II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson
Chairperson Börger-Greco also extended condolences to the Virginia Tech community on behalf of the Millersville Faculty. She reminded Senate that the APSCUF voting on Wednesday, April 25 will include the General Education proposal and urged all faculty to vote. She also requested that all Senate Committee Chairs submit a report on committee activities for this year by May 31. This should be sent electronically to both Senate Chairperson and Secretary. Committees that appoint a chairperson internally should report their leadership as well. Dr. Börger-Greco encouraged faculty to attend Commencement in regalia on May 12.
A question was raised about the status of voting on the Honor Code proposal. Dr. Börger-Greco noted that this discussion is currently on the table.
III. Report of the Student Senate President
IV. Report of the Graduate Student Organization
V. Report of the Administrative Officers
Provost Prabhu reported that a former student visiting Millersville just last week returned to Virginia Tech over the weekend but is also safe. He noted that the many connections we have with persons in the Virginia Tech community really make this tragedy hit home.
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Associate Provost Burns reminded Senate of the recent Transfer Articulation legislation requiring that 30 credits be freely transferred among PASSHE schools and Community Colleges in Pennsylvania. He distributed a handout detailing the courses proposed by the Transfer Articulation Oversight Committee and likely equivalencies at Millersville. [see Attachment #1] He noted that he is representing Millersville on the TAOC and also as Chair of the Subcommittee on Math and Sciences. Dr. Burns indicated that PDE requested a list of 10 courses from each subcommittee that might have equivalent courses at all schools. He stated that the proposed equivalent Millersville courses are generally based on credits already being accepted but that he will be meeting individually with department chairs about the proposed courses. He indicated that courses without a direct equivalency at Millersville will likely be transferred using a generic number (ie: 1XX). Dr. Prabhu commented that many schools are approving these courses with little or no faculty input even though it is a curriculum issue that should be addressed by faculty.
A concern was raised about giving only course titles rather than descriptions. Dr. Burns responded that despite the clear importance of this, the TAOC has opted to work only by title. It was noted that the Passport Model used by the Board of Governors for PASSHE is very similar and actually more extensive. Standing articulations under that program are not affected by the Transfer Articulation legislation.
Senator Mata questioned the inclusion of three art classes, noting that some titles are only used in upper-level Millersville courses. Dr. Burns responded that these decisions were handled by each separate subcommittee and again noted the use of generic numbering for non-equivalent courses. He indicated that the next step would be to review the list compiled from all schools. Millersville will still be able to review the list and determine equivalency and file a dispute if needed for specific courses.
VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Senator White reported that the CAP assessment of scientific reasoning is underway and that departmental responses are needed for the technical assessment information sent out. She also indicated that AOAC would like one or two representatives from each department to attend their upcoming luncheon.
UCPRC
First Readings
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ENGL 445: The Short Story: Its History, Development, and Genres, 3 credits, G1. Proposal to create a course to explore development of the short story genre that counts towards the Genre requirement in the major.
(2) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BA GEOG, Applied option. Proposal to add 4 credits of calculus or pre-calculus to the Required Related courses.
In response to a question of the need for math, it was noted that the Applied Geography option includes applications like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that require a stronger math background.
(3) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
MATH 393: Number Theory. Proposal to change the prerequisite from MATH 322: Linear Algebra to the more appropriate MATH 310: Math Proof.
GCPRC
First Readings
(1) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ENGL 645: The Short Story: Its History, Development, and Genres, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to explore development of the short story genre.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
SOCY 302: Social Statistics. Proposal to increase credits/contact hours, change prerequisites and remove General Education designation was approved without dissent.
Senator Smith noted credit changes for SOCY 302 that need to be updated on the appropriate program requirement sheets for the Sociology degree changes proposed.
(2) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
SOCY majors/minors. Proposal to change programs to accommodate the revised SOCY 302 course was approved without dissent.
(3) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
SOCY minors. Proposal to change program to include previous changes to course renumbering was approved without dissent.
A question was raised about the overlap of the proposed WSSD 452 with the nutrition course offered by Biology. It was noted that students cannot get credit for both courses and that WSSD 452 is not a General Education course.
(4) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
WSSD 452: Nutrition for Performance Enhancement, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to review nutritional needs of athletes was approved without dissent.
IX. Faculty Emeritus
X. Other/New Business
Discussion was held regarding the proposal. Dr. Prabhu indicated that there might be ramifications related to the CBA that APSCUF would need to consider. It was pointed out that many departments could make similar divisions among their programs, but it was stated that this was unlikely. A suggestion was made that the proposal be made for the one specific course. Dr. Anna responded that this was the original proposal but making the broader application had then been recommended. Concerns were expressed about this weakening the intention of Gen Ed to broaden student exposure to diverse fields. A suggestion was made that GERC could review the proposal, but it was further suggested that the issue is really a broader curriculum issue for Senate to resolve. A request was made for electronic copies of the proposal to be made available for senators to get input from their departments.
A request for clarification on the issue of voting on the Honor Code proposal was made. A Blazer/Kevorkian motion to take the Honor Code discussion off the table was approved without dissent. The importance of moving forward on this issue was expressed. It was noted that the expected high turnout for APSCUF voting on April 25 would mostly accomplish the goal of broad faculty participation on this decision. A document was distributed by Dr. Heintzelman regarding the role of Senate within APSCUF. A Blazer/Igyor motion to include the Honor Code proposal in the vote scheduled by APSCUF for April 25 if logistically feasible was made. It was noted that with the mechanism for voting already in place, adding a box for this issue should not be difficult. Concern was expressed about whether this would allow enough time for faculty to be prepared to vote. However, it was pointed out that departments have already seen the proposal and already expected to vote on it in March as originally indicated by Senate. It was also noted that this issue could be considered in the fall since it will not be implemented immediately. A call to question was approved. The Blazer/Igyor motion to include the Honor Code proposal in the vote scheduled by APSCUF for April 25 if logistically feasible was approved by 10 yes, 8 no and 2 abstaining votes.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary