Academic Senate: MINUTES 03/19/2002

Members present: Dr. Rich Christen, Dr. Will Deming, Dr. Thompson Faller, Dr. Moira Fallon, Dr. Terry Favero, Dr. Mark Kennedy, Dr. Jack Kondrasuk, Dr. Bohn Lattin, Dr. Gary Malecha, Caroline Mann, Dr. Terry Misener, Dr. Marlene Moore, Dr. Steve Royce, Dr. John Schouten, Dr. David Sherrer, Mr. Ron Smit, Br. Donald Stabrowski, Dr. Agnes Tenney, Rev. David Tyson, Dr. Anita Wynne, Dr. Zia Yamayee, Ms. Theresa Abbene, Mr. Chris Meyer

Members absent: Dr. Michael Connolly, Dr. Laura Genik, Dr. Mark Utlaut

The invocation was given by Dr. John Schouten.

The minutes from the February 19, 2002 meeting were approved.

Standing Committee Reports

Executive Committee: Dr. Faller reminded the Senate members of the celebration for the Feast of St. Joseph following today’s meeting. He also reminded senators to elect any new senators before the April 16th meeting. The names of new senators are to be sent to the Senate Secretary. He stated that Roy Hendricks had been invited to present information about the university budget in the April meeting.

Committee on Committees: Dr. Royce announced that the committee had met and appointed Dick Young to replace Angela Hoffman on the Committee on Curriculum and Academic Regulations.

Committee on Rank and Tenure: No report

Committee on Teaching and Scholarship: Dr. Favero reported that the committee was continuing to review the files of the nominated candidates for the Teaching and Scholarship awards. They also are reviewing a proposal to add to the award money by extending additional funds for travel. The committee has also been investigating an appropriate public place to hang the award plaques.

Committee on Faculty Welfare: Dr. Tenney reported that the committee will meet with Jim Kuffner on March 20^th to discuss the Kaiser Added Choice Plan.They also reviewed a proposal on “Termination for Cause” that will be reviewed under today’s New Business.

Committee on Curriculum and Academic Regulations: Met. See New Business.

Presidential Advisory Committee Reports

Committee on Student Media: Dr. Christen reported that the committee is interviewing candidates for editor and director of the Student Media positions.

Committee on Athletics: Ron Smit reported that the committee has met and discussed corporate sponsorship of athletics and received a progress report on NCAA Interim Certification Process. They also reviewed the issue of gender equity. There are 118 male and 105 female athletes. There are more female athletes on scholarship and facilities on the road for all athletes are equivalent. The committee is reviewing the facilities on campus and the usage of Howard Hall.

Committee on Health and Safety: Has not met since last Senate meeting.

Committee on Computing and Telecommunications: Dr. Misener reported that the campus pipeline is up and running and the committee members are reviewing the usage policy.

Student-Faculty Court: No report

Other Reports

Dean’s Meetings: Br. Donald reported that the deans have met with the university officers and discussed next year’s budget and salaries. He stated that the deans had been working on the transfer credit policy to try and come up with a standard agreement for transfer of equivalent core courses. They have also reviewed the interviews of graduating seniors regarding their career expectations and the changes in those expectations from their entry into UP.

ASUP: Chris Meyer reported that new ASUP officers had been elected and that ASUP has passed an amendment regarding its powers. This amendment will next go to Fr. Tyson.ASUP also discussed the university budget for next year with Roy Hendricks.

New Business

1. Dr. Agnes Tenney presented a proposal to Amendment for Termination for Cause of Faculty. (Note: See Academic Senate Website for actual copy of proposal.) She reported that the Committee on Faculty Welfare had been asked by the Senate to review the current policy on “Termination for Cause.”The committee had met numerous times and discussed the procedures. They presented to the Senate a copy of the current policy and their revisions. The committee attempted to make the policy clear, to add informal procedures that would be followed by formal ones, findings to be sent to the President, and added a yearly report be made to the Senate on the frequency of “Termination for Cause” policy.Questions and discussion followed on the role of the Senate in revising the Articles of Administration, the informal procedures, and the preference of the Board of Regents not to act in an appellant function. Dr. Tenney asked that the Senate accept or reject the proposal, and then send the preferred policy to the Academic Vice President.The following resolution was passed unanimously.“Whereas the Academic Senate having no jurisdiction in the revision of the Articles of Administration, and, whereas the Senate was asked by the Academic Vice President to review the current process for Termination for Cause of Faculty with Tenure or Faculty Under Temporary Appointment Before the End of the Contract Period” assigned that task to the Committee on Faculty Welfare, we receive this report containing the simplification of procedures and submit it in spirit to the Academic Vice President for consideration.”
2. Dr. Mark Kennedy made a proposal for Changes in the Engineering Programs. (Note: See Academic Senate Website for actual copy of proposal.) The proposal will be effective in the fall of 2002.Questions and discussion ensued on the impact of the changes in enrollment and the adequacy of preparation in writing skills of the students. The proposal passed unanimously.
3. Proposed Changes in Computer Science Program in School of Engineering – Dr. Mark Kennedy.(Note: See Academic Senate Website for actual copy of proposal.)The proposal will be effective in the fall of 2002. Discussion centered on the elimination of CST 107 as a requirement and a concern for the oral communication skills of students. The proposal passed with three nay votes.
4. Dr. Mark Kennedy made a proposal for Changes in Degree Requirements for College of Arts and Sciences.(Note: See Academic Senate Website actual proposal and for full text of changes.) The proposal will be effective in the school year of 2002-2003 for students admitted in that year. Questions and discussion centered on the issues of practice in written and oral communication, the need for assessment of communication skills, and faculty ownership of student learning. The proposal passed unanimously.

Adjournment: Was at 4:55 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Moira Fallon, Secretary for Academic Senate