College Senate Bulletin
State University of New York at Geneseo
College of Arts and Sciences
Correspondence to Dennis Showers, School of Education, South 222C, showers@geneseo.edu, 245-5264
Note: Page numbers indicate pages as per the paper copy of the Bulletins.
Bulletin No. 6
Bulletin No. 6
Pages 69-88
March 17, 2009
Contents
Page Topic
70 Agenda, All College Meeting, 24 March 2009
70 Agenda, College Senate Meeting, 24 March 2009
72 Minutes, Faculty Affairs Committee Meeting, 10 February 2009
73 University Faculty Senator’s Report, Morrisville Plenary
(with Resolutions)
79 Minutes, Policy Committee, 24 February 2009
80 Minutes, Student Affairs Committee 24 February 2009
81 Minutes, UCC Meeting, 10 March 2009
85 Brief Descriptions of UCC Proposals for 3/24 Senate Meeting
Agenda for the All College Meeting on 24 March 2009
Call to Order
Adoption of the Agenda
President’s Budget Update Christopher Dahl
Nomination Committee Report: Jan Lovett
Presentation of Nominees for Spring Elections
Adjournment
Agenda for Senate Meeting on 24 March 2009
Call to Order
Adoption of the Agenda
Adoption of the Minutes
Senate Reports
President Christopher Dahl
Provost David Gordon
Chair Dennis Showers
Vice Chair Ed Wallace
Past-Chair David Granger
Treasurer Gregg Hartvigsen
University Faculty Senator Maria Lima
UFS Plenary Resolutions
Vice President, Student Assoc. Dean McGee
Reports of the Standing Committees of the Senate
Undergraduate Curricula Meg Stolee
Second Reading:
New Courses
Biol 220: Research Techniques in Biology: (subtitle)
Chem 209: Intermediate Chemistry Laboratory
Educ 334: International Student Teaching - Childhood Education
Educ 360: International Student Teaching - Adolescence Education
Phil 222: Philosophy and Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean
Revised Course
Anth 209: M/Ethnography of the Iroquois
Revised Programs:
Asian Studies Minor
BA in Geography
BA in Geophysics
BS in Geochemistry
BA in GSCI
GSCI/CE BA (Five Year [3-2] Program)
First Reading:
New Courses
Biol 327: Molecular Energy
Mgmt 250: Information Technology for Business
Mgmt/Econ 305: Quantitative Methods
Csci 259: Software Engineering and its Tools
Educ 347: Foundational Issues in Contemporary Education
Hist 111: World History
Hist 163: African American History to 1877
Hist 164: African-American History from 1877
Intd 102: Residential College Seminar: (subtitle)
Intd 170: Strategies for College Success
Math 101: Welcome Mathematics Majors
Math 225: Honors Mathematics I
Math 226: Honors Mathematics II
Psyc 220: Applied Behavior Analysis
Socl 318: Environmental Sociology
Revised Courses
Comn 160: Introduction to Mass Communication
Comn 251: Mass Communication and Society
Comn 346: Assertion, Conflict and Mediation
Comn 362: International Mass Communication
Comn 391: Seminar: Issues in Communication
English 370: Senior Reading
Socl 218: Environmental Sociology
Socl 290: Sociology of Work
Socl 347: Criminology
Deleted Courses
Chem 117 N/Chemistry I Laboratory
Chem 125 Quantitative Analysis Lab
Chem 214 Qualitative Organic Analysis
Comn 204: Presentational Speaking in Organizations
Comn 270: Mass Media and Popular Culture: (subtitle)
Socl 215: Women and the Law
Socl 316: Juvenile Delinquency
Socl 335:Organizations and Society = course deletion
New Major
BS in Environmental Science
Revised major
BioChem
BA in Biology
BS in Biology
BS in Business Administration
BA in Economics
BS in Accounting
BA in Chemistry
BS in Chemistry
BA in Communication
BS in Education: Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Childhood Education with Special Education
BA in English: Track in Creative Writing
BA in French or Spanish
BA in Sociology
Revised Minor
Minor in Chemistry
Deleted Minor
Criminal Justice Minor
Undergraduate Policies Leigh O’Brien
Graduate Academic Affairs Susan Salmon
Student Affairs Cristina Geiger
Faculty Affairs James McLean
Old Business
New Business
Adjournment
Minutes of the Faculty Affairs Committee
February 10, 2009
Present: J. McLean (Chair), C. Adams, J. Allen, J. Bearden, B. Colon, S. Derné, J. Morse, K. Keegan, J. Lewis, S. Farooq, C. Salitan, A. Sheldon
Guests: K. McKeever, D. Parfitt
Call to Order: J. McLean called the meeting to order at 3:50 PM.
Adoption of the Agenda. J. McLean asked if anything needed to be added to the agenda. Nothing added. No objections
Chair’s Report.
-
- The Meeting Schedule was reviewed.
Results from the Survey on a mentoring program were distributed and briefly described. Further action postponed to later in the meeting.
Recent history of the Block Schedule proposal was recounted: As of the last FAC meeting, the proposal was still expected to be reviewed by FAC. In the Dec. 9 Executive Committee, the Dean announced that in order to proceed with the plan for fall 2009, immediate action was necessary. The Dean sought approval from the Executive Committee to proceed, however the Executive Committee does not have that authority. Discussion at that meeting essentially concluded that the Dean is not required to obtain Senate approval in order to proceed.
Block Schedule
The committee discussed implementation of the block schedule. Some committee members were disappointed that there had been no recommendations about how to re-do schedules. This was especially the case in the sciences where years of experience has led to regular schedules that avoided conflict. Other committee members were disappointed that four-hour classes now meet for different class times on different days of the week.
K McKeever indicated the dean’s office was aware of the difficult process of acculturation.
There was general disappointment with the process of adopting the block schedule and continuing concerns about whether the schedule would be effective.
Some noted that in the past debates about calendar had taken a lot of the senate’s time.
The committee quickly moved to focusing on what kind of statement about the process it would like to make. It was agreed a statement from the senate would be most appropriate as the question of schedule is not primarily about faculty welfare but involves what is best for the whole campus community.
By a vote of 9-1, the committee voted to bring the following motion to the floor of the senate:
Be it resolved that:
The Geneseo College Senate is disappointed that the Dean of the College did not seek Senate advice and consent concerning the proposal for block scheduling of classes. While we recognize the effort to obtain input through open meetings, in the future we encourage the Dean to utilize the established college governance system.
Old Business:
Plan of Action for Mentoring Program
David Parffitt discussed the result of the mentoring survey. The survey suggested that at least 26 people would agree to be mentors (65% of respondents). K. McKeever said that this number would be enough to begin such a program.
The committee asked D. Parfitt to bring a formal proposal to the committee The committee provided input he might consider in crafting a proposal.
There was discussion of the problem of possibly poor advice. A suggested solution was to have a senior faculty member as a co-coordinator, who could use their knowledge of the campus community to pair mentors and junior faculty most effectively.
There was discussion of a training program for mentors.
There was a discussion of using multiple mentors for each person mentored.
H-Form Revision
It was agreed that the section describing the rating levels could largely be struck without loss of information. They were replaced by a statement that expectations for candidates are defined by documents from each school or department.
Adjournment:
J. McLean adjourned the meeting at 5:01 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Derne
University Faculty Senator’s Report
Maria Lima
151st Plenary—Morrisville State College
February 5-7, 2009
President’s Report—Carl Wiezalis:
Maureen Dolan and Carl Wiezalis have been working on the sustainability initiatives advanced by the UFS in past years. System had contemplated the hiring of a System Sustainability Officer, but the troublesome budget has prevented this appointment. However, Phil Wood, Vice Chancellor for Capital Facilities has been asked to take the lead on all things sustainable across SUNY. Given his persistent leadership over the Construction Fund (green building initiative) and his interest in working with us on sustainability projects, Phil has joined Carl on the re-constitution of the Chancellor's Task Force on Sustainability, which will be chaired, again, by Presidents Ray Cross of Morrisville and Neil Murphy of Environmental Sciences and Forestry.
To add to the Task Force on Sustainability, the UFS Sustainability Committee is asking our assistance in populating Sustainability sub-committees. The areas that have been identified are (1) Science and Technology (2) Education (3) Social Justice (4) Policy and Law (5) Economy, Finance, Business of Energy (6) Buildings and Physical Plant Operations (7) Service Learning, Community Outreach, and Volunteerism (8) Health (9) Sustainable Agriculture. Anticipating the long term importance of Sustainability to SUNY, to NYS and the nation and world, the Senate President has been attending local State and national meetings/conferences dedicated to this pressing issue. Additionally, he has been working on developing an on-line newsletter addressing both public health and the health of the environment. A possible title for this newsletter is "Sustainable SUNY: Healthy people, Healthy Planet.” I will forward more information as I learn it from Carl Wiezalis.
Carl continues to meet with Liz Clark and Beth Kempter of the Government Affairs Offices in Albany and Washington D.C. They are actively seeking resources for sustainability projects, diversity initiatives and veterans’ affairs concerns, among other things. These are all popular themes with the Federal Government, and the Feds are the only ones with money at this point in our fiscal history. Carl has met with key veteran leaders in the Capital Region about supporting the education and employment needs of able and disabled veterans coming home from war. The Office of Diversity and Educational Equity (Pedro Caban) has been working on a grant application to support veterans attending SUNY institutions. Our Student Life Committee is working on survey instruments to measure the needs of veteran students matriculated on SUNY campuses as evaluated by the veterans themselves and as evaluated by faculty and administration. This information may help us better satisfy the needs of veteran students. SUNY could become a model for the nation in veterans’ affairs. They are now looking at grant-writing opportunities.
As a SUNY employee, John Clark, former Interim Chancellor, continues to lead the 60th Anniversary - History of SUNY program set for April 3-5, 2009 at the University at Albany. Carl suggested to the Planning Committee that Senators and CGL’s be included in the group identified by each campus president to attend the conference. (Chris, Presidents will be asked to buy a table of 10 for $1000.00). He also wants us to advocate for student leaders to be invited to join the table invitations. Several faculty from across the System are active on the Committee and/or will be presenting papers or serving as moderators or commentators at the conference itself, including Carl Wiezalis. Because there are space limitations at SUNY Albany, we are asked to reserve a table early.
Carl has been attending many meetings of the Board of Trustees and the associated Sub-committees of the BOT. He reminded us that all of these meetings, except for the Executive Committee of the BOT or Sub-committees addressing personnel issues, are now public and webcasted [go to the Senate page]. He wants us to take the opportunity to view some of these webcasts to get a better idea on how the BOT works. He feels that the voice of the faculty, carried by him on our behalf, has had a very positive effect on the work of the BOT. All University Senators and CGLs hope that the new President of the Senate continues to improve our working relationship with the BOT and System Administration. [The election is to be held at the University of Buffalo Plenary meeting].
Provost’s Office Report—Harold Silverman, Senior Vice-Provost
The report highlights what the provost’s office has done regarding the faculty senate leadership. Transfer Articulation has been the central concern on the mind of the Board of Trustees. A Student Appeal Process has been put in place on January 1st. I am a member of the Transfer Review Committee and we have finalized the Campus Appeal Process. I emailed Kerry McKeever as soon as the procedure was put on the website. SUNY ACTS is a web tool to tell students how courses transfer. A Teacher Education Template is also in place.
In terms of international activities, the Provost’s Office is planning a meeting [March 5th-6th ] of International Officers to share best practices. They are also working with the New York Development Program to develop a “Study New York” focus.
Report on Assessment initiative—the several campuses audit has been completed.
Thought in Action. NEH
Is Outcomes Assessment Hurting Higher Education?
A Task Force is looking into Admissions.
Joe Hildreth—Articulation and Transfer Report
93% of the survey tells us transfer is working, which tells us that GenEd and Teacher Education are basically working. Education, Business, and Music are the areas identified where appeals will come from—experts in the area will be identified to help the Transfer Review Committee. There will also be disciplinary conferences every five years to share the new scholarship on the topics to be covered on first and second year courses. The emphasis is on student success after transfer.
Campus Transfer Appeal Process
The campus transfer appeal process is designed to facilitate the seamless transfer between SUNY campuses for courses normally taught in the first and second year at 4-year institutions. The scope and intent of the campus course appeal process is set out in the 2008 UFS-FCCC Joint Resolution:
"a standing committee be formed, known as the Transfer Review Committee, which will resolve the transfer status of first- and second-year courses generally offered at four-year institutions and make final recommendations, in consultation with disciplinary groups, to the Provost on the system wide transferability of a course."
Colleges seeking to submit a course for consideration by the Transfer Review Committee should complete and submit the Campus Appeal Form along with supporting materials. Submissions will be via email as indicated on the form.
The campus referenced in the appeal will be given an opportunity to respond to the Transfer Review Committee (TRC) indicating why it does not accept the course being appealed.
As needed, the TRC will consult with faculty in the discipline involved and make a recommendation on transferability. This recommendation will be communicated to the SUNY Provost along with the rationale.
The SUNY Provost will consult with the chief academic officers of the campuses involved and arrive at final decision.
Review Cycles for Appeals
There will be two review cycles per year which are designed to correspond to the campus academic semester calendars:
For Spring 2009 only. These dates may be adjusted for Spring 2010
February 16, 2009
Deadline for originating campus requests
March 16, 2009
Transfer institution response deadline
May 4, 2009
Deadline for TRC recommendation
May 18, 2009
Deadline for SUNY Provost decision
Fall 2009
September 14, 2009
Deadline for originating campus requests
October 19, 2009
Deadline for transfer institution response
December 1, 2009
Deadline for TRC recommendation
December 15, 2009
Deadline for SUNY Provost decision
Please contact Robert Kraushaar if you have any questions about the process: 518-443-5865.
Note that the provost’s office only gets involved if the campus rejects the request of transfer.
The Appeal Process is a Public Relations tool for the Board of Trustees.
Ethics Committee Report—Janet Nepkie
System administration and faculty constitute the Ethics Committee. More good news to share—we are doing good work, but it has been kept secret. So now there is a website in place towards creating a central repository of ethical policies within SUNY.
Survey needs to be disseminated as broadly as possible—both faculty and administration—10 minutes for us to answer the questionnaire.
A second survey will go to the CGLs—this one is not anonymous.
The Committee will like to present a series of seminars: a SUNY Institute on Ethics
Service Learning Toolkit—Ray Krisciunas
Copies available upon request
Bill Baumer—Nominations Committee
The Committee will meet briefly to look at possible candidates for the Senate Chair job.
Jim Van Voorst—SUNY Budget Update
Impact of budget cuts researched. Solutions range from entrenchment to minimum impact.
Our sector meeting shared the impact of the cuts on individual campuses. Brockport seems to be the only one not affected so far—they are even hiring!
Saturday Morning:
Milton Johnson--Faculty Council of Community Colleges Report
All the work surrounding transfer articulation has to do with the success of transfer students. A recent Student Opinion Survey unfortunately reports that there is less of a sense of belonging among transfer students at SUNY schools. Individual campuses should survey student engagement to see how they are doing. Are we preparing our students satisfactorily? What opportunities exist for transfer students? How much orientation happens at that stage?
A transfer student seminar should also become common practice.
Executive Committee—Norm Goodman
Senate works with UUP in this budget crisis: attrition rates and class sizes
Resolution on Assessment Streamlining passed unanimously
Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration passed unanimously
Resolution in Support of Graduate Education, Research and Creative Activities passed unanimously
Nominating Committee—Bill Baumer
Candidates for Senate President are Sandra Michael from Binghamton and Ken O’Brien from Brockport
SUNY Student Assembly Report—Jacob Crawford, President
100% tuition partnership required—Jacob urged us to sign the petition: studentassembly.org
Governor wants to pass the budget by March 1st
Awards Committee—Sandra Michael
Conversations in the Disciplines Grants are due by April 1st
They want the non-graduate campuses to apply
The classified staff has a Chancellor’s Excellence Award now—guidelines for 2008-2009 have been sent to campuses. The University Faculty Senate Awards Committee will not be involved in this process.
The Awards’ guidelines require nominated individuals to have been in three consecutive years of full-time service just prior to a nomination. An unintended consequence has been a delay in nominating individuals who have leaves such as maternity, sabbatical, or similar. The Committee has adopted new language to allow campuses to create nominations based upon achievements from at least three years of full time service within the last five years just prior to nomination.
Distinguished Faculty Ranks—an advisory council to review the applications/nominations since a few Chancellor’s Awards have been given to individuals who were not eligible.
Graduate Committee—Mark Noll
Compiling best practices models to prepare new teaching assistants
Student Life Committee—Ray Krisciunas
Although initially the new subcommittee of Student Health Services intended to tackle the whole world of student health services, the broad-sweep approach proved too ambitious for the time and resources available. SO rather than investigating what health care services are covered (or not) at the campuses, our focus will be researching health care of returning veterans.
Report from the Special Committee for Diversity and Cultural Competence—Phil Ortiz
Because the Office of Diversity and Educational Equity (ODEE) is relatively new, we fear that in times of austerity, diversity initiatives may be viewed as expendable.
Looking for strategies to improve diversity efforts--looking to redesign the office to report straight to the chancellor.
We are not taking good care of our children—our campuses are not representative of the state of New York.
Develop list of cultural competencies every SUNY graduate should have.
Some campuses have already identified Learning Outcomes for Diversity for GenED. They will be sharing those soon.
***
The resolutions below have been unanimously approved at the last plenary meeting. I will bring them up for discussion and vote at the 24 March Senate Meeting.
Resolution in Support of Graduate Education, Research and Creative Activities
Whereas, the level of implemented budget cuts substantially weaken the reputation and status of SUNY as an institution of high quality graduate education, research and creative activities by creating the potential for a serious loss of current faculty and making the recruitment of new talent (faculty and graduate students) difficult and by decreasing the ability of faculty to secure desperately needed external funding, and
Whereas, the current budget cuts are so severe that they will undermine New York State’s investment in its future by making it more difficult for graduate students to have access to the programs they require, which will hamper their ability to both graduate in a timely fashion and complete meaningful and productive research and also incurring greater costs for their education, and
Whereas, the current financial crisis that is gripping New York State and the nation, and which is likely to continue for several years, will lead to increased unemployment that will result in an increase in the numbers of citizens seeking to enhance existing job skills by enrolling in SUNY graduate programs,
Therefore, be it resolved, that the University Faculty Senate, as the representative body through which the faculty and professional staff engage in the governance of the University, believes that SUNY should not sustain the same percentage budget reductions as other state agencies, and
Be it further resolved, that the state publicly acknowledges the research activities of SUNY faculty and graduate students as a significant investment in its future and as an engine of economic productivity that New York State sorely needs, and
Be it further resolved, that the faculty and academic and professional staff, who define the university, must be preserved at all costs even during periods of budget shortfalls, and
Be it further resolved, that Governor Paterson and the Legislature should provide to SUNY sufficient funds in continuing years to maintain SUNY as one of the premier institutions of public graduate education and research in the country.
151-03-1 Passed without Dissent
Resolution in Support of Graduate Education, Research and Creative Activities
February 7, 2009
***
Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration
From the University Colleges
University Faculty Senate
Whereas the University Faculty Senate recognizes that the current financial crisis creates difficult choices for New York State and the State University; and,
Whereas the University Faculty Senate knows the current budget crisis is threatening the quality of public higher education in New York State; and,
Whereas the University Faculty Senate affirms our continued support for educational quality;
Therefore be it resolved that:
The University Faculty Senate calls for transparency and appropriate consultation between local administration and faculty governance prior to any major decision concerning allocation of resources that affects educational quality and curriculum.
151-02-1 Passed without Dissent
Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration
February 7, 2009
***
Resolution on Assessment Streamlining
From the University Colleges
University Faculty Senate
Whereas the multiple layers of assessment and accreditation in SUNY represent redundant efforts that have often become counterproductive to teaching and learning, and
Whereas those assessments are a costly use of faculty time and university resources; and,
Whereas those assessments represent a significant and real cost to the State University of New York, draining money from instruction and educational quality; and,
Whereas the UFS is committed to accountability, with evaluations that are efficient, effective, and applicable;
Therefore be it resolved that:
The University Faculty Senate recommends to the Provost that assessment be streamlined to reduce the multiple layers that now exist in SUNY; and that
The Provost should work with the University Faculty Senate in assessment streamlining.
151-01-1 Passed without Dissent
Resolution on Assessment Streamlining
February 7, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
Maria H. Lima, University Senator
Minutes of the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Policies, Core, and Review
February 24, 2009
Present: L. O’Brien (chair), D. Campbell, D. DeZarn, C. Freeman, S. Giorgis, K. Hannam, D. Hanrahan, D. Raynor, and A. Steinhauer
Guest: D. Brown
O’Brien called the meeting to order at 4:15 pm
Items of business
The bulk of the meeting was taken up by a discussion with Del Brown (DB), Registrar, concerning clarifications on existing policy as related to the pass/fail (P/F) option for classes at Geneseo. There were three main points that were brought up and discussed at some length:
The form which students must fill out to declare a course P/F contains the provision that students may not take a course pass fail if it is a requirement or an elective in the student’s major or minor field or teacher certification, nor if the course is taught by the major department. DB pointed out that for instance a French major could not take a Spanish course pass fail since the course is technically taught by the major department, Foreign Languages, even though it falls completely outside the scope of the major discipline. The same also holds true in other departments such as SOTA. Freeman pointed out that physics often has students who have completed all of the major requirements for physics and are interested in taking upper level physics courses P/F after all of the other requirements for the major have been satisfied, and wondered why these students should not be allowed to do so. DB did some research and could find no resolution or language that had actually passed in the senate regarding this issue and was looking for some clarification.
DB brought up the issue of what grade should count as passing grade when a student has elected to take a course P/F. As it stands now, a student must earn a D in a class in order for this class to count as a pass. DB presented some arguments for why the committee might want to think about raising this to C- or even C. In the argument for C-, as it stands now, there are many situations where a class counts a minimum competency, and it is required that the class be passed at the C- level in order to be counted as a prerequisite for a subsequent course. In cases where a student has taken the first class P/F, we can’t necessarily know whether this requirement has been met, and students are now required to get a pre-requisite override slip signed in such instances. This applies particularly to AOP students (see discussion below). Do we want this potential loop-hole to be in place? The argument for requiring a C or higher for a passing grade is in transfer situations. Many schools, including Geneseo, will only accept transfer credit from another institution if a grade of 2.0 or higher was earned in the class (which corresponds to a C). As a rule, these schools, Geneseo included, do not accept the transfer of classes taken P/F even if they were passed if the college policy for passing grades includes those less than a 2.0. The disadvantage of moving up the minimum grade for passing is that it would hurt students earning a D who would fail the class in P/F if the policy were revised. DB estimates, however that this would help a great deal more students who were interested in transferring these credits to other schools.
Finally, DB asked the policy committee to review the policy whereby AOP students have an entirely different and much looser policy on which courses can be taken P/F and when they can be declared. Specifically, AOP students can take up to all but three credits P/F in each semester of the first year, whereas non-AOP students cannot take any in the first year, and even after the first year only one course per semester. AOP students can declare that a class will be taken P/F up to the withdrawal deadline, whereas non-AOP students must declare in the first three weeks of the semester. AOP students are allowed to count P/F courses for GenEd and for the major whereas non-AOP students are not. Again DB cannot find a specific senate policy that codifies these rules. Some implications of this are that many lower-level courses have minimum competency requirements of C- or higher, and allowing AOP students to pass these classes with a D is not in keeping with this philosophy. Hannam pointed out that this in fact is a problem for many AOP students who enter the second year of the biology program at a significant disadvantage since they have had a lower bar for success in the first year. DB pointed out that some schools have a 1st year set of remedial courses that AOP students take until they can get ramped up to the rigors of the regular curriculum, but that this is by no means universal. The committee was in general agreement that these policies seem too lax, but recommended that Calvin Gantt be brought in to a future meeting to discuss the AOP position on the policy as it now stands.
The committee agreed that these were important issues that were worthy of taking up, but decided to table the remainder of the discussion for a future meeting.
A short discussion took place about the previous committee resolution about the attendance policy. It was brought up that perhaps instead of simply striking the text referring to faculty not being allowed to use attendance in course grades, that a statement should be specifically included that would specify that such a grading policy is allowed. It was agreed that this was not necessary, and that the present wording implied that decisions about whether to use attendance in the grading of a class was to be left the discretion of the instructor.
O’Brien adjourned the meeting at 5:15 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Steinhauer
Minutes of the Student Affairs Committee
February 24, 2009
Present: M. Bagel, J. Behrend, J. Elmore, W. Eng, V. Farmer, K. Gentry, A. Herman, C. Kreutter, C. Matthews, J. Parent, D. Simmons
Not Present: C. Ross, R. Lang, S. McDonald, W. Morgan
Call to Order
C. Geiger opened the meeting at 4:03 p.m.
C. Geiger reported on the February 3rd Executive Committee Meeting regarding graduation issues.
The late date as of February made it impossible for any changes on graduation for this year.
Cristina raised the question if SAC can work on making changes for next year’s graduation. President Dahl said that a special committee had been created to do the planning for next year and future graduations and there is no need for the SAC committee to work on this issue.
Further discussion ensued regarding the role and purpose of the SAC with frustration expressed by the members.
The committee brainstormed possible options for new tasks for the SAC
Work on improving and formalizing communication with and from the administration
Help develop awareness among students about budget issues and how they are being impacted by various State and College decisions
Consider issues of access to sources of information that can help people be aware of what is happening. Where they can express opinions and have questions answered (e.g., “Information Day” that is regularly scheduled with upper administration during all college hour, or some “teach-ins” that provide information to the community). These could have a theme as a primary focus but then have opportunity for open Q&A as well.
It was considered whether the All-College Meeting before Senate is already a place where some of this advocacy can happen. Some argued that this is not an environment in which students will feel comfortable speaking out and asking questions.
Questions came up about the role of faculty in this process. Student committee members would like to see faculty support issues more in the classroom – not as part of the class material but to announce/support in class announcements
Issues of sustainability on campus and how to assist students involved in the Green movement
Possible action:
Create an advocacy poster for the entrance of the library to encourage students to be more involved in faxing Albany regarding budget issues
Adjournment
C. Geiger adjourned the meeting at 4:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted
H. Cristina Geiger
March 10, 2009
UCC Members Present: Meg Stolee, Chair; Nick Lombardo, Amy Stanley, Jeff Johannes, Mary Jensen, Doug Baldwin, Joseph Dolce, Carlo Filice, George Marcus, Anthony Yanxiang Gu, and Tracy Paradis.
Guests: Meredith Harrigan (Communications), Lori Bernard (Foreign Languages), Wendy Pogozelski (Chemistry), Andrea Klein (Campus Scheduling), Melanie Blood (SOTA), Sid Bosch (Biology), Kristi Hannam (Biology), Ray Spear (Biology), Celia Easton (Residential Life), David Geiger (Chemistry), Terry Bazzett (Office of the Dean), Barbara Howard (School of Business), Paul McLaughlin (Sociology), Rachel Hall (English), and Paul Schacht (Interim Associate Provost)
The meeting was called to at 4:05p.m.
Move to approve agenda. Approved.
Discussion of Course proposals
F/courses
DANC 265
MUSC 160
MUSC 165
THEA 260
----pending Policy Committee's recommendation of change in gen ed
Procedural issue: proposal to modify current Fine Arts classes, but the proposal was not distributed properly. Compromise is that UCC considers “F” designation pending approval by Policy Committee. May also waive second reading requirement in fairness to distribution problem.
Proposal from Gen Ed was to change existing requirement so that students can do ensemble courses (3 successful completions = 1 requirement in FA). Deemed appropriate that performance counts.
Policy Committee has to decide on whether change to Gen Ed curriculum is appropriate.
Melanie Blood present. How will completion be tracked? Third receipt of a grade triggers the “F” designation.
Considering as block.
Approved.
Biochemistry
Wendy Pogozelski present. No questions or discussion.
Revision of major
Approved.
Biology
Ray Spear & Kristi Hannam present from Biology. Addressed 350 change. No questions.
New course
BIOL327: Molecular Energy
Revision of major
BA in Biology
BS in Biology
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
School of Business
Barbara Howard present. Credit hour requirements remain the same, resource issue is the same. Add quantitative methods, students get into it sooner. New course will become required course for incoming Fall freshmen. Statistics AND quantitative methods will now to be required.
New course
MGMT 250: Information Technology for Business
MGMT/ECON 305: Quantitative Methods
Revision of major
BS in Business Administration
BA in Economics
BS in Accounting
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
Chemistry
David Geiger present. Changes deal with new labs dealt with in previous Fall for Physics, Astronomy, etc. Reflect new standards for American Chemical Society – affects accreditation.
Course deletion
CHEM 117 N/Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 125 Quantitative Analysis Lab
CHEM 214 Qualitative Organic Analysis
Revision of major
Chemistry/3-2 Engineering
BA in Chemistry
BS in Chemistry
Revision of minor
Minor in Chemistry
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
Communication
Meredith Harrigan present. Proposal for change in major reflects changes made last semester. Changes to courses tighten up the language and reflect current concepts.
Course revision
COMN 160: Introduction to Mass Communication
COMN 251: Mass Communication and Society
COMN 346: Assertion, Conflict and Mediation
COMN 362: International Mass Communication
COMN 391: Seminar: Issues in Communication
Course deletion
COMN 204: Presentational Speaking in Organizations
COMN 270: Mass Media and Popular Culture: (subtitle)
Revision of major
BA in Communication
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
Computer Science
Doug Baldwin present. No questions or discussion.
New course
CSCI 259: Software Engineering and its Tools
Approved.
Criminal Justice Minor
Lost faculty specialty to teach it (lost line) and has proven difficult to fill position. Can no longer support it.
Program deletion
Approved.
School of Education
Osman Alawiye present. E 347 upper class for program in process of being created.
New course
EDUC 347: Foundational Issues in Contemporary Education
Revision of major
BS in Education: Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Childhood Education with Special Education
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
English
Rachel Hall present. English department currently offering a zero credit course. Is there an existing bulletin description? No. Students know they need to do this. It’s in the syllabus, use that. Clarification of last sentence: Dept of Communication has changed classes offered and English can no longer advise students to take them if they are not offered. Modification based on Communication changes. Fairly new major with 2 permanent full-time faculty, class demand is overwhelming so raising the standard to get into the major.
Course revision
English 370: Senior Reading – stipulation to add syllabus description to bulletin.
Revision of major
BA in English: Track in Creative Writing
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
BS in Environmental Science
Paul McLaughlin present. New major put together with Chemistry, Biology, Geography, etc. 4 tracks, faculty and courses are in place. Adding small number of seminars and research class with instruction responsibilities to be divided among the departments. Uses expertise of many departments together in a new and growing field. Requires students in each track to have strong science background to support possible transition to graduate programs. Next step after this is to bring new program to SUNY ES& F for approval. 299 & 391 are only new classes to be created. Need to get program approved first and numbers will be changed as appropriate. Need to make changes to Physics lab numbers for Senate approval.
How does this fit into ES minor? Geography is happy to support. Doesn’t feel this major will compete with minor.
Will students understand diff between ES minor and ES major? Refer to requirements. Should difference be delineated? Speak with D. Aagesen to be sure he is aware. Confusion seems unlikely. Minor is a different focus. Advisement for these students needs awareness.
Will net addition of new courses adversely affect departments? There are 18 faculty in Bio, shifting classes for one new class every third or fourth year should not be an issue.
Approved.
Foreign Languages
Lori Bernard present. Small revisions. Not a reduction, but a change in language for clarity. Minimum 15 hours required. With so many students in Study Abroad programs, rigors of our program suffering, looking to gain control. Addresses NCATE accreditation standards.
Has School of Ed been consulted? Yes? Has School of Ed seen course programs and descriptions? Please send to Osman Alawiye and Susan Salmon.
Having the standard will increase proficiency. Will be a part of the description in bulletin. This is for the Bachelor degree now and as other phases in, test will prove what level they are upon entrance.
What is required in terms of accreditation? Grads need to be advanced-mid- level at entry, undergrads need advanced-low.
Revision of major
BA in French or Spanish
Approved.
History
Meg Stolee and Bill Gohlman present.
New course
HIST 111: World History
First: 111/112. Confusion with proposal. Handing out corrected proposal with changed description Taught last semester as experimental. It worked and now wants to bring it in. Field of World History growing. This will be a foundation for any history student. Important in Ecology studies, interaction of humans with the environment. Done comparatively/temporarily with civilizations in world. Steps away from Euro-centric focus.
UCC will be asking to drop HIST 103/104 (non-Western History and The Underground Tradition: Western History of Magic, Occult, Alchemy)
Official prop for HIST 112 is coming.
Competition with HIST 105/106? Western Humanities? Not seen that way.
Scratch reference to HIST 188.
HIST 163: African American History to 1877
HIST 164: African-American History from 1877
Will replace HIST 160 : propose deletion of HIST 160 to come in the future. They will be S & U designation.
Designation on forms of HIST 161/162. Numbers have been corrected to 163/164
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
Interdepartmental
Celia Easton & Andrea Klein present. Courses to be offered during intersession. Will students be in residence halls? Early return without charge. Non-resident will have access to common spaces.
New course
INTD102: Residential College Seminar: (subtitle)
Approved.
INTD170: Strategies for College Success
Has been in the works for a long time. Since we don’t have a Freshman seminar course, it is a way to be sure we get students up to speed. Gives us captive audience in the Fall to deal with transitional changes.
Planned communication with faculty teaching those fall classes? History of progress reports, but difficulty with keeping up. More concerned with strategies in dealing with struggling students. AOP open to collaboration. Proposed for 3 credits. 1 for the summer and then 2 during Fall semester.
Approved.
Mathematics
Jeff Johannes present. Proposing an honors track in the major? No. Attempting to entice students into major. Looking to give an early impression of mathematics . Looking to follow the model established in Physics. Has been taught successfully.
New course
Math 101: Welcome Mathematics Majors
Math 225: Honors Mathematics I
Math 226: Honors Mathematics II
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
Psychology
Joanie Ballard present. Has this been done? Has been done in advanced but looking to move down to 200 level. Want to open up class, good for teachers and parents!
New course
PSYC 220: Applied Behavior Analysis
Approved.
Sociology
Received 2 proposals for changing BA in Sociology. Two separate issues can be addressed on one single proposal, but it was requested from department to be done separately. Will list them twice for Senate reading. Shift to an Environmental focus; Sociology department is pulling back from Criminal Justice and expanding in this direction. Revising Kurt Cylke teaches Environmental Sociology. Renaming that and adding an Environmental Sociology course. In another year, hoping to add course on sustainability or climate change.
Course deletion
SOCL 215: Women and the Law
SOCL 316: Juvenile Delinquency
SOCL 335: Organizations and Society
Course revision
SOCL 218: Environmental Sociology
SOCL 290: Sociology of Work
SOCL 347: Criminology
New course
SOCL 318: Environmental Sociology
Revision of major
BA in Sociology
Issue
Issue
Move to vote as a block.
Approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Tracy Paradis
Brief Descriptions of UCC Proposals for the 3/24 Senate meeting
BioChem - revision of major:
Changes are: including the recent changes in Physics and the proposed changes in Chemistry, plus addition of minimum competency of C-or better in all courses that serve as prerequisites in the program.
Biology
Biol 327: Molecular Energy = new course. "This course explores how molecular methods are used to address research questions in ecology."
BA in Biology - revision of major. Changes are removal of Diversity and Systems requirements plus an increase in elective requirements. No change in required hours.
BS in Biology - revision of major. Changes are same as above.
School of Business
Mgmt 250: Information Technology for Business = new course. "This course will serve to lay the groundwork for students to develop solid information system knowledge in their professional careers."
Mgmt/Econ 305: Quantitative Methods = new course. "This course covers the quantitative analysis tools associated with professional practices in business."
BS in Business Administration - Revision of major. Changes are deletion of Mgmt 350 as a required course and addition of Mgmt 250 and Mgmt 305 as requirements.
BA in Economics - Revision of major. Changes are the addition of Econ 305
BS in Accounting - Revision of major. Changes are the deletion of Mgmt as a required course and the addition of Mgmt 250 and Mgmt 305 as requirements.
Chemistry
Chem 117 N/Chemistry I Laboratory. Course deletion
Chem 125 Quantitative Analysis Lab. Course deletion
Chem 214 Qualitative Organic Analysis. Course deletion
Chemistry/3-2 Engineering - revision of major. Changes are addition of minimum competence requirement of C- in required courses and adjustments due to restructuring of lab requirements.
BA in Chemistry - revision of major. Changes are same as above.
BS in Chemistry - revision of major. Changes are the same as above plus the elimination of tracks
Minor in Chemistry - revision of minor. Changes are adjustments due to restructuring of labs, addition of Chem 318 as an elective, correction of mistakes in the current Bulletin of # of required hours, and addition of minimum competency.
Communication
Comn 160: Introduction to Mass Communication - Course revision. Changes in the course description reflect the course's focus on both history and technology of mass communication.
Comn 204: Presentational Speaking in Organizations. Course deletion.
Comn 251: Mass Communication and Society = Course revision. Changes are title change to Mass Media and Society and clarification of course description.
Comn 270: Mass Media and Popular Culture: (subtitle). Course deletion.
Comn 346: Assertion, Conflict and Mediation - Course revision. Changes are title change to Conflict, Negotiation and Mediation, clarification of course description, and change in prereqs to junior or senior standing.
Comn 362: International Mass Communication = Course revision. Changes are revision of course description to include all kinds of international mass media.
Comn 391: Seminar: Issues in Communication = Course revision. Changes are clarification of course description and addition of prereqs of junior or senior standing.
BA in Communication - revision of major. Changes are reflection of deleted courses plus the addition of courses already approved by UCC and Senate.
Computer Science
Csci 259: Software Engineering and its Tools = New course. "An introduction to software engineering."
Criminal Justice Minor
Program deletion
School of Education
Educ 347: Foundational Issues in Contemporary Education = New course. "This course will focus on foundational issues in contemporary education," and serve as an option in lieu of Intd 203 for students in the 5-year adolescence education programs.
BS in Education: Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Childhood Education with Special Education = revision of major. Changes are the deletion of the linguistics concentration.
English
English 370: Senior Reading = course revision. Changes are changing credit hours from 0 to 1.
BA in English: Track in Creative Writing = Revision of major. Changes are the credit change to Engl 370, the addition of a portfolio requirement for continuation in the program, and changes in the Comn electives due to changes in Comn.
BS in Environmental Science
New major
Fine Arts Core: Pending approval by Policy Committee and Senate, add F/designation:
Danc 265
Musc 160
Musc 165
Thea 260
Foreign Languages
BA in French or Spanish = revision of major. Changes are the requirement that a minimum of 15 credit hours must be taken at Geneseo and a redefinition of required levels of proficiency.
History
Hist 111: World History = new course. "A comparative survey of world societies from the first human organizations Š[to] about 1500 CE."
Hist 163: African American History to 1877 = new course. Hist 163 will replace Hist 166: African American History. The new course will "explore major events, people and issues pertaining to African-American History to 1877."
Hist 164: African-American History from 1877 = new course. Hist 164 will replace Hist 166: African-American History. The new course "will examine the African American experience from emancipation to the present day."
Interdepartmental
Intd 102: Residential College Seminar: (subtitle) = new course. "Residential College Seminars are one-credit hour seminars taught by Geneseo faculty and staff in coordination with the Department of Residence Life.
Intd 170: Strategies for College Success = new course. This course will integrate the AOP summer orientation with a fall semester component.
Mathematics
Math 101: Welcome Mathematics Majors = new course. "This course provides a welcoming and enthusiastic introduction to the mathematics major."
Math 225: Honors Mathematics I = new course. "This is the first course of the Honors Mathematics series. This series is an advanced approach to calculus and is intended to serve our most advanced and motivated first-year math students."
Math 226: Honors Mathematics II = new course. "This is the second course of the Honors Mathematics series and is a rigorous study of the methods of calculus as an introduction to the languages of advanced mathematics and to mathematical proof."
Psychology
Psyc 220: Applied Behavior Analysis = new course. "The purposes of this class are to review theory, research, and practical applications of environmental/learning/behavioral approaches; to develop skillsŠ, and to promote and empirical approach."
Sociology
Socl 215: Women and the Law = course deletion.
Socl 218: Environmental Sociology = revised course. Changes are title change to Sociology of Environmental Issues and clarification of course description.
Socl 290: Sociology of Work = course revision. Changes are title change to Sociology or Work and Organizations, inclusion of content from Socl 335, and course description.
Socl 316: Juvenile Delinquency = course deletion.
Socl 318: Environmental Sociology = new course. "This course provides an overview of the field of environmental sociology."
Socl 335:Organizations and Society = course deletion
Socl 347: Criminology = course revisions. Changes are title change to Criminology and Juvenile Delinquency, inclusion of issues of juvenile delinquency, and resulting changes in the course description.
BA in Sociology = revision of major. Changes = 1. addition of minimal competency and 2. eliminate area distribution requirement for electives