I. Minutes of the September 6, 2005 Meeting

The correction noted for the previously approved minutes of the April 19, 2005 meeting should indicate that "Faculty of the Year Award" rather than "Student of the Year Award" should read "Person of the Year Award." The minutes of the September 6, 2005 meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved as amended.

II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson

Dr. Börger-Greco reminded Senators that nominees for the University Planning Council should be submitted by September 21. She also mentioned the upcoming forum regarding the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning on September 29. Dr. Kevorkian noted that the interdisciplinary forum Beyond the Relief Effort: The Impact of Katrina planned for the same day has been moved to 6:00 pm.

Student Senate Vice-President Rob Kuhn indicated that the Student Senate has 13 freshmen running for election. As there are still 23 open seats on Student Senate, he requested that Senators encourage any students with leadership skills to consider participating in Student Senate. He also noted that Committee Elections will be held soon, and names of those elected will be reported. He also mentioned that Senate is still identifying how to support ongoing Katrina relief efforts.

IV. Report of the Graduate Student Organization

No Report.

V. Report of the Administrative Officers

Provost Prabhu

Provost Prabhu commented on behalf of President McNairy regarding the importance of qualified candidates being nominated to serve on the University Planning Council (UPC). The UPC will be charged with developing outcomes and performance indicators related to Millersville's vision. He also indicated that a survey will be forthcoming to garner wider faculty responses regarding the vision process and encouraged faculty to participate in the process.

Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas

Vice-President for Student Affairs Thomas reported that the Orientation process for new students is being reviewed. The current proposal is to hold an expanded orientation time during the week directly preceding the fall semester. Dr. McNairy is endorsing this proposal and a group is charged with developing the revised program. Dr. Thomas responded to a question regarding timing of placement testing by noting that placement will have to be handled separately or with some new mechanisms to allow for students to be properly placed into courses. Dr. Phillips commented that work regarding coordination of placement and registration at a point in the spring semester is underway and has the support of chairs of affected departments. Dr. Phillips noted that this will likely be suitable for the majority of incoming students, but accommodations may also need to be arranged.

Interime Assistant Provost Redmond

Interim Assistant Provost Redmond from the Division of Academic Support Programs and Learning Services reported that persistence of students is at an historic low for Millersville and that efforts are needed to improve the academic experience for many students. He noted some potential avenues of increasing student outlooks by providing dual advisement for AIM students with a declared major, customizing schedules for African-American students, and implementing early warning systems to enable better intervention for struggling students. Dr. Prabhu reiterated Mr. Redmond's reference to sophomores as neglected students who are not having their needs considered sufficiently and recommended investigation of methods currently in use at Clarion to address similar issues. In particular, Mr. Redmond noted that extended seats may need to be held open for sophomores since they are the last to be able to register for classes and many integral courses are already filled.

VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees

GCPRC

A Mowrey/West motion was made to charge the Academic Policies Committee to review the academic portions of the Governance Manual and make necessary changes to accommodate Academic Centers in the course and degree proposal process as well as other relevant sections of the Manual. The motion passed without dissent.

VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees

General Education Task Force

Dr. Foster-Clark presented changes made to Principles A-F regarding the process of General Education reform at Millersville. He presented a document outlining the original ballot statements, the changes discussed in Senate in April, and the current revised principles [see Attachment #1). Discussion addressed concern that the language in Principle D would accommodate departmental needs in meeting standards of their major programs when interfacing with General Education. A DeCaria motion to approve the revised principles guiding the process of General Education reform was passed without dissent.

Discussion was held regarding Principles 1-6 regarding the reform of General Education. It was noted that there is some confusion in separating the concepts of the principles for the process of reform and the principles of the reform itself. Dr. Foster-Clark will return to Senate with revised language to address this differentiation.

Discussion was held regarding the Purpose Statement for General Education. Dr. Foster-Clark shared the suggested alterations made by the English department. Concerns were expressed regarding wording of the statement, appropriate breadth of the phrases listed in the statement and that strong emphasis of General Education reduces the importance of majors. Dr. Foster-Clark will also distribute other options for the Purpose Statement but emphasized the need for Senators to address these issues with their departments for discussion at future Senate meetings. Dr. Wismer suggested that by first considering the Objectives of General Education, Senate may find it easier to appropriately shape the Purpose Statement. Dr. Phillips noted that Middle States standards are directing some of the language in the proposed documents. Future discussions of the General Education components will be added to upcoming Senate meeting agendas.

VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs

First Readings

None.

Second Readings

(1) CHANGE IN COURSES/CURRICULA
Changes to the Music minor. The proposal passed without dissent.

(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
PHIL 345 - Humanity and Environment, 3 credits, Perspectives (P) course The proposal passed without dissent.

(3) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
EDFN 398 - Urban Immersion Seminar, 3 credits, Perspectives (P) course The proposal passed without dissent.

(4) CHANGE IN COURSES/CURRICULA Requirements for the BSE in Chemistry dropped from 128 credits to 126 credits. Discussion was held regarding whether a mechanism for waiving Perspectives requirements needs to be coordinated so that all proposals can be handled in a more orderly fashion. Concerns addressed how to adequately meet administrative requirements for curriculum while also maintaining a commitment to the Perspectives aspect of General Education. It is likely that these issues will come under consideration as General Education is reformed. No action was taken.

IX. Faculty Emeritus

Postponed to accommodate elections.

X. Other/New Business

Postponed to accommodate elections.

XI. Committee Elections

Nominations were accepted for open Senate committee positions.

A Ward/Luek motion to waive the term limit restriction for one year to allow Alan Kelly to serve on Academic Standards since no alternate nominees were available was passed.

A White/Wallace motion to elect all unopposed candidates was passed.

A DeCaria/Mollah motion to close nominations was passed.

A West/Mowrey motion to fill Member seats with the top candidate and Alternate seats with remaining candidates was passed.

Meeting was adjourned after voting was completed.

Action Summary

Respectfully Submitted,

Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate