations. She reported on trends in admissions and tree planting by the student athletes. R. Timko asked question about 239 courses. N. Boston asked for current policy on spouses using the fitness center-spouses must accompany the employee. A. Ghods asked if they would extend the hours over summer and breaks to better accommodate those desiring use of the facilities. K. Mussleman asked for a followup to complaints of climate in the residence halls-this may be a retention issue.
	E.	Information Technology (K. Thorne)		To Contents
		They are reviewing the computer skills handout and information on where to improve those skills. Computer use policy is revised, and we will be notified for review. Thirty new computers coming for replacement, and thirty new ones are ordered. Rae Haggerty has taken a job at Florida A&M. IT is running cable to the new student center for phone, CATV, and data service. Request for IT funds are due by April 17th. The NT Enterprise server is up. Human Resources is implementing a new training application that will require a database and file server installation. This will take place over the summer. New installations over the summer of Office 2000, updates to minitab, SAS, SPSS, Maple, and other packages. Faculty need to allow plenty of time for the update when they return to their offices after the planned early July installation (computers might need 30-45 minutes to do their thing after we turn them on).
	F.	Library Advisory		To Contents
		No report.
	G.	Provost		To Contents
		No report.
VI.		Old Business		To Contents
		Gen. Ed. Update:
		A.	President Halstead has put together the implementation team (I-team) as well as a lengthy charge.
		B.	R. Timko announced that he had never used the word "vendetta" as was reported in the Flashlight.
VII.		New Business		To Contents
		P. Travis thanked B. Loher on behalf of the Senate for his leadership over the years.
VIII.		Meeting adjourned at 4:43 (Ghods/Loomis)
Respectfully Submitted, K. Sue Young Acting Secretary of Senate

Meeting Date:	04/13/00	Status of Minutes:	APPROVED
Senate Session:	XVI	Meeting Number:	14


Contents
Treasurer's Report Announcements Academic Affairs Academic Planning	Administrative Affairs & Elections Student Affairs & Admissions Information Technology Library Advisory	Provost's Report Old Business New Business