The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

 

Amended Minutes of Meeting 524

24 October 2012

 

Synopsis: Presentation:  “Update on AQIP, Assessment, and Gen Ed” by Associate Provost Christa Walck

 

1. Call to order and roll call. President Bill Bulleit called the University Senate Meeting 524 to order at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. The Senate Secretary Brian Barkdoll called roll. Absent was a representative of the Army/Air Force ROTC, Materials Science and Engineering, Auxiliaries, and Undergraduate Student Government.

Recognition of visitors. Guests included Max Seel (Provost’s Office), Christa Walck (Provost’s Office), and Pat Martin (Social Sciences).

2. Approval of agenda. Bulleit asked if there were any changes; there being none there was a voice vote approving the agenda.     

 

3. Approval of minutes from Meeting 523.  Bulleit asked if there were any changes; there being none there was a voice vote approving the minutes.

 

4. Presentation on “Update on AQIP, Assessment, and Gen Ed” by Associate Provost Christa Walck

 

Walck gave an update on the last AQIP accreditation.  Regarding a decision to gain accreditation in the future from AQIP or Open Pathways (OP) she compared the two, stating that OP had a closed evidence file and was not transparent.  She stated that AQIP is not used by our peers, however, but that many may follow later.  She gave some updates on AQIP new features such as criteria that emphasize teaching and learning and integrity, system portfolios, and projects.    The three AQIP projects for this year are building assessment structure, reforming general education (already underway), and data-driven decision making.  She further stated that it is necessary to assess competencies, not courses and that annual assessment reporting will be required.  Each program will identify two things to assess, state the assessment methods, and close the feedback loop on an annual or bi-annual basis.

Regarding general education Walck stated that learning goals will be emphasized,  HASS and STEM credits will be looked at and that two committees have been formed, namely the  Communication and Global  Literacy Committees. 

Regarding advising, an Advising Syllabus has been developed that tells what students should do in each year of study to aid department advisers in an effort to increase retention and graduation time.

Mullins expressed concern that our peer institutions do not use AQIP and that we should not either to which Walck stated that these peer institutions may follow later and that we need to do what is best for us and not be worried about other institutions.

 

5.  Reports

a.  Senate President

Bulleit showed email from President Mroz regarding health care, stating that dental and eye care will mostly remain the same but be slightly improved.  In addition, he stated that the Senate room may only have 50 occupants due to fire code.

 

b.  Senate Standing Committees

Barr stated that the Fringe Benefit Committee is preparing a survey of Senate Constituents regarding Fringe Benefits and asked for questions for the survey to be submitted to her.

 

6.  Old Business:

a.       Proposal 1-13: “Proposal to rename the Interdisciplinary Minor in Hydrogen Technology to the Interdisciplinary Minor in Alternative Energy Technology”  (Voting Units:  Academic)  presented by Curricular Policy Committee

 

Gierke stated that the Committee approved. Mullins stated that there were no concerns from the Finance Committee.  The proposal was approved.

b.       Proposal 2-13:  “Change of Name of an Established Academic Program from Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in History to Bachelor of Arts in History”  (Voting Units:  Academic)  presented by Curricular Policy Committee

 

Gierke stated that the Committee approved. Mullins stated that there were no concerns from the Finance Committee.  The proposal was approved.

 

7.  New Business:

 

a.       Proposal 3-13: “Proposal to Amend Senate Policy 312.1: Syllabus Requirement for all Courses at Michigan Technological University” (Voting Units: Academic) presented by Instructional Policy Committee

 

Hamlin stated that the committee is in favor.  Scarlett asked if the additional language is   necessary to which Seel responded that is it needed to be safe.  Hamlin concurred, stating that the use of this information may be exempt from IRB approval, but stating this in the syllabus is safe. 

 

b.      Proposal 4-13: “Proposal to Shelve Advanced Certificate in Modern Language and Area Study” (Voting Units: Academic)  presented by Curricular Policy Committee

 

Gierke stated that there are no students in the program anymore and that there are similar programs. 

c.       Proposal 5-13:  “Proposal to Change Degree Title”  (Voting Units:  Academic)  presented by Curricular Policy Committee

 

Gierke stated that the new title more accurately reflects the content and matches an existing PhD program title.

d.      Discussion on Amending Proposal 16-94:  Recommendation for a Smoke-Free Campus  presented by Administrative Policy Committee 

Bulleit reviewed an existing Senate policy (Policy 16-94) stating that smoking be prohibited in buildings and reminded the Senate that Les Cook presented details of a tobacco-free campus and wants to move ahead.  Bulleit said that the Senators should have polled their constituents and that a UAW survey resulted in 72% being in favor of keeping the present situation.  After a lengthy discussion of the various issues involved, Bulleit asked for responses from the constituents to which various Senators gave feedback.  Based on that feedback Bulleit stated that he and Caneba will draft some language for a Senate proposal. The video of the entire Senate meeting is available here until the end of the academic year.

 

8.  Adjournment. 

President Bulleit adjourned the meeting at 6:55pm.

 

Respectfully submitted

by Brian Barkdoll

Secretary of the University Senate