The meeting was called to order at 4:09 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Interdisciplinary Studies, Nursing, and Social Work.

I. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the December 1, 2009 meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved as written.

II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson

Faculty Senate Chair Börger-Greco noted that there will be separate undergraduate and graduate ceremonies in May and reminded senators of the spring faculty convocation. She also reported that, due to special circumstances, Susan Luek and Shaun Cook will serve as co-Senators for Psychology this spring.

III. Report of the Student Senate President

Student Senate President Wrobel reported on attending Educause, review of allocation packages, student activity fees for 2010-2011, student government leader meeting, and Keystone Community Cares Day with United Way.

IV. Report of the Graduate Student Association

Graduate Student Association Representative Randolph introduced the new GSA Senate representative, Tom Gardner. She also reported on a new GSA vice president, Go for the Red campaign activities, Hearts for Haiti fundraiser, an April 30 graduate research symposium, and a new graduate student column in the Snapper. Ms. Randolph expressed appreciation for the decision to hold a separate graduation ceremony for graduate students.

V. Report of the Administrative Officers

Provost

Provost Prabhu reminded faculty of the Middle States site visit, February 28 to March 3 and announced a completion celebration hosted by the Morale Committee. He also recommended faculty attend the February 18 Tom Ehrlich lecture and Trisha Thorme workshops on civic engagement in education. Dr. Prabhu highlighted the spring faculty convocation planned for March 18 to explore how the Middle States self-study will impact campus initiatives.

Dr. Prabhu announced that PASSHE will adopt Desire 2 Learn (D2L) as the new Learning Management System. He explained that the planned extension of Blackboard for one year to allow for transition may become impractical since the $1.2 million cost will be paid only by schools using the service and many other schools are moving ahead to the new system this year. Dr. Prabhu noted that all Blackboard courses will be automatically transferred by D2L by mid-March and training will be offered in multiple formats.

Mr. Chip German further commented on the transition to D2L and fielded questions. Faculty do not need to initiate transfer of their courses but should review them in D2L to confirm that materials are there after D2L staff oversee the automated migration in coming weeks. Some aspects, like student records and add-ons (Wimba), may not transfer or be integrated automatically in the new environment, although technical details are still emerging. It is expected that faculty will have an opportunity to work with D2L before Blackboard expires. Faculty teaching in Summer II (overlapping Jun 30) should use D2L to start the term (ideally, all Summer 2010 courses should use D2L). The D2L system contract will begin with five years and then be renewable yearly. Mr. German also indicated that eventually there will be a separate system for long-term storage of learning materials.

Associate Provost for Academic Administration

Associate Provost Burns noted that the final Rediscover Millersville 2010 report has been sent to the site visit team and is available online. He urged faculty to read the report and participate in upcoming forums. He indicated that faculty will likely have opportunities to interact with the nine members of the site visit team as well as a chance to discuss the report in small groups at the spring convocation. A question was raised about how the convocation topic is selected. Dr. Burns stated that the administration uses insights from deans to choose something based on issues relevant to faculty and the university mission.

Dr. Burns commented on the Prior Learning Assessment Consortium which uses content placement exam results to assign course credit for work experience. He also noted our representatives for the first three Transfer Articulation PACs (Math: Delray Schultz/Janet White; Psychology: Dave Hill/Karena Rush; Elementary Education: Christine Anthony/Marcia Nell).

Assistant Vice President for Academic Services

Assistant Vice President Redmond reminded faculty to use the Early Intervention Warning system February 8-19 to provide feedback for freshmen and sophomores with academic warning.

Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies

Dean DeSantis announced that the Student Research Grant program is accepting proposals for both graduate and undergraduate students through February 15.

VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees

ASC

Senator Sikora distributed a report on academic dismissal appeal hearings and academic amnesty petitions from January 2010. [see Attachment #1]

APC

Senator Mowrey distributed a proposed change to the undergraduate studies academic policy on Academic Standards, Probation, and Dismissal along with an outline of the rationale submitted by ASC. [see Attachment #2]

UCPRC

First Reading

(1) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
ART Proposal to add ART242: 3D Design as a pre-requisite to ART295, ART296, ART282, ART291.

(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART386: Special Topics in Studio Art: Beginning Weaving, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to allow for offering individual sections on a variety of topics in art.

(3) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART486: Special Topics in Studio Art: Public Art, Public Place, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to allow for offering individual sections on a variety of topics in art.

(4) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BS CHEM, Biochemistry option. Proposal to adjust course requirements to align with revised biology curriculum.

(5) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
SPAN314: Survey of Spanish American Literature II, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to explore Latin American literature since the beginning of the 20th Century.

(6) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
AS CSCI. Proposal to adjust course requirements to more clearly define appropriate courses needed in computer science courses and math.

(7) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
WSSD485: Performance Enhancement: Training in Sport, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to explore the relationship between physical activity and psychological development, health, and well-being.

GCPRC

Senator Edeh Herr reported the approval of EDTE592 as a DL blended course.

VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees

None.

VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs

Second Readings

(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
WELL240: Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Developing Child, 3 credits. Proposal for a course addressing the essential components of children’s wellness that is to count as a WELL175 equivalent for the Dual SpecialEducation PreK-8 and PreK-4 grades certification and is to be considered equivalent to WSSD352 for the registration system was approved without dissent.

(2) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ESCI221: Structural Geology, 3 credits, W. Proposal to change prerequisites, change course description, and remove designation as a W course was approved without dissent.

IX. Faculty Emeritus

None.

X. Election of Faculty Senate Officers

A Luek/Hardy motion to open nominations for Faculty Senate officers was approved without dissent. An Anderson/Luek motion to close nominations and cast unanimous votes for Ana Börger-Greco as Chair, Rebecca Mowrey as Chair Pro-Tempore, and Aimee Miller as Secretary for the 2010-2011 academic year was approved without dissent.

XI. UNIV103/Freshman Seminar

Dr. Ralph Anttonen discussed the importance of UNIV103 courses for helping students make early connections with faculty and increasing retention. He noted that there were insufficient sections available in fall 2009 and additional sections had to be offered this spring. He indicated that over 300 undecided students will be coming in fall 2010. Dr. Anttonen pointed out that approval of individual topics for these courses is an expedited process good for five years and student peer mentors are assigned to each class. Faculty commented that it is difficult to teach these courses without complement. Dr. Burns indicated that these courses do not all have to be geared towards undecided students and the administration can work with departments to offer these courses. Sections of current courses or less frequently taught courses could possibly be converted to UNIV103.

XII. Other/New Business

Senator Grant reminded faculty that information on freshman or sophomore student athletes reported via the early warning system is forwarded to athletics and does not have to be reported directly. He expressed appreciation for faculty responses that support the academic success of Millersville’s athletes. Dr. Grant invited all faculty to attend Faculty Appreciation Night at the men’s and women’s basketball games on February 10.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate

Action Summary