SENATE MINUTES

Meeting Date:

3/14/02

Status of Minutes:

APPROVED

Senate Session:

XVIII

Meeting Number:

12

Present:

Present: P. Travis, S.A. Davis, N. Sidell, C. D'Ortona, H. Biblehimer, B. Cunningham, R. Maris, G. Kutty, J. Tan, A. Longoria, S. Thornsley, B. Wallace, W. Sanders, W. Keith for B. Holtman, R. Dodson, W. Evans, M. Matarese, A. Gaskievicz, M. Syrett, J. Werner, D. Crowder for M-D. Schmid, I. Newman, M. Chester, S. Brown, J. Floyd, L. Cass, P. King, J. Warner, M. Lane, J. Halstead.

Guests: D. Murray, R.Timko.

I.

P. Travis called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.

II.

Minutes of February 21, 2002 were approved as electronically distributed (Evans/Chester).

APPROVED

III.

Treasurer's Report (C. D'Ortona)

The account balance is $744. Outstanding dues may still be paid.

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APPROVED

IV.

Announcements

1. A. The Middle States Team visit is set for 3/18 through 3/20. J. Halstead encouraged faculty to review material on the webpage and attend the Town Meeting, set for 3/19 at 12:30 p.m.
   
2. J. Floyd invited everyone to attend the Intercultural Relations Conference on 3/15 and 3/16.

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V.

MOTION FROM SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 1. A "global awareness course" is defined as a course which studies issues that affect people in other nations. 2. The combination of course content, assignments and/or activities covering these issues in other nations shall constitute a minimum of 30% of the course. S. Davis indicated that this was an effort to provide clarification and guidance for faculty and is consistent with standards for writing and information literacy courses, as well the accepted standard for Canadian studies and women studies courses.

Discussion: A substitute motion originating from the IG Subcommittee was made and seconded (Syrett/Gaskievicz). The substitute motion was: 1. A "global awareness" course is defined as a course which studies issues in nations external to the political and geographic boundaries of the US from the perspective of the culture or society of that nation. 2. The combination of course content, assignments, pedagogical experiences, and/or activities covering these issues in other nations shall constitute a minimum of 50% of the course. 3. Any course which is taught in a foreign nation will be deemed as satisfying criterion 2, regardless of content. (The rationale here is that 100% of the study experience will occur in "global" context" ).

Discussion of substitute motion: How will there be enough courses for student need if the 50% standard is adopted? Over 100 G courses have already been approved, more than sufficient to meet the need. If the motion is approved, will these 100 courses be "grandfathered?" The IG Subcommittee has been flexible thus far with the percentage for approved courses ranging from 40 to 100%. How do intro to foreign language courses fit this definition? Intro courses were perceived by the IG Subcommittee as emphasizing thinking within the cultural context, not just with learning pronunciations. Does this clarification limit student options? Perhaps a broader definition would not be so limiting. Gen ed is about change and course construction changes are presupposed. The idea is for students to be exposed to cultures they normally would not be. If we broaden the definition, we would lose sight of our original intent. The IG Committee felt they were following the intent of the gen ed program as passed by faculty. Should this be sent back to the appropriate bodies for further discussion? This has already occurred and vagueness still exists. Clarification is needed so the membership of future IG Subcommittees knows the guidelines. Issue was taken with the "external" wording in #1. A friendly amendment was offered and acceptable to those present that "nations other than the U.S." be substituted for "external to the political and geographic boundaries of the U.S." An amendment was made to change #2 to: The combination of course content, assignments, pedagogical experiences, and/or activities covering these issues in other nations shall constitute a minimum of 40% of the course (Syrett/Longoria). Discussion of amendment: Since the IG Subcommittee will be merging with WAC, and writing courses require 25 &endash;30% of the course content, will this inconsistency lead to confusion? How can we reasonably quantify any percentage, whether it be 40% or 50%? Is 40% of course content different from 40% of the final grade? There are a variety of ways to determine the 40% requirement, as specified in #2. MOTION APPROVED (14 for and 7 against).

Next, the substitute amended motion was considered: 1. A "global awareness" course is defined as a course which studies issues in nations other than the U.S. from the perspective of the culture or society of those nations. 2. The combination of course content, assignments, pedagogical experiences, and/or activities covering these issues in other nations shall constitute a minimum of 40% of the course. 3. Any course which is taught in a foreign nation will be deemed as satisfying criterion 2, regardless of content. (The rationale here is that 100% of the study experience will occur in "global" context).

Discussion of substitute amended motion: Are these the only criteria that will be used for G course approval? The IG Subcommittee looks at the whole intent of the course. The intent of the original motion was meant as an add-on to help clarify. The question was called by M. Chester who then ceded the call for a comment that #3 of the motion was not discussed. Students taking on-line courses while physically here would not "count" under this section. A student would need to be physically present when taking a course taught in a foreign nation. The question was called and clarification provided that if the motion under consideration is not passed, consideration will return to the original Senate Executive Committee motion. SUBSTITUTE AMENDED MOTION DEFEATED (10 for and 13 against).

The original motion from Senate Executive Committee was considered. The motion was: 1. A "global awareness course" is defined as a course which studies issues that affect people in other nations. 2. The combination of course content, assignments and/or activities covering these issues in other nations shall constitute a minimum of 30% of the course. Discussion: AAC rejected the multicultural component and this vague wording suggests that it would be acceptable. An amendment to the motion was made to change #1 to read: 1. A "global awareness course" is defined as a course which studies issues in nations other than the U.S. (Gaskievicz/King). Discussion: Are we legislating this to death? Is there a reason to rewrite all the rules? Providing clarification now will allow for guidelines for future subcommittees who will interpret this. AMENDMENT APPROVED.

A second amendment to the motion was made to change #1 to read: 1. A "global awareness course" is defined as a course which studies issues in nations other than the U.S. from the perspectives of the culture or society of those nations (Keith/Longoria). Discussion: Does this provide clarification? MOTION DEFEATED.

The full motion was considered, which now read: 1. A "global awareness course" is defined as a course which studies issues in nations other than the U.S. 2. The combination of course content, assignments and/or activities covering these issues in other nations shall constitute a minimum of 30% of the course. Discussion: The 30% is consistent with writing course requirements. The IG Subcommittee will use 30% as a minimum guideline. MOTION APPROVED (17 for, 5 against).

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VI.

Committee Reports

A.

Academic Affairs (H. Biblehimer)


The following motions were presented by AAC:

MOTION ONE: AAC moves to approve the curricular change submitted by the Department of Social Work, Sociology and Anthropology:

Action: Course Change Request: ANH 281 Anthropological Linguistics

Purpose and Nature of Change: Cross list ANH 281 with ENG 281: Introduction to Linguistics

Discussion: none. MOTION APPROVED.

MOTION TWO: AAC moves to approve the curricular change submitted by the department of Business and Economics:

Action: Program Deletion: AS Accounting

Rationale for Deletion: Insufficient enrollment

Impact on any other program: None

Discussion: none. MOTION APPROVED.

MOTION THREE: AAC moves to approve the curricular change submitted by the department of Health Sciences:

#1 Action: Course Change Request: NUR 270

Purpose and nature of the change: Update the course description for NUR 270 in order to more accurately reflects the content of the course. Change the prerequisite NUR 170 to "Co-requisite NUR 170"

Course Description: This course provides a theory and skills foundation for professional nursing and the role of the professional nurse is explored. The Nursing process, health care needs of individuals, and health-physical assessment are central concepts. The history of nursing and pharmacological computations is also included. The laboratory component concentrates on the student acquiring skills such as the physical assessment of the client and the acquisition of professional nursing skills.

#2 Action: Course Change Request: NUR 271

Purpose and nature of the change: Update the course description for NUR 271 in order to more accurately reflects the content of the course.

Course description: This course builds on the concepts introduced in NUR 170 and 270. Course Content focuses on developing a global awareness of cultures outside of the United States and the impact of culture on nursing practice. There is a continuation of the application of the nursing process to human needs and responses to illness and human development. The laboratory component focuses on gaining basic clinical skills and applying them in the student's first clinical experience.

Discussion: none. MOTION APPROVED.

MOTION FOUR: AAC moves to approve a course change to UNV 100:

Purpose and nature of the change: To submit the course outline for UNV 100 for final approval

This course outline was given a one-year approval April 2001. The content and outline of this course had not been finalized and the CAN was not sent out to the campus in time for a final approval spring of 2001. The tentative outline was given a one year approval April 28,2001. It is now seeking final approval of the outline.

Discussion: SGA is concerned that it depends on the instructor how the course is taught or whether or not one needs to attend class. Is there a way to allow for another year's "probation?" IM 2000 indicates that recommendations regarding this course and gen ed will be made at the end of the next year. This motion seeks final approval of the course outline, not the course itself. Is there an actual outline for the course? There is and this trial period is recognized as a growth process. All comments regarding improvements for UNV 100 should be forwarded to D. Murray who chairs a task force overseeing this course. L. Cass encouraged students to take the course with an instructor from their major if possible. MOTION APPROVED.

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B.

Academic Planning (P. Travis for B. Ganong)

The Department of Art is proposing a minor in Art History. APC asked for more information to support the need and demand for such a program. All faculty should be aware that System approval of any new programs, even minor programs, requires a fairly substantial examination of need and demand. Questions about the level of detail required should be directed to Nancy Cooledge.  

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C.

Administrative Affairs & Elections (P. Travis for F. Chua)

The spring election process is underway. The upcoming election will be held using paper ballots.

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D.

Student Affairs & Admissions (D. Rotella)

No report.

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E.

Information Technology (P. Travis for B. Holtman)

The "mansfield.edu" issue is to be discussed with representatives from P.R. and Admissions on 3/21. Comments should be addressed to B. Holtman. P.R. and Admissions heartily agree that this change is a very wise thing for us to do, regardless of technical difficulties and the inevitable transition-period woes. M. Lane clarified that this change is for e-mail, not the web address

.

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F.

Library Advisory (M. Syrett)

No report.

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G.

Provost (M. Lane)

AAC is aware that changing course numbers to four digits is being looked at. Some departments will have sequencing issues which will be resolved with the availability of a special form. Senators were asked to convey to chairs that the catalogue dates will be changing for next year. The last date for Senate approval of catalogue changes for the 2003 &endash; 2004 course catalogue will be early December.

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VII.

Old Business

None.

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VIII.

New Business

None.

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VIII.

Meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m. (Davis/Floyd).

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Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Sidell
Secretary of Senate