REGULAR MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE

 

 

March 1, 2010 – 104 Gore Hall

 

 

 

 February 22, 2010

 

 

TO:                  Senators and Executives

 

FROM:            Charles E. Mason, Vice President  

                        University Faculty Senate

 

SUBJECT:       Regular Faculty Senate Meeting March 1, 2010

 

            In accordance with Section IV, paragraph 6 of the Constitution, the regular meeting of the University Faculty Senate will be held on Monday, March 1, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. in 104 Gore Hall. 

 

I certify that hard copies of the approval page for each undergraduate and graduate studies academic item on the agenda are filed in the Faculty Senate Office with the appropriate signatures of approval up through the Chair of the Faculty Senate Coordinating Committee on Education.  The Agenda will be as follows:

 

 

 

 

AGENDA

 

 

I.  Adoption of the Agenda

 

A motion to approve was made, seconded and passed

 

 II.          Approval of the Minutes: February 8, 2010

 

A motion to approve was made, seconded and passed

            

III.             Remarks: Provost Tom Apple

 

             Dean Kathleen Matt provided an update on health sciences initiatives and the health sciences alliance with Jefferson and the Chrysler property.  Questions were raised about programs that already exist at UD that may be in competition with Jefferson’s programs. Dean Matt said that only those programs where there would be a win-win situation would be considered. Jefferson’s Physical Therapy for example would not be brought to the UD campus.

 

             The Provost was asked about the reorganization of the CEPP College.  His remarks were as follows:

 

14:06 Question: Would you comment please on rumors according to which the School of Education would absorb early childhood education and all secondary education programs, including those located primarily in the College of Arts and Sciences?

 

14:18 Provost Apple: Sounds like a rumor to me. My understanding, and something I’ve – I’ll be, I’ll be maybe more open in this open forum than I should – I have a strong wish on the part of the education faculty to invite the early childhood group into a college that would be more focused, and those are discussions that I’m meeting with the College council, I believe, is that, Jim, is that next week? [Jim Morrison answers: March 16th] so we’ll have discussions there about the possible formation. There’s a strong urge on a large number of the School of Education faculty to – I have a letter from them in fact, signed by a large number, to form a college – and they’d like to invite the early childhood and human development folks to join them in that.

 

15:16 Question: There’s a lot of concern among the folks who coordinate the social studies, for example, history education and the secondary education programs, that there is a move underfoot, and that if they are to be moved to the College of Education, our students who are majoring in teacher education therefore would have the content diluted, that is, they wouldn’t focus so much on their discipline, and this would be very much contrary to what, you know, President Obama and everyone else is encouraging teacher preparation to do, so are you replying this is simply a rumor and there really is no basis for it?

 

15:52 Provost Apple: I’ve heard these discussions as well and whether secondary education should be part of a new school; we had a very good conversation last Friday with the Deans of both, with Michael Gamel-McCormick and George Watson. There’s a strong feeling among a lot of of the secondary education faculty that that’s not a good thing to move them, and that they belong in their disciplines, so these are the kinds of things that I think we have discussions about, and we see where things fall. So I’m watching from the sidelines at this point, and, you know, what we need now is a good deal of discussion about what’s the best place. I think one thing that we can say for sure is that having these groups all work more closely together is a good thing. So maybe the structure doesn’t change, but we make sure there’s more collaboration, cooperation, joint appointments, and those kind of things.

 

16:54 Question: As a member of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies doing early childhood education, we are in the College of Education and Public Policy, so I can understand secondary ed being somewhat confused about being moved to a new college, but we are in the same college so – so, are we talking about reorganizing our college?

 

17:19 Provost Apple: Yes. Yes, and I’d rather actually have those discussions in smaller groups than the whole Faculty Senate now, because I think we have to have those discussions and the appropriate faculty there vote before it’s brought to the whole Senate.

 

17:40 Question: Just as a matter of clarification, because this is the first that I’ve heard of this, is anyone proposing, for example, that students who plan to be specialists in math or physics or chemistry or biology education at the high school level should not be taking a lot of courses as they do now within the disciplines or should they take fewer courses?

 

18:05 Provost Apple: Oh good Lord no, no no, jeez, don’t start rumors like that [general Senate laughter] No, no no, I don’t think we’re talking about any curricular changes. We do it right. We were one of the first places to make sure that these students who are going to teach in high school get their degree in math, in chemistry, in the social sciences, and then take the education courses. So we’re not going to mess with a good thing.

 

18:30 Question: Okay. So what would the change be then with secondary education?

 

18:34 Provost  Apple: Well maybe none, I mean, it will depend on what the secondary ed faculty in their discussions with the School of Ed decide. There may be no change. On the other hand, they may decide to do more joint appointments or, or who knows, I think that’s up to those discussions—I think those discussions have to happen first.

 

18:56 Senate President Cobanoglu: Can I say something? I just want to point out that any time there is an academic change to a college, to a program, that there is a procedure for this to go through the Faculty Senate, so please don’t believe any rumors. If these things were to happen, it will come to the Faculty Senate, and everybody understands that the procedure is going to be followed, meaning that the appropriate committees are going to review these change requests, and then with their approval or disapproval, then it will come to the Faculty Senate, in front of the Faculty Senate. If there is any need for an open hearing, the Faculty Senate committee or the Executive Committee may decide to do so. So please, I just want to point out that don’t panic, and then we are working with the administration that in case something like this were to happen that we will all be notified, and then you will have a chance to then say what you need to say if you don’t believe that’s the right thing to do.

 

19:58 Provost Apple: And all the faculty involved have a vote before it even comes to the Faculty Senate, so we have a lot of discussions that have to occur first. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get out to visit everyone and have those discussions yet but we have some strong wills of certain faculty and the ideas of new formations and, you know, we need to get out and have those discussions and see what the best structure is and have faculty votes, and then we bring it to this, so I’m a little reluctant to say much more about it.

 

20:41 Question: Is there an assigned date for that when these proposals come forward or do you have or know the timing on any of these?

 

20:52: Provost Apple: Well, to my knowledge no meetings have been set up except the one where we are meeting with the College Council at this point, but I would expect we’re going to have a whole bunch of meetings soon to discuss these things.

 

           

IV.              Announcements: Senate President Cihan Cobanoglu

 

             Update on the faculty senate digital archive

 

Presentation by Bernard Muir from the Athletics Dept.

 

V.                 Consent Agenda

 

1.                        Announcements for Challenge

 

Undergraduate Studies

 

a.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the minor in Music – Jazz Studies (attachment)

 

b.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the minor in Astronomy (attachment)

 

c.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the minor: BA in Japanese (attachment)

 

d.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to add an Honors BS degree in Neuroscience (attachment)

 

e.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the Elementary Teacher Education Major (attachment)

 

 

Graduate Studies

 

f.        Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise degree requirements for the MALS Program (attachment)

 

g.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the concentration in the Master of Music Program (attachment)

 

h.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the degree requirements for the Political Science and International Relations Program (attachment)

 

i.         Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise degree requirements for the MS in Mathematics (attachment)

 

j.        Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the MS in Applied Mathematics, (attachment)

 

k.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the PHD in Mathematics (attachment)

 

l.         Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the  PHD in Applied Mathematics (attachment)

 

m.     Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the MS in Biological Sciences: Molecular Biology and Genetics Concentrations (attachment)

 

n.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to revise the PhD in Biological Sciences: Molecular Biology and Genetics Concentrations (attachment)

 

o.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to add a new Certificate in Parent Family (attachment)

 

p.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to add a new Certificate in Early Language Literacy (attachment)

 

q.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to add a new Certificate in Leadership in Early Childhood and Human Services (attachment)  

 

 A motion to approve was made, seconded and the motion passed.

 

 

VI.              Regular Agenda

 

1.      Resolutions:

 

a.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to make the Black American Studies Program a Department (attachment)

 

WHEREAS,  the Black American Studies Program has existed in the College of Arts and Sciences since 1971

 

WHEREAS,     the Black American Studies Program now numbers 18 core and joint faculty,

 

WHEREAS,     Black American Studies now offers a B.A. degree,

 

WHEREAS,     nine out of ten of the University's peer institutions that offer a B.A. in Black American Studies are organized as Departments, 

 

WHEREAS,     the numbers of Minors and Majors in Black American Studies have steadily grown since their creation in 1971 and 2007, respectively,

 

WHEREAS,     Black American Studies enhances the University mission of creating diversity in education and scholarship, and serving the greater Delaware communities

 

WHEREAS,     creation of a Department of Black American Studies will require no new resources,

 

WHEREAS,     the faculty and administration of the College of Arts and Sciences have approved the proposal for a Department of Black American Studies, be it therefore

 

WHEREAS,     there will be an Open Hearing on the Proposed Department, be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,    that the Faculty Senate recommends the existing Black American Studies Program become a department to be called "Department of Black American Studies."     

 

A Friendly Amendment to remove the Open Hearing clause was made and discussion ensued. A vote was taken and passed.

 

Several questions regarding the motion were raised.

A vote to approve was made and passed.

 

 

b.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to make the Women’s Studies Program a Department (revised attachment)

 

WHEREAS,     the Women’s Studies Program was founded in 1974,

 

WHEREAS,     the Women’s Studies Program now numbers 6 in-house and 39 core faculty,

 

WHEREAS,     the Women Studies Program now offers a major and two minor degrees (in Women’s Studies and in Sexuality and Gender Studies),

 

WHEREAS,     most of the University's peer institutions that offer a B.A. in Women’s Studies are organized as Departments, 

 

WHEREAS,     the numbers of Minors and Majors in Women’s Studies have grown steadily since their creation in 1978/79 and 1993/94, respectively, to a total of 203,

 

WHEREAS,     the Women’s Studies Program enhances the University mission to create diversity in education and scholarship, and to serve the greater Delaware communities,

 

WHEREAS,     the creation of a Department of Women’s Studies will require no new resources,

 

WHEREAS,     the faculty and administration of the College of Arts and Sciences are in support of the proposal for a Department of Women’s Studies, and be it therefore

 

WHEREAS,     there will be an Open Hearing on the Proposed Department, be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that the existing Women’s Studies Program become the Department of Women’s Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences

 

A friendly amendment was made and approved to remove the Open hearing.

 

Discussion regarding the motion was open. A vote to approve was made and passed.

 

c.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Robert Opila, Chair) with the concurrence of the Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Beth Morling, Chair) and the Coordinating Committee on Education (John Madsen, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Cihan Cobanoglu, Chair) for the request to create a new 4+1 Program in Mechanical Engineering (attachment)

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed 4+1 BME/MEM program offers an alternate route for qualified students to pursue a Master's Degree in Mechanical  Engineering and

 

WHEREAS,     a number of schools have begun to offer similar five year  accelerated Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Engineering, and

 

WHEREAS,     the existing graduate programs in Mechanical Engineering  already provide all the courses and administrative framework for such  a degree, and

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed program contributes to two milestones on the  University's "path to prominence": to become a premier research and graduate university; to achieve excellence in professional education; be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that the Faculty Senate recommends approval of the  establishment of a new 4+1 BME/MEM Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering/Master of Engineering Mechanical program in Mechanical Engineering leading to the concurrent awarding of the BME/MEM Bachelor or Mechanical/Master of Engineering Mechanical after the equivalent of 5 years full-time study

 

Discussion was opened a request was made to spell out BME/MEM. A motion to approve the motion was made and passed.

 

 

1.                        Unfinished Business:  None

 

2.                        New Business: None

 

 

VIII.    Introduction of New Business

Such items as may come before the Senate.  (No motion introduced under new business, except a motion to refer to committee, shall be acted upon until the next meeting of the Senate.)

 

Two items from Prof. Hasting

-         Editing of catalog by colleges has certain problems that need to be discussed. (Karren please add Hastings motion)

-         Name of effective and correct advising encouraging/requiring that the university make available a reasonable number of hard copies

A question for the committee for the calendar

          Look at concerns regarding exams on Saturday

          Look at concerns regarding exams falling on Memorial Day.

A request for a presentation on RBB

A request for the Exec. Committee of the faculty senate to look at the difference between the AAUP and the Faculty P&T Committee.

 

  

 

/khs