University of Minnesota, Morris

Campus Assembly Minutes

November 23, 2004

The Campus Assembly met on Tuesday, November 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the Science Auditorium.

I. Chancellorπs Remarks.

Chancellor Schuman announced that Pete Wyckoff will be acting as parliamentarian and Darla Peterson will be acting secretary at the meeting today. He remarked on four topics:

1. The negotiations for the first Distinguished Visiting Professorship in the Liberal Arts will be concluding today. Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, an internationally recognized professional in the field of the humanities, is scheduled to be here from April 26 through May 5. She founded the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock. This was made possible thanks to a Campaign Minnesota contribution by Bettina Blake. Fritz Schwaller will make a formal announcement to the campus soon.

2. Social Science Building Update. With the recommendation from the University Facilities Management, we used their process of hiring the architect and construction manager. We are now in a difficult moment due to that process. The bid package has come back significantly over the original cost estimate. UMM and the U of MN did exactly what we were supposed to do. The fault lies with the construction manager and architect. Vice President for University Services, Kathleen OπBrien and her staff have been very supportive and will suggest to the firm that if they do not redo the plans soon, they will be in trouble with the University of Minnesota, not just UMM, so the motivation should be high. Meetings are taking place every Monday with a report to Vice President OπBrien on Monday afternoon. We are resolute to build with the money we have and build the entire building.

3. Happier piece of news. When the Social Science building does open, the name will change to John Q. Imholte Hall. Jack was one of UMMπs founding fathers and a chief executive officer of UMM from 1969 to 1990.

4. Concerns about erosion of financing faculty out-of-state travel. Because UMM is physically far removed from centers of research, the funds for travel will double from $35K to $70K. Dean Schwaller and Schuman have worked very hard to make significant improvements to this fund by developing through the Compact with the U of MN and the Capital Campaign chancellorial discretional funds. Schuman will let Schwaller and the Faculty Development Committee determine how to allocate the funds.

II. Minutes from October 25, 2005 assembly were approved as presented.

III. Curriculum Committee. Summary of Fall 2004 Catalog Changes approved as presented.

Provision V of the GER ≠ remove from catalog

Division of Education

Education - catalog revisions, 2 new courses, 1 course revision

Elementary Education- catalog revisions, 2 course revisions

Secondary Education ≠ catalog revisions

Wellness & Sports Science ≠ course revisions

Division of the Humanities

Art History ≠ catalog revision, 2 course revisions

English ≠ catalog revisions, 5 new courses, 5 course revisions

French ≠ catalog revisions, 5 new courses, 5 course revisions

German ≠ catalog revisions, 2 new courses, 6 course revisions

Humanities ≠ catalog revisions, 3 new courses, 1 course revision

Music ≠ catalog revisions, 5 new courses, 4 course revisions

Philosophy ≠ catalog revisions, 3 course revisions

Spanish ≠ catalog revisions, 15 new courses, 12 course revisions

Speech ≠ catalog revisions, 9 new courses, 6 course revisions

Theater ≠ catalog revisions, 1 course revision

Interdisciplinary Studies ≠ 7 course revisions

African American Studies Minor ≠ catalog revisions

European Studies ≠ catalog revisions

LAAS ≠ catalog revisions

LAHS ≠ catalog revisions

Womenπs Studies ≠ catalog revision, 1 new course, 4 course revisions

Continuing Education ≠ catalog revisions, 23 new courses, 8 course revisions

Honors Program ≠ catalog revision, 3 new courses

Social Science

Social Science Major ≠ catalog revisions

Psychology ≠ revised Form B

IV. Scholastic Committee. Proposed change in the repeat policy.

The Scholastic Committee proposes for Assembly action a change in the course repeat policy. Current all-University policy allows all students to repeat a course one time and to use the grade earned the second time. Current UMM policy, which is not in compliance with the all-University policy, allows a student earning grades of N, D+ and below to repeat courses one time and to use the grade earned the second time. Students earning grades of C- or higher in a repeated course must request permission from the Scholastic Committee to use the second grade.

Proposed UMM policy: Students may repeat a course once. However, students who receive a grade of S, C or higher may repeat a course only if space permits.

(No change) Credit will not be awarded twice for the same or an essential equivalent course. When a student repeats a course, (a) both grades for the course shall appear on the official transcript, (b) the course credits may not be counted more than once toward degree and program requirements, and (c) only the last enrollment for the course shall count in the studentπs grade point average.

Nic McPhee stated this an effort to sync up with the current all-University policy. Peter Wyckoff asked who would enforce this. McPhee stated nothing prevents a student to repeat a course more than once. Only the first grade would matter as far as GPA. Reserving seats for first year students will be affected if more students repeat courses. If faculty are concerned, they should work with the Registrarπs Office. Bryan Fisher stated he sat on the committee and felt it was a dissenter. One of the things he always liked is that everyone has an individualπs attention at UMM. Now the human element is removed. This is a bureaucratic formula so it doesnπt matter if you want to go to grad school; it doesnπt matter if you want to improve your grade. You canπt talk to someone about it. McPhee responded that many classes have space limitations. Any student can go to the instructor and try to get in. Another student asked if an instructor could add an upper class student before a freshman. Clare Strand stated that the Twin Cities does not have ≥only if space permits≤ because there is a financial incentive for people to not take too many credits. Bert Ahern asked if this will improve the chances for students to improve their grades because currently only the Scholastic Committee approves. McPhee said this makes it easier since they donπt have to ask the Scholastic Committee unless they have a C or higher, assuming there are seats available. Patrick VanZandt noted that we have a tuition band because we donπt have space. We canπt instantly have more, but if the demand is there, we should make it happen. He believes the campus should strive to make it possible. Mary Elizabeth Bezanson asked what happens if a student gets a worse grade the second time. McPhee stated if they retake the course, the second grade goes on their transcript. Bryan Fisher repeated his concern again about the arbitrary quality of a process that removes the human face. McPhee stated we were encouraged by SCEP to change and it is difficult to convince SCEP to make an exception. Jeff Ratliff-Crain added that the Scholastic Committee doesnπt currently have the power to put students in a class if no space is available. Isaiah Brokenleg said he doesnπt think repeating a class to get a better grade is appropriate. Sarah Buchanan asked what a student could do who receives a C and wants to change it. McPhee responded there is no need to change it. Space permitting only applies to C- or below. Ahern said that under the all-University policy, a student is allowed to retake a class once to improve their GPA. Currently at UMM, higher expectations are placed on students. SCEP was not prepared to say a college couldnπt ask for higher standards. Fritz Schwaller found the students comments interesting because he read the new policy as seeming far more compassionate. Rather than having to petition the Scholastic Committee, they can just do it, providing space is available. Brokenleg said the current policy now favors upper classman and the new policy may favor freshmen. Is that what people are arguing about? McPhee stated if there are concerns, people should work with the Registrarπs Office. Space permits are determined by faculty. Sarah Buchanan called the question. Schuman asked for a vote for all those in favor of approving the proposed change. Motion passed.

V. Scholastic Committee. Transfer Policy Clarification.

The 2003-2005 UMM catalog (page 39) states:
Transfer courses are not allowed for grade replacement of a University of Minnesota, Morris course, but may, with appropriate prior approval, satisfy degree program requirements. This characterizes a practice followed by the Registrar rather than a policy. The following change in practice was proposed by the Registrar and approved unanimously.

Transfer courses from other U of MN campuses that are the same or essentially equivalent courses may be considered repeat courses for purposes of grade replacement. Introductory courses from within the University system will be reviewed by the Registrar with faculty consultation. Advanced courses must be approved by the faculty in the discipline of the course.

(No change) Credit will not be awarded twice for the same or an essentially equivalent course. When a student repeats a course, (a) both grades for the course shall appear on the official transcript, (b) the course credits may not be counted more than once toward degree and program requirements, and (c) only the last enrollment for the course shall count in the student's grade point average.

VI. Faculty Development Committee. Proposal to create a Faculty Affairs Committee.

Bert Ahern reported that this proposal has been slightly revised from last spring. It is now submitted as a by-laws committee so that it allows the possibility of the committee with majority vote and is more easily subject for review. This was not passed last spring because 2/3 of the Campus Assembly membership was required. Constituencies include non-tenure track faculty from the four divisions, MASA, students, and MCSA. There is no selection for non-tenure track faculty but he expects the Executive Committeeπs role will be to facilitate formation to call a meeting in which non-tenure track assemble to collect nominations. A faculty member asked for the rationale of including the dean on the committee. Ahern asked if the question was whether or not faculty would be willing to express concerns with the dean present. He added that on this campus, issues run through governance and that if we are not willing to address concerns with the dean present, we have no business sharing governance. Pieranna Garavaso stated that we have the Consultative Committee where people can bring issues forward and the committee then contacts the appropriate administrator for clarification. The Faculty Affairs Committee could function like the Consultative Committee. Mary Elizabeth Bezanson noted that Ahern mentioned the Constitution bylaws to pass with a majority of the members. The Constitution requires 2/3 of the members. Could this be disbanded by administratorπs fiat and has a committee ever been disbanded? Ahern said yes. Mike Korth commented that moving to bylaws creates inconsistencies regarding the membership. Bylaws clearly state membership is proposed by the Executive Committee. Ahern said the names come from the Executive Committee and they recommend members to Campus Assembly where they are approved. The alternative would be to have these constituencies recommend names to the Executive Committee. Jim Cotter said he was uncomfortable bringing this back again after it fell short last spring. He also believes there is a pattern here because there is a group of people who think they know what the campus wants even though the campus voted against it. Ahern said that was one way to look at it but all have a right to vote. Discussion then continued regarding Cotterπs suggestion that this proposal is coming back to the Campus Assembly because its proponents found an easier way to get it approved, rather than because there are legitimate reasons for the change to a bylaws committee.

VII. Senators Reports.

None

VIII. Old Business.

None

IX. New Business.

None

Adjourned at 5:45 p.m.