The meeting was called to order at 3:09 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Academic & Student Development, Communication & Theatre, Computer Science, Economics, Educational Foundations, Industry & Technology, Interdisciplinary Studies, Philosophy, and Wellness & Sports Sciences.
I. Minutes of previous meeting
II. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART312/212: Survey of Art. Proposal to change course number from 312 to 212 and make ART212 a pre-requisite course for ART 301, 302, 303, 304, 313, 403, 404, 588, and 589 was approved without dissent.
(2) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
GEOG305: Geography of Energy. Proposal to change pre-requisites to GEOG202 or GEOG230 or permission of instructor was approved without dissent.
(3) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
EDCI700: The Mentoring Teacher: Competencies for Mentoring Student Teachers, 3 credits. Proposal for course to prepare cooperating teachers to observe, analyze, guide, and evaluate teacher candidates during field experiences 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
Dr. Prabhu reported on summer enrollments. He also noted that he will be one of the administrative team members for contract negotiations and commented on the status of the contract and budget. An issue had been raised about the statement online regarding scheduling of evening classes during final exam week. Dr. Prabhu responded that clarification of the language has resolved this issue with Meet & Discuss.
Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies
Dr. DeSantis reported on technology upgrades at MU-Lancaster and the transitioning of equipment from Boyer. Dr. Prabhu also noted that renovations of the library will include a iTV studio especially useful for low-enrolled programs and will be supported by an extra $1.7 million from the state.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
First Readings
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
Entrepreneurship minor. Proposal to create a minor program to foster entrepreneurial potential.
A question was raised about faculty complement for this program. Overlaps with other courses were noted and complement comes from the department teaching each course.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ENGL460: Teaching ESL Listening and Speaking, 3 credits. Proposal for a course focusing on understanding the nature of spoken English and approaches to teaching ESL listening and speaking skills.
It was noted that the distributed file was missing a revision to clarify that this course cannot meet Act49 competencies. The correct version should include this revision.
(3) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
HIST308: Topics. Proposal to designate HIST308 as a G3 course.
(4) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
HIST334: Victorian England. Proposal to add the General Education G3 and W labels and add a pre-requisite of ENGL110/110H.
(5) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
HIST365: The Nightmare Years: America 1954-1974, 3 credits, G3, W. Proposal for a course to study in depth the great social movements in America between 1954 and 1974.
(5) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
HIST406: Senior Seminar. Proposal to redefine pre-requisites as HIST105 with a grade of C- or better; junior or senior status, or permission of the instructor.
(6) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BA History, major. Proposal to allow 3 credits of HIST489: Independent Study and HIST499: Departmental Honors Thesis to replace HIST406: Senior Seminar for completion of the major, including specification that a grade of B or better in HIST489 & 499 would earn Advanced Writing credit.
GCPRC
(1) NEW GRADUATE CURRICULUM
MS in Integrated Scientific Applications. Proposal to create a program with transdisciplinary training in science content, methods and tools for information analysis, and management and policy skills necessary for scientific careers in business, industry, commerce, and government.
Two-meeting Waiver
Earth Sciences requested a waiver of the two meeting rule for the MS in Integrated Scientific Applications. Discussion was held on the need for this waiver since review over two meetings allows senators to get feedback from departments and better evaluate proposals. It was explained that the PASSHE Board of Governors has taken a consortium approach for program presentation with a concrete June deadline. To take advantage of this opportunity, it is critical to waive the two-meeting rule for this proposal. Dr. Rich Clark noted the program structure provides an umbrella allowing for unique varieties of concentrations that could be introduced in response to needs in industry or government. A suggestion was made for clarified admission requirements. Dr. Clark responded that minimal definition is intentional to attract a broad spectrum of candidates. Complement would be covered by core courses that already exist or could be cross-referenced. Dr. Clark indicated that a Program Coordinator with 3-credit release will be needed. Dr. DeSantis noted the program budget includes one new faculty and graduate assistants based on program enrollment. Dr. Prabhu emphasized that BOG will scrutinize funding and collaboration as part of the application for the program. Dr. DeSantis also commented that the consortium will create flexibility for students to take “plus” courses as part of the program. A Neuville/Clark motion to waive the two-meeting rule for the MS in Integrated Scientific Applications was approved with one abstention.
(4) NEW GRADUATE CURRICULUM
MS in Integrated Scientific Applications. Proposal to create a program with transdisciplinary training in science content, methods and tools for information analysis, and management and policy skills necessary for scientific careers in business, industry, commerce, and government was approved with one abstention.
GERC
Senator Cardwell introduced a proposal to revise the language describing the guidelines for Writing courses within the General Education program. She noted this is a change in language only with no change to the criteria for a W label.
VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
IX. Faculty Emeritus
X. Proposed Revision to Course Approval Process
An A Miller/Walsh motion to charge UCPRC and GCPRC to look into how the Singularity program can be integrated into the current course approval process was approved without dissent.
XI. Other/New Business
Discussion was held regarding appropriate review for the Interdisciplinary Studies proposal. UCPRC has heard from the proposers twice on the proposal and provided feedback. The first vote was done based on revisions after the initial feedback had been incorporated. The importance of campus-wide review of the written proposal with such broad relevance was stressed. A Neuville/A Miller motion to discuss the Interdisciplinary Studies proposal at the next Senate meeting was approved without dissent.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary