I. Minutes of the July 18, 2005 Meeting
The following corrections were noted for the minutes of the April 19, 2005 meeting which were previously approved. In the report of the Student Senate President, the phrase "Faculty of the Year Award" should read "Person of the Year Award." In the Elections section, the nominee for secretary should read "Aimee Miller" rather than "Amy Miller."
II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson
IV. Report of the Graduate Student Organization
V. Report of the Administrative Officers
President McNairy reported the following: You might recall that last year I announced the beginning of two related processes. The first was the Visioning Process led by Dr. Alan Guskin, distinguished university professor and President Emeritus of Antioch University. Over 120 faculty, staff and external stakeholders participated in those discussions. The second was convening a Task Force on developing a planning model for the University.
By October 1, 2005, the University Planning Council will be appointed. Its primary function is to provide overall coordination and synthesis of the University's planning activities and to advise the President on related matters. Most immediately, however, they will be asked to finalize the Vision Statement for the University. Faculty, staff and students will be asked to provide feedback to the Council as it finalizes this statement.
Provost Prabhu
Provost Prabhu highlighted several issues relevant to the Millersville response to Hurricane Katrina. He announced that SSHE, including Millersville, will allow Pennsylvania residents affected by university closures due to the hurricane to enroll in classes free of tuition and fees. He stressed that the goal is to handle these requests as efficiently as possible to maximize the benefit to students. Faculty were also encouraged to be supportive of students or faculty who might be request a leave to volunteer services. In related discussion, it was noted that a number of ways to respond were being organized on campus and that students should consider service opportunities over winter or spring breaks when relief agencies will be prepared for their involvement. Dr. Philips noted specifically that a number of students in the National Guard have been dispatched and that faculty can find the Military Leave Policy on the Registrar's website.
Provost Prabhu also emphasized that faculty members applying for promotion should be reminded that materials submitted for application will not be available for modification after the November 1 deadline. Applicants should garner feedback from department chairs and evaluation committees in time to make changes prior to November 1. A workshop regarding the promotion process will be held September 16, 2005 at 3:00 pm in the University Room of Gordiner.
Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas
Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas reported that construction of the Shenks Lane dorms is complete, allowing housing of 200 students in place of Landes Hall. He also noted the Biemesderfer Stadium upgrades to the track and playing surface are finished and will allow use for football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and intramural sports. Dr. Saunders commented that windows in Landes Hall are open, creating unsafe access to the building. Vice President Thomas will address this concern.
He also commented on student efforts to collect funds to hurricane relief and noted that the university will be identifying groups that will also be collecting material donations.
Executive Assistant to the President Phillips
Executive Assistant to the President Phillips reported that Millersville purposely enrolled 100 fewer freshmen this year to avoid overtaxing available resources. She noted that when admissions were closed in late April, the incoming students represented a higher academic profile than in the past as well as increased diversity.
Interime Assistant Provost Redmond
Interim Assistant Provost Redmond from the Division of Academic Support Programs and Learning Services shared that they are reviewing persistence of students. He noted that retention for white males has dropped and should be addressed. He also mentioned that AIM staff is working to identify students with concerns earlier to allow intervention that will increase student success, particularly for students of color.
VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
First Readings
(1) CHANGE IN COURSES/CURRICULA
Changes to the Music minor
The proposed changes to the Music minor would reduce the required credits from 23 to 18, replace high level theoretical courses with upper division electives and eliminate the audition requirement for entrance into the program. These changes will align the required credits with other university-approved minors and should make the minor more attractive to students.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
PHIL 345 - Humanity and Environment, 3 credits, Perspectives (P) course
(3) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
EDFN 398 - Urban Immersion Seminar, 3 credits, Perspectives (P) course
(4) CHANGE IN COURSES/CURRICULA
Requirements for the BSE in Chemistry dropped from 128 credits to 126 credits.
The proposed change to the BSE CHEM major is requested as a replacement to the proposal previously passed by Senate and reflects a similar proposal submitted by Biology. The change will bring the major requirements to 126 credits as mandated by PASSHE effective September 1, 2005. The requested proposal is to waive the Perspectives (P) requirement due to the multidisciplinary nature of the Chemistry degree with Required Related courses in Biology, Physics and Mathematics. This waiver would allow both Environmental Chemistry and Biochemistry to be retained as Major Courses to appropriately prepare BSE CHEM students for professional examinations and to meet Act 354, stating that professional content should be equivalent to the major degree. It was noted that Foreign Languages waives the P requirement for studies abroad and that Music annually requests a waiver to count a Major Course as a P course.
Second Readings
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
GEOG 248 - Geography of Africa, 3 credits, a G3 General Education course. The proposal passed without dissent.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
HIST 381 - History of West Africa to 1800, 3 credits, a G3 General Education and Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (W) course. The proposal passed without dissent.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
Dr. Foster-Clark requested that Senate establish a schedule for reviewing the Principles, Purposes and Objectives set forth by the General Education Task Force. By including the Principles and Purposes on the September 20th agenda and the Objectives on the October 4th and November 1st agendas, he noted that faculty other than Senators could plan to attend these meetings to participate in the conversations regarding General Education.
VIII. Faculty Emeritus
George/Wismer motion - Dr. Geraldine M. Benson was granted the honorary title of Professor of Library Sciences [i.e. Librarianship] Emerita. [see Attachment #1]
IX. Committee Elections
A Hopkins/White motion to postpone elections until a call for nominations and listing of open positions could be distributed to Senators was passed without dissent.
X. Old Business
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate