I. Minutes of previous meetings
II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson
III. Report of the Student Senate President
IV. Report of the Graduate Student Organization
V. Report of the Administrative Officers
President McNairy introduced Dr. Aminta Breaux, Vice President for Student Affairs. Dr. McNairy encouraged faculty to attend any of a number of events coming up on campus. She also noted that Reighard Hall, formerly the Inn at Millersville, is available for hosting summer events and conferences.
Provost
Provost Prabhu commented on an e-mail distributed by students regarding a planned anti-war walkout. He noted that the event was not endorsed by the Student Senate and that the administration is working with the students to identify other options that would not disrupt classes. It was noted that campus-wide e-mail announcements should only be distributed through the Provost’s Office.
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Associate Provost Burns reminded faculty that voting on university awards will be conducted soon and that department awards are past due. A comment was made that the short time allowed for nominations made it difficult to carefully consider potential nominees. Dr. Burns responded that he would look into this with the persons preparing the paperwork and also suggested that departments could work from previous guidelines to begin reviews earlier.
Dr. Burns announced the selection of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah for the 2009 common reading program. He also reminded faculty of the early warning pilot program and noted that notifications for feedback on students struggling academically would be coming out soon.
Concerns about the recent rash of burglaries and break-ins on campus were discussed. Dr. McNairy responded that locks have been changed but noted that it is important to be aware of vulnerabilities. She also indicated that installation of security cameras has been moved up and that students are being encouraged to be more aware and careful. A comment was made that implementation of an Honor Code at Millersville might positively impact such issues. It was pointed out that the perpetrators are not necessarily students and that criminals may specifically target campuses. A question was raised about installing cameras across campus. Dr. McNairy indicated that cameras are planned for academic buildings as funding is available in the budget. It was also noted that while faculty cannot reply to the distributed e-mail warnings, they may contact Student Affairs directly or report suspicious activity to Campus Police.
VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Senator White noted that several mailboxes were filled by the electronic distribution of course proposals. Senator A. Miller shared that another option to make course proposals available before each meeting is a Blackboard organization for Faculty Senate. Senators were asked to indicate their preference for a distribution mechanism. It was noted that an e-mail should still be sent to notify senators when courses are available on Blackboard. Dr. McNairy noted that Blackboard may not remain the course platform for PASSHE.
Dr. Prabhu indicated that Dr. Bill Archibald is representing faculty on the task force that will make this decision. Dr. White also commented that it may be beneficial to have e-mail addresses for various committees that could be transferred to new chairs along with archived documents.
First Reading
(1) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BIOL: BS in Allied Health Technology. Proposal to create a new degree in Allied Health Technology with options in Medical Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Pre-Athletic Training and Respiratory Therapy.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ANTH235: Historical Archeology, 3 credits, G3. Proposal to create a new course to study the methods and aims in historical archeology.
(3) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
CSCI450: Artificial Intelligence. Proposal to add the general education W label.
(4) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ENGL272: Introduction to Writing Studies, 3 credits, G1, W. Proposal to create a new course to study major areas of scholarship related to the practice of writing.
(5) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ENGL340: Visual Rhetoric, 3 credits, G1, W. Proposal to create a new course to study the use of visual design in communication.
(6) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ENGL342: Reading and Writing for Civic Change, 3 credits, W. Proposal to create a new course to introduce the theory and practice of civic discourse as a means to effect change in communities.
(7) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ENGL466: Writing Studies Seminar: Special Topics, 3 credits, W. Proposal to create a new course to investigate topics in writing studies theory.
It was noted that these four courses from English refer to a Writing Studies minor that has not yet been established.
Dr. White also reported that the W Sub-committee has been reviewing courses to determine whether they meet the passed guidelines but noted this does not guarantee the effectiveness of W courses. The following W recertifications were reported: CHEM341, CHEM342, ESCI329, HIST351, HIST352, HIST276.
Academic Policies Committee
Senator West distributed a proposed statement of the Academic Honesty Policy that represents a single, consistent policy for Millersville. [see Attachment #3]
Noonan
Chairperson Börger-Greco communicated that financial limitations on the Noonan Fund have drastically reduced maximum awards from $500 to $160. She urged anyone interested to consider donating directly to the Noonan Fund. Dr. Prabhu stressed that additional assistance for students is available from performance funding through the Graduate Studies and Research Office. He encouraged greater communication to ensure that eligible students are aware of all options. Dr. Börger-Greco noted that some important student activities supported by Noonan are not research.
Educator of the Year Award
Senator Rosenthal reported that the Joint Senate Conference is looking into implementing the selection process for the Educator of the Year Award next year.
VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
SOCY303: Classical Sociological Theory. Proposal to change the pre-requisites to SOCY101 and 9 credits of SOCY courses at 200 level or higher was approved without dissent.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
UNIV103: First Year Inquiry Seminar, 3 credits. Proposal to create the core course structure for the FYI Seminar designed to introduce freshmen students to the process of intellectual inquiry as part of the Connections and Exploration area of the new General Education curriculum was approved without dissent.
(3) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
ENGL. Proposal to make ENGL110 a pre-requisite for all 300- and 400-level English courses and ENGL110 or 110H a pre- or co-requisite for all 200-level courses except ENGL220 and ENGL230 was approved with one dissenting vote.
Discussion was held regarding the proposal for ENGL110/110H to become a pre-requisite for upper-level ENGL courses. Dr. Rosenthal specifically noted that inclusion of 110H is implied for 300- and 400-level courses. The need for students to have the writing experience of ENGL110 before taking 200-level courses was emphasized. However, the difficulty in implementing this for 200-level courses was again noted by the administration. Dr. Burns suggested that shifting more ENGL110 sections into the fall semester might help. Dr. Prabhu noted the importance of keeping students on track for completing their degrees in four years. A Mata motion to table the decision was made but not seconded, and no action was taken. Dr. White indicated that a vote by Faculty Senate should be based on the academic merit of the proposal.
(4) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
EDTE majors. Proposal to allow OSEH120 (G3) to be counted towards fulfillment of the G3 block. No action was taken.
Discussion was held regarding the form of this proposal which is now only applicable to a single course rather than the broader proposal approved previously at Senate. Senator Anna expressed the understanding in ITEC that only Senate approval of the switch to the single course was needed. Senators White and DiBartolomeis expressed concern that additional documentation of the unusual history was needed to clearly support the current proposal. A White/DiBartolomeis motion to consider the OSEH120 proposal in conjunction with the original proposal passed by Senate, the response from the Administration, a written statement from the Administration about the need for only Senate approval of the single-course format and a new course proposal cover sheet was approved without dissent. Dr. Anna agreed to return the proposal with the requested documentation.
X. Weather Delays
Documents from Mathematics [see Attachment #4] and Chemistry [see Attachment #5] regarding possible options for changes to the Snow Delay/Cancellations policy were distributed.
A question was raised about whether the scheduled reading days could be used to make up classes missed due to a number of weather cancellations.
XI. Other/New Business
Meeting was adjourned at 5:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate