SENATORS EXCUSED:
John Anderson, Ann Bowler, Karen Butler, Costel Denson, Michael Ferrari, Victor Kaliakin, Charles Mason, Susan McGeary, Michael Peterson, Kent Price, Annette Shine, David Teague, Carolyn Thoroughgood, Stephan Wolohojian, Paul Yager

SENATORS ABSENT:
Mark Amsler, Cynthia Brown, Gary Ebert, John Elias, Thomas Ilvento, John Kraft, Charles Mason, Richard Wolbers

I. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was adopted, with the following changes in New Business items: 1) Item A-Attachment 3 is replaced by Attachment 3 found in the Senators' cards; 2) Item G contains a misprint and should note that the recommendation comes from the Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges, not the Committee on Student Life; 3) Item H-Senators will find an additional resolution in their card, which will become part of Attachment 12.

II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The minutes of the March 1, 1999 meeting of the Senate were approved as distributed.

III. ELECTION OF SENATE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Written ballots, located in the Senators' cards, were marked by Senators, and collected and tallied by Senate counters. The results are as follows: Judy Van Name was elected President-Elect; Karen Stein was elected Secretary; Beth Haslett and Kenneth Lomax were elected members-at-large of the Committee on Committees and Nominations.

IV. REMARKS BY PROVOST SCHIAVELLI
Provost Schiavelli remarked on characteristics of the incoming freshman class. Compared to last year=s class, twice as many have SAT scores above 1400; three times as many accepted appointments as DuPont scholars; and all other quantitative measures of quality are higher. Thus far, we received 3,250 deposits. After the summer melt, the target is to enroll 330 fewer students than last year. Provost Schiavelli also noted that the Astra-Zeneca decision to remain in Delaware is favorable news for the University, which is investing in biotechnology initiatives with assistance from the State of Delaware. Provost Schiavelli was asked if he foresaw any "black clouds" on the horizon. He responded by noting that, in the past five years, tuition increases have been controlled by limiting the administrative budgets, and there is a question as to how much longer that can be sustained. As a last piece of good news, Provost Schiavelli predicted that we should have 23 endowed professorships funded through the Capital Campaign by Fall, compared to two such professorships which existed prior to the beginning of the Campaign.

V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Michael Keefe made several announcements. At the request of Dean Rich, he announced that General Colin Powell will be speaking at the University on May 19, and all are invited. Second, he announced that the Senate's Vice-President, Susan McGeary just had a new baby boy and so, is excused from this meeting! Third, President Keefe invited Carol Hoffecker to make a brief report on the status of the General Education Report, for information only. Professor Hoffecker announced that the report is finished and has been given to the Senate Undergraduate Studies Committee for their consideration; the full report is available on the Senate's website. Professor Hoffecker noted that the Committee sought to achieve several goals, primarily wanting to convey to our students the excitement of learning, by creating coherent linkages for students from their freshman through senior years. She also noted that college needs were considered and that the recommendations are flexible enough to meet various constraints such as accreditation rules. She emphasized that the Committee was cognizant of limits in resources, especially class size and faculty workloads, and that these would need to be considered in implementing the recommendations.

Fourth, President Keefe informed Senators that the University Counsel's opinion is that the courts would view exams as part of a student's educational record, and that students have the right to view their graded exams. Fifth, the Senate is formalizing some procedures (not creating policy) defining concentrations and specializations. A concentration is defined as 12 thematic credits distributed across one or more departments, and follows the usual Senate Committee routings. It comes before the Senate as an announcement for challenge. A specialization is a sequence of courses, thematically related, and is often used to showcase the strengths of a department in particular areas. Senate committees should be informed of specializations, but they take no formal action. Specializations come before the Senate as information items.

Fifth, the Senate office will be moving to 164 S. College Avenue in the near future. Last, it is anticipated that the course challenge cycle will be web-based by the Fall.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR CHALLENGE
The following were approved without challenge: Curricular changes to the Computer and Information Sciences B.S. program; addition of a Family Research Concentration to the Family and Community Services major in the Department of Individual and Family Studies; and curriculum revisions in the Department of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Department of Business Administration and Department of Finance in the College of Business and Economics.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

A. The request from DUSC regarding publishing the results of course evaluations was sent to Student Life.

B. The request from DUSC to allow optional exams to be administered on Reading Days is already on the agenda as New Business from the Rules Committee.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Committee appointments were confirmed by the Senate, with a correction made to Roberta (listed as Robert in the committee list) Golinkoff's name.

B. Beth Haslett was elected Chair, Committee on Committees and Nominations.

C. A request to establish a new Ph.D. degree program in Entomology and Applied Ecology was presented from the Committee on Graduate Studies, with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education and the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate. This is a 4 year provisional program, which must obtain permanent status approval by the end of the provisional period.

Whereas the Ph.D. is the standard graduate degree in the field of Entomology and Applied Ecology, required for access to most professional jobs, and

Whereas comprehensive reviews by outside evaluators have strongly recommended that the Department of Entomology and Applied Ecology establish its own Ph.D. program, and

Whereas current faculty members in the department are well-prepared to direct Ph.D. programs, especially in insect pest management and applied ecology, and

Whereas no new University resources are required to initiate this program, and

Whereas the Ph.D. degree program would strengthen existing industry and USDA partnerships, be it therefore

Resolved that a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Entomology and Applied Ecology be established on a provisional basis for four years, beginning September 1, 1999.

D. A request to change the academic residency requirement policy for degree eligibility was presented from the Committee on Undergraduate Studies, with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education and the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate.

Whereas students today often find it necessary, for financial and other reasons, to complete their education through transfer courses, and

Whereas the University wishes to offer students flexibility in completing their degree requirements, be it therefore

Resolved that the University's academic residency baccalaureate degree requirement be changed from "Completion of either the first 90 credits or the last 30 credits, full or part-time, at the University of Delaware." to "Completion of either 90 of the first 100 credits or 30 credits of the last 36 credits, full or part-time, at the University of Delaware."

E. A request to grant permanent status to the majors in Finance, Management, Operations Management, and Marketing in the College of Business and Economics was presented from the Committee on Undergraduate Studies, with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education and the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate.

Whereas the four B.S. majors in Business Administration--Finance, Management, Operations Management and Marketing--have successfully graduated hundreds of majors in the seven years since they were upgraded from concentrations, and

Whereas graduates of these four majors enjoy very high employment and/or graduate school matriculation rates, and

Whereas the program requirements for these majors fully conform to the guidelines of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACAB), the principal accrediting agency, be it therefore

Resolved that the majors in Finance, Management, Operations Management, and Marketing be granted permanent status.
 

F. A recommendation to disestablish the Human Development and Family Processes major in the Department of Individual and Family Studies was presented by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies, with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee and the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate.

Whereas the Faculty Senate has concurred through an Announcement for Challenge in the creation of a concentration in Family Research in the Family and Community Services major, and

Whereas this concentration is intended to fulfill the mission of the existing Human Development and Family Processes (HDFP) major, be it therefore

Resolved that the major in Human Development and Family Processes (HDFP) be disestablished
 

G. A recommendation for an addition to the University's Policy Statement regarding accommodations for students with learning disabilities was presented by the Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate, with the following friendly amendment to rewrite the paragraph following point 3 as follows: The panel will consult with legal counsel and, within five (5) working days of the formation of the Committee, advise the Provost of the matter. The Provost will notify the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges, the panel, and the student of his decision.

Whereas the statement listed below speaks to the need for accommodations on the part of a student diagnosed with a learning disability and/or AD/HD, be it therefore

Resolved that the statement listed below be added to the University's Policy Statement Regarding Accommodations for Students with Learning Disabilities.

Should a faculty member question the need for accommodations on the part of a student diagnosed with a learning disability and/or AD/HD, he/she should consult with the Academic Services Center (ASC) and seek explanation. Should a faculty member consider that the accommodations prescribed by the ASC are not appropriate within the context of his/her course, he/she may request that the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Welfare and privileges, within three working days, appoint a panel to resolve the issue. That panel will consist of:

1. A faculty member from the requestor's department approved by the requestor

2. A professional staff member from the ASC

3. A faculty member agreeable to both the requestor and the ASC.

The panel will consult with legal counsel and, within five (5) working days, advise the Provost of the matter. The Provost will notify the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges and the panel of his decision.
 

H. A recommendation for proposed changes to the Disruptive Conduct Policy as it relates to sexual abuse was presented by the Committee on Student Life, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate.

Whereas the current policy in the Student Code of Conduct concerning "Disruptive Conduct" fuses "violence" and "Sexual assault" and

Whereas the current policy concerning "Disruptive Conduct" fails to define sexual assault, and

Whereas the Student Life Committee, Women's Affairs, and other relevant parties at the University have agreed to these changes in the wording of the policy, be it therefore

Resolved that the Student Code of Conduct be revised as follows:

1. "Sexual Assault" is added as a separate section (XVIII. Sexual Assault) and is defined as follows:

XVIII. Sexual Assault. Sexual assault is any unwanted non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature, whether by an acquaintance or a stranger. Sexual assault can occur under physical force and/or coercion or when a person is physically or mentally unable to give consent. Sexual assault includes but is not limited to rape, forcible sodomy, forcible oral copulations, sexual assault with an object, sexual battery, and forcible fondling (i.e., unwanted touching or kissing of a sexual nature). The University of Delaware will not tolerate sexual assault and will adjudicate such acts of violence through the campus judicial system as well as encourage the accuser to pursue criminal and/or civil remedies.

2. Section V.A. of the current Code be revised such that the following italicized wording is deleted:

Violence or threat of violence against self or any member or guest of the University community. (This includes but is not limited to physical assault, rape, or other sexual assault. Rape is sexual intercourse which takes place against a person=s will, or in circumstances where a person is physically, mentally or legally unable to give consent. Conviction, whether in the courts or in the Student Judicial System, for rape or other serious physical assault will lead to expulsion from the University. Any member of the University community who witnesses a violation of the Code of Conduct is expected to report that violation whether or not the reporter was personally victimized by the violation.)

I. A recommendation for proposed changes to the Student Handbook and Faculty Handbook, under the section on Student Class Attendance (Section II-9 of the Faculty Handbook) was presented by the Committee on Student Life, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate.

Whereas the current policy on Student Class Attendance does not address student absences for members of the National Guard or active reserve, and

Whereas short-term absences for military duty are sometimes experienced by members of the National Guard or active reserve, be it therefore

Resolved that the Student Class Attendance Policy in the Student Handbook and in the Faculty Handbook be revised to include the following:

Absence due to short-term military duty in the National Guard or active reserve is recognized as an excused absence. To validate such an absence, the student should present evidence to the Dean's Office of his/her college. The Dean's Office will then provide a letter of verification to all of the student's instructors for the term.

J. A recommendation for proposed changes to the policy in Section II. II. 2 of the Faculty Handbook regarding examinations on Reading Day(s) to allow voluntary exams as long as no student is required to take any examination, test or quiz on Reading Day(s) was presented by the Rules Committee, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. The motion, the text of which follows, was approved by the Senate (note: changes to the current policy are in capital letters).

Whereas both students and instructors would benefit from greater flexibility in terms of additional opportunities to schedule make-up exams, replace low test scores, etc. at the end of the semester, and

Whereas it is understood that any decision by an instructor to schedule an exam must involve the purely voluntary agreement of affected students, be it therefore

Resolved the language in the Faculty Handbook ["... a required examination, test or quiz (excluding make-up examinations for individuals...) may be given only during regularly scheduled class or laboratory hours associated with that course..."] dealing with examinations on Reading Day be changed as follows:

"...There shall be a break of at least 24 hours, designated Reading Day(s), at the beginning of Finals Week. No REQUIRED examinations, tests or quizzes may be given on Reading Day, to allow students to review for upcoming finals and to complete projects. ADDITIONALLY, NO STUDENT CAN BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY EXAMINATION, TEST OR QUIZ ON READING DAY(S)."

K. President Keefe asked if there were other items of new business, reminding the Senate that such proposed items could not be acted upon until the next meeting. Hearing no other proposed new business, the meeting was adjourned with President Keefe thanking the Faculty Senate staff and the Executive Committee for their dedicated hard work on behalf of the Faculty Senate.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Karen F. Stein, Secretary
University Faculty Senate

KFS/rg