The meeting was called to order at 4:09 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Philosophy.
I. Minutes of previous meeting
II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson
III. Report of the Student Senate President
IV. Report of the Graduate Student Association
V. Report of the Administrative Officers
President McNairy commented on the budget situation and efforts to meet the expected $3 million shortfall. She noted that adequate information may not be available until July and that a tuition relief plan to benefit students will not go into effect until fall 2010. Dr. McNairy also mentioned an alternative plan that would extend the granting program to students attending schools other than PASSHE institutions.
Dr. McNairy thanked faculty for attending the discussion with the Chancellor during his recent visit. She also extended congratulations to Ms. Farrelly for being selected to serve on the State Board of Education. Dr. McNairy also congratulated faculty members who exhibited an impressive range of scholarly work in the library.
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
A question was addressed to Associate Provost Burns regarding how to identify courses approved for the D label since they are not showing on registration information. Dr. Burns responded that he would check on addressing this prior to registration. Another issue raised was whether exception requests would no longer be approved. Dr. Burns commented that some students not graduating for several more years had made requests. He stated that approvals would be reserved for students facing imminent graduation.
VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Senator Sikora brought forward proposed changes to the Undergraduate Academic Standards bylaws document. [see Attachment #1] He highlighted the recommendation that hearings be closed, specification of voting for alternates only when serving as a member and updated functions of considering academic amnesty petitions and advising the Director of Admissions on readmissions. A clarification was requested on whether closed hearings would preclude persons from coming to speak on behalf of a student. Dr. Sikora indicated that such advocacy from professionals or parents would still be allowed in written form.
Dr. Sikora also reported that ASC voted against adding more student members. He also noted they have formed a working group to develop a training plan for all members of ASC.
UCPRC
First Readings
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
MUSI190: Introduction to Careers in Music, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to explore the diverse career opportunities within the music field.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
MUSI394: Advanced Recording Studio Techniques, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course covering advanced audio recording skills.
A concern was raised about students needing to use music software that is only available on computers in a teaching room. Senator Heslink responded that the new Performing Arts facility will have a studio for this.
(3) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BA PSYC. Proposal to require a grade of C- or higher in both PSYC 211 and 212 as prerequisites for PSYC 314, 315, and 316.
(4) NEW UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BS BIOL, Animal Behavior option. Proposal to create an option in biology to train students in behavior-related issues of domestic, feral, and wild animals.
(5) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BA GEOG: Global Studies option. Proposal to modify course requirements in the Global Studies option to broaden students’ international perspective and understanding.
(6) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
GEOG: BA, all options; all minors. Proposal to add GEOG180 to the required courses for all major options and minors in geography.
(7) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BA GEOG: all options. Proposal to permit students to declare multiple options within geography provided that they double count courses only in the Required and Required Related blocks but not in the Geography Electives block.
GERC
Dr. Foster-Clark commented that the General Education program is holding an open meeting with the outside reviewer as part of its 5-year review. He requested that representatives from each department participate in this discussion.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs
The proposed change to allow approved MU exchanges or programs to count towards the required residency credits specified in the Undergraduate Residency Policy was approved without dissent.
The proposed change the Undergraduate Repeat Policy to limit undergraduates to a maximum total of six (6) repeats in their academic career was approved without dissent. A question was raised about whether the repeat limitation applied to courses taken at another school. It is understood that this would relate only to class taken at Millersville. Dr. Prabhu will check on this.
Review of the Major and Minor Course and/or Program Change Procedures uncovered additional references to FYI courses that were not relevant. A Foster-Clark/A. Miller motion to strike First-Year Inquiry from the Major and Minor Course and/or Program Change Procedures was approved without dissent. The proposal to broaden reference to general education labels within the Major and Minor Course and/or Program Change Procedures was approved without dissent.
The proposal to update language within the Distance Learning Course Approval Process was approved without dissent.
The updated Course & Program Approval Chart was approved without dissent. The classification of the chart as an official document was questioned. Dr. Prabhu noted that the chart refers to input from broader bodies that are not subject to Faculty Senate. However, the document had previously been reviewed and supported via Senate approval.
Second Readings
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
PHYS104: Applied Physics, 4 credits, G2, L. Proposal to create a course that studies the application of mathematics to practical problems in physics.
Senator Anna indicated that ITEC is still working with PHYS regarding the PHYS104 course proposal, and Senator Gilani agreed. An Anna/Skinner motion to postpone approval of PHYS104 was approved without dissent.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BIOL101: Foundations of Biology, 4 credits, G2, L. Proposal to create a course that introduces foundational principles for modern biological knowledge for biology majors and minors was approved without dissent.
(3) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BIOL343: Principles of Ecology and Evolution, 4 credits, W. Proposal to create a course covering the basic concepts and principles of evolution and ecology was approved without dissent.
(4) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BIOL362: Cell and Developmental Biology, 4 credits, G2, L, W. Proposal to create a course covering the basic concepts and principles of cell and developmental biology was approved without dissent.
(5) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BIOL364: Foundations of Genetics and Molecular Biology, 4 credits. Proposal to create a course covering the concepts and principles essential for understanding genetics and molecular biology was approved without dissent.
A question was raised about coursework that differentiates the undergraduate and graduate offerings of this course. Dr. Piperberg responded that additional written and lab work is required for graduate students. Dr. Burns pointed out that there is not policy relating to the cross-listing of 300/600 courses and that APSCUF Meet & Discuss would need to address compensation.
(6) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BIOL: BA, BSE, BS majors; Biology and Molecular Biology minors; all options. Proposal to introduce four new courses to create a required core of six courses to provide broad foundations for most biology majors and minors was approved without dissent.
(7) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BIOL: BA, BSE, BS majors; Biology and Molecular Biology minors; all options. Proposal to modify prerequisites as needed to accommodate new courses and programs for biology majors and minors was approved without dissent.
(1) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
BIOL664: Foundations of Genetics and Molecular Biology, 4 credits. Proposal to create a course covering the concepts and principles essential for understanding genetics and molecular biology was approved without dissent.
IX. Faculty Emeriti
An Anna/Edeh-Herr motion that Dr. Haig M. Vahradian be granted posthumously the honorary title of Assistant Professor of Industry and Technology Emeritus was approved without dissent. [see Attachment #3]
X. Federal Law Regarding Textbook Lists
XI. Other/New Business
Meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate