I. Minutes of previous meetings

The minutes of the September 2, 2008 meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved as written.

II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson

Faculty Senate Chair Pro Tempore Mowrey presided in the absence of Chair Börger-Greco. Senators were reminded of the October 28 meeting added to the Faculty Senate schedule.

III. Report of the Student Senate President

Student Senate President Farrelly reported on activities including a vigil at the pond marking the September 11 anniversary, elections for committee representatives, allocations and organizations, Marauder Madness on October 31, publicity for MU Alerts, potential for a new e-mail address and freshman elections.

IV. Report of the Graduate Student Organization

Graduate Student Association Representative Randolph reported on GSA officers and committee representatives, a petition to be recognized by Student Senate and graduate student gatherings on campus.

V. Report of the Administrative Officers

Provost

Provost Prabhu expressed sympathy over the recent loss of Dr. Richard Frerichs’ wife Marsha.

Associate Provost for Academic Administration

Associate Provost Burns reported that a recording of the lecture by Ishmael Beah is available on Blackboard until September 22. Dr. Burns noted that JoAnn Moody would be leading workshops on campus about hiring practices that promote diversity. He also reminded faculty that FYI course proposals are due September 26. He indicated that faculty members are still welcome to join the Middle States Self-Study working groups.

VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees

ASC

Senator Sikora distributed a proposed revision to the bylaws document outlining the Academic Standards Committee. [see Attachment #1] He noted the change in format recommended by the Bylaws Committee. Then he highlighted the addition of “undergraduate” to clarify that this committee only considers issues related to undergraduate academic standing. Dr. Sikora also commented on the recommendation from ASC that their academic hearings be closed and that student members on ASC serve only an advisory role rather than participating in hearings.

Discussion was held regarding the role of student members to help shape the practice of this committee, whether students are qualified to make an academic judgment of their peers, the value of student perspectives in this process and student awareness of confidentiality issues related to serving on hearings. Parallels to student representation on Judicial Board and University Honors Committee were mentioned.

UCPRC

Directions and a calendar for course proposal submissions will be distributed soon. Electronic copies of proposals should now be sent to a new dedicated e-mail address (UCPRC@millersville.edu). It was stressed that a scan of the signed cover sheet must be received before a proposal will be forwarded to the appropriate subcommittee for review.

VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees

None.

VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs

None.

IX. Faculty Emeritus

None.
X. Spring Calendar
Discussion was held regarding concerns about using Friday night and Saturday to create enough time in the spring semester schedule for Monday classes. Dr. Prabhu noted that other campuses have 4-day exam schedules or Saturday exams that accommodate the shorter semester dictated by PASSHE. He reported that Meet & Discuss approved the use of April 10 and 11 for faculty who need to make up a missing Monday class in person. He noted that faculty may opt to use online strategies or other assignments to meet the requirements of their classes. Dr. Joel Piperberg expressed concern that student attendance will be low and that untenured faculty risk having lower evaluations unless these classes are stated as mandatory. He shared feedback from his students that they would prefer to have some exams given on Saturday a week before graduation to allow Monday of exam week to be used for regular classes. It was noted that concerns about the scheduling should be directed to APSCUF leadership or representatives since the decision was approved by Meet & Discuss. Dr. Prabhu affirmed that this solution could be reconsidered based on how it works this spring. He indicated that the Friday night or Saturday meeting times will be pointed out during the registration process, and he stressed that faculty should inform students in their course syllabus about how it will affect their course schedule.

XI. MU Centralized Emeriti Website

It was reported that the proposed website dedicated to Faculty Emeriti information is being set up with help from Information Technology and Human Resources and that emeriti faculty will now have lifetime access to a Millersville e-mail address.

XII. Weather Delays

No discussion.

XIII. Other/New Business

A question was raised regarding news of a smoking ban on campus. It was noted that this is in place for all PASSHE institutions. A concern about the lack of communication about the policy was expressed.

Additional nominations for open seats were accepted. A Bookmiller/Labant motion to close nominations was approved without dissent. A Sikora/Cuthbert motion to unanimously elect all unopposed candidates was approved without dissent.

Meeting was adjourned following elections.

Respectfully submitted,

Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate

Action Summary

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