[approved 08-14-06]

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate

December 13, 2005

St. Mary’s 113 B; 1:00 PM

Present: J. Biddle, D. Biers, P. Eloe, S. Hileman, R. Penno, F. Pestello, J. Rapp, J. Saliba, T. Thompson

Guest: Terri Mathews

F. Pestello opened the meeting with a reading about the beginning of the work of Christmas.

Pizza was served

D. Biers introduced Terri Mathews from the President’s Office who was observing the meeting for Leadership UD.

Old Business

1. F. Pestello provided some information about steps that are being taken to give more priority to graduate education. He reported that $800,000 has been allocated to the Graduate School to support the positions of dean and associate dean and the enrollment management strategy. While UD will remain primarily an undergraduate institution, he anticipates significant change in graduate education over the next two years.

2. The Committee finalized the process for providing the Board with feedback for the evaluation of Dan Curran’s service as President of the University. A discussion will be held at the beginning of the January meeting of the Academic Senate, before the election of new ECAS members and new officers. This discussion will include both old and new members of the Academic Senate. A document distributed to members prior to that meeting. F. Pestello will not be present at that discussion. P. Eloe agreed to record the feedback, but it will be finalized by the new Executive Committee for transmission to D. Sadlier by February 1.

Committee Reports

D. Biers reminded the chairpersons of the three standing committees that reports for the end of the year should be prepared and submitted to the Academic Senate.

1. J. Biddle reported for the Academic Policies Committee. He distributed minutes of their last meeting. Three issues were discussed:

a. Stander symposium: The Committee recommends that for 2005-2006 the deans set policy and procedure for graduate participation. For 2006-2007, they suggest that a later date be selected for the symposium so that there can be more participation by graduate students. They also suggest that more explicit guidelines for the graduate learning experience for that day be developed by the Stander Committee. This recommendation will be communicated to the Committee through D. Bickford.

b. Review of Thematic Clusters: The Committee recommends that any further review of thematic clusters not take place until October 15, 2006. This will allow for the inclusion of various reports that are being developed this academic year. ECAS will communicate this recommendation to the Academic Senate.

c. W Policy: The Committee is consulting with the Associate Deans about this policy. F. Pestello asked that they also gather information about what is done at other institutions.

2. R. Penno reported for the Faculty affairs Committee. They will meet on December 14 to discuss the issue of background checks for faculty.

3. S. Hileman reported for the Student Academic Policies Committee.

a. He provided a rationale for moving from an “Honor Code” to an “Honor Statement.” This statement could be used by faculty on all written work. Students would see it more frequently than the current statement on academic dishonesty that is in the Student Handbook. ECAS indicated support of the appropriateness of moving in this direction. Hileman also provided three draft options of such a statement. ECAS discussed the options and referred the discussion to FACAS, requesting that a legal opinion also be acquired.

b. SGA has asked the Academic Senate to consider proposals related to creating a new office for environmental issues. The Committee had a lengthy discussion of the extent to which UD is and is not effective in promoting energy efficiency, recycling, and sustainability. F. Pestello noted that he thought UD should be a leader in these areas, but that this does not require the constitution of a new office. J. Saliba noted that facilities has approved the construction of a new ecologically designed house. The Committee discussed the fact that this is not really an academic issue and so should be referred to the appropriate unit of the University. The Provost agreed to meet with the SGA and Facilities Management to discuss the issue.

D. Biers thanked the Committee for its work and wished them a wonderful Christmas. The Committee offered thanks to Biers for his work.

The meeting adjourned at 2:10 PM.

Minutes prepared from an audio tape by Patricia Johnson, July 2006