Date: February 9, 2005
From: Debra Berlanstein, Secretary
Subject: February 7, 2005 - Meeting of the University Senate
Professor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. Secretary Berlanstein called the roll. President Caret, Provost Brennan and Secretary Rubin were excused. Professor Sullivan introduced new Senate Members, Dick Rosecky (Management) filling in for Senator Tabak for the Spring term and two new student senators, John Murray and Mark Schlosser. Associate Provost Leather was in attendance to give the Provost's report.
The agenda was approved, 23-0-0.
Minutes of the December 6, 2005 meeting were approved, 22-0-1.
REPORTS OF THE EX-OFFICIO SENATORS
Associate Provost Leather reported that the number of sections and number of students look very good. She thanked the chairs and faculty for responding. There is still some discussion of 500 and 600 level courses and the number of necessary sections, and that will be discussed in the future.
There has been a modification in our enrollment projection, moving forward with a less aggressive plan. We will continue to increase our enrollment as demonstrated on the graphs that Associate Provost Leather distributed.
We are on track for construction of the new CLA building, with phase 1 scheduled for 2008 and phase 2 in 2009. In addition the new CHP building is slated for 2011-2012.
The January conference was very successful and the Provost's Council has already had a retreat to follow-up on issues raised regarding departmental approaches to workload and faculty development. The next steps will be announced in the coming weeks.
Professor Pitcher asked about the status of the workload document. Associate Provost Leather responded that part of the document has already been distributed to chairs.
Professor Siegel asked if a copy of that document could be sent to the members of the Senate. Associate Provost Leather indicated she would relay that request to the Provost.
Vice-President Harnage offered an update on the operating and capital budgets. The State of Maryland has said there would be no new dollars for the operating budget and Towson had planned for that situation. However, they have reduced tuition rates and gave back that amount of monies to the USM through a different fund, relieving the burden we pass on to our students. Towson received $3 million, a 5.1% increase over the prior year. Towson also received some money to support our nursing program. Next year the state plans to raise tuition 5.9% for in-state students and 4.0% for out-of-state students. The budget planning process for next year will soon begin with the Vice-Presidents and the Resource Planning Committee of the Senate. It is possible that the proposed budget can be reduced by the Legislature. He asked that anyone with connections to their legislators encourage them to make no cuts to the USM budget.
Towson fared very well with the capital budget. Of the $684 million allocated, Towson received 18%, including $113 million for the liberal arts complex (2007) and the planning of the College of Health Profession building (2008). In addition, $11.6 million (2009-2010) was allocated for work on streets, walkways, grading, sewers, etc. that are part of the Master Plan. This is viewed as a very strong statement of support for Towson.
Professor Siegel asked about money allocated for needed extra lighting on the campus. Vice-President Harnage indicated that planning was going on now for new lighting.
Professor Holter asked if the Fine Arts Building was fully funded. Vice-President Harnage indicated that it was and would be ready for Fall 2005.
Vice-President Moriarty reported that a very successful retreat was held with the Student Affairs Council to discuss their mission, vision and values and align them with 2010 plan. Fifty-two students attended the leadership program designed to empower students and strengthen their voice. A follow-up breakfast will be held on March 2 and Senators will be invited. TU After Hours was a great success with a great turnout. An exciting speaker series is planned that includes Martin Luther King III, Bill Rancik, winner of the first Apprentice reality TV show, and Jane Elliot, an educator who has written on diversity racism, and bias.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) reported that CUSF is sponsoring the Undergraduate Research Poster Days from March 1-3. The TU committee is meeting this week to select which Towson University students will attend. CUSF is closely watching and discussing health care cost increases. They held a successful session for new Department Chairs. CUSF has an internal appeals procedure for faculty grievances.
Professor Zimmerman (AAUP) announced they are sponsoring a speaker on February 23, Pat Shaw from the National AAUP to be held in Smith 541. More information will follow. The Spring general meeting is scheduled for April 19 in UU 309-310.
Mark Schlosser (SGA) reported the SGA passed a resolution related to the E&E document from the USM Board of Regents. They are also holding a forum at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 10 to introduce students to the SGA and what it can do for them.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Motion 04-05-15:
To maintain the current grading policy. (Senate Executive Committee)
The Senator Accardi asked if the students could make a short presentation to the Senate. Their PowerPoint presentation described a survey that indicated student's dissatisfaction with the current +/- grading policy, including inconsistent usage across campus, C- as a problem grade, and concerns with graduate schools translation of our grading (C- may be interpreted as F). Their suggestion was a compromise system that computes the GPA based on flat letter grades (A,B,C,D,F) but records +/- on the student's transcript. This is currently done at UMCP.
Professor Roberge moved and Professor Little seconded the motion to amend the current grading policy by keeping +/- in place but calculating the GPA based on full letter grades.
Professor Siegel asked if we can hear from the Academic Standards Committee
Professor Johnson (Academic Standards Committee Chair) stated that the +/- system has not lowered GPA's since it was implemented. He also stated that use of the +/- grading has only been mandated for one semester and he believes that is not a long enough time to get complete compliance across campus.
Professor Vatz cautioned against using survey results when the sample is not clear and may be self-selected. Although he does not favor the current grading policy, he is concerned about basing the change on faulty empirical evidence.
More discussion followed and Professor Ballengee moved to call the question. Senator Shechtel seconded the motion. The motion failed 6-13-0.
Discussion continued. Professor Zimmerman stated that this new proposal may clear up the problem with the C-, but what would prevent a B+ student arguing to be upgraded to an "A".
Professor Storrs felt that more information was needed and moved to table the discussion to the next meeting. Professor Zimmerman seconded the motion. The motion failed 3-19-0.
Associate Provost Leather pointed out that only 600+ C- grades had been given by faculty since the inception of the grading system.
Bill Reuling cautioned against using the system in place at UMCP and felt that +/- helps many students. He discussed eliminating just the C-.
Associate Provost Leather raised the possibility of making a C- a passing grade in the major.
Professor Vatz made a motion to count the C- as a C in the major required courses only. There was no second.
Professor Leshnoff moved to call the question, indicating that we need to make a final decision on this topic and move on to other important matters. Professor Ballengee seconded the motion. The motion to call the question passed 20-1-1.
The question was voted on, and it failed 8-12-2. The current grading policy remains in effect.
The Senate will meet in 2 weeks on Monday, February 21 at 4 p.m. to conclude the business on the agenda.
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