SENATE MINUTES

Meeting Date:

5 Sept 2002

Status of Minutes:

APPROVED

Senate Session:

XIX

Meeting Number:

2

Present:

Present: S.A. Davis, N. Sidell, B. Holtman, H. Biblehimer, F. Craig, D. Rotella, B. Cunningham, J. Kirby, J. Phillips, A. Longoria, S. Thornsley, E. Washington, W. Keeth, K. Thorne, K. Fulk, M. Materese, A. Gaskievicz for K. Guenther, M. Syrett, D. Crowder, I. Newman, M. Chester, S. Brown, R. Keller, R. Wooley, J. Warner, M. Lane, N. Cooledge, J. Halstead.

I.

S. Davis called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. and welcomed attendees.

II.

Minutes of April 25, 2002 were approved as electronically distributed (A. Longoria/R. Keller).

APPROVED

III.

Treasurer's Report (B. Holtman)

The current account balance is $354. A motion was made by the Executive Committee to set faculty dues at $10. Motion approved. The voluntary contributions will support student scholarships. 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. B. Holtman will issue receipts once dues are paid.

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APPROVED

IV.

Announcements

1. J. Halstead approved all curricular actions from the 4/25/02 Senate meeting.
   
   
2. J. Halstead announced that there is support for the no-smoking issue discussed at the last Senate meeting but has requested broader constituent input on the issue by forming a Task Force. Preliminary figures on enrollment suggest an increase over last year. A total of 3,419 students are enrolled as of 9/4, compared to 3,340 last year. Appreciation was extended to faculty for their efforts related to enrollment and retention. The House Appropriations Committee will be meeting on campus on 9/17. Their agenda has not been finalized yet, but there will be time for interaction with the campus community. Town meetings have been set for 9/23 and 11/7, with topics on managing our destiny and student leadership, respectively. The format will include lunch followed by discussion in 307 Alumni. The university and the Mansfield borough are collaborating on planning 9/11 observances that will offer opportunities to reflect in various ways. Events for 9/11 will be well publicized. The first ever women’s soccer home game will be played on 9/7 and all were invited to attend. The two vice president searches under the direction of S. Bronn are progressing nicely. There appears to be a good applicant pool for both positions.
   
   
3. A faculty member willing to serve on the CCSI board is needed. Interested faculty should contact S. Davis.
   
   
4. In response to Senate’s resolution of 4/25/02, a Tobacco Policy Task Force has been formed that will develop comprehensive recommendation regarding smoking. A faculty representative is needed to serve on this committee that is being chaired by S. Bronn. Interested faculty should contact S. Davis.
   
   
5. Senators were reminded that faculty should respond to F. Chua’s call for nominations by 9/6 at 5:00 p.m.
   
   
6. K. Young gave a brief overview of parliamentary procedure.
   
   
7. A. Longoria announced that auditions will be held next week for “Macbeth” which will run 11/14 through 11/17. An e-mail announcing this will also be distributed.

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V.

Committee Reports

A.

Academic Affairs (H. Biblehimer)


H. Biblehimer announced that there were no motions from AAC. A Faculty Assembly has been set for 9/20 at 3:30 (location TBA) on the topic of general education assessment. Plans for conducting this assessment will be presented and discussed; all faculty were encouraged to attend. A CAN will be sent out in advance of the forum. It was announced that 11/24 is the last deadline for AAC to receive curricular changes that will be effective for fall semester, 2003. Departments are responsible for tracking motions as they move through the curricular machinery. All were reminded to use the new four-digit course numbers.

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B.

Academic Planning (M. Chester)

The new chair reminded that two signed copies and an electronic copy are needed when seeking APC approval. Again, four-digit course numbers should be used for all action.

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C.

Administrative Affairs & Elections (S. Davis for F. Chua)

S. Davis again reminded faculty of the 9/6 nomination deadline for several positions.

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D.

Student Affairs & Admissions

J. Benjamin will organize the group’s first meeting.

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E.

Information Technology (F. Craig)

No report.

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F.

Library Advisory (M. Syrett)

Problems with student computers in the library were reported last semester. This has been positively resolved, as these computers will be replaced.

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G.

Provost (M. Lane)

• Major issues include the 120-hour requirement and the general education assessment, both of which need to be addressed this semester.
• Attendance at the Faculty Forum to address gen ed assessment was encouraged.
• A system-wide provost committee will be addressing the program review process.
• The new vice-chancellor has new forms for new program requests; faculty should consult with N. Cooledge early if considering a new program.
• Two searches that were placed in moratorium have been reinstated for fall semester 2003: the librarian for humanities and the biology faculty line.
• Appreciation was extended to all for enrollment and retention efforts. There is confidence that we will surpass the goal for retention this year.
• The replacement of 40 library computers used by students is possible with the new fee that must be used to fund student-used technology.

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VI.

Old Business

None.

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VII.

New Business

1. J. Warner asked for clarification on why EMT training offered by the Mansfield Fire Department is not counted towards the wellness requirement. The provost responded that the course is not credit bearing and is not affiliated with the university at this point.

VII.

Meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m. (A. Longoria/R. Keller).

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Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Sidell
Secretary of Senate