University of Minnesota, Morris

Campus Assembly Minutes

September 23, 2008

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

I. Chancellor’s Remarks.

Chancellor Johnson welcomed assembly members and said it is a privilege and honor to serve as chancellor. Today she will say a few words about enrollment and the September Board of Regents meeting.

Enrollment

Even though we had an increase in the number of applications and offers, we did not yield what we had hoped. We have enhanced the class profile and have increased the number of international students although we have lost some ground with transfer students which is an area we need to address. We need to improve our forecasting ability because of the implications for our budget. We also need to stay open and receptive to entrepreneurial ideas that come our way related to new initiatives and new programs, like the Colleges in the Schools program. We will pilot one class this fall and two in the spring. These students do contribute to our head count and to our revenue and she believes we can provide the mentoring and support for these classes in a way that provides a quality experience for students that protects our reputation and integrity. Compared to PSEO, College in the Schools is a better option for the high school in terms of their revenue. She noted that the higher education environment is not the same as it was ten or twenty years ago and we’ve got to be open to change. Jacquie and James are planning to bring a list of action steps regarding our continued efforts in enrollment management to the Campus Resources and Planning Committee.

Board of Regents Meeting

Each September, the Accountability Report goes to the Board of Regents and all of the campuses have a chapter in that report. The Provost’s single highest priority this year is going to be graduation rates. We have been asked to set goals and we did (60%, 75%, and 80%). Our progress for achieving those goals will be tracked. She mentions this because she thinks we need to know what matters in the system and what is being presented to the Regents. While it is important to get students in, it’s equally important to keep them here and have them graduate in four years.

II. History of Campus Assembly

Bert Ahern noted a couple of corrections to the document. In the fourth paragraph, the substantial revision of the Constitution actually began in 1968, not 1969-70. The inclusive approach of incorporating “academic professionals” as faculty and “academic administrative staff” as civil servants took place during the 1983-84 academic year.

III. Minutes from 4/29/08 Campus Assembly were approved as presented.

IV. From the Executive Committee. Barbara Burke was elected to replace Greg Thorson as Parliamentarian.

V. From the Executive Committee. Len Keeler was elected to replace Jeff Ratliff-Crain on the Consultative Committee.

VI. From the Executive Committee. 2008-09 Committee replacements approved as presented.

Mark Collier replaces Barbara Burke on Curriculum Committee

Chris Cole replaces Tim Soderberg on Scholastic Committee

Michael Lackey replaces Sylke Boyd on Scholastic Committee (fall semester only)

Susan Hennen replaces Hsing-Wen Hu on Assessment of Student Learning

VII. From the Curriculum Committee. New Major—Environmental Science.

Cheryl Contant reported that the proposal for the new Environmental Science major passed through the Curriculum Committee with a unanimous vote. Jim Cotter noted that this new major will require no new resources. It will draw predominantly on existing UMM courses. Other courses in the major will include a two-credit capstone experience (senior seminar), a field course offered by other institutions and new interdisciplinary science courses to be developed with funding from a grant from the NSF STEP program. These courses will be added to the curriculum as they become available. Concern from Assembly members included the following: how is the track different from environmental science and environmental studies; the number of credits required and the sequencing; perhaps a broader conversation on campus needs to take place regarding the standards for all majors; and what are other institutions doing. A student member thought this was a good program and would be a good draw for prospective students. Cotter added since UMM has placed an increasing emphasis on “re-inventing a ‘green’ learning environment,” many high school students considering UMM have an interest in environmental issues. For those students who self identify as having an interest in both sciences and the environment, the Environmental Science major will validate those interests and facilitate an interdisciplinary program to achieve their academic goals. If there are problems, those will be addressed immediately. Motion to approve Environmental Science major approved by voice vote.

VIII. From the Curriculum Committee. The following new courses for the Environmental Science major were approved as presented.

ESci 3196 – Environmental Science Field Camp (4 cr)

ESci 4901 – Environmental Science Senior Seminar I (1 cr)

ESci 4902 – Environmental Science Senior Seminar II (1 cr)

IX. From the Curriculum Committee. The following course approval/changes

for the Division of Science & Math and Interdisciplinary Studies were approved as presented.

Division of Science and Mathematics

Biol 4172 – Plant Systematics (4 cr)

Phys 2301 – Atmospheric Physics (4 cr)

Stat 4671 – Statistical Computing (4 cr)

Interdisciplinary Studies

IS 1001 – First Year Seminar: Human Diversity (2 cr)

IS 1037 – Unleashing Your Creativity: Words, Movement, and Images (2 cr)

IS 1042 – Psychology of Excellence (4 cr)

The following course for the Division of Education was not approved and will be referred back to the Curriculum Committee.

Education

WSS 1305 – Beginning Taekwondo (0.5 cr)

Motion to extend meeting to 6:10 p.m. approved and seconded.

X. From the Campus Resources and Planning Committee. UMM Mission Statement.

On behalf of CRPC, Brook Miller presented the revised mission statement that was unanimously adopted by CRPC on 4/2/28. The outcome for today is to receive comments and determine the next step.

University of Minnesota, Morris Mission - Draft Version (From the strategic plan). The University of Minnesota, Morris provides an undergraduate liberal arts education of uncompromising rigor for a diverse student body. As a public honors college, UMM is committed to outstanding teaching and learning, undergraduate research, faculty scholarship, creative activity, genuine outreach, engagement and diversity. Our small, residential academic setting fosters authentic relationships, and the University serves as an educational and cultural resource for the region, nation, and world. A personalized educational experience prepares graduates to be global citizens who are interculturally competent, civically engaged, and effective stewards of their environments. (89 words)

University of Minnesota, Morris Mission - Adopted (Unanimously) by CRPC 4/2/2008. The University of Minnesota, Morris provides an undergraduate education of uncompromising rigor for a diverse student body. The University is a center for education, culture, and research for the region, nation, and world. As a public liberal arts college, UMM is committed to outstanding teaching and dynamic learning. We emphasize faculty and student scholarship, innovative creative activity, and rich diversity. Our residential academic setting fosters intensive collaboration and a deep sense of community. A personalized educational experience promotes in-depth learning and sharpens critical thinking skills. UMM prepares its graduates to be global citizens who are civically engaged, interculturally competent, and effective stewards of their environments. (105 words)

Most of the comments from Assembly members were negative, including the following:

A statement of outreach is missing; the statement is too wordy; no parallel structure in last sentence; disturbing that liberal arts is not mentioned; what does it mean to be an effective steward of the environment; would like something added about continuing intellectual growth.

Additional comments and concerns should be sent to Brook or Pete Wyckoff. Pete will discuss with Executive Committee about next steps.

Motion made to extend meeting to 6:15 p.m. approved and seconded.

XI. Campus Committee Reports.

Michael Korth reported that the self-study visit will take place March 29, 2010. The five subcommittees will begin their work shortly.

XII. All University Reports.

Tom Mahoney noted that he is the CAPA representative for University Senate.

XIII. Old Business.

None.

XIV. New Business.

None.

Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.