University senate minutes
University Senate Minutes-April 23, 2012.
The meeting was called to order.
IN ATTENDANCE
Brittany Aballo, John Abbruzzese, Abdalla Aldras, Mary Beth Allen, Nurun Begum, Christine Brett, Joyce Burgener, Luke Catanzaro, Robert D’Aversa, Esther Daganzo-Cantens, Dianne Devlin, Scott Dietrich, Robert Dillman, Susan Dilmuth-Miller, Johan Eliasson, Cass Emanuel, Darlene Farris-LaBar, John Freeman, Otis French, Beverlyn Grace-Odeleye, Patricia Graham, Michael Gray, Sheila Handy, Patty Hannon, Kelly Harrison, Barbara Haug,Peter Hawkes, Rich Hennessy, Christine Hofmeister, Jeffrey Hotz, Chin Hu, Shawn Hu, Yi-hui Huang, Jonathan Keiter, John Kercsmar, Mark Kilker, Pamela Kramer-Ertel, Rebecca Landucci, Joe Miele, Bob Moses, Shawn Munford, Kelsey Paciotti, Tasso Papadopoulo, Mary Frances Postupak, Van Reidhead, Elaine Rogers, Vicky Sanders, Matthew Simmons, Patricia Smeaton, Michael Southwell, Richard Staneski, Michelle Star, Mark Stewart, Yoshi Tankura, Doreen Tobin, Nancy Van Arsdale, Marilyn Wells, Daria Wielebinski, Alla Wilson, Chad Witmer, Wenjie Yan, Regan Zimmerman and Rebecca Zirkelbach
ABSENT
Patrick Ashcroft, Todd Behr, Kelly Boyd, Carlos Cesena, Richard Connell, Kathleen Duguay, Tom Gioglio, Sean Harrison, John Hauth, Storm Heter, Cynth McCann, Liza, Lanae Patton, Jerry Sheska, Nick Tetro, Jeff Wilson and Jennifer Young
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Bob Moses and Richard Hennessy seconded the motion. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Barbara Haug and(seconded by Johan Eliasson)to approve the agenda. Motion passed.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
University President Robert Dillman reported that improving state revenues may help the PASSHE funding overall.
The President urged campus to continue the advocacy effort.
President Dillman announced the Sterling Strauser Reception in recognition for the donation of the valuable art collection to our university. The paintings will hang in the Innovation Center. The grand opening is May 4, 2012.
President Dillman announced that Dr. Marcia Welsh will begin July 1, 2012 as the new University President. He recognized the value of the Senate to the university and thanked the Senators for their valuable contributions. He noted that this is his last presentation and the thanked the Senate.
RECOGNITION OF SERVICE
Senate President Jonathan Keiter thanked President Robert Dillman for his many contributions as University President. He noted that the new Hoeffner Science and Technology Center, the campus beautification program and the establishment of a diverse campus community are all lasting contributions he made to the university.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
Instructional Resources Committee
Bob D’Aversa reported that $750,000 in project proposals could not be approved, but all other requests were approved.
Tami Selby reported on the various projects. She noted that I-pad carts and Mac laptop carts were very popular. The entire campus wireless system will be replaced and upgraded in the coming year.
Bob D’Aversa noted that I-pad “apps” will also be available.
Senate Research Committee
Marilyn Wells reported on a survey of research policies that the committee has completed. The goal is to improve a new ESU Research draft plan in October 2012 and incorporate campus input into a final draft to be presented in 2013.
Student Senate Report
Richard Hennessy reported that the V.P. of the Senate is coordinating the campus community event (Community on the Quad).
$1.6 million was committed from S.A.A. funds to support student organizations April 2nd and April 3rd. He advocated funding for PASSHE with Pennsylvania State Senators and Representatives
Student Lauren Zirkelbachwas introduced as the newly elected Student Senate President.
He further reported on the student senate pin proposed policies. A survey was conducted by the senate concerning the “Pin” procedure: students had complaints regarding the timely distribution of working pin numbers.
Richard Hennessymoved (seconded by Doreen Tobin) that the pin issues be moved in the agenda to “New Business.”
Vote on the motion was taken-motion passed.
Rich Hennessy thanked the University Senate and said good-bye.
APSCUF PRESIDENT REPORT
Nancy Van Arsdale reported:
$3,500 in scholarships were awarded by APSCUF to students at the Award Banquet.
She reported that academic unionists met in New York with National Academic Leaders.
She presented charts on faculty reductions throughout PASSHE and noted ESU was among the highest in PASSHE.
She has also shared this information with the ESU Council of Trustees.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Michael Southwell reported that students have a great variety of exchange options within the USA and internationally.
Mike Laffey reported about the different programs available to students. He noted China, Spain, Dominican Republic and St. Croix. In addition, he explained how the ISEP and NSE Programs work. The ESU “Buddy Program” partners with exchange students with ESU students as “buddies.”
STUDENT ID AND NEW VOTING LAW
Senate PresidentJonathan Keiter reported that the student ID card needs to have an expiration date on the student ID card. Discussion followed.
Doreen Tobin reported that a campaign is in place to notify students about this issue. Fred Moses reported that the ID card will need to be modified (the card with an expiration date).
NEW BUSINESS
The following document was presented by Rich Hennessy for consideration by the Senate:
Currently at East Stroudsburg University, to register for courses we must obtain a PIN number from our advisors. As students, we do not feel that this is a necessary step in the registration process.
As Student Senate, we wish to have the necessity of the PIN number removed from the registration process. Through the new system of BANNER it is possible for advisors to access advisee’s class records and with this power over student’s accounts it is not necessary to have a PIN number to obtain access to registration. The PIN number originated with the implementation of the Legacy system and was used to give the students a specific time in which it was acceptable to register. With the new BANNER system, the time in which students register is based on the amount of credits they have completed at that current point in time. DegreeWorks is an example of the new technology available to students which allows for the planning of a tentative course schedule. This will easily help students to take the responsibility in planning their academic schedules.
The following would be the policy proposed by the Student Senate:
The alternative to the PIN number will be to have advisors place a registration hold on their advisee’s account by indicating “qualified” or “unqualified” for the student. This will enable the advisor to meet with their advisee if necessary. Students with a minimum QPA requirement of 2.5 will be deemed as “qualified” unless the advisor feels otherwise. Freshmen and sophomores will be required to meet with their advisor for advising.
Student Senate, S.A.A., Inc.
John Abbruzzese moved (seconded by Dr. Joe Miele) to move the issue addressed in the document to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Senate. Discussion followed.
Robert Dillman moved to amend the motion to read that a deadline be included. John Abbruzzese accepted the amendment as a “friendly amendment” and amended the motion to include the report deadline of February 2013. The question was called.
The motion was approved.
Doreen Tobin noted that more than one student is needed on the Academic Affairs Committee. Discussion followed.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Southwell
Secretary/Treasurer
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