SENATE MINUTES

Meeting Date:

1/25/01

Status of Minutes:

APPROVED

Senate Session:

XVII

Meeting Number:

9

Present:

Present: P. Travis, S.A. Davis, N. Sidell, M. Lambert, B. Ganong, R. Timko, K.F. Thorne, D. Rotella, T. Loomis, J. Kirby, A. Ghods, M. Robinson, K.S. Young for A. Longoria, S. Thornsley, T. Murphy, F. Blanco, K. Falk, M. Materese, A. Gaskiewicz, L. Schankman, J. Mumma, M-D Schmid, I. Newman for T. Young, S. Brown, R. Keller, A. Mabe, F. Kollar, L. Cass, C. Nhamercedes, M. Lane, J. Halstead.

I.

P. Travis called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.

II.

Minutes of December 7, 2000 were approved (Ghods/Kollar).

APPROVED

III.

Treasurer's Report (S. Davis for M. Lambert)

Treasurer's Report (Lambert). Balance is $683, with some dues still outstanding. Motion One: to transfer $500 from the Senate account into the University Scholarship Senate Account. MOTION APPROVED. The balance is now $183.

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APPROVED

IV.

Announcements

1. J. Halstead approved all six motions approved at the last Senate meeting. These motions were: program changes from Fisheries; package of course changes from Communications; name change for SOC 340; package of course changes from Social Work, Anthropology & Sociology; package of course changes from Chemistry/Physics; and a new academic amnesty policy.
   
2. The Provost's brown bag luncheon is set for 2/8/01 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. in North Hall Community Room.
   
3. The Senate Constitutional revision committee is beginning its work. Suggestions should be sent to S. Davis.
   
4. J. Halstead reported on a successful campus visit from the new Board chair and chancellor.

    

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V.

Committee Reports

A.

Academic Affairs (A. Gaskievicz for L. Pifer)


It was announced that faculty should receive clarification on forms used for any curricular changes. Any curricular changes, effective for Fall 2001, must be approved by the February 22 meeting of AAC. The deadline for catalog changes is March 1.

Motion Two: Approve the following Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal Policy for Graduate Students. (approved by graduate council 12/7/00) A student whose cumulative QPA is below 3.00 at the end of any semester or who receives an F in any single course in the semester is placed on academic probation until the QPA rises to 3.00 or above and any F grades have been removed by retaking the course (see Repeating a Course). Probationary status does not mean that a student is dismissed from the University. It means that the student is not currently meeting the standard required for graduation and that corrective action is required. A student on probation will receive a letter from the University about the probationary status. Failure to achieve the minimum QPA within one academic year, or to remove an F by retaking a course the next time the course is offered, will result in dismissal from the University. A student who receives an F in two or more courses in one semester is automatically dismissed from the University.

This policy is consistent with other graduate programs and maintains the 3.00 QPA requirement.

MOTION APPROVED.

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B.

Academic Planning (B. Ganong)

APC has approved a forensic science minor and has forwarded it to AAC.

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C.

Administrative Affairs & Elections (R. Timko)

The first committee meeting of the semester will be held on Feb. 2.

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D.

Student Affairs & Admissions (D. Rotella)

Pennsylvania applications are up 6% over last year. Enrollment for Spring 2001 is 101 more students than last spring (as of 1/23/01).

Spring programs planned by the Wellness Committee are: Eating Disorders Awareness Program and film "Slim Hopes" on 2/15 at 6:30 in Multi-Purpose Room of Student Center (co-sponsored by Wellness and President's Commission on Status of Women) and Food and Fitness Program including nutritional assessments on 3/16.

The results of the ACT survey will be discussed at Senate on 2/8.

Candidate interviews for the advocacy position have concluded; a hiring decision is expected next week.

On SGA's agenda is the issue of non-traditional student parking issues and day care access.

C. Nhamercedes asked about the committee's response to concerns of professor attitudes towards commuters and students with children. The committee has asked for additional clarification.

The parking structure bids came in substantially over what was anticipated. J. Halstead emphasized that parking will be addressed and there will be a net gain in parking spaces. The issue of non-traditional student parking was further clarified and will be addressed.

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E.

Information Technology (K. Thorne)

Macintosh computers have been replaced in the Art/Journalism lab with PCs. If a graphic arts program is developed, the issue will be re-evaluated. T. Loomis clarified that his instructor feels comfortable with the lab set-up.

Compliments were given to those who made the physical changes over break.

R. Timko reported problems with library computers not allowing the opening of multiple windows, seriously impacting his students' ability to complete assignments. IT staff has not responded.

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F.

Library Advisory

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No report.

G.

Provost (M. Lane)

J. Halstead indicated that good news for our science environment was forthcoming very soon.

M. Lane reported on the successful aquisition of two monetary awards: (1) a program initiative grant for $182,555 for "Music at MU: An Area of Special Competence and Distinction," and (2) a venture capital loan for $121,191 to fund "Enrollment Growth in Science and Technology."

There is no specific agenda for the brown bag lunch of 2/8; any item is on the table.

Information Technology worked hard over break to complete work in the computer labs.

Over the last two weeks, department chairs have received a list of small programs to be reviewed.

An unnamed faculty member reportedly told students that if three consecutive classes were missed, financial aid would be lost. This is not true: there is no loss of financial aid for this reason.

A 2/27 informational meeting will be held for programs affected by mandates related to education programs. The requirements will be complicated and will require faculty to be well versed when advising these students.

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VI.

Old Business

None.

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VII.

New Business

1. A resolution was forwarded from Senate Executive Committee who "recommends that the administration direct the campus bookstore to insure than an adequate number of textbooks and textbook supplements are available for MU students each semester. We recommend that the bookstore staff note the projected enrollments and monitor the actual enrollments through the add period, and make additional purchases in a timely manner, if necessary. Secondly, Senate Executive Committee protests any proposal to charge departments for any unsold books."

   Rationale: this semester (S 2001) there have been confirmed reports from faculty members in a number of departments of the unavailability of a sufficient number of textbooks and/or textbook supplements for students in their classes. The problem appears to be more serious than in past semesters. We are concerned that policies or procedures may need to be reviewed to correct this problem.

   S. Davis moved to adopt this resolution. Discussion: The bookstore is not involved in any formal administrative review, nor is there any reporting mechanism between CCSI and faculty. M. Lane suggested surveying faculty to determine the degree and severity of the problem. Accountability appears to be an issue. CCSI recently was given access to Web Advisor so enrollment information is known. An amendment was proposed to add the following to the motion: information should be gathered from chairs as soon as possible, and that the provost should take appropriate action based upon the information (Kollar/Ghods). The amendment passed.

   Motion 3: Senate moves to recommend that the administration direct the campus bookstore to insure than an adequate number of textbooks and textbook supplements are available for MU students each semester. We recommend that the bookstore staff note the projected enrollments and monitor the actual enrollments through the add period, and make additional purchases in a timely manner, if necessary. Secondly, Senate protests any proposal to charge departments for any unsold books. Thirdly, we request that the Provost seek information, as soon as possible, from the department chairpersons about the availability of textbooks and textbook supplements for their department members' classes this semester, and that the Provost recommend or take action as appropriate, based upon the findings. Discussion: The Administrative Affairs Committee can also examine this issue. MOTION APPROVED. P. Travis will e-mail a copy of this motion and rationale to J. Maresco.

2. Motion 4: No student shall be eligible to participate in intercollegiate sports or any other university sponsored extramural activity unless she/he maintains a minimum QPA of 2.00. The quality point average which shall be used to determine eligibility will be that average which is recorded on the student's Evaluation Record for the most recently completed academic term (Timko/Brown). Discussion: Should this issue be further discussed to determine NCAA standards and to receive input from the athletic director and coaching staff? Athletics are not being singled out with this motion. This is consistent with current academic standards. NCAA leaves the issue up to each institution to decide. A motion was made to refer the issue to Academic Affairs for further discussion (Davis/Brown). Discussion: AAC is encouraged to consult with Student Affairs when considering this issue. MOTION TO REFER APPROVED.

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VIII.

Meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m. (Davis/Ghods)

Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Sidell
Secretary of the University Senate