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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Faculty Senate Minutes - April 13, 2006



PRESENT:  E. Baxter, I. Benz, P. Bishop, C. Boettrich, F. Burger, S. Cable (Vice-President), B. Connell, R. DeFelice, K. Doyle, K. Eirich, S. ElRayess, M. Ewanechko, S. Fess, S. Forsyth, M. Fugate, C.T. Gilbert, E. Grissing, A. Hughes, P. Keyes, D. Leach, A. Leopard, M. Marino, J. McKenna, D. Mueller, S. Murphy, M. Rizzo, S. Ruckert, D. Shaw, D. Smith, B. Smithgall, E. Stewart, J. Thompson, M. Timmons, T. Tugel (President), P. Wakem, H. Wheeler (Secretary), W. Willard, W. Yanklowski

ABSENT: J. Ekis, R. Hamell, K. Huggins, N. Karolinski, R. Kennedy, J. Nelson, M. Pastorella, P. Peterson, V. Toth, H. Wynn-Preische,

GUESTS: V. Avalone, K. Collins, J. Dorsey, J. Hinkelman, N. Primo, J. Rao, D. Rivers, R. Rodriguez, Ta. Vinci, J. Waasdorp,

STUDENTS: H. Leach; K. Van der Mont; A. Junod

 

I.             Meeting called to order:  3:35 p.m.

               
II.            Guest Speaker: Valarie Avalone, Middle States Evaluation Team Report
 

A.            The evaluation team was satisfied that MCC is in compliance with the Eligibility Requirements of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in all fourteen standards.

B.            For the following standards, Middle States endorsed our recommendations and did not add any of their own:

1.                   Standard 1: Mission, Goals, and Objectives

2.                   Standard 2: Planning, Resource Allocation, and Institutional Renewal

3.                   Standard 3: Institutional Resources

4.                   Standard 5: Administration

5.                   Standard 6: Integrity

6.                   Standard 7: Institutional Assessment

7.                   Standard 8: Student Admissions

8.                   Standard 9: Student Support Services

9.                   Standard 11: Educational Offerings

10.                Standard 13: Related Educational Activities

C.            For the following standards, Middle States endorsed our recommendations and added their own:

1.             Standard 4:  Leadership ad Governance recommendation from Middle States: Design formal procedure for self-assessment/evaluation of Board

2.             Standard 10: Faculty and Professional Staff recommendation from Middle States: Continue to enhance minority recruitment

3.             Standard 12: General Education recommendation from Middle States: Ensure that all programs (ex. Allied Health and Technology) are in compliance with General Education Requirements.

4.             Standard 14: Assessment of Student Learning recommendation from Middle States: Design a plan for measuring outcomes of online learning.

                                D.            Highlights from Middle States Commission’s report:

1.             “The governance structure is well organized with strong leadership at every level and is working effectively under the guidance of a knowledgeable and supportive Board and a superb strategic plan.”

2.             “The team applauds the Faculty Senate for revising its membership to better reflect faculty demographics and improve its efficiency and effectiveness.”

3.             “MCC is fortunate to have a talented, qualified and highly effective faculty that is totally committed to student success.”

                                E.            The complete report will be available on the Planning website.

                                F.             Responsibility for ensuring implementation will be assigned to senior leadership.

                                G.            The Strategic Planning Committee is reviewing the report as they write goals and

objectives.

 

III.          Announcements: T. Tugel
 

A.            President Flynn asked that Terri convey his appreciation to faculty for encouraging state legislators to put financial support for community colleges back into the budget.

B.            The Classroom Committee has been charged by the Executive Committee to study classroom clickers/student response systems; they are holding an open hearing April 26th at noon in 8-100 for faculty and staff to learn more about these systems and to express any comments or concerns

 

IV.          Student Announcements:

 
                A.            Adam Junod—Brighton Student Government

                                1.             Idols at MCC was a success with more than 150 people attending.

2.             Upcoming events include elections (May 9 and 10), spring fling, heart walk, ms walk, and an end of the year blood drive (May 5), which is a competition between MCC and other area colleges.

 
                B.            Aimee Sevigny—Damon SEGA

1.             SeGA is continuing its work on civility and wellness

2.             Mayor Duffy was at Damon as follow up from last semester.

2.             Upcoming events include elections, Caribbean spring fling (May 9), and a fall welcome back to downtown day.

 

IV.          Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the March 16, 2006 meeting were approved as written.
 

V.            Standing Committee Reports
 

                Academic Policies Committee -- E.Grissing

APC is continuing to look at Faculty Senate Resolutions to determine if current practice is matched by the wording of Resolutions.
 

NEG - S. Murphy

Senator Elections:  Office and Computer Programs and Teacher Education will have a ballot election; the following areas haven’t yet responded regarding their open Senate seats: ETS, PSTCPS, VaPA, and R&R/Workforce Dev/etc. More information regarding ballots and due dates is forthcoming.

 
MCC Association Board Election: David Boni and Drew Lawrence are both running in the May 8 election.
 
Additionally, Sue has not yet heard about a temporary replacement for Senator Holly Wynn-Preische who is currently out on maternity leave.

Curriculum – A. Leopard

The Curriculum Committee has posted the following 4/6/2006 – 4/27/2006:
 
Three New Courses

                NC12S  DAS 117 Biomedical Foundations for Dental Assisting Practice

NC14S  JPN 102 Elementary Japanese II

                NC15S  JPN 101 Elementary Japanese I

One Course Deactivation

                CD1S DEN 100 Dental Studies College Orientation Seminar
 

Two Course Revisions

                CR56S  MTH 098 Elementary Algebra with Geometry

                CR61S  BUS 204 Management Theory and Practice

One Program Deactivation

                PD1S      Teacher Preparation Advisement Sequence


The Curriculum Committee has given final approval to the following:


Seven New Courses:          

                NC4S     CRC 122 Computer Animation Using Alice 

                NC5S     CE 270 Cooperative Education-Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

NC7S     FSA 186 Principles of Baking-Bread Products and Cookie Doughs

NC8S     FSA 187 Principles of Baking-Pastries and Confections Products

                NC9S     FSA 185 Principles of Healthy Cooking

                NC6S     BUS 200 Legal Environment of Business

                NC13S CSC 181 An Introduction to Python Programming (Special Studies)

 

Thirty - One Course Revisions:

                CR6S CRC 119 Introduction to Dreamweaver MX

                CR7S CRC 121 Introduction to Flash MX

                CR11S PPE 275 Exercise Physiology

                CR12S ENG 230 Mythology

                CR15S MTH 104 Intermediate Algebra with Trigonometry

                CR16S MTH 130 Modern Business Mathematics

                CR17S MTH 135 Introduction to Technical Mathematics

                CR18S MTH 140 Technical Mathematics I

CR19S MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics I

                CR20S MTH 151 Survey of Mathematics II

                CR21S MTH 155 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I

                CR22S MTH 160 Statistics I

                CR23S MTH 164 Introduction to Trigonometry

                CR24S MTH 165 College Algebra

                CR27S ATP 105/155 Brakes and Welding

                CR28S ATP 102 Automotive Electrical Systems

                CR31S ATP 107/157 Transmission and Drive Systems

                CR33S ATP 109/159 Heating and Air Conditioning Theory

                CR34S ATP 112/162 Emission Controls, Computer and Fuel Systems II

                CR35S ATP 101/151 Integrated Automotive Systems

                CR36S ATP 103/153 Schematic Reading

                CR38S ATP 106/156 Steering and Suspension

                CR39S ATP 108/158 Power Plant Overhaul

                CR1S BIO 134 Human Anatomy and Physiology I

                CR25S ESL 100 ESOL-Intermediate II: Reading Focus

                CR26S ESL 120 ESOL-Intermediate II: Integrated Studies

                CR43S PLS 268 Personal Injury Law

                CR44S PLS 275 Law Practice Management

                CR48S DAS 110 Preclinical Dental Assisting

                CR51S BIO 155 General Biology I

                CR52S BIO 156 General Biology II

 

Four Program Revisions:

                PR1S      Physical Education Studies A.S.

                PR4S      Business Administration AAS

                PR5S      General Accounting AAS

                PR6S      Small Business Management Certificate

 

The Curriculum Committee has submitted its review of the section of the Faculty Senate Resolutions pertaining to curriculum. It has commissioned an ad hoc committee to review guidelines for Independent Studies.

               

                SCAA --  T. Gilbert

SCAA has two searches going on right now:  Controller and Dean of Liberal Arts. An administrative committee is doing a parallel search with SCAA. The candidate pool was not very deep, so Dr. Glocker will be providing some guidance as to what the next steps should be. The search committee for the Controller position is keeping the search open in hopes of receiving more resumes.

 

                Tom reminded Senators in affected departments to vote in their elections for Chair on April 26th.

 

Planning – B. Connell

Planning is continuing to look at Faculty Senate Resolutions to determine if current practice is matched by the wording of Resolutions.

 

Professional Development – J. Thompson

Jeff reminded Senators of the upcoming June workshops and indicated that announcements are forthcoming in the Tribune. Seating is limited, so those planning on attending should register soon.  

 

The Professional Development committee is finalizing their review of the Faculty Senate Resolution and is reviewing applications for the 2006 Wesley T. Hanson Award for Teaching Excellence Award and the MCC Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

               

VI.          Action Items:

 

       A.            Dean’s List Policy Changes

1.             A motion to accept the changes proposed by Academic Policies was made and discussion followed.

2.             A motion to amend the proposal to include a signature from Academic Services on Dean’s List letters was proposed, discussed, and approved unanimously.

3.             Adam Junod shared concerns about the proposed changes from the Student Government Association.

a.             Changing a policy because of the Banner system is setting a negative precedent

b.             While it is important for MCC to keep up with other colleges, MCC is unique and should not necessarily do exactly what other colleges do.

c.             The Dean’s List was designed to recognize the B+ student

d.             Therefore, the SGA stands in opposition of an increase to 3.5, but would rather see incremental changes to a maximum of 3.4.

                                4.             Discussion followed:

a.             E. Grissing clarified that the only proposed change motivated by Banner is the credit hours for part time students, not the proposed change to 3.5.

b.             Student Services expressed a concern that if the G.P.A. level is too high that students who are working hard will not be encouraged to do so.

c.             Wanda Willard spoke in support of the changes by indicating that students with a 3.5 graduate with distinction, so the proposed changes are in line with that. Bob DeFelice agreed by indicating that it is important to draw the line between average students and high academic achievement. A 3.5 would do that.

d.             Ed explained that currently 35% of our students qualify for the Dean’s List, but if the new policy is approved the number of eligible students would decrease to 24 or 25%.

e.             A student suggested having both a Dean’s List and a President’s List.

f.             Taine Vinci conducted research and indicated that of the League Colleges with a Dean’s List, 3.5 is the lowest GPA.

g.             A vote to call the question passed.

                                5.             The Dean’s List policy as amended passed with one opposed.

 

        B.            PR1S Physical Education Studies A.S. unanimously approved

 

C.            PR4S Business Administration A. A. S. unanimously approved

 

D.            PR5S General Accounting A.A.S unanimously approved

 

E.            PR6S Small Business Management Certificate unanimously approved

               

VII.         Old Business       

 

Shelley Fess informed Senators that although the informational sheet for the SUNY Student Opinion Survey indicates that it takes only 15-20 minutes, it actually takes more than twice that.

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:40  p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 
Terri Tugel                             Holly Wheeler 
President                                Secretary

 

Minutes approved at theMay 18, 2006 Faculty Senate meeting.

 

Faculty Senate
Faculty Senate Office
05/22/2006