I. Minutes of previous meetings

The minutes of the January 17, 2006 meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved as amended to correct name misspellings.

II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson

Dr. Börger-Greco reminded Senators that elections are coming up for the following departments: Art, Biology, Communications and Theater, Counseling and Human Development, Educational Foundations, English, Geography, Industry and Technology, and Library. She also noted that the latest ACE program recommendations from the ACE Task Force will be forwarded to Senators by e-mail soon. Finally, she urged Senators to watch the Governor's address tomorrow regarding budget issues.

The following curriculum changes have received administrative approval:

1. BSE in ESCI: credit reduction from 129 to 126 hours.

III. Report of the Student Senate President

None.

IV. Report of the Graduate Student Organization

Graduate Student Association Representative Meaghan Shirk reported that they will be hosting an activity tomorrow in Byerly to promote the GSA. They also plan to hold another event in McComsey later this semester. The GSA is also making arrangements to sponsor a speaker on time management. She also noted that they are helping with development of an orientation guide for new graduate students.

V. Report of the Administrative Officers

Executive Assistant to the President Phillips

Executive Assistant to the President Phillips noted that the group addressing the role of Academic Theme plans to report to Senate once the final presentation by Cognitive Marketing has been made later this month.

VI. Educator of the Year Award

Dr. Sepi Yalda was delayed in arriving. A Kevorkian/Blazer motion to retain special order for discussion of the Educator of the Year Award at the next meeting was approved without dissent.

When Dr. Yalda arrived, discussion was held regarding several issues in the proposal that had been previously approved by Senate. [see Attachment #1] A Blazer/DeCaria motion to amend the number of awards to one per year selected from across campus was passed with one dissenting vote. A Blazer/Mowrey motion to amend eligibility for the award to include all full-time regular tenure-track and permanent part-time faculty was approved with one dissenting vote.

Further discussion was held regarding the composition of the selection committee. One suggestion was that winners be asked to serve the next year. It may also be useful to create a Senate standing committee to oversee implementation of the award, including the make up of the selection committee. A DeCaria/Skinner motion to continue discussion of implementation of the Educator of the Year Award at the next meeting in the special order already approved was passed without dissent.

VII. Faculty Emeritus

None.

VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees

UCPRC/GCPRC

Dr. Rebecca Mowrey and Dr. Janet White distributed copies of a new combined Course Proposal Form. [see Attachment #2] The revised form now has check boxes to allow its use for both graduate and undergraduate level courses and has been modified to clarify use of the check column only to indicate any amendments made to the proposal during the approval process. The revised form also accommodates use of new 6-digit Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes. These numbers more accurately reflect the nature and level of courses than the old 4-digit system and should be available from departmental chairpersons. Dr. Mowrey noted that the Academic Proposal Form has also been updated to include the CIP numbering. She requested that all forthcoming proposals use these modified forms (revised 1/25/06) which are available on the Senate website.

General Education Review Committee

Dr. John Ward distributed a document outlining recommendations from GERC regarding the motivation for departmental responses to the survey under consideration. [see Attachment #3] He also reminded Senators to return a survey for their department by February 21. He reviewed the importance of dialogue about issues on the survey, the role of GERC as a supporting committee to bring resources to Senate for development and final review, and the plan to have the entire faculty vote on the final proposal on a ballot also including the option to keep the current program.

Discussion was held regarding whether student input will shape the final proposal, if a super majority would be beneficial and whether including the old system on a final ballot would discourage change of the General Education program. It was noted that the current system was presented alongside the other proposals for consideration. Several questions were raised including what the role is for objectives for General Education and how the results of the survey will be communicated. Senators expressed agreement with GERC that the final vote be presented to the entire faculty for final approval as this did not happen when the current program was implemented. Dr. Rebecca Mowrey shared with Senate concerns from Wellness & Sports Science regarding the process of developing curriculum proposals. The Chair will distribute a letter expressing these concerns as well as a requested response from her. A Mowrey/Edeh motion to close General Education discussion at 5:15 to return to discussion of the Educator of the Year Award was approved without dissent.

IX. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees

None.

X. Proposed Courses and Programs

(1) CHANGE IN DELIVERY FORMAT

CHEM110: Request for Distance Learning designation. Dr. Aimee Miller presented a proposal from Chemistry to adopt an online format. Since the alternate mechanism for these approvals is not yet in place, she requested that Senate consider the proposal via the usual two meeting process.

XI. Other/New Business

None.

XII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary

Action Summary

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