I. Minutes of previous meetings
II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson
A Blazer/Saunders motion to consider emeritus proposals immediately after the report of the Chair was approved without dissent.
III. Faculty Emeritus
A Lombardi/Mollah motion that Mr. Stanley J. Kabacinski be granted the honorary title of Assistant Professor of Wellness and Sport Sciences Emeritus was approved without dissent. [see Attachment #2]
V. Report of the Graduate Student Organization
VI. Report of the Administrative Officers
Associate Provost Burns distributed information regarding a Pilot Project of an Early Warning System. [see Attachment #3] The system is intended to identify students struggling academically at a point where intervention might produce improvement. Three faculty members from each school will be participating in the pilot program. Faculty can fill out an online form that will result in a notice being sent to both the student and his/her advisor. A question was raised about whether students would argue failing a course if they did not receive a notice. Another question asked was whether this places a burden of taking corrective action on advisors and somehow documenting their efforts to follow up with students. Dr. Burns responded that the intentions are to benefit students rather than add responsibilities for faculty. Suggestions were made for the online form to allow advisors to make entries about efforts made to contact students and clarification of advisor responsibilities. Senator West shared that Education has been using a similar system with positive results.
Another concern was about availability of student performance information online. Mr. Redmond noted that only the reporting faculty member, student, advisor and Student Affairs Office would have access to these reports. He also clarified that this program is geared towards early career students and those on academic probation and is similar to but separate from the ACT101/AIM reporting. It was noted that combining all types of student feedback requested from faculty would make the process more manageable.
A comment was made indicating that direct faculty interaction with struggling students is a preferable mechanism. Dr. Burns agreed but indicated that this would provide an alternate mechanism for faculty not comfortable with directly approaching students and would alert students to broader resources, including their advisor.
Another concern expressed was that the proposed reporting during week five of the semester is sometimes too early for faculty to adequately assess problems. Dr. Burns responded that the system would become active in the 5th week but could be used after that as well. It was noted that this should be made clear to faculty.
A question was raised about item 8 under implementation, specifying that “advisors determine which of their advisees are in academic jeopardy and contact them.” Concerns were raised about the reliability of making judgments that depend on interpretations of individual faculty and advisors. Dr. Burns stated that since the student also receives the notice, advisors would not carry the burden to take action. It was suggested that the letter sent to students state very clearly that it is their responsibility to seek assistance. A broader question of faculty responsibility for student performance at the college level was mentioned.
Dr. Burns reported that on the Transfer Articulation legislation, noting that the number of courses being requested of each school had been reduced to ten. He indicated that submission of these is underway and an announcement from the Chancellor’s Office will likely be made soon.
Dr. Burns called attention to the information recently distributed by the Theme Committee for next year. He encouraged faculty to make connections with these events as appropriate. A request was made that some additional information be made available on these events to assist faculty in determining their applicability to their courses. Dr. Prabhu noted that related events are soon be added to the campus events calendar online. He also indicated that a new online ticketing system is to be implemented soon. A question was raised about when books would be distributed to faculty who volunteered to lead fall orientation discussion groups. Dr. Burns noted that Dr. Riordan was heading this effort.
VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
The proposal to change membership of GCPRC to specify Graduate Degree Program Coordinators was approved without dissent.
Senator Mowrey reported on the policy supported by Faculty Senate last fall that allows no more than two “C” grades for graduate students. Dr. Mowrey indicated that Deans’ Council referred the item back to GCPRC, requesting that the policy not apply to Certification students. GCPRC considered and approved this specification.
APC
The APC proposal adjusting the values that determine classification of academic progress and standing was approved without dissent.
Senator West distributed a proposed policy for the Initial and Recertification Process for “W,” “D,” “P,” and “FYI” Courses needed to implement the new Gen Ed curriculum and requested feedback. [see Attachment #4]
VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees
Senator A. Miller reported that updated documents for AOAC, APC and ASC are ready for posting in the new online Governance Manual. She also indicated that the remaining documents need additional review by Senate. Senator Mowrey distributed a proposal for creating a standing Faculty Senate Bylaws Committee to maintain current documentation in the Governance Manual relating to Faculty Senate. [see Attachment #5] She requested feedback and also indicated that elections will be held in the fall if the proposal is approved.
A Mowrey/Mollah motion to note completion of the charge to the Ad Hoc Honor Code Committee, recognize the hard work of Chair Kathy Schreiber and committee members in bringing forward the Honor Code Proposal and dissolve the Ad Hoc Honor Code Committee was approved without dissent. Senator DiBartolomeis reiterated concerns that confusion about the spring voting process impacted faculty input on the Honor Code Proposal.
IX. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
GEOG 395: Advanced Geographic Information Systems, 4 credits. Proposal to create a course to provide advanced experience with GIS concepts and software was approved without dissent.
The package of course proposals from ITEC were considered collectively. It was noted that it would be helpful to have at least a brief rationale to aid evaluation of minor changes even though it is not required.
(2) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ITEC 281: Processing Metallic Materials. Proposal to revise course description, objectives and outline was approved without dissent.
(3) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ITEC 382(486): Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining. Proposal to change the course number from ITEC 486 and to revise course description, objectives and outline was approved without dissent.
(4) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ITEC 483: Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), 3 credits. Proposal to create a course investigating the form of automation that creates the link between computer-aided design and automated production systems was approved without dissent.
(5) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ITEC 485: Advanced Manufacturing Systems. Proposal to revise course description, objectives and outline was approved without dissent.
(6) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BS ITEC, Manufacturing Technology and General Industrial Technology options. Proposal to change required and elective courses was approved without dissent.
(7) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
AT ITEC, Manufacturing Technology and Mechanical Technology options. Proposal to change required and elective courses was approved without dissent.
(8) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
ITEC minor, Manufacturing Technology and General Industrial Technology options. Proposal to change elective courses was approved without dissent.
(9) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BSE EDTE. Proposal to change elective courses was approved without dissent.
X. Other/New Business
The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary