The meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Accounting & Finance and Interdisciplinary Studies.
I. Minutes
The revised minutes of the October 2, 2012 meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved as written.
II. Proposed Courses and Programs
(2) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BUAD 251: Organization and Management, 3 credits, G3, W. Proposal to change the course name to Principles of Management and update the course description was approved without dissent.
(3) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BUAD 306: Business Research Methods, 3 credits. Proposal to change the course number to 206 and adjust math prerequisites was approved without dissent.
(4) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BUAD 308: Quantitative Methods in Business, 3 credits. Proposal to change the course number to 358 and the name to Management Science and to adjust prerequisites was approved without dissent.
(5) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BUAD 366: Federal Income Tax I, 3 credits. Proposal to establish minimal grades in prerequisites was approved without dissent.
(6) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BUAD 455: Strategic Management, 3 credits. Proposal to change the course name to Strategy and Policy 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 reaching the $85M goal for the Soar to Greatness campaign but welcomed any additional faculty donations. He also highlighted the dedication of the Winter Center VPAC and noted the Ware Center will still be active in holding community engagement events. Dr. Prabhu noted the PA COT organization, including the Chancellor will be meeting at MU.
Vice President of Student Affairs
Dr. Breaux commented on homecoming athletic events, planned celebration for the championship soccer team, feedback from student focus groups on designs for the new housing project, and the Town-Gown off-campus housing initiative. She also noted TAT training to address early intervention for high-risk behaviors, highlighting the Counseling Center’s Anxiety Screening Day as a way to encourage students to seek out help from campus resources.
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
Dr. Adams encouraged faculty to attend the CAE event on iClickers and receive a start-up kit.
Associate Provost for Civic & Community Engagement
Dr. DeSantis reported on the Stewards of Sustainability Conference hosted by CCERP, noting strong student participation and thanks for faculty planning. He also noted numerous events for Career Week sponsored by the Experiential Learning Center.
It was noted that there are already >350 students enrolled for winter session. Total offerings are up to 90 this year, partly due to the 5-week winter break. Typical cancellation statistics are about 10% for online offerings and 25% for face-to-face. More PASSHE schools are also offering winter courses. Plans for summer are underway.
Dr. DeSantis also reported on explorations by Dr. Tekely into how enrollment numbers might be improved by modifying hours, format, or schedule organization to better meet student preferences. Dr. DeSantis noted working with department chairs on suggestions for changes that could benefit both students and faculty.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Senator Scott Anderson shared the draft of an attribute matrix developed by AOAC to assess GenEd competencies as a way to better know the liberal arts character of MU as an institution. This initiative was sparked by the Middle States review. Prof. Anderson expressed hope that primary course instructors would find it straightforward to complete this for a given course within 20 minute or less. Departments are being asked to identify an assessment coordinator to help complete an assessment for each undergraduate course on campus. Prof. Anderson noted CAE events will be used to help faculty understand or complete the assessment. The goal is for the bulk of the feedback to be submitted by the end of November. An electronic version is being developed. Collected responses from faculty will be integrated into WEAVE Online by the Assessment Office.
VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
IX. Faculty Emeriti
X. MU Retention Initiatives
XI. Other/New Business
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary