[Approved September 20, 2007]

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate

September 13, 2007

St. Mary’s 113 B; 12:00 PM

 

Present:  D. Biers (presiding), T. Eggemeier, A. Fist, P. Johnson, R. Kearns, L. Laubach, J.O’Gorman, R. Penno, F. Pestello, A. Seielstad, T. Stevens, R. Wells

 

J. Farrelly (Faculty Board)

 

 

Roll Call: 

All of the twelve members of the Committee were present.

 

Prayer:

The meeting opened with silent reflection

 

Approval of Minutes:

September 6, 2007 approved.

 

Announcements:

·        There were no announcements.

Old Business:

·        It was moved and seconded that the Committee confirm the following appointments to the Committee on General Education and Competencies:  Corinne Daprano, representing the School of Education and Allied Professions for a term beginning Fall 2007 and continuing through May 2010; Carolyn Roecker Phelps, representing the Social Sciences for a term beginning Fall 2007 and continuing through May 2010; Kaitlin Mordock, student representative for the 2007-2008 academic year.  Motion carried. It was noted that there needs to be one more student appointed for this academic year.  Andrew Fist was asked to identify a nominee to the next meeting of ECAS.

·        Standing Committee Reports

o       D. Biers reported for the Academic Policies Committee.  An information sheet was presented outlining the change from multiple committees to a single committee for reviewing recommendations from the HIR  report.  APC proposes to establish a Curricular Reform Committee with eight members representing various academic constituencies.  They propose a process for appointing this committee and a schedule for reporting by such a committee. Biers reported that they had considered the suggestions offered by members of the Executive Committee.  They will ask for a final report by August 15, 2007.  The Provost has agreed to provide funding for Summer.

 

In relationship to the report A. Seislstad reported that while she is on the APC, it has established a meeting time in conflict with her teaching schedule.  She will move to the SAPCAS.

 

o       D. Biers reported for the Faculty Affairs Committee.  The Committee is meeting weekly to work on post-tenure review.  The goal is to have something written by the end of this academic term.  The focus will be developmental, not punative.  Since there are many evaluative processes in place, the focus of this review, it is thought that this review should be more forward looking.  One proposal is to call it a post-tenure peer consultation.  The Committee has held two open session on the Promotion and Tenure Policy.  The third will be at the meeting of the Academic Senate on September 13.  Voting will be held the week of September 17.

o       A. Fist reported that Student Academic Policies Committee is working on establishing a meeting time.

o       D. Biers asked that the Executive Committee take a vote in relationship to the change in direction proposed by APC.  Moved by Laubach, seconded by Penno, “The Executive Committee in principle approves a shift from multiple committees to one committee to be called the Curricular Reform Committee and to be constituted as a subcommittee of the Academic Policies Committee for the purpose of developing a proposal of curricular reform based on the learning outcomes of Habits of Inquiry and Reflection.  Motion passed 10 for and 1 opposed (the Provost does not vote).  The Executive Committee requested that there be time at the Academic Senate meeting for questions to be addressed when APC makes its report.

 

New Business:

  • P. Benson submitted a proposal for a new degree program, a Bachlor of Arts in Human Rights Studies (BA-HRS).  The proposal has been approved by the Academic Affairs Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences.  New funding for the program has not, at this point, been approved.  F. Pestello noted that it would be up to the College to make such a request as part of the normal budget process.  There is no current commitment to any new funding. It was noted that the proposed major does not have cross-unit implications.  It was moved  (Johnson) and seconded (Eggemeier) to recommend that the proposal be sent to the Board of Trustees without any further Senate review.  The vote was 10 in favor and 1 abstention (the Provost does not vote).  D. Biers will write a letter informing the Provost of the decision by the Executive Committee.
  • The Executive Committee reviewed a Modified Academic Senate Issues List and set some priorities for its own work
    • It was proposed that a review of the instrument for the student assessment of faculty be added to the work of SAPAS.  The Provost is willing to fund a consultant for this work.  It was noted that this would need to be coordinated with the Faculty Evaluation of Teaching document that is currently on FACAS agenda and also with the proposal for assessment that is before ECAS.  A. Fist will contact S. Wilhoit to gather information about what has been done at UD related to this issue.
    • Priorities for the Executive Committee are:
      • September 20—considering information from J. O’Gorman on University Committees; consideration of the policy for Graduate Certificate Programs.
      • September 27—discussion of what should be included in a policies and procedure document for ECAS and the Academic Senate.  P. Johnson has agreed to coordinate compiling this information. 
      • October 4—discussion of the role of the Academic Senate in relationship to diversity issues.
      • In addition, D. Biers will ask J. Untener and J. Carter for reports related to background check policies.  He will also request that the College bring forward an official proposal for a policy on withdrawal from COM modules.

 

 

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Patricia A. Johnson, Secretary