31 March 1999
The twelfth meeting of the 98-99 year was called to order at 12:10 pm
Members Present: R. Jirsa (Presiding), T. W. Carr, C. Rinehardt, A. Rao, C. Wieder, S. Martinelli, G. Puerschner, T. Sherman, M. Orner, T. Seyed, R. Landino, U. Nwachuku, J. Fullmer, R. Eldridge, J. Ensign, C. Dickinson, D. Burow, B. Gustafson, S. Misasi, D. Kemler, P. Palma, P. Sakalowsky, S. Judd, C. Petto, A, C. Schofield-Bodt, V. Mick, D. Prasad, K. Laird, T. Bennett, K. Grant, M. Moss, A. Vicenzi, Cindy Fontana, F. Hatcher, L. Prince, D. Pettigrew, A. Bidarian, A. Paulson, P.Kahlbaugh, R. Luquis, B. Worden, M. Ryan, P. Major, A. M. Watts, P. Brucker
Visitors: Camille Serchuk (UCF)
Not Present: Athletics, Journalism,
Library Science, Nursing (Bochain), Part-time faculty (Mack), Rec/Leisure,
Science Ed/Env Studies, Social Work (Colon, Worden)
Vice-President Phil Smith:
Did not attend
Minutes of February 10, 1999 were approved with corrections and additions
Announcements:
The Rules Committee will be contacting Senators whose terms will be expiring at the end of this year.
Executive Committee Report:
Susan Cirillo, Library Director, has proposed several solutions to Library space for Senate use.
A questionnaire has been distributed by the Student Policy Committee re: student advisement. The Chairpersons document needs to consider concerns of Interdisciplinary Studies
A reminder that the Senate Retreat will take place at the Mercy Center at Madison on June 4th, 1999
The Enrollment Management Committee discussed the fact that part-time students are not being considered when the BOT looks at enrollment figures. This will be discussed with the BOT on April 8th.
The parking lot at Davis Hall will be closed during Physical Plant construction.
Technology (ad hoc): (Tony Sherman) Proposed the adoption of the Technology Motion of 2/24/98 which follows:
Whereas the mission of SCSU is educating students,
therefore be it resolved
that the faculty should have significant decision-making power on those technological issues that affect the way they teach and/or conduct their research.
therefore be it further resolved
that in matters of the use of technology for education at Southern, decisions concerning hiring for key technology positions should be made by committees of which the majority of seats are held by faculty.
Resolution passed by majority voice vote.
Academic Policy: (Jim Fullmer):
Discussion ensued regarding Distance Learning Resolution # 1, which follows:
whereas the faculty has the primary responsibility for curriculum, and
whereas we recognize the importance of using technology in the curriculum, and
whereas we further recognize the value of distance learning (including online learning) to enhance student access to learning, and
whereas we recognize the importance of student faculty interaction,
therefore be it resolved
that the University’s undergraduate and graduate curriculum committees’ authority to limit the number of distance learning and/or online credits or courses that may be used to fulfill requirement or electives in a student’s overall program be confirmed, (Part I)
therefore be it further resolved
that a department’s right to recommend limits on the number of distance learning and/or online credits or courses that may be used to fulfill requirements in it students’ major be confirmed, (Part II)
therefore be it further resolved
that a department’s authority to decide whether a specific distance learning and/or online course is accepted as part of its students’ major be confirmed, (Part III)
therefore be it further resolved
that a department’s authority to decide whether a specific distance learning and/or online course in its own discipline is accepted as part of a student’s program of university requirements or electives in accordance with the University’s curriculum committee be confirmed. (Part IV)
Re: Part I:
Concern was expressed that the resolution could potentially discriminate against certain users, and that it also threatens issues of Academic Freedom.
Part I of the resolution was passed by majority voice vote.
Re Part II:
The particular emphasis on "on-line" is why an ordinary Curriculum
Committees does not guarantee the results of the resolution.
UCF has elected to not evaluate on-line courses at this time in
any way that would be different from regular classes.
Question was called; Motion to call the Question did not pass.
Friendly amendment was made to change the word "limit" to "recommend limits on" was accepted, as was the amendment to change "authority" to "right". Friendly Amendment was not accepted.
Question was called.
Part II was passed by majority vote (30-12).
Part III was passed by majority voice vote.
Re Part IV:
Part IV assures that that courses (on-line or otherwise) can be scrutinized by a department before accepting credit for any course.
Part IV was passed by majority voice vote.
Discussion ensued regarding Distance Learning Resolution # 2, which follows:
whereas the faculty has the primary responsibility for curriculum, and
whereas we recognize the importance of using technology in the curriculum, and
whereas we further recognize the value of distance learning (including online learning) to enhance student access to learning, and
whereas we recognize the importance of student faculty interaction,
therefore be it resolved
that the Admissions Office shall take all reasonable steps to identify
distance learning and/or online courses at the time of admission
to transfer students and refer such courses to the relevant departments
to evaluate their transferability.
It seems unfair to assume that all on-line courses will be of poor quality.
The point was made that there may be no way to have a registrar reasonably accommodate this requirement.
Question was called. (25-11). Resolution passed, 22-19.
Personnel Policy (Charles Wieder) Survey has been sent out by the entire committee requesting information from retirees
Rules (Uchenna Nwachuku) – Will present a resolution at the next meeting
Finance (Robert Eldridge) - There has been a 1.1 million reduction in funding because of enrollment.
Concern was expressed that Senate Funds for part-time faculty travel
have increased while full-time money is depleted, particularly since reports
indicate that not many part-time faculty are using the resource. The lack
of data consideration seems problematic.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:00PMJ
Respectfully submitted,
T. Wiley Carr
Secretary of the Senate -