TO:	Faculty Senate
FROM:	Richard M. Kerper, Chairperson Academic Policies Committee
DATE:	April 6, 2004
RE:	Policies Regarding Interdisciplinary Programs

The material contained within proposes that Faculty Senate take the following actions:

1. Dissolve the following standing committees of the Faculty Senate:
   • African American Studies Curriculum Committee.
   • International Studies Curriculum Committee.
   • Women's Studies Curriculum Committee.

2. Recommend, for administrative approval, revisions to the Governance Manual, which remove existing policies framing interdepartmental majors and minors.

3. Recommend, for administrative approval, policies framing interdisciplinary majors and minors and an organizational structure to guide and support them, including the creation of a Council of Interdisciplinary Directors (CID).

4. Create Faculty Senate representation for the interdisciplinary programs.

Governance Manual
Section 2: Undergraduate Academic Programs
Undergraduate Degree Programs
Interdisciplinary Programs

Objectives:

to define minimum university requirements for interdisciplinary programs focusing on an integrated discipline.

to ensure minimum standards of depth and breadth in proposed interdisciplinary programs.

to provide a framework within which the faculty members of various departments can develop interdisciplinary programs.

Rationale:

To provide students with an interdisciplinary perspective that cannot be provided by one department.

Definitions:

Interdisciplinary program is defined as a major or a minor focusing on integrated disciplines.

Interdisciplinary major and interdisciplinary minor are defined as a major and a minor which integrate the knowledge, perspectives, and methodologies of more than one discipline to form a specific academic focus in a recognized or innovative discipline not currently offered by existing academic departments (e.g. American studies, legal studies, comparative literature).

An interdisciplinary course is defined as a course that reflects the knowledge, perspectives, and methodologies represented in the program.

Policy and Implementation:

Interdisciplinary Major

Course requirements for an interdisciplinary major will follow any current university policies regarding requirements for a major.

An interdisciplinary major shall require a minimum of 30 credits of coursework.

1. A minimum of 6 credits of interdisciplinary course work, focused on the integrated discipline represented in the major (e.g., introductory seminar, capstone experience/ course), shall be required with 3 credits or more at the 300-400 level.

2. A minimum of 18 additional credits shall be required in one discipline or clearly defined, themed-elective grouping, with at least 9 credits at the 300-400 level.

3. A minimum of 6 additional credits shall be required from other disciplines or clearly defined, themed-elective grouping with at least 3 credits at the 300-400 level.

Interdisciplinary Minor

An interdisciplinary minor shall require a minimum of 18 credits of coursework.

1. A minimum of 6 credits of interdisciplinary course work, focused on the integrated discipline represented in the minor, shall be required, with at least 3 credits at the 300-400 level (e.g., capstone experience/ course).

2. A minimum of 12 additional credits shall be required from at least two disciplines, with at least 6 credits above the 100 level.

Organization

The curriculum committee of an interdisciplinary program shall select, with the approval of the school dean, where the program will be housed. Interdisciplinary programs, not in a department, shall be housed within a school under the auspices of the dean.

A curriculum committee composed of the Director of the interdisciplinary program, faculty teaching within the program, and students, if desired, in the program shall be organized in a way that best serves the interests of the program. The Director will conduct an election within the program's teaching faculty for committee seats. The committee's leadership structure and membership shall be self-determined.

In compliance with existing CBA policy, the interdisciplinary curriculum committee shall determine the selection process for the Director, including approval by the Provost.

The Director of an interdisciplinary program shall have a three-year term, commencing with the terms of triennially elected department chairs, and report to the dean of the school in which the program is housed. The Director will have responsibilities equivalent to the Department Chair in administering the interdisciplinary program. The Director also will

• communicate the needs of the program during a meeting of all school deans.
• collaborate with the school deans on matters relating to staffing, scheduling of classes, budgeting, and faculty selection processes.
• serve as the primary advisor for students in the program.
• guide systematic program review on the required five-year cycle.
• maintain a list of courses offered in the program and faculty teaching those courses.

The Council of Interdisciplinary Directors (CID), composed of the Directors of all interdisciplinary programs, shall be formed. This body will coordinate the efforts of the interdisciplinary programs and will elect a Faculty Senator(s) from faculty teaching within the program. One senator shall be elected for every 5 programs with a minimum of 1 elected senator at all times (i.e., 10-14 programs = 2 senators, 15-19 programs = 3 senators).

The Council of Interdisciplinary Directors (CID) reflects the professional judgment of the faculty teaching in the programs and recommends policy to the school curriculum committees in such areas as curriculum, admissions and standards practices, educational programs, University organization, advisement and counseling, student affairs and matters of similar import.

The Council of Interdisciplinary Directors (CID) shall

• review proposals for new interdisciplinary programs and the interdisciplinary courses within them.
• initiate recommendations for changes in academic regulations and policies or related matters affecting interdisciplinary programs and forward them to the Academic Policies Committee.

Section 1: University Structure & Governance

Faculty Participation in University Governance

Contract Committees, Judicial Committee and Amending Procedures

Faculty Senate/Curriculum Committee

Faculty Senate is the representative body of the faculty that recommends policies and programs in academic and student affairs and curriculum. Faculty Senate is a body established by the faculty and with the consent of APSCUF-MU fulfills the requirement for a Curriculum Committee as specified in the CBA.

Membership

The Faculty Senate is a representative body of the faculty. Each department elects one member to the Faculty Senate. The Council of Interdisciplinary Directors elects a Faculty Senator(s) from faculty teaching within the programs. One senator shall be elected for every 5 programs, with a minimum of 1 elected senator representing the interdisciplinary programs at all times (e.g., 10-14 = 2 senators, 15-19 = 3 senators).

The president, the University vice presidents, and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Programs are ex officio members but are ineligible to vote or to hold Faculty Senate office.
The president of APSCUF-MU is an ex officio member of Faculty Senate with all privileges except voting, making motions, and holding office unless also serving as an elected senator.
All of the regular full-time faculty (as defined by the CBA) are eligible for election to the Faculty Senate.
The senatorial term of office begins at the beginning of the fall semester and ends in three years thereafter; the election takes place during the preceding period April 1 through May 31.
Senatorial terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the membership is elected each year.
A senator may be recalled by a two-thirds vote of the entire voting membership of his/her department or the Council of Interdisciplinary Directors.
At the time of election, each department or the Council of Interdisciplinary Directors elects an alternate(s) who may, in case of the absence of the senator, participate in the meeting and vote.
Special elections to fill vacancies are held, as soon as practical, by the appropriate department or the Council of Interdisciplinary Directors.
The Student Senate is requested to designate five representatives from the student body to act as student consultants with all privileges except voting, making motions, and holding office.
The Graduate Student Association is requested to designate two students as student consultants with all privileges except voting, making motions, and holding office.

Functions

The Faculty Senate reflects the professional judgment of the faculty and recommends policy in writing to the University president in such areas as curriculum, admissions and standards practices, educational programs, University organization, advisement and counseling, student affairs and matters of similar import.
The Faculty Senate keeps the faculty informed of its deliberations and recommendations.
The Senate may refer appropriate issues to the faculty for action through the president of APSCUF-MU.
A senator primarily represents a department or the Council of Interdisciplinary Directors, but acts on behalf of the entire faculty.
When a department or the Council of Interdisciplinary Directors instructs its senator to present an item to the Faculty Senate he/she shall do so; but the senator has the right to use independent judgment in voting.

Meetings

Meetings are held on a schedule to be determined by Faculty Senate. Special meetings may be called by the president of the University, the chairperson of the Faculty Senate, or by a majority of Senators. Meetings may be held at any time within the calendar year.

Organization

Officers
A chairperson is elected from the Faculty Senate membership at the first meeting of each spring semester. The chairperson shall assume office at the beginning of the fall semester.
A chairperson pro tempore is elected from the Faculty Senate membership at the first meeting of each spring semester. He/she presides in the absence of or at the request of the chairperson of the Faculty Senate.
A secretary is elected from the Faculty Senate membership at the first meeting of the spring semester. The secretary assumes office at the beginning of the fall semester. Duties other than those normally pertaining to the office of secretary shall be specified in the By-Laws.
A parliamentarian is appointed by the chairperson from the Faculty Senate membership.

Committees
The Faculty Senate may create ad hoc committees either from its own membership or from the University as a whole to consider or investigate matters of concern. All committees not elected at large shall have equal faculty representation from the four academic units, i.e., Education, Humanities, Science and Mathematics, Social Sciences and one from non-school faculty. The following are the standing committees of Faculty Senate:
Academic Outcomes Assessment Committee
Academic Policies Committee
Academic Standards Committee
African-American Studies Curriculum Committee
Committee on Cooperative Education/Internship Program
Admissions, Advisement and Student Affairs Committee
Faculty Senate By-Laws
Faculty-Student Athletic Committee
General Education Review Committee
Graduate Course and Program Review Committee
International Selection Committee
International Studies Curriculum Committee
Joint Senate Conference Committee
Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee
University Honors College Committee
University Theme Committee
Women's Studies Curriculum Committee

Governance Manual
Section 1: University Structure & Governance
Faculty Participation in University Governance
Contract Committees, Judicial Committee and Amending Procedures
Faculty Senate/Curriculum Committee
International Studies Curriculum Committee

Membership
Two members are elected by and from each academic unit for overlapping two-year terms. The dean of the appropriate unit conducts the election during the spring semester. In addition, a chairperson is elected from the faculty at the first Senate meeting of the spring semester for a three-year term.
One member is elected by and from the non-school faculty for a two-year term. The provost or designee conducts the election during the spring semester.
Two students serve overlapping two-year terms on the committee:
One member is elected by the Student Senate during the spring semester.

One member is elected by and from the students majoring in International Studies or Area Studies, this election being conducted by the International Studies Curriculum Coordinator during the spring semester.

No two members may be elected from the same department, which limitation does not apply to the chairperson of the committee.
All elected and appointed members' terms begin in September and end in August. No elected member may serve more than two consecutive terms.
An International Studies Curriculum Coordinator is appointed as follows:
The International Studies Curriculum Committee solicits and receives nominations for the position of Coordinator of the International Studies Curriculum Committee. They review the applications and recommend one or more candidates for the president's or designee's consideration for appointment. The coordinator serves at the pleasure of the president or designee.

The Coordinator of the International Studies Curriculum and the provost or designee are non-voting ex officio members of the committee.

Functions
The International Studies Curriculum Committee reviews all proposed changes in the International Studies Curriculum and may review or initiate recommendations in course and faculty selection and evaluation processes and other curricular concerns regar ding the international studies major and area studies majors. The Committee reports its recommendations to the Faculty Senate.
The recruitment of faculty (from millersville University departments) for the majors and the selection of courses to be taught are responsibilities of the coordinator in consultation with the International Studies Curriculum Committee and the proper department chairpersons. The coordinator makes recommendations to and implements the decisions of the committee.
Courses to be made a permanent part of the international studies major or area studies majors must be approved by the International Studies Curriculum Committee, the curriculum committee(s) of the appropriate school(s), the University Course and Program Review Committee, and Faculty Senate.
Courses for the international or area studies majors may be offered as experimental on a one-time only basis with departmental or "international studies" or the appropriate "area studies" designation. Such courses: 1) be approved by the International Studies Curriculum Committee; 2) are in addition to the usual number of experimental courses allowed per department.
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Governance Manual
Section 1: University Structure & Governance
Faculty Participation in University Governance
Contract Committees, Judicial Committee and Amending Procedures
Faculty Senate/Curriculum Committee
Women's Studies Curriculum Committee

Membership

One member is elected by each academic unit from among the faculty. A second faculty member who has knowledge of women's studies scholarship as indicated by having taught a women's studies course is elected by each academic unit. Members serve overlapping two-year terms. The dean of the appropriate unit conducts the election during the spring semester.
A non-school faculty member is elected by non-school faculty for a two-year term. During the spring semester, the election is conducted by the associate provost for academic programs and services.

During the spring semester Senate elects a chair of the Women's Studies Curriculum Committee for a two-year term from among the faculty who have knowledge of women's studies scholarship as indicated by having taught a women's studies course.

Chair and member terms begin in September and end in August.

The Director of Women's Studies is a member of the Women's Studies Curriculum Committee.

Functions

The Women's Studies Curriculum Committee reviews all proposed changes in the Women's Studies Minor and evaluates courses submitted for Women's Studies approval. Faculty may also submit specific course sections for Women's Studies designation by demonstrating Women's Studies content. Approved courses or sections will receive an acronym of WSTU and will be cross-listed under Women's Studies and their originating department.

The chair of the curriculum committee is responsible for reporting to Senate.
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Section 2: Undergraduate Academic Programs
Interdepartmental Major Program

Objectives:
to define minimum university requirements for those departments wishing to offer jointly an interdepartmental major focusing on a non-traditional discipline.

to ensure minimum standards of depth and breadth in the proposed major.

to provide a framework within which the faculty members of various departments can develop interdepartmental majors. Rationale:

To provide students with an interdepartmental perspective that cannot be provided by one department.

Definition:
An interdepartmental major is defined as a major which integrates the knowledge, perspectives, and methodologies of more than one department to form a specific academic focus in a recognized or innovative discipline not currently offered by existing ac academic departments, e.g. American studies, legal studies, comparative literature, etc.

Policy and Implementation:
Course requirements for an interdepartmental major will follow any current university policies regarding requirements for a major.

An interdepartmental major shall require a minimum of 36 credits of coursework.

A minimum of 15 credits shall be required in one department with 6 credits or more above the 100 level.

A minimum of 15 additional credits shall be required from other departments involved in the proposed major, with 6 credits or more above the 100 level.

A minimum of 6 additional credits of interdeparmental course work shall be required, with 3 credits or more at the 300-400 level. An interdepartmental course is defined as a course which integrates the knowledge, perspectives, and methodologies of more than one department to form a specific academic focus. Such courses may be either newly created or drawn from those currently in the catalog.

A committee composed of one representative elected by each of the participating departments shall develop and implement the major.

The committee making the proposal for the major shall follow current requirements and procedures for approval of a major.

If participating departments belong to different schools, a joint committee of the school curriculum committees shall review the proposal.

The committee shall carry out the administrative duties inherent in offering a major (i.e. developing new course proposals, scheduling, advisement, etc.).

The deans' council shall determine how liaison shall be established between committees for interdepartmental majors and the school administrative structure.

Section 2: Undergraduate Academic Programs
Undergraduate Studies - Academic Programs
Undergraduate Degree Programs
Academic Minors Program
Program Criteria
Interdepartmental Minor Policies
Academic Minors

Objectives:

to define minimum university requirements for those departments wishing to offer jointly an interdepartmental minor focusing on a non-traditional discipline.
to ensure minimum standards of depth and breadth in the proposed minor. to provide a framework within which the faculty members of various departments can develop interdepartmental minors.

Rationale:

To provide students with an interdepartmental perspective that cannot be provided by one department.

Definition:

An interdepartmental minor is defined as a minor which integrates the knowledge, perspectives, and methodologies of more than one department to form a specific academic focus in a recognized or innovative discipline not currently offered by existing de partments, e.g. American studies, comparative literature, women's studies, holocaust studies, etc.

Policy and Implementation:

Course requirements for an interdepartmental minor will follow any current university policies regarding requirements for a minor.
An interdepartmental minor shall require a minimum of 18 credits of coursework.
A minimum of 12 credits shall be required from at least two departments, with at least 6 credits above the 100 level.
A minimum of 6 credits of interdepartmental course work shall be required, with at least 3 credits at the 300-400 level. An interdepartmental course is defined as a course which integrates the knowledge, perspectives, and methodologies of more than o ne department to form a specific academic focus. Such courses may be either newly created or drawn from those currently in the catalog.
A committee composed of one representative elected by each of the participating departments shall develop and implement the minor.
If participating departments belong to different schools, a joint committee of the school curriculum committees shall review the proposal.
The committee shall carry out the administrative duties inherent in offering a minor (e.g. developing new course proposals, scheduling, advisement).
The deans' council shall determine how liaison shall be established between committees for interdepartmental minors and the school administrative structure.

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