[Approved March 25, 2008]

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate

March 12, 2008

St. Mary’s 113 B; 12:00 PM

 

Present:  D. Biers (presiding), P. Johnson, R. Kearns, L. Laubach, R. Penno, F. Pestello, R. Wells

 

J. Farrelly (Faculty Board)

 

Roll Call:  

Seven members of the Committee were present.

 

Prayer:

The meeting opened with a prayer offered by R. Kearns.

 

Approval of Minutes:

Minutes of March 5, 2008 were approved.

 

Announcements:

  • F. Pestello announced that a group of four faculty (Frasca, Jipson, Laubach, and Wells) are working with him on the disposition of documents being used to inform the work of the subcommittee on a common academic curriculum.
  • Elections for new senators have begun.

 

New Business:

  • D. Biers reported that the first quantitative reasoning competency was discussed at the Provost Council in relation to students graduating in May.  The competency requires all students to pass an on-line algebra test. Any waving of the requirement is at the discretion of the respective deans.  The School of Engineering will require all students to have passed the exam.  The other schools will require students to have made two unsuccessful attempts before waving the requirement.  It is the responsibility of the respective deans to promulgate this information to prospective graduates.  It was noted that this has also been discussed in the committee on General Education and Competencies.  The Department of Mathematics has been asked to bring forward a proposal in relationship to the competency.  The proposal needs to be brought to the Academic Senate so that any policy changes can be in place for the December 2008 graduation.
  • There was not a quorum at the March 7, 2008 meeting of the Academic Senate due primarily to a major blizzard.  The Executive Committee agreed to reschedule the meeting for April 11, 2008 at 3:00 PM.
  • The Executive Committee reviewed several suggestion for the Winter 2010 academic calendar and recommended that classes begin Monday, January 4, that mid-term break be February 27-March 7, and that there be only Saturday and Sunday study days.  This would allow for commencement on May 1 and 2.  This schedule would allow for fewer complications in May than other proposed schedules.
  • The Executive Committee reviewed the table of contents for the document on “Processes and Procedures of the Academic Senate.”  They provided P. Johnson with several suggestions.  Members are asked to send her further suggestions, especially suggestions for what needs to be on an annual calendar.  This discussion will continue at the next meeting.

 

 

 

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 12:55 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Patricia A. Johnson, Secretary