SENATE MINUTES

Meeting Date:

10/4/01

Status of Minutes:

APPROVED

Senate Session:

XVIII

Meeting Number:

4

Present:

S.A. Davis, N. Sidell, C. D'Ortona, H. Biblehimer, B. Ganong, M. Syrett, D. Rotella, B. Cunningham, J. Kirby, K. Sullins, A. Longoria, S. Thornsley, B. Wallace, J. Ulrich, E. Blais for B. Holtman, B. Sabol, M. Matarese, A. Gaskievicz, M-D. Schmid, R. Timko for I.Newman, S. Brown, R, Keller, A. Mabe, J. Floyd, L. Cass, D. Blouch, C. Coleman, M. Lane.

I.

S. Davis called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.

II.

Minutes of September 20, 2001 were approved as electronically distributed (Schmid/Ulrich).

APPROVED

III.

Treasurer's Report (C. D'Ortona)

The account balance is $433. Senate reps were reminded to collect $10 dues from faculty. Checks should be made payable to the MU Foundation, with "University Senate" written on the "memo" line.

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APPROVED

IV.

Announcements

1. J. Halstead approved the two curricular actions of 9/20/01, a program change for Philosophy -- Pre Law minor and a course change request for Library Science.
   
   
2. The Faculty Assembly to discuss Senate Constitution revisions will be held on 10/19 at 4:00 p.m. An e-mail will be sent to all faculty announcing this.
   
   
3. M. Lane is hosting a Brown Bag discussion on "mission related activities" on 10/9 at 12:30- 2:00 in 307 AHSC.
   
   
4. An open forum on the Middle States draft report will be held on 10/10 from 4:00 - 5:30 in 317 AHSC.
   
   
5. D. Rotella announced that reports have been mailed to faculty asking for academic feedback on freshmen athletes and those considered at high academic risk. Deficiencies are shared with head coaches and students. Appreciation was extended to faculty for completing these reports in the past.
   

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V.

Committee Reports

A.

Academic Affairs (H. Biblehimer)


Two motions were presented by AAC.

MOTION ONE: Approve the checklist to be used for courses applying for the Global Awareness designation.

Rationale: The checklist will be used by the IG subcommittee of AAC to determine if a course has sufficient global content to fulfill one of the Global Awareness designations required in General Education.

Discussion: An instructor would complete the checklist and submit a course syllabus to the IG subcommittee who would determine its appropriateness for the G designation. Designations would be course-driven because course content would not change over time, regardless of iinstructor.

The question was called. MOTION APPROVED.

MOTION TWO: Approve the checklist to be used for courses applying for the Information Literacy designation.

Rationale: The checklist will be used by the IG subcommittee of AAC to determine if a course has sufficient Information Literacy requirements to fulfill one of the Information Literacy designations required in Gen Ed.

Discussion: An amendment was made to replace the sentence "The department Chair must apply for Information Literacy status for each course" with "The instructor of record must apply for all sections of all courses on an individual basis" (Timko/Mabe).

Discussion on amendment: This would make the I designation instructor-driven, and follow the current model for W course approval. Would this model pose problems for students? AAC felt that course-driven was more appropriate because of potential student difficulties and confusion in knowing if a particular course section was I-designated or not. W courses (instructor-driven) are confusing to students and difficult to administer. Students could choose between I and non-I courses, giving them more options. It also allows for academic freedom for the instructor to teach the course as he or she best sees fit. Should faculty be forced to teaching a course with particular requirements? M. Lane demonstrated the complexity of the problem by showing that one course with several sections could be G, IG, WG or WIG. The G designation is a constant; only the W and I designations would vary. Academic freedom is a non-issue; ENG 112 is an example. Would seniors in majors with limited choices have difficulty in locating I courses? Does IG limit class size? Not necessarily but it could increase faculty load.

The question was called. A hand vote was taken, with 11 yes and 9 no. AMENDMENT APPROVED. The amended motion was considered. The question was called. MOTION, AS AMENDED, APPROVED.

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B.

Academic Planning (B. Ganong)

The committee acted as external reviewers for program reviews of political science and political science international programs. 

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C.

Administrative Affairs & Elections

No report.

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D.

Student Affairs & Admissions (D. Rotella)

No report.

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E.

Information Technology (B. Holtman)

No report.

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F.

Library Advisory

No report.

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G.

Provost (M. Lane)

As electronic pre-registration for Spring semester begins next month, faculty are reminded that new freshmen and those transferring with less than 18 credits are on the new gen ed plan. All other students remain on the former gen ed. ARG and L. Cass have volunteered to visit every department to educate faculty on Webadvisor and its uses for registration.
A total of 3, 303 students enrolled this semester, the second highest percentage increase in the system, behind only Lock Haven who opened a new campus.
Faculty were asked to place texts for freshmen courses on reserve so students may access them if needed.
W. Sanders is coordinating the attendance at a system teaching effectiveness conference that will be held in March. Chairs should be contacted for additional information for those wishing to present.
APSCUF and management are working to clarify definitions of continuing education classes.
M. Lane and N. Cooledge will be visiting those departments affected by small program reviews.
Newly starting freshmen numbered 650, exactly on target. No additional funds will be received as a result of enrollment increases. Funding decisions are based on a three-year rolling cycle. Eventually, enrollment increases will result in proportional funding increases. A good portion of the increased enrollment numbers are from last year's freshmen cohort, which will likely translate into improved retention.
Reducing six faculty positions in three years is budget-driven. Seven retirements have been announced between 5/30 and today. Decisions on filling positions are being made based on program enrollments. Six or seven programs could use new faculty lines.
UNV 100 students will be surveyed next week and at the end of the semester as part of the review process that the Gen Ed Subcommittee will oversee.

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VI.

Old Business

1. A. Longoria, in addition to reminding of the 11/9 Michael Weller event, questioned how departments will be impacted by the productivity data presented by S. Bronn at the 9/20 Senate meeting. APC will look at how departments will be affected.
   
   

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VII.

New Business

1. D. Rotella announced that Billy Mills, 1964 Olympic gold medalist and motivational speaker, will be presenting on 10/29 at 7:00 in Allen Auditorium.
   
   
2. A. Longoria announced a panel discussion on Islam will be held on 10/15 at 4:00 in 307 AHSC. Refreshments will be served.

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VIII.

Meeting adjourned at 4:14 p.m. (Longoria/Blouch).

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Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Sidell
Secretary of Senate