MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FACULTY SENATE
May 15, 2003
PRESENT: J.Avery, I.Benz, W.Brewer, S.Cable, S.Callan, L.Chrzan-Williams, J.Downer, K.Farrell, M.Filozof, C.Gilbert, E.Grissing, M.Harris, K.Humphrey, T.Keys, E.Laidlaw, K.Marhatta, J.McCauley, M.McKinzie, E.Mellas, D.Mohr, P.Peterson, B.Robinson, S.Ruckert, L.Sanger, C.Schwartzott, R.Shea, L.Silvers, J.Smith, H.Wheeler STUDENT REPRESENATIVE: D.O;Hanlon ABSENT: G.Anderson, P.Bates, M.Bower, D.Brown, T.Cuby, T.DiGiacomo, J.Ekis, K.Fox, J.Kaufman, R.Kuempel, E.Lewis, C.Sardone, B.Smith GUESTS: K.Canfield, B.Connolly, C.Cooper, D.Cox, G.Egan, M.Fine, S.Forsyth, H.Merryman, H.Murphy, F.Rinehart, T.Tugel
Meeting called to order: 3:40pm
1. Announcements
Shea passed the gavel to Faculty Senate Officers Elect, Donna Cox, Loretta Chrzan-Williams and Terri Tugel.
Cable announced the newly elected Senators: James Blizzard, Fred Burger, Kim Doyle, Ann Hughes, David Leach, Annette Leopard, Maryann Marino, Susan Murphy, Michele Deagman Reed, Betty Stewart, Mary Timmons, Wanda Willard. Returning senators are Bill Brewer, Sue Cable, Janet Ekis, Ed Grissing, Ken Humphrey, Sherry Ruckert, Holly Wheeler. Retiring senators are Jan Avery, Pat Bates, Kathie Fox, Ethel Lewis, Kate Marhatta, Ann McIntyre, Ernie Mellas, Debbie Mohr, Chris Sardone, and Betty Smith.
Brewer announced that the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Teaching was awarded to Renee Rigoni. The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Professional Service was awarded to Ethel Lewis. The MCC Hanson Award for Teaching was awarded to Ernie Mellas, and the MCC Hanson Award for Professional Service was awarded to Sherry Ralston. Professional Leave for the Benefit of the College was granted to Cathy Smith, English/Philosophy and Tom Cooper, VAPA.
Shea, on behalf of all the Faculty Senate Officers, thanked all the Senators for their support for the past two and half years, especially with the 3Rs campaign. Shea stated that since the Senate is only a recommending body, it might seem as though nothing has been accomplished. However, quiet diplomacy has been used to gain access to the offices of the President, Vice Presidents and Board of Trustees. These offices have solicited input from the Senate and closely considered their comments. This has been found to be more productive and less contentious. For example, a new college diversity plan is now working well for the College. The initial diversity plan proposal was very contentious but after Senate input it was much improved. Also, some proposals have not been brought to the Senate at the request of the Senate Officers, such as a mandated classroom absentee policy. The Faculty Senate is a powerful body, not heavy handed, but influential. Senators should be proud of the work that has been done. Shea also stated he was pleased with the comments made by the new officers during their open hearing and looks forward to the future under their leadership.
2. Approval of Minutes from April Senate Meeting - Approved as written
3. Action Items
a. Curriculum Action Items
1. PD2 - Program Deactivation: Accounting (A.A.S.)
Discussion: This item was tabled from the April meeting after concerns that matriculated students return after a program has been deactivated.
When a program is discontinued the program is removed from State Ed Dept. records and the College cannot graduate students with that degree. Deactivation of a program means it is removed from the College's program list and is no longer advertised but matriculated students are usually still honored if a student returns and wants that degree. Sometimes the courses for degree completion are no longer offered and the departments will usually provide a waiver or substitution for those courses. In the case of PD2, three years is allotted for completion of the current degree. After a discussion, the Faculty Senate Executive committee suggests that the incoming Senate continue the investigation of practices and policies related to this issue.
2. NP1 - New Program: Audiovisual Technology Certificate Program
3. PR5 - Program Revision: Business: Financial Services (A.A.S.)
4. PR6 - Program Revision: Visual Communications: Graphic arts & Printing (A.A.S.)
5. PR7 - Program Revision: Air Conditioning Technology (A.A.S.)
6. PR8 - Program Revision: Computer Information Systems (A.A.S.)
Discussion: MTH 165 - removal of the "or higher" designation is questionable. Removed from consent calendar vote.
7.PR9 - Program Revision: Computer Information (A.S.)
8.PR10 - Program Revision: Information Technology (A.S.)
9.PR11 - Program Revision: Computer Systems Technology (A.A.S.)
10.PR12 - Program Revision: Computer Science (A.S.)
Motion to use the consent calendar vote for all proposals except PR8 - approved.
Vote on all Curriculum action items (9 items) except PR8 - Approved
Motion to table PR8
Discussion:
· The incoming department chair would like it approved as presented then submit a change to clarify the issue in the fall.
· Approvals for substitutions would probably require both math and OCP signatures.
· The proposal says that the "or higher" was removed because it is implied. However, this change says the student must to take MTH-165 versus the MTH-165 "or higher".
· Motion to table this item was withdrawn.
Motion to approved PR8 as it stands with a recommendation that Curriculum Committee work with the proposers to provide clarification by the September Senate meeting.
· Call to question to vote on the motion - approved
Vote: Approved - 20, Opposed - 1, Abstentions - 3
b. MCC's New General Education Plan proposal
Motion to receive the New General Education Plan Proposal
Discussion:
· Avery stated that the Mathematics department has concerns with the exclusion of Nursing and Dental Hygiene from mathematics course requirements.
· The Math Department produced the following statement during their last department meeting:
"The Mathematics Department recommends that in the new MCC General Education Plan the inclusion of Nursing and Dental Hygiene courses fulfilling the mathematics requirement be a temporary measure with the goal that all degree programs eventually include a mathematics course."
· There are grandfathering concerns for programs that are not in compliance with the gen ed requirements. There appears to be no time frame stated to get these programs into compliance.
· The Nursing and Dental Hygiene departments, along with the Dean of Curriculum, have agreed to review the math issues during the normal review process.
· One of the problems in the Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs is the number of credits and accreditation issues. Accrediting bodies do not address math skills. These programs are locked into a number of credit hours and they cannot fit more. Math, chemistry and physics components are included in the courses for these programs. There are math entrance requirements for these programs.
· Marhatta stated that this was not meant to exempt Nursing and Dental Hygiene from any math requirements but to make them prove that their courses do meet the general education requirements.
· How can the Mathematics Department address their concerns if the proposal is approved? - Through the Curriculum Committee - policy manual 2.0
· There was a suggestion that there should be a different name on this plan to clearly distinguish it from the SUNY Gen Ed Plan.
Vote: Approved - 22, Opposed - 0, Abstentions - 3
c. Proposed Course Waiver and Course Substitution Policy
Motion to receive the policy
Discussion:
· There were concerns over how to clarify the wording in the policy especially when there are three departments involved. It was suggested that the wording be amended under the "Course Substitution" section:
"A course substitution can only be granted in writing....department where the required course is taught...." This change incorporates the word "required" and should clarify the policy.
Marhatta, on behalf of the Academic Policies Committee, accepted the amendment.
· There were questions as to who handles the paperwork for waivers and substitutions. This should not be in the hands of the students. It has always been the case that the students do not handle the paperwork.
Motion to accept the policy with the amended wording
Vote: Approved, Opposed - 1, Abstentions - 1
d. Proposed Placement Testing Policy Revisions
Motion to accept the policy revisions as presented.
Discussion:
· There were concerns on wording under the "Waiver of placement test". Does it leave the possibilities too open to say "Generally, Admissions will consider the following...." - In general, we wanted to give Admissions some leeway to determine waivers of testing. There may be reasons outside of the ones listed in the policy and we wanted them to be allowed to make reasonable decisions. This also leaves open the possibility of requiring more testing when necessary.
Vote to receive as presented: Approved - 20, Opposed - 0, Abstentions - 1
e. Student Opinions of Course and Faculty
Motion to receive the report
No discussion
Vote: Approved, Opposed - 0, Abstentions - 1
4. Standing Committee Reports
Academic Policies (C.Marhatta)
· Marhatta reported that all assignments have been completed for the year.
Curriculum (E.Mellas)
· Mellas reported that the Curriculum Committee will meet two more times this semester. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee will receive a summary of this year's Curriculum Committee accomplishments at the next Executive Committee meeting.
NEG (S.Cable)
· Cable reported that the election process is complete. There are still two senate seats that are vacant, Hospitality Management and Public Safety, however, the committee is still actively trying to fill the vacancies.
· Cable reported that new and returning senators would soon receive an e-mail asking for their committee preferences for next year.
Planning (L.Chrzan-Williams)
· Chrzan-Williams reported that the Planning Committee is still looking for committee members to join the ad hoc committee on the Campus Center and the Curriculum. Chrzan-Williams reported that the committee is also working on developing a charge for the ad hoc committee.
Professional Development (W.Brewer)
· Brewer encouraged all Senators to sign up for the June 6 workshop by contacting the Faculty Senate Office.
SCAA (M. Harris)
· Harris reported that SCAA would not be conducting a separate search for the Director of EOP. A member of the SCAA Committee will sit on the college's search committee.
5. Old Business
Grade Inclusion/Exclusion Policy: Shea reported that the Senate received a response from Vice President Glocker and Salvador. However, it was only a partial response since not all of the Senate recommendations were addressed. A copy of the response was distributed to all Senators present at the meeting.
6. New Business
Donna Cox thanked Shea and Schwartzott for "restoring the Senate to what it should be." Cox pointed out how much was accomplished during their tenure as Faculty Senate President and Vice President.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30
Respectfully submitted,
Raymond Shea Barbara Robinson
President Secretary
Minutes approved at the September 18, 2003 Faculty Senate meeting.
Faculty Senate
Faculty Senate Office
09/19/2003 |