The meeting was called to order at 4:09 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Athletics, Business Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library, and Nursing.
I. Minutes of previous meeting
II. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE POLICY
The proposed changes to the undergraduate studies academic policy on Academic Standards, Probation, and Dismissal was approved with one dissenting vote.
Discussion was held about why the change was needed. Concern was raised about limiting in-person appeals for students. Key issues noted by Registrar Candace Deen and ASC Chair Sikora were the short time-frame for scheduling in-person appeals over winter break, the commitment to retaining in-person appeals for first time dismissals, that ASC provides students with academic recommendations upon their first dismissal, and that Millersville has one of the most extensive structures for allowing student appeals.
(2) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
ART Proposal to add ART242: 3D Design as a pre-requisite to ART295, ART296, ART282, ART291 was approved without dissent.
(3) 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 was approved without dissent.
(4) 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 was approved without dissent.
(5) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BS CHEM, Biochemistry option. Proposal to adjust course requirements to align with revised biology curriculum was approved without dissent.
(6) 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 was approved without dissent.
(7) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
AS CSCI. Proposal to adjust course requirements to more clearly define appropriate courses needed in computer science courses and math was approved without dissent.
(8) 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 was approved without dissent.
III. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson
IV. Report of the Student Senate President
V. Report of the Graduate Student Association
VI. Report of the Administrative Officers
President McNairy thanked the campus community for patience during the recent snow storms. She commented on the Governor’s proposed budget which keeps our funding flat but includes another year of stimulus funding and the potential return of Key93 funds to be used for campus renovations. Dr. McNairy encouraged faculty to petition the legislature to support education funding. She also noted that the capital campaign is at $45 million and will go public in October to raise an additional $15 million and that the First Friday faculty gathering will be held only once in the spring.
Provost
Provost Prabhu noted work to coordinate scheduling based on student demands for courses and offer more options for incoming transfer students. A comment was raised about continuing to consider scheduling needs of non-traditional students.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Vice President Breaux encouraged faculty to take advantage of work study funds from federal allocations, noting positions should be posted on the centralized database for student recruiting. Discussion was held regarding how to tap into these funds. The administration instructed faculty to speak with deans or the Provost’s Office about options if departmental funds have been depleted and to encourage students to work on campus. It was noted that students may wish to consult with Financial Aid about how these earnings might impact their financial aid package.
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Associate Provost Burns reminded faculty there will be a public forum to meet with the Middle States site visit team and to RSVP attendance plans for the spring faculty convocation. He emphasized that scheduling during the site visit will require flexibility.
Dr. Burns also announced formation of a task force exploring the format for an interdisciplinary degree program. He noted that the goal is to allow combination of majors and minors together to meet student interests in new fields. The intention is to submit a format for this program to PASSHE for approval this spring while on-campus curriculum review continues to approve specific variations. A question was raised about the role of the Interdisciplinary Studies council in the review process. Dr. Burns indicated that the proposed overarching format would be reviewed at all levels so that individual combinations of current degree programs might not need additional review while newly-developed programs would still go through the normal curriculum review process. Dr. Prabhu indicated that many sister schools have these and noted the ability to attract students without development of new courses. He also mentioned that integration into these programs could help justify low-enrollment programs. It was also noted that developing similar programs at the Master’s level will probably not be simultaneous but could be informed by the format.
In response to questions, Dr. Burns noted that APC is reviewing feedback from the electronic drop/add process and that there has been no change in the implementation plans for the transfer articulation process though a start date is not yet in place.
Assistant Vice President for Academic Services
Assistant Vice President Redmond noted that faculty can submit reports by the early warning intervention system through February 19 and that the possibility of allowing reporting all semester is being explored for the future.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
First Readings
(1) NEW GRADUATE CURRICULUM
ELED, Online Certificate in Gifted Education. Proposal to offer an entirely online certificate program in gifted education.
Dr. Prabhu commended the department on their organization of this program.
VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
IX. Faculty Emeritus
X. Other/New Business
Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate