Faculty Senate Minutes, 4 November 1997

Millersville University, Faculty Senate

Minutes

Faculty Senate Meeting

4 November 1997

Chairperson D. Eidam called the meeting of the Faculty Senate to order at 4:08 p.m. in Chryst 210. All departments except Music were represented. Ryan Kunkel, Emily Brennan, and Melissa Dinofia attended for the Student Senate. MINUTES

The minutes of 7 October 1997 were approved with one clarification. The four ESCI courses approved on 7 October are not part of the Liberal Arts Core.

REPORTS

Chairperson

D. Eidam thanked Senator M. Warmkessel for serving as Acting Secretary at the 7 October meeting. He reported administrative approvals had been received 13 October on the Senate's September actions: these included the one-meeting rule. Additional information on the approvals can be found on the web at:

http://muweb.millersville.edu/~fsenate/Senate_Docs/Admin/1997/10_13_97.html

Eidam reminded Senators of the Facilities Master Planning Group meeting 5 November at 4 p.m. He announced the next SPARC meeting is 13 November at which time the Technology Visions Report will be discussed. Dr. Mary Burger of the Chancellor's Office will be in attendance.

An e-mail informational exchange between Chairperson Eidam and the West Chester University Senate Chairperson, initiated by WCU, on ethical and professional conduct of faculty in the classroom occurred.

The Capital Campaign raised $14.4 million, a 111% response. Faculty funds reflected a 103% participation rate.

Student Senate

M. Dinofia announced the first on-the-road meeting of the Student Senate is scheduled for 6 November in Burrowes Hall. The Homecoming Reunion of student senators brought alumni from 1984--on together. The Student Senate's recent business includes elections of six representatives to open committee seats; revision of the allocation process with informal meetings on campus to communicate any changes; discussion of the off-campus housing problems; and meeting with the H2L2 group. On 13 November President DiNofia will accompany Mu President F. McNairy to the Union League Club's dinner in Philadelphia, and on 14-15 November, with Ms. Amy Dmitzak (public Relations), DiNofia will make a presentation at the Higher Education Leadership Conference.

Administrative Officers

President

President F. McNairy urged faculty to participate in the H2L2 planning meetings, town meetings, and to complete the H2L2 survey now being distributed from her office. She commented on the success of the Homecoming Weekend and she thanked the faculty for participating in the Capital Campaign.

President Mcnairy stated the State System is seeking a 7% increase in the operating budget to avoid any likelihood of a tuitioin increase. A 3%-4% increase in funding is most probable. Lastly, she acquainted the Senators with the nature of legislative disucssions on articulations between state schools and community colleges and schools in the SSHE system. Quality of academic programs has not been a priority in these discussions while timely graduation for transferring students has.

Provost

Provost J. Stager described the presentation he and five faculty members will be making when Dr. Burger visits. He said ten proposals for projects dealing with Distance Learning have been received. The TLTR Task Force will be deciding how to distribute the $48,000 in allocated funds by the end of the semester. PAC met with the Technology Vision Task Force and reviewed its recommendations. Members of both groups will be visiting academic departments to discuss their findings. Provost Stager asked Chairperson Eidam to schedule a presentation for the Senate, too. The Provost clarified the +/- grade policy as it pertains to graduate students. Graduate students enrolled in udnergraduate courses would be graded on the +/- system. Students in 500- and 600-level courses are presently exempted from the policy. Associate Provost S. Casselberry thanked faculty for their work on the catalog revisions. He complimented the Registrar's Office on its ability to manage the move to Lyle and still distribute Spring registration materials on time. He encouraged faculty advisors to schedule appointments with advisees as early as possible, so faculty could volunteer for on-site advisement during the registration period.

Committees

Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee

Senator R. Wismer introduced three courses under the one-meeting rule: