Thursday, January 25, 2007
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 1:49 PM.
2. Visit by President Hart:
President Hart made a presentation about the Arts at Temple. This was followed by some discussion.
Aiken (CST) asked whether there are plans to find funding for "non-building" needs of the arts.
Sneff (Libraries) asked whether there is any discussion of having a series of talks by well known speakers. Hart said that are several conversations proceeding about such talks.
Welch (Chair of Dance) invited us to a March 31 faculty performance. She also pointed out that Tyler is not the only school that is geographically isolated. Dance is also. She proposes that we find a way to bring all the arts together in one place.
Gratson (SCT) asked whether we have plans for the arts to reach out internationally beyond what is present at Rome and London.
Berkowitz (Tyler) pointed out that the arts program at Temple Japan is thriving.
Forman (CST) asked for a GenEd update. Hart replied that six months ago, GenEd was "inchoate and emerging." Now we have begun to make progress with most of the sticking points. We have a working consensus and are working on a funding plan.
Turner (SCT) asked for an update on the provost search. Hart said that the committee is currently interviewing and hopes to have the search completed by April.
3. Approval of Minutes:
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as distributed.
4. President’s Report:
Work continues on the implementation of GenEd. Discussions have been held in many places with considerable faculty input.
March 22 is the new Investiture date.
The Standing Committee on Continuous Revision of the Handbook continues to meet and is making progress. The proposed changes to the "emeritus" portion of the document will be considered by the Board in March.
An edition of the Herald will soon be published.
Evans ended with a plea that everyone consider serving on a university level committee in the Fall.
5. Vice-President’s Report:
We are always looking for committee members. Those interested in serving on any committee should send a short biography and statement of interest to the Vice President who will forward this information to the Steering Committee. We are currently looking for more members of the Student Awards Committee.
Such committee reports as have been received are posted on the Senate website.
We are asking all committees to review their charges and update them if necessary.
6. Report from the GEEC (Halbert):
Much progress has been made. Provost Englert has created a document that emphasizes flexibility and partnership. The GEEC continues to accept new course proposals. A "working consensus" has been reached on several issues. The 62 credit rule has been significantly relaxed. A policy about "free electives" has been agreed upon. This would strongly urgea minimum of 12 hours of free electives, but not impose it. Programs which cannot find 12 hours of free elective must make this clear to incoming students. It has been agreed that a GenEd course may be included in a major as an elective, but not as a required or pre-requisite course.
A brief discussion of the report followed.
7. Old Business:
The Steering Committee's motion on changing the requirements for voting membership in the Senate was brought forward. A request was made for a mail ballot, and discussion came to an end.
An on-line ballot will be prepared as quickly as may be.
8. New Business:
There was no new business.
9. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 3:06 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul S. LaFollette, Jr.
Secretary
