REGULAR MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE
September 13, 1993
MINUTES
Senators not in attendance were: Barbara Curry, Roger Kobak,
David Stone
Senators excused were: John Cooper, Stuart Cooper, James Magee,
Betty Paulanka, Daniel Rich, David P. Roselle,
Janet Smith, Carolyn Thoroughgood
I. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The Senate adopted the Agenda as printed.
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The Senate approved the Minutes of the May 3 and May 10
meetings as distributed.
III. REMARKS BY INTERIM UNIVERSITY PROVOST RICHARD
MURRAY
Provost Murray reviewed the growth of international activities at
the University of Delaware. The International Programs and
Special Sessions Office, headed by Associate Provost Larry
Donnelley, offers two types of programs abroad: general interest,
taught mostly in English, and intensive language and cultural
courses, taught in the language of the host country. These
courses are now offered in all terms with the Winter term being
the most active. There has been nearly a threefold growth in the
registration for these programs in the last nine years. The student
cost for these programs are the normal Delaware tuition, lodging,
and meals plus transportation.
The Foreign Student and Scholar Services office, headed by Susan
Lee, facilitates compliance with visa and other regulations for
foreign visitors coming here and University students going abroad.
Currently there are 400 undergraduates, 800 graduate students
and 255 visiting scholars (faculty, post doctoral, research
associates, etc.); the total number of foreign visitors of all types
is 1800, a 30 percent growth from a year ago.
The English Language Institute, headed by Scott Stevens,
provides intensive language courses for University teaching
assistants and eight week language modules for foreign students
seeking admission to U. S. schools. It also provides specialized
English courses to foreign businesses.
These remarks demonstrate that the University of Delaware is
becoming a more cosmopolitan institution and that international
activities have grown significantly in a time of declining budgets.
IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Scott welcomed the Faculty Senate membership and
urged all, particularly new members, to consider committee
service. The members of the Executive Committee, John
McLaughlin, President-Elect, Jon Olson, Secretary, and David
Smith, Chairperson of the Committee on Committees and
Nominations, were introduced. Senators are expected to attend
the Senate meetings, and by Senate rules, two consecutive
unexcused absences causes dismissal. Excused absences are
made by a call to the Senate Office, 2922. The agenda is
distributed a week prior to the meeting to provide time for
Senators to prepare for the meetings. The meetings normally are
scheduled on the first Monday of each month in the Fall and
Spring semesters. This year the meetings will be on October 4,
November 1, December 6, February 7, March 7, April 4, and May
2.
The October and April meetings will be preceded by a meeting of
the general faculty. The October Semi-Annual General Faculty
meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m. [this has since been
changed to 3:30]. Senators will pick up their name cards at a
table outside Room 110 Memorial.
An Open Hearing for an interdisciplinary graduate program in
Biomechanics and Movement Sciences will be held at 4:30 p.m.
on September 27th in 006 Kirkbride. In addition, the Executive
Committee scheduled a special meeting for Senate Committee
Chairpersons at 4:00 p.m. on September 20th in the Ewing Room
of the Student Center.
Senators are encouraged to respond to President Scott's Goals
Statement with support, suggestions for modification or
substitutions. President Scott expressed her general wishes for
productive discussions and accomplishments during the year.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Item A. Ballots were distributed for the election of the Senate
Vice President. At the end of this meeting, David Smith
announced that Thomas Angell, Mathematical Sciences, was
elected.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
Item A. It is the privilege of the Senate to elect the Chairperson
of the Committee on Committees and Nominations from the three
members elected to this Committee by the Senate. Frank Dilley
was the sole candidate this year and was elected by acclamation.
Item B. Recommendation from the Coordinating Committee on
Education (B. Scott, Chairperson '92-'93), as modified by the
1992-1993 Executive Committee to amend the Faculty Handbook
on Examinations and Tests. President Scott asked President-Elect
John McLaughlin to preside for this item of business since she
chaired the Committee which drafted the resolution.
President Scott reviewed the history of this resolution. It was
originally drafted in 1980 to promote using the 14th week of the
term for instruction and review and the 15th week for
examinations. Last Year Provost Pipes expressed his concern of
the effectiveness of this policy statement. The issue was referred
to a large group of committees: Undergraduate Studies, Graduate
Studies, Faculty Welfare and Privileges, Research, and Student
Life. The reports of this group were sent to the Coordinating
Committee on Education.
The resolution is presented below for completeness. Words to be
added are indicated in bold type. Words to be deleted are
indicated in italics and brackets.
RESOLVED, that the Examinations and Tests Policy in the
Faculty Handbook at II. "Selected Academic Policy
Statements," subsection 2. "Examinations and
Tests," page II-3 be amended as follows:
2. Examinations and Tests
Final examinations or other end-of-the-semester assignments
must [should] be given [according to the printed schedule
issued by the Records Office.] in all courses. Faculty will
inform their chairperson and students of the nature of the
end-of-the-semester assignment for each course at the
beginning of each term. [By prior arrangement with the
department chairperson (or dean), the faculty member may
use alternate means of evaluation.] Because the University
does not operate with a formal honor system, faculty are
responsible for proper monitoring of examinations and tests.
MIDDLE PARAGRAPH UNCHANGED
No examination, hourly examination, test, or quiz counting for
25% [33 and one-third percent] or more of the semester's
grade for any class (except laboratory exams) shall be given
during the last week (five class days) of any regular
semester. There shall be a 24-hour break between the end
of classes and the first examination which shall be designated
Reading Day. No examinations, tests, or quizzes may be
given on Reading Day, to allow students to review for
upcoming finals and to complete projects. Examinations will
occur according to the printed schedule issued by the
Records Office.
President Scott then reviewed the changes in the resolution.
Senate members C. Cannon, F. Murray, J. Cavanaugh, and D.
Smith questioned how the resolution applies to clinical practice,
practice teaching, research courses extending over several terms,
and student research projects. Senators F. Murray, V. Klaff and
B. Scott questioned if a term paper worth 50 percent of the
course grade could be given a deadline of the 14th week under
the resolution. Senator F. Grubb observed that the existing
wording of the first paragraph provides the flexibility needed to
accommodate unique courses and assignments. Vice Provost
Andersen suggested that the first paragraph be rewritten to give
faculty the right to exercise academic judgment on the appropriate
evaluation for all courses and recalled that the third paragraph was
drafted to force de facto final examinations to the examination
period.
At the request of President-Elect John McLaughlin, the resolution
was recommitted to the Coordinating Committee on Education by
acclamation.
Senate President Scott adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Olson
Secretary
University Faculty Senate
JO/rg
A copy of the transcript and overheads used by Interim Provost Murray
are available in the Senate Office, 219 McDowell Hall.