The meeting was called to order at 4:08 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Accounting & Finance, Government & Political Affairs, Interdisciplinary Studies, Music, Sociology & Anthropology, and Special Education.
II. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 202: Survey of Art History I: Prehistory to c. 1400 C.E., 3 credits, G1. Proposal to establish a course exploring art history during the time prior to 1400 C.E was approved without dissent.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART 203: Survey of Art History II: 1400 through the 20th Century, 3 credits, G1. Proposal to establish a course exploring art history during the time from 1400 to the 20th century was approved without dissent.
(3) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
MUSI 371: Foreign Language Diction, 3 credits. Proposal to establish a course to introduce music students to diction of Italian, German, and French languages was approved with one abstention.
It was noted the choice of languages represents the expertise of the faculty member teaching the course.
(4) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
EDUC 565: Language & Literacy Interventions: Clinical Practicum, 6 credits. Proposal for clinical practicum where students gain and apply understandings of language and literacy development for English language learners was approved without dissent.
(5) CHANGE TO GRADUATE COURSE
EDUC 564: Assessment, Policies & Practices in Teaching English Language Learners, 3 credits. Proposal to modify course content to meet current PDE competency requirements was approved without dissent.
(6) CHANGE TO GRADUATE CURRICULUM
Certificate program: Program Specialist-ESL. Proposal to modify program requirements for students pursuing certification as a Program Specialist in ESL was approved without dissent.
(7) CHANGE TO GRADUATE CURRICULUM
Masters of Language & Literacy, ESL concentration. Proposal to modify program based on new courses addressing PDE competencies 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 invited all faculty to participate in commencement ceremonies.
Provost
Dr. Prabhu reported on a successful Honors & Awards event, ongoing enrollments, and admitted student events.
Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Dr. Adams thanked the Honors & Awards Committee for their work.
A question was raised on the general state of the campus. Dr. McNairy noted there is no new information on budget, but MU is preparing for a 10-15% appropriations cut with 4% tuition increase. However, it was noted one legislator is promoting a tuition freeze and education vouchers. Dr. McNairy stressed the importance of continuing to focus on moving forward.
It was also noted that some faculty are unsure of the meaning of transformation initiatives on campus. Dr. Prabhu reported that faculty input and ideas on transformation are being posted online and encouraged faculty to keep track and get involved as possible.
Dr. Börger-Greco shared that information about new SAP indicators/criteria will be presented at the summer senate meeting. Dr. McNairy noted relevant examples and ideas should help shape how we focus on outcomes, specifically in areas we excel in already. She highlighted the administrative intention to assure that all MU funding is returned to campus. Dr. Mowrey suggested that this agenda item be announced to campus so that interested faculty could attend the meeting. Dr. McNairy noted the information will also be shared with APSCUF-MU and Rep Council.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
(1) CHANGE TO GRADUATE CURRICULUM
Masters of Education in Mathematics. Proposal to add a field experience component as required by NACTE and PDE for accreditation and to add a capstone component as required by PASSHE: Policy 1990-06-A.
(2) CHANGE TO GRADUATE CURRICULUM
Masters of Language & Literacy and/or Reading Specialist Certification. Proposal to modify reading specialist programs based on new courses addressing PDE competencies.
UCPRC
(3) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
CHEM 111: Introductory Chemistry I, 4 credits, G2, L. Proposal to change pre- or co-requisite of MATH101 to be a pre-requisite of MATH101 with a grade of C- or better.
(4) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ESCI 347: Satellite Meteorology, 3 credits. Proposal to revise the catalog description, change the pre-requisites, and remove G2 label.
(5) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
Art: BA/BFA/BSE majors, Art History/Studio Art minors. Proposal to change degree requirements to accommodate splitting of Art History into two courses.
(6) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
PSYC 211: Principles of Statistics and Experimental Design I, 4 credits, W. Proposal to add a W label.
(7) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ESCI 202: Earth in Space, 3 credits, G2, web. Proposal to revise the course credits from 4 to 3, remove the lab component, modify pre-requisites, and convert to online delivery.
(8) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BS Speech Communication. Proposal to require a grade of C or better in COMM 401 for degree.
Two-meeting Waivers
It was noted the two graduate changes impact only graduate students in the relevant departments. A GCPRC request to waive the two-meeting rule for changes to Masters of Education in Mathematics and Masters of Language & Literacy and/or Reading Specialist Certification was approved without dissent.
(8) CHANGE TO GRADUATE CURRICULUM
Masters of Education in Mathematics. Proposal to add a field experience component as required by NACTE and PDE for accreditation and to add a capstone component as required by PASSHE: Policy 1990-06-A was approved without dissent.
(9) CHANGE TO GRADUATE CURRICULUM
Masters of Language & Literacy and/or Reading Specialist Certification. Proposal to modify reading specialist programs based on new courses addressing PDE competencies was approved without dissent.
It was noted that CHEM 111 was overlooked for a first reading at the last senate meeting. A UCPRC request to waive the two-meeting rule for the CHEM111 change was approved without dissent.
(10) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
CHEM 111: Introductory Chemistry I, 4 credits, G2, L. Proposal to change pre- or co-requisite of MATH101 to be a pre-requisite of MATH101 with a grade of C- or better was approved with two dissenting votes.
It was noted that students who do not take the MATH 101 course would need to meet the math placement pre-requisite to enroll in CHEM 111. Concerns about implementation in fall 2012 were discussed. It was agreed that students currently enrolled in CHEM 111 would continue to be subject to the old requirements as published during registration although they would be advised of the change and the reason for it. Incoming freshmen would be placed according to the new requirements.
APC
Senator A. Miller presented proposed revisions to two documents [see Attachment #2]: 1) Approval Process for Courses and Programs; and 2) Major and Minor Course and/or Program Change Procedures. These changes address improved mechanisms for campus notification when departments drop General Ed labels or remove courses from the catalog.
GERC
Senator Cardwell reminded faculty that voting on General Education revisions will be administered by APSCUF and urged participation. It was noted that approved changes should be in place for students graduating in December 2012.
VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
IX. Faculty Emeriti
X. Committee Election
Meeting was adjourned after elections (5:12 p.m.)
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary