The University
Senate
of Michigan Technological University
Minutes of Meeting 529
6 February 2013
Synopsis: Presentation: “The Future of Higher Education: Some Big Picture Questions” presented by Maximilian Seel, Provost and VP for
Academic Affairs
1. Call to order and roll call. President Bill
Bulleit called the University Senate Meeting 529 to order at 5:30 pm on
Wednesday, February 6, 2013. The Senate Secretary Brian Barkdoll called roll.
Absent were a representatives of the Army/Air Force ROTC, Chemistry, Academic
/Services A, Advancement, Auxiliaries, and Student Affairs.
Recognition of visitors. Guests included
Max Seel (Provost’s Office), Bonnie Gorman (Dean of
Students Office), Terry Sharik (Forest Resources), and Mark Gockenbach
(Mathematics).
2. Approval of
agenda. Bulleit
asked if there were any changes; the agenda PASSED on a voice vote.
3. Approval of
minutes from Meeting 528. Bulleit asked if
there were any changes. There being no additional suggestions, the minutes were
APPROVED on a voice vote.
4. Presentation: “The Future of Higher Education: Some Big Picture Questions” presented by Maximilian Seel, Provost and VP for
Academic Affairs slides
Seel
talked about MOOCs and their potential change on higher education. He raised the issues of the purpose of public
research universities and that some are recommending $10k degrees. He mentioned ways to stay relevant that
include to: innovate, leverage our
place, transform society, value entrepreneurship, conduct use-inspired
research, enable student success, fuse intellectual disciplines, be socially
embedded, engage globally, be a place for the arts.
Vable
asked how this might change our Strategic Plan.
Seel answered that we still have the right path. Vable asked how can we not restrict education
to the rich only, since our tuition has risen, to which Seel responded that we
must keep tuition reasonable because all economic levels of students need a
campus experience. He emphasized the
need to consider financial aid balance.
Beck stated that universities should be collecting data to determine if
employers value MOOCs or not. Seel also
said that laboratory experience is important and that we have high hiring rates
and salaries. Beck said that
universities need to tell legislatures that online course quality is not as
good. Onder stated that we should do
things others are not and that there is not enough fundamental research. SFHI was good to get valuable people. We should focus on what we do different and
not worry about online courses. Seel
asked for feedback on the big picture direction for the university. Mirchi asked if this will affect graduate
research to which Seel replied that Michigan businesses are on board with
Masters-level education to ensure an educated workforce. Others may not see the need as much,
however. Moran stated that our niche is
defined as a technical university and that we should focus on hands-on
experiences. We should not dilute our
brand by offering MOOCs.
5. Reports
a. Senate President
Bulleit said that the
Faculty Handbook is being checked for inconsistencies and asked for comments
from the senate as well as reminding the Senators of the Graduate Research Colloquium
coming up.
b. Senate Standing Committees
Gierke
stated that Curricular Policy Committee is reviewing a new minor in aerospace,
and a concentration in entrepreneurship for the future. Moran suggested allowing some graduate
credits to be taken at reduced tuition when in Research-Only Mode to encourage
students to deepen their knowledge through these courses. Vable said that anyone can sit in on a class
to learn to which Hamlin reminded him that they need to pay an Auditing Fee. Mirchi
said that the GSG is concerned about students paying more tuition. Bulleit referred the matter to the Research
Policy Committee.
6. Old Business:
a.
Proposal 11-13: “Proposal to Shelve a
Degree Program: B.S. in Operations and
Systems Management” presented by Curricular Policy Committee (Voting
Units: Academic)
Bulleit called for a vote which was APPROVED without opposition.
b.
Proposal 12-13: “Modification to Search
Procedures for College Deans” presented by Administrative Policy Committee
(Voting Units: Full Senate)
It was voted on to table the proposal.
c.
Proposal 14-13: “Modification to Early
Tenure Policy” presented by Administrative Policy Committee (Voting Units: Academic)
Moran’s unit’s constituents vote against it since it
reduced the departments influence. Nooshabadi
said that his unit’s constituents are for it.
Froese pointed out an apparent discrepancy in the proposal regarding
allowing candidates to go up for early tenure unlimited times. Bulleit stated that the CATPR wanted an
appeal process and a chance for the BOC to decide. Onder got a mixed response from his unit’s
constituents. He suggested that the
decision could be opened up to the whole unit if some faculty members are blocking
it unfairly. Froese stated that this
policy must align with the BOC policy.
Seel said that the CATPR interprets policy on this. Early Tenure should remain the exception, not
something a faculty member can try every year.
Gierke stated that the appeal process is only for procedure. Bulleit stated that it is university policy
that votes on tenure matters must undergo a referendum for all tenured and
tenure-track faculty. The proposal was APPROVED by a vote of 14 for, 6
against, 1 abstention.
d.
Proposal 15-13: “Proposal for a New
Concentration in Business Analytics” presented by Curricular Policy and Finance
Committee (Voting Units: Academic)
The Finance Committee representative stated that
they noticed an apparent lack of information on demand outside of the university,
how the proposed concentration fits into the University Strategic Plan, the
prevalence in other institutions, the market for graduates, and plans for
growth. Gockenbach replied that
companies have asked for this and that no other universities have this on the
undergraduate level. Breffle stated that
SBE is now in favor. The proposal was APPROVED unopposed.
e.
Proposal 16-13: “Proposal for a New
Certificate in Business Analytics” presented by Curricular Policy and Finance
Committee (Voting Units: Academic)
Breffle pointed out that the SBE had a lack of time to be involved in the development of this certificate program, and thus is not involved in administering the program at all.
The proposal was APROVED
unopposed.
f.
Proposal 17-13: “Proposal to Amend
University Senate Policy 418.1: Graduate
Scholastic Standards” presented by Instructional Policy Committee (Voting
Units: Academic)
The proposal was APPROVED with one opposed.
7. New Business
Proposal
18-13: “Proposal for a Master of
Geographic Information Science (MGIS)” presented by Curricular Policy and
Finance Committee (Voting Units: Academic)
Sharik
stated that this is a university-wide effort.
Gierke pointed out that it is a coursework-only masters degree. Seel stated that it would require additional
resources for a professor of practice, which has been arranged through an
internal realignment. Hungwe asked if
there are other such degrees to which Gierke said yes, in the School of Technology,
but they are supportive.
President
Bulleit adjourned the meeting at 7:17pm.
Respectfully
submitted
by
Brian Barkdoll
Secretary
of the University Senate