SENATE MINUTES

Meeting Date:

9/6/01

Status of Minutes:

APPROVED

Senate Session:

XVIII

Meeting Number:

2

Present:

P. Travis, B. Loher, S.A. Davis, N. Sidell, H. Biblehimer, B. Ganong, T. Doerksen for F. Chua, M. Syrett, D. Rotella, B. Cunninghma, A. Ghods, K. Sullins, A. Longoria, B. Wallace, J. Ulrich, B. Holtman, R. Irwin, M. Matarese, A. Gaskievicz, J. Werner, M-D Schmid, I.Newman, M. Chester, S. Brown, R. Keller, A. Mabe, J. Floyd, L. Cass, J. Halstead, M. Lane, D. Blouch, C. Coleman.

Guests: J. Halstead, N. Cooledge, R. Cooper

I.

P. Travis called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.

II.

Minutes of April 26, 2001 were approved with a clerical change of correcting the meeting as Session XVIII, Meeting # 1 (Ghods/Longoria).

APPROVED

III.

Treasurer's Report

P. Travis reported that the balance is $253. A motion was made by the Executive Committee to set faculty dues at $10. Motion approved. The voluntary contributions will support a student scholarship. Senate reps were reminded to collect dues from faculty. Checks should be made payable to the MU Foundation, with "University Senate" written on the "memo" line. S. Davis will collect dues until a treasurer is appointed.

To Contents

APPROVED

IV.

Announcements

1. J. Halstead approved all curricular actions of 4-26-01, which included changes to the African-American Studies minor and the topical outline for UNV 100.
   
   
2. The Provost will hold a discussion on "Measuring Academic Quality" on 9/13 from 12:30 &endash; 2:00 in AHSC 307.
   
   
3. Faculty were encouraged to watch for announcements of open forums sponsored by various Middle States committees.
   
   
4. An informal Bookstore Committee has been formed, with membership consisting of G. Largey, K. McQuaid, J. Ulrich, S. Carrish, P. Travis, M. Lane, J. Maresco, W. Sanders, D. Casselberry and S. Ives. Concerns regarding the bookstore can be communicated to any member or to the bookstore directly.
   
   
5. One position on the CCSI Board and two on the Athletic Advisory Council are available for faculty. J. Maresco should be contacted if interested in serving. Additionally, a faculty representative is needed for SGA and volunteers are needed to serve on Hearing Boards. C. Bianco should be contacted if there is interest in being placed on the Hearing Board active list.
   
   
6. J. Halstead offered appreciation to the entire community for a great beginning to the academic year, including a wonderful convocation. On 9/18, L. Folmer will be presenting at the Town Meeting on the MU Campaign beginning at 12:15 in AHSC 307. The chair of the Middle States accreditation team will be conducting a preliminary visit on 9/20 and will briefly outline the accreditation process at Senate that day. On 10/25 and 26, Judy Hample, the new Chancellor, will be on campus, attending several events, including an Open Forum from 11:00 – 12:00 in AHSC 307 on 10/26.
   
   
7. S. Brown announced that the Women's Commission is planning several events this year. On 9/19, they will host an open forum that faculty and students will be invited to.
   
   
8. A. Longoria announced that Michael Weller will visit campus 11/9. Auditions will be held next week for casting one of his plays.
   
   
9. P. Travis announced that the final Storytelling Festival will be held 9/14 and 15 at Mansfield High School. Tickets are available at the bookstore.
   
   
10. The University calendar is now accessible via the web page. Faculty were reminded to contact B. Morgan with dates of events so they can be posted. This is a useful tool in planning activities.

     

     

     

     

To Contents

V.

Committee Reports

A.

Academic Affairs (H. Biblehimer)


Faculty were encouraged to review the Global Awareness checklist that was sent out earlier.

To Contents

B.

Academic Planning (B. Ganong)

The committee will continue its review of associate degree programs in Health Sciences. It will also engage in discussions regarding planning for our academic future.

To Contents

C.

Administrative Affairs & Elections (T. Doerksen for F. Chua)

No report. One outstanding issue regarding elections to the Promotion Committee was resolved when C. Seidel declined to participate in a run-off election. This leaves D. Murray to serve as new member.

To Contents

D.

Student Affairs & Admissions (D. Rotella)

R. Lucero is now chair of the committee. The Advising Manual is now on-line.

To Contents

E.

Information Technology (B. Holtman)

The IT report for Summer 2001 was reviewed. Highlights include: planning continues for full student registration using Web Advisor for spring 2002. A Virtual Language Lab was used for summer classes and is now available for Spanish, French and German. All campus buildings are now operational on a larger Network switch. Our total backbone throughput has been increased from 4.5 to 10 MB. New computers were delivered to the CIS lab, allowing the replacement of older equipment in other labs. Printers were replaced throughout the library and six of ten classrooms were made "technology capable." A student email server was built that mirrored the server used by faculty and staff. Several new services were introduced to the web, including the Faculty Advising Manual, the Grade Projection Calculator, the 2001 Catalog and the News Page. The process of accounts payable checks and balances were automated to run outside regular business hours. A wireless classroom is planned with the opening of Memorial. PDA applications are being implemented. The Music Department will be part of an experimental concert produced live over the Internet. The distance learning room in Retan G-2 was moved to Doane. CATV service was restored to the Hut. Training sessions in Blackboard were well received by faculty. An Instructional Tech survey will be distributed to faculty soon.

To Contents

F.

Library Advisory (M. Syrett)

Focus groups to determine what students want in library services will be conducted this semester. B. Wallace asked for additional virus protection for library computers. M. Syrett will look into this issue.

To Contents

G.

Provost (M. Lane)

N. Cooledge and R. Cooper were introduced.

Enrollment exceeded expectations at 3334 students as of today. The vast majority are not new freshmen but transfers and readmits. Retention numbers from last fall are not finalized yet, but are projected to be positive. Enrollment goals for PA and minority students were met.

Appreciation was extended to all who attended University Days events.

Measures of academic quality will be developed by the end of November. These will be tied into performance funding from the state and will have to be earned. The first discussion on this issue will be held on 9/13.

Beginning next semester, all faculty will be asked to include wordage regarding ADA accommodations in syllabi. The phrasing will be sent to faculty soon.

To Contents

VI.

Old Business

1. S. Davis described the constitutional review process. Faculty were asked to re-read the constitution and suggest any needed revisions to him. A final version will then be sent out to faculty and plans will be made for a Faculty Assembly to discuss any changes. After the assembly, electronic voting on the revisions will occur.
   
   
2. Problems on the Senate website should be reported to B. Holtman. Senate reps were reminded to communicate with their chairs regarding action taken by Senate.

To Contents

VII.

New Business

None.

To Contents

VIII.

Meeting adjourned at 4:23 p.m. (Davis/Longoria).

To Contents

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Sidell
Secretary of Senate