The meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. All departments were in attendance except Athletics, Industry & Technology,and Interdisciplinary Studies.

I. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the February 15, 2011 meeting of the Faculty Senate were approved as written.

II. Proposed Courses and Programs

Second Readings

(1) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
MATH464: Real Analysis I, 3 credits. Proposal to modify pre-requisites was approved without dissent.

(2) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ESCI221: Physical Geology, 4 credits, G2. Proposal to add a math pre-requisite was approved without dissent.

(3) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ESCI421: Advanced Geology, 3 credits, W. Proposal to offer a capstone course for geology majors to explore current geological advances, interpret pertinent research, and synthesize and integrate knowledge in written and discussion formats was approved without dissent.

(4) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE ERCH485: Teaching Young English Language Learners, 3 credits. Proposal to offer a course to prepare early childhood teacher candidates to understand the social and linguistic foundations for first and second language development in the early years was approved without dissent.

III. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson

Faculty Senate Chair Börger-Greco reminded senators that ASD, GOVT, HIST, IDST, MATH, MUSI, PHIL, SOWK departments should elect a senator and an alternate before April 1. General committee elections will be held at April 5 and April 19 meetings. Dr. Börger-Greco also commented that she is drafting a letter outlining the impact of the BOG Academic Degree Policy revisions approved in July 2010.

Discussion with Ms. Candae Deen was held regarding implementation of online/electronic drop/add and automated waitlist as agreed on by APSCUF at Meet & Discuss. Ms. Deen noted the key issues reported by faculty during winter-session trials of electronic drop/add were fair enrollment using waitlists and notification to faculty when course enrollments changed. She highlighted the features of Banner which have been configured by Mr. John Sicotte to support this transition. Key discussion points included:

• Pop-up notifications of waitlist option for closed courses will be made to students during registration.
• Course restrictions (like pre-requisites) will be retained for addition to the waitlist.
• Departments will be able to override enrollments and waitlist prioritization using the desktop version of Banner (faculty would work through department staff or chairs).
• Seat-opening notification will be sent to the students based on priority with the option to enroll in a specified time (by e-mail and possibly text message if opted by student).
• Faculty will by notified by e-mail when waitlist notices go out to students.
• Graduate students seeking a degree/certification would be registering first and should, therefore, be prioritized first, but suggestions for graduate student prioritization should be addressed to the Registrar
• It is possible to show students their order on the waitlist, but senators emphasized that this would not be preferred since faculty may change the order.
• Additional seats can still be opened through Banner capacity overrides and deans.
• Students will be limited to a waitlist for ONE section of a course and may NOT waitlist for a different section of a course in which they are already registered.
• The waitlist will not be permitted for students who have not met appropriate APS criteria. The School of Education needs to consider the impact of this.
• New drops would not become open seats after capacity overrides are made to enroll specified students.
• This system will be in place for ALL faculty/students/courses.
• Faculty wishing to give priority to students actively participating in class during the drop/add period should do this by getting those students to sign up for the waitlist and then moving them to the top of the waitlist and/or providing capacity overrides.

The mechanism for determining priority status has not yet been decided, but it can be set based on either the order students add to the waitlist or by class first and then order added. This priority will apply to all courses, but faculty (via departments) will still have the option to adjust student waitlist order for their courses. It is planned that this system will be in place for summer and fall registration and will remain in effect through the drop/add period.

IV. Report of the Student Senate President

Student Senate President Darling reported on a Mar 15 Civility Workshop, Advocacy Day, a community yard sale planned for April 30. Students interested in participating in the Civility Workshop or Advocacy Day should notify Ms. Darling.

V. Report of the Graduate Student Association

None.

VI. Report of the Administrative Officers

Provost

Dr. Prabhu commented on administrative reviews underway regarding the BOG Academic Degree policy that limits BA degrees to 40 credits and BS degrees to 60 credits, including cognate courses. He noted a desire to have several representative examples from deans showing the impact of the policy on MU degrees. Dr. Prabhu also reported that there will be more flexibility from PASSHE about defining the accreditation requirements for degree programs.

Assistant Vice President of Academic Services

Vice President Redmond requested that faculty respond to the survey on the Early Academic Intervention process using the link in the e-mail notification.

Coordinator of General Education

Dr. Schneller announced the new academic theme: Seize the Opportunity: Create, Innovate, Engage. She encouraged faculty to submit proposals for related activities before March 18. Dr. Schneller also announced that 13 awards have been made for the Scholars in the Classroom program, bringing experts to campus to provide classroom input, and that more such grants will be available under the new academic theme.

VII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees

UCPRC

First Readings

(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
MDLV486: Teaching English Language Learners in the Middle Level, 3 credits, P. Proposal for a course to prepare teacher candidates to understand cross-cultural and linguistic foundations of acquiring a new language and to integrate optimal learning environments in grades 4-8.

(2) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
Latino Studies minor. Proposal to revise required core courses and electives to better reflect the objectives of the Latino/a Studies Program based on current course offerings.

(3) CHANGE TO UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
BA ESCI: Environmental Geology option. Proposal to revise core, elective, and required related courses to better prepare students seeking state licensure as a professional geologist.

VIII. Reports of the Faculty Senate Special Committees

None.

IX. Faculty Emeritus

None.

X. Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

Dr. Dennis Downey reported on task force work to develop a proposal for the structure and goals of an undergraduate interdisciplinary program. Key discussion points included:
• An interdisciplinary studies major within a Bachelor of Arts degree.
• A 51-credit structure that includes core interdisciplinary study courses, core program courses, and required related courses.
• The proposal will create a shell for the degree, allowing for multiple future applications that combine various programs.
• An example application of the degree will be included in the proposal.
• A council of interdisciplinary programs or directors needs to provide oversight for related issues.
• Capstone courses or those with flexibility for student interest projects within the related programs would be utilized to support interdisciplinary programs without adding new courses.
• The task force intends to send the proposal to UCPRC after spring break and hopes the approved degree could be announced in the fall.

Because this proposal is university-wide rather than coming from a single school, the task force is recommending a review process beginning at UCPRC followed by Faculty Senate approval. The alternative option of having each school curriculum committee review it prior to UCPRC was suggested to be impractical and/or not timely. It was noted that all faculty were invited to participate in several forums on the degree. It was stressed that the primary opportunity for departments across campus to provide input would be during Senate review. It was suggested that senators could consult their departments on the proposed process, especially since Senate will meet again before UCPRC.

A Neuville/Walsh motion to that the proposal for a bachelor of arts program with an interdisciplinary studies major be submitted by the task force for review and approval to UCPRC followed by Faculty Senate was approved with one abstention.

XI. Other/New Business

None.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:41 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Aimee L. Miller
Faculty Senate Secretary

Action Summary