The meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Academic & Student Development, Business Administration, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
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
Associate Provost Burns reminded faculty of the Woodsen lecture, new University Theme banners, the first Open House event, and CAE sessions on writing and revision strategies. He also reminded ART, BUAD, PHIL, PSYC, SPED, and Women’s Studies that P-course recertification documents are due December 1.
Several senators expressed concern over significant problems with online access and the resulting loss of student and faculty work and data. A request was also made for improved maintenance in campus computer labs.
Interim Assistant Provost
Assistant Provost Redmond requested that faculty make use of the Early Intervention System. It was noted that feedback on student athletes will be forwarded to Anthony Grant.
Student Services, Inc.
Student Service, Inc. gave a presentation on their efforts to provide online linked textbook information for Millersville courses. This system supports Millersville’s compliance with the federal Higher Education Opportunity Act. The need for faculty to provide textbook ordering information by deadlines was emphasized. For example, orders are needed by October 19 for registration in November. It was recommended that textbook lists on departmental websites be replaced with a link to this system and that each department have a designee who would enter all textbook order information.
Dr. Burns highlighted that the federal law requires posting of the best information available. Faculty expressed concern about information being available only a through link to SSI. Several senators also reported that course material from foreign sources and earlier editions of textbooks are not available through SSI.
Provost
Provost Prabhu noted that a budget presentation was made to departmental chairs and would be available soon to the entire campus. He also mentioned an article on program consolidation in the September 18, 2009 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education that highlights PASSHE.
VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Senator Smith distributed a memo outlining guidelines and deadlines for submitting course proposals to UCPRC. [see Attachment #1] She also noted that UCPRC is working to make related documents and information available online. It was noted that the MU Online Advisory Committee is working to make DL approvals based more on pedagogy rather than the current link to specific instructors.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs
Revisions to the GERC bylaws document will be considered at the next meeting.
IX. Faculty Emeritus
X. Elections
XI. Other/New Business
Meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate