Monday, September 19, 2005
1. Call to Order:
President Jane Evans called the University Senate Meeting to Order at 1:50 pm.
2.
Evans introduced Scott Gratson (SCT) as Parliamentarian. Parliamentary procedure was explained on how many questions can be asked while at the microphone. Evans explained how to call a point of order if someone is taking too much time.
3. Approval of Minutes:
The minutes were amended to correct a spelling order. The minutes were then passed unanimously.
4. President’s Report:
Evans reported that the General Education Committee met frequently over the summer and would present at this meeting. The Handbook Committee also met. EPPC will be reporting in the future upon an issue referred to it in the May Senate meeting about graduation procedures, as well as the revamped Honors Program. Committee members are needed for committees mandated by the TAUP contract. There will be a referendum to do on-line voting on issues in the future. Faculty can be invited to Trustee Meetings if they inform the Faculty Senate President of their desire to do so.
5. Vice-President’s Report:
Lois Milner reported that nine people have volunteered for the University Promotion and Tenure Committee.
The Study Leave Committee will look at summer research awards and grants-in-aid in addition to Promotion and Tenure
Committee members are needed for the Committee on Academic and Trustee Appointments (CATA), the Committee on the Status of Women, the Library Committee, and the Research Procedures and Policy Committee (RPPC)
6. The General Education Executive Committee Report:
Members introduced themselves: Richard Brodhead, (BCM&D); Laura Toran (CST); Bob Baren (Engineering); David Ryan, (FSBM); Ira Shapiro (Tourism and Hospitality).
Ryan reported that a brief synopsis of the business that the committee conducted during the summer had been sent out on the faculty listserv. An expected timetable for the implementation of the General Education curriculum has been published. The role of the coordinators was explained. The period for submitting courses will end in May. but the courses will be approved as they come in.
Carolyn Adams (CLA) asked about how courses would be balanced and if there was an upper limit on the number of courses that would be approved. It was explained that there was a process of rolling approval of courses. The GEEC expected to have a lot of give and take as the courses were approved. A sense of how many courses there would be allowed would become evident in time. Faculty were urged to contact the coordinators and to get ideas into the pipeline as early as possible.
Leroy Dubek (CST) asked when the courses would begin and how the transition would be handled between the new and old systems. Brodhead replied that by Fall of 2006 we should know what courses would be on board and develop them. Fall of 2007 the first courses would be taught.
Jeffrey Solow (BCM&D) asked about problems of implementation and flexibility with transfer students. Ryan said there was no definite answer yet but ideas have been tested. All the colleges have a problem with these questions and the committee is aware of this. Ideas will soon be shared.
Robin Mitchell-Boyask (CLA) asked about the 40% requirement being the final grade. Toran explained that there was great individual flexibility within this 40% and that examinations do not have to be written in order to qualify.
Sanjay Chatravarty (CLA) asked how many sections of GenEd courses would be run in a year. Would there be a balance between large and small sections? The response was that it was too early to answer yet. The Administration will deal with this in time and no policy had yet been established. When asked how many sections of core classes are offered now the response was that the number was unknown but could be ascertained after the meeting. Some core courses have one class and several sections. Variety can be maintained in the new General Education proposal.
Evans asked how long will faculty have to teach General Education and Core Courses to simultaneously? Brodhead replied that the answer would be known only when we know the courses coming from faculty. Evans then asked if there was a timetable for transfer students, especially if Core-to-Core agreements had been discussed. Brodhead responded that priorities will be established in the future. The development of the courses right now is the most important thing. Post October 1 the committee will begin to work on other important issues such as this one.
Suni Peterson (Education) asked about the spread of courses. The response was that the committee was proactive on this issue. It is too early to judge what we will definitely want and flexibility is recommended. Members of the General Education Committee will be happy to attend Collegial Assemblies and speak with faculty in discussing area needs. Brodhead explained that the coordinators would play a significant role and that the committee will be in close touch with the coordinators.
7. Old Business:
There was no old business.
8. New Business:
Orin Chein (CST) reported that the Board of Trustees passed a rule that there must be room for students to take 24 credits of electives. This never came to the Faculty Senate. He strongly protested and requested that the Faculty Senate Steering Committee should emphasize that all curricular issues must be discussed by faculty prior to going to vote to the Trustees. Peter Jones, Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Studies explained that this was not about the General Education requirements. The General Education requirements would be 36 credits and the balance was expected to be 24 credits to be taken in the major. There was no stipulation in the document yet, nor had the Board of Trustees passed any regulation about free electives. Chein repeated that any curricular issues must come to the Faculty Senate. Evans replied that she would have the EPPC look into this. Chein made the following motion: Before any policy specifying the nature of the undergraduate curriculum (outside of General Education guidelines), be brought to the Trustees, the matter must be discussed by the EPPC.
The motion was seconded.
Marina Angel (Law) offered a friendly amendment, to include the word “current” before “General Education”.
Vote was taken. 33 in favor. 0 opposed. 0 abstentions.
Joyce Lindorf (BCM&D) spoke about the need for elected members to attend regularly the Faculty Senate meetings. Alternatives need to be elected in case a representative cannot attend.
9. Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 2:34 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Therese Dolan, Tyler
