Millersville University, Faculty Senate
Minutes
Meeting of the Faculty Senate
November 6, 2001

Chairperson Piperberg called the meeting to order at 4:10 PM in Chryst 210. All departments were represented.

Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson

The Minutes of October 16th were approved after the following corrections:

Announcements

  1. Chairperson Piperberg thanked faculty who, in response to his e-mail, told him that they planned to attend the Academic Affairs Master Planning Conference on Wednesday, November 7. He offered an agenda for the conference to anyone who wanted one.
  2. He reminded Senate members that Senate would meet on November 20 prior to the start of Thanksgiving break.
  3. Dr. Piperberg told the Senate that the Minutes distributed via e-mail would be coming from the Provost's office. They have a list of faculty and staff members that is kept up-to-date. It didn't make sense for Marie Zufelt to construct and maintain a list for the Senate when such a list already exists and is maintained.
  4. At the last meeting, the following people were elected to fill seats on Senate committees:
  5. He also announced that the location of the June 11, 2002 summer meeting of Senate would have to be moved from its usual location in McComsey Hall's Myers Auditorium, which will be unavailable due to the renovation that begins in the summer. Room 210 in the Science and Technology Building has been reserved for the meeting.

Report of the Student Senate President

Subbing for President Danz, was former Student Senate President Baker who reported the following:

  1. Some progress had been made on centralizing a Lost & Found system.
  2. There is a new High School Mentoring Program.
  3. $50.000 for charity has been collected leading up to Homecoming.

Report of the Graduate Student Organization President None.

Report of the Administrative Officers

President Caputo reported that the Chancellor's visit a month ago was a success. She stated that she had been impressed by Millersville, in particular, at the large faculty turnout. The Chancellor was quoted in The Snapper as saying "MU is one of the best" schools in the State System. The President also reported that a delegation formed from the business community would meet for an exchange with faculty and students during the Academic Affairs Master Planning Conference.

Provost McNairy also reminded faculty that on Wednesday, November 7, the Academic Affairs Master Planning Conference would be held during which members of the business community, faculty and some students would meet all day.

Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees

Dr. Wismer from UCPRC reported that several proposals had been placed on the table for approval at the next meeting including the following:

Jim Fenwick reported that Fred Foster-Clark had been working on a new General Education website linking to the objectives approved by Senate. The website offers a tutorial as well.

Becky Mowery reported new courses and changes to programs approved by GCPRC:

Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees None.

Proposed Courses and Programs None.

Faculty Emeritus None.

Discussion of Proposal for Institution of an Award Recognizing Teaching Excellence at Millersville University

There was a brief discussion on where APSCUF stands on this issue as there had been a similar award presented some years ago. Marjorie Warmkessel said that she would check it out. Further discussion was postponed until the November 20 meeting.

Discussion of Committee Structure

The question was raised whether we should change the missions of some Senate committees and whether there are too many committees. It was suggested that a list be generated detailing the quality and quantity of the work produced by the committees. Senate members suggested that committees be separated into three categories: committees meeting on a regular basis, committees that meet sporadically every year, and committees that do not meet regularly or those that meet when an issue related to their mission arises. There was further dialogue on why the majority of vacancies appear to be from the Social Sciences division. Chairperson Piperberg offered to compose a questionnaire for committee chairs in order to collect data that might useful in discussions of this issue at future meetings. Further discussion was postponed until the November 20 meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Jen Miller
Recorder
Action Summary
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