The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Accounting & Finance, Interdisciplinary Studies, Music, and Nursing. I. Minutes of previous meeting
II. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) CHANGE TO GRADUATE CURRICULUM
MEd Special Education PreK-8 Certification & MEd plus Certification. Proposal to revise programs to meet new requirements from Chapter 49-2 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 commented that the Chancellor is responding to the Governor’s call for another 20% budget cut to PASSHE, 30% to state-related, and 5% to PHEAA student grants. Dr. Prabhu noted that PASSHE schools have also been instructed not to spend 5% of this year’s funding, effectively increasing this year’s cut from 18% to 23%.
The proposed 20% cut would be a $6 million reduction from MU’s $30 million in appropriations. He emphasized the importance of advocating for the ability to offer quality, affordable education to our 120,000 PASSHE students.
Dr. Prabhu reported on passage of the Higher Education Modernization Act that allows all PASSHE schools to offer applied doctorate degrees and loosened restrictions on faculty consulting in private venues. He encouraged departments to think about what MU strengths could be the basis for these new degrees and noted that there might be unique funding opportunities to use for development. A question was raised about ways to bring together faculty across the system to work on collaborative degrees. Dr. Prabhu recognized the importance of that approach and also stressed the benefit to start planning and testing feasibility to be positioned as a leader in strong areas.
A question was raised about why the Student Research and Neimeyer-Hodgson Grants are not funding students for presenting work at conferences. Dr. Prabhu will look into this. It was noted that some faculty have students that have missed class due to interpreting the designation “TR” as Thursday only rather than Tuesday/Thursday as intended. It was noted that school deans are planning to attend Faculty Senate on a rotating basis.
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Dr. Adams reported that university awards are shifting to a more robust process that includes greater input from nominators and nominees. This will allow the selection committee to base decisions on a broader set of data.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Senator Cardwell distributed three versions of a proposal to revise General Education in ways that reduce GenEd credits and remove blocks to student progress towards degrees. [see Attachment #1] It was noted that since GenEd credits are counted based on the minimal number needed to satisfy all requirements, the maximal credit reduction would be in degrees that allow for all possible credit overlaps. Key points were:
Discussion included:
First Reading
UCPRC
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ERCH 422: Teaching of Literacy, PK-4: Processes, Skills, and Strategies, 6 credits. Proposal for a course to develop pedagogy in the teaching of reading and the related language arts in grades Pre-K-4.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
MDLV 425: Teaching of Literacy, 4-8: Processes, Skills, and Strategies, 6 credits. Proposal for a course to develop pedagogy in the teaching of reading and the related language arts in grades 4-8.
(3) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
SPED 442: Effective Instruction for Students with Disabilities: Support for the General Education Curriculum (Strand II), 3 credits. Proposal for a course to prepare teacher candidates to provide effective instruction to children with mild disabilities.
(4) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 144: Digital Theory and Skills, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to introduce basic vocabulary and principles of communication and media theory.
(5) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 340: Interaction Design, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to explore principles and methodologies associated with digital media and interaction design, including complex multi-media presentations and applications for the worldwide web.
(6) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 341: Motion Design, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to explore time-base visual communication environments and the tools, theories, aesthetics, and techniques used in time-based message building.
(7) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 342: Kinetic Design, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to introduce broadcast design, film graphics, and the principles of motion graphics design.
(8) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 343: Experience Design, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to synthesize and analyze relevant aspects of meaningful human interactions in a networked and mediated environment and how they relate to various aspects of life.
(9) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 347: Design for Social Equity, 3 credits, D. Proposal for a D course to expose students to a wide range of materials that contribute to a more analytical and critical approach to graphics and interactive design.
(10) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 348: Packaging in Design, 3 credits. Proposal for a course to train students in development of three-dimensional design solutions for presenting objects, products, and two-dimensional graphics.
(11) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 493: Portfolio, 3 credits. Proposal for a capstone course for BA or BFA students in Graphic and Interactive Design where students create a professional quality portfolio of graphic design work.
(12) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BA, BFA, BSE in Art. Proposal to update course offerings to include new courses in Graphic/Interactive Design.
(13) NEW UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BSE in Early Childhood (PreK-4) and Special Education (PreK-8). Proposal to define the degree requirements for majors in Early Childhood (PreK-4) and Special Education (PreK-8).
(14) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BSE in Early Childhood (PreK-4) and Special Education (PreK-8). Proposal to change the Professional Bloc 1-Birth to K to three courses instead of five.
(15) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
SPAN 371: Spanish in the United States, 3 credits, D. Proposal for a D course to examine the history and sociolinguistic aspects of the use of Spanish in the United States.
(16) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ECON 323: Games and Experiments in Economics, 3 credits, G3, W. Proposal to remove ECON 101 and ECON 231 as prerequisites and to add the G3 and W labels.
(17) NEW UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
ERCH: Early Childhood (PreK-4). Proposal defining the requirements for retention in the early childhood education major.
(18) NEW UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
MDLV: Middle Level (4-8). Proposal defining the requirements for retention in the middle level education major.
GCPRC
Dr. Mowrey noted that GCPRC has experience in strategic directions for masters and doctoral programs and would be willing to help facilitate development or planning for new degrees.
(19) NEW GRADUATE POLICY
Proposal defining the Eligibility for Participation in Graduate Commencement Prior to Degree Completion was distributed. This proposal would allow graduate students to participate in May commencement if they plan to complete 1-3 credits of coursework during summer sessions immediately following and they have completed all other degree requirements.
GCPRC/APC
Drs. Mowrey and A. Miller distributed a draft of a Provisional Framework Approval for new degrees. [see Attachment #2] Discussion followed:
VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
IX. Faculty Emeriti
X. Election of Faculty Senate Officers
XI. Other/New Business
Meeting was adjourned at 5:39 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary