Millersville University, Faculty Senate

Minutes

Meeting of the Faculty Senate

March 7, 2000


Chairperson Joel Piperberg called the meeting to order at 4:07 PM in Chryst 210. All departments were represented with the exception of the following: Business Administration, Economics, Music, and Graduate Studies.

The Minutes for February 1, 2000 meeting stand approved. Approval for Minutes of February 15, 2000 (corrections not withstanding) stand approved.

Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson

Announcements

  1. Chairperson Piperberg announced that on February 1, 2000 there was a question about the number and title of a Music Independent Study course. He received a memo from Dan Heslink, Chair of the Music Department, stating that since the intent for the course was that it satisfy the Advanced Writing requirement with the composition of the Departmental Honors Thesis, that the MUSI 499 number was appropriate. The title of the course has thus been changed to reflect the fact that it is the Departmental Honors Thesis and not an Independent Study.
  2. Chairperson Piperberg asked if someone could attend the interview for the Director of Extended Programs on Thursday, March 9 at 10:00 am in Room 44 of the SMAC. He assured that he would be able to attend upcoming interviews.
  3. Chairperson Piperberg announced that the Co-op proposal (on the table Attachment A) would be considered at today's meeting. Also four other proposals from the Academic Policies Committee will be introduced at the meeting today; they will be discussed and put to a vote at the April 4, 2000 meeting of the Senate.
  4. Chairperson Piperberg announced that he had received a memo from Provost McNairy concerning the proposed revision of the M. Ed. Professional Core that was passed a while ago. He brought the memo with him in the event that anyone was interested now and further, that Provost McNairy would provide a disk copy that Chairperson Piperberg would, in turn, send around via email for all to look at. In brief, he continued, she has requested that we refer the proposal back to GCPRC from whence it came to consider the points she raises in the memo. To refer it back to the Committee would require a motion and second from the floor. Chairperson Piperberg inquired whether he heard such a motion. It was decided that referral of the proposal back to GCPRC would be considered at the April 4, 2000 meeting to allow the Senate membership to read Provost McNairy's comments prior to considering the proposal.

Report of the Student Senate President Student

Student Senate President Baker made the following announcements:

  1. an upcoming new web-site, i.e., "BYO Stuff."
  2. members of Student Senate went to the State Capital last week.
  3. on April 9, there will be a Senate Coalition where MU representatives would meet with other campus Senators.

Report of the Graduate Student Organization President

None.

Report of Administrative Offices

President Caputo reported that the House Budget Hearings (lasting 2 hours) produced little positive outcome. Graduation rates remain the biggest point of concern. He commented that the budget amount itself would not be likely to change. Budget approval is expected by early May. The President announced that the Middle States team would be arriving on Sunday, March 12. He said that Dr. Castleberry and Linda Suskie had led the effort to prepare the self-study analysis for the University and that it included a description of our strengths and weaknesses and strategies for the next ten years. The Middle States team will begin their evaluations and interviews on Monday, making recommendations before their departure on Wednesday.

Provost McNairy announced a Trustees meeting to be held in April with the Board of Governors. She announced the Lockey Lecture after Middle States leaves (see attached document). Provost McNairy also drew attention to the document on the table entitled "Proposal to Establish an Honors College at Millersville University" (See Attachment E Attachment F Attachment G Attachment H Attachment HH Attachment I Attachment J Attachment K Attachment L Attachment M) Attachment N Attachment O Attachment P Attachment Q Attachment R. She expressed appreciation for those involved in its production. The University Honors Program Committee has proposed a move towards an Honors College. This "new direction," said Provost McNairy, was articulated in the document. Faculty were asked to review the proposal.

Dr. Stager announced the return of DARS, available as of March 6, after which time over 700 students ran an audit and 30 showed up for a demonstration.

Dr. Phillips distributed packets with information to be circulated within departments explaining DARS. She encouraged faculty to advise Freshman (who have no knowledge of DARS) of its existence.

Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees

Dr. Richard Kerper requested that Faculty Senate make a motion to waive the one-meeting rule and approve the Foreign Language proposal presented at today's meeting. The proposal requests a reduction in the number of courses required for the M. A. and M. Ed. in French, German and Spanish to a maximum of 11 three-credit courses. If the proposal is approved, the program will decrease from having a 34 credit requirement to a 33 credit requirement. It includes an increase in credit per graduate course from 2 to 3 credits. Dr. Leroy Hopkins defended the proposal on the grounds that students were currently only receiving 2 credits for what amounts to a 3 credit work load. The expedited changes will also facilitate the partnership with Kutztown University over the summer since it will allow for the smooth transfer of coursework and should enhance recruitment. It will be effective in Spring 2000. Waiver of the one-meeting rule was moved and seconded. The vote in favor to pass the proposal succeeded by majority consent with one objection. The proposal was thus approved.

Reports of the Faculty Special Committees

UCPRC Chairperson Jim Fenwick introduced the following proposals to be considered at the April 4 meeting: ITEC 427, Designing Industrial Control Systems (there is a mistake on the cover sheet; the course should not have a prerequisite of ITEC 120); the Chemistry Department proposes a requirement of a grade of C or better in a 100 or 200 level chemistry courses required for the major before proceeding to a course for which it is a prerequisite. The Earth Sciences Department proposed that there be added a "W" designation to ESCI 321. This change would apply to students who took ESCI 321 in Fall 1999.

Dr. Fred Foster-Clark from the General Education Review Committee asked Senate members to look over and share with colleagues the Assessment Report (see attachment). He discussed the establishment of various study groups to talk about "Perspectives courses," "historical consciousness," and identifying what a more "collective approach" to education would be.

Dr. Cheryl Desmond spoke briefly about the Outcomes Assessment process. She announced that on Tuesday, April 18, there would be a forum held in the Lehr Dining Room with a light buffet to discuss General Education Review. The comedy group CoMotion will perform at the event. She encouraged Senate members to invite their fellow colleagues and requested that the Senate meeting on that day adjourn by 5:00 P.M. so that all could attend.

Dr. Richard France spoke briefly about the four proposals generated by the Academic Policies Committee (see attachment C). Senate members expressed some concern over the various items being proposed, particularly registration issues. For example, student waiting lists now that registration is going to be electronic and the shortening of the "drop" period to one week were discussed at some length. Faculty were advised to review the four proposals and that the issues be placed on the agenda for the April 4 meeting.

Proposed Courses and Programs

None.

Faculty Emeritus

A resolution to grant Dr. L. William Schotta the title of Professor of Industry and Technology Emeritus was moved, seconded and passed (See attachment).

Elections: Chairperson of Honors Program Committee and Ad Hoc Honor Code Committee Members and Chairperson

Chairperson Piperberg requested nominations for Chairperson of the Honors Program Curriculum Committee. None were received. The election would again appear on the next agenda.

Nominations were requested for Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Honor Code Committee. Dr. Kathy Schreiber from the Geography Department was nominated to fill this position. Committee member nominees included Dr. Jill Craven from English, Dr. Jeri Miller from Philosophy, and Dr. Jessica George from Library. Chairperson Piperberg closed nominations and said that nominations for the remaining Committee seats would be placed on the next agenda. It was moved and seconded that the Secretary be instructed to cast a ballot in favor of all candidates. The motion passed unanimously.

Cooperative Education Committee Proposals

Dr. Bill Dorman proposed that the Committee formalize their current policy of awarding a minimum of 3 credits for Coop 200, Coop 300, Coop 400, and Coop 500. They also recommended increasing the maximum from 6 credits. Dr. Dorman said the change would comply with policies already in existence in other departments. The proposal was seconded and after a brief discussion was passed.

Other/New Business

None.

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jen Miller
Recorder


Return to Faculty Senate Home Page
Return to MU Home Page