University of Minnesota, Morris

Campus Assembly Minutes

 

April 6, 2010

 

 

 

I.               Chancellor's Remarks.

 

Chancellor Johnson congratulated our students for their imagination and the establishment of the Tweet Spot convenience store.  The store is located in the bottom floor of the Dining Hall and is open from 11:00-2:00 a.m.

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Higher Learning Commission visit last week.  We had a good visit and anticipate a good report.  We should receive the preliminary draft of the report in about six weeks.   We heard some very good things from the team including that we have a clear sense of purpose and mission.  While we anticipate a 10-year reaccreditation recommendation, we also anticipate a two-year report on our finances and a five-year report on assessment.   Special thanks to members of the Steering Committee, Ann Kolden, and Michael Korth.

 

Our budget meeting was held on March 12 with the Twin Cities officers where we presented the budget modeling we have doing in which we summarized the work of the Blue Ribbon Task Force and we made our case for opportunities for them to invest, including the American Indian Tuition Waiver and initiatives that would take advantage of our current niche in sustainability and renewable energy.  Our presentation was well received and our plan was accepted.  It appears that we will be able to balance our budget next year even with the $891K cuts in the next biennium, assuming we achieve the surplus we anticipate at the end of the year that will held tide us through and assuming we make our student enrollment targets.

 

The Blue Ribbon Task Force has met several times and will meet once more before a presentation to the campus on a summary of its recommendations along with a list of highest priorities tied to our mission and a recommendation for how we move ahead.

 

A celebration of Jim Gremmels life has been scheduled on April 29 with an event in the gymnasium at 11:00 a.m. recognizing his contributions to athletics and a broader celebration in at 1:30 p.m. in Edson Auditorium.  This is also the date of our Recognition Dinner, in which the University officially honors all those who are retiring this year. 

 

President Bruininks is scheduled to be on campus this Friday, April 9.  An open meeting for the campus community is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. in the Science Auditorium.  A community meeting is scheduled on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in the Welcome Center.

 

II.             For Action.  From the Executive Committee.  Minutes from 3/3/10 Campus Assembly meeting approved as presented. 

 

III.            For Action. Election of the 2010-2011 Executive Committee, Parliamentarian, and Consultative Committee replacements.

 

Executive Committee (1 year term, no limitations on terms)

Vice Chair, Michelle Page

Secretary, Len Keeler

Faculty/P&A, LeAnn Dean

Faculty/P&A, Sarah Buchanan

 

Parliamentarian (1 year term, no limitations on terms)

Barbara Burke

 

Consultative Committee (2 year term, 3 consecutive terms maximum)

Jennifer Herrmann (3rd term)

Brad Deane (3rd term)

Nic McPhee (1st term)

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV.           Campus Committee Reports.

 

Scholastic Committee

 

Jenn Goodnough reported that Barry McQuarrie plans to send a report to the campus community updating the campus on the work of the committee.  Some highlights include reviewing the SCEP policies to make sure we are compliant and the determination that the Assistant Dean position be the administrative representative to the committee.

 

Message from Barry McQuarrie:

 

This email is a follow-up to the Scholastic Committee report provided by Jenn Goodnough at the April 6 Campus Assembly. I will provide a bit of context for those who were unable to attend the assembly, but this is mainly to provide you with links to the policies and Scholastic Committee minutes Jenn mentioned at Assembly.

 

Last year, the Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) reviewed all educational policies and updated the language in the policies. Beginning in January, the Scholastic Committee started reviewing the SCEP academic policies to ensure that UMM is in compliance (we are).  The Scholastic website has been changed to point to the all-university policy page, so there will be a single source of truth that we as a campus can always refer to.  http://www.morris.umn.edu/Scholastic/Policies.htm

 

Some highlights from these policy discussions:

 

1) Beginning in May, students on probation will be recommended to take 12-16 credits. If a student on probation needs to take more than 16 credits, they can petition the Scholastic Committee to do so. The Scholastic Committee is currently working out the details of this process and will report it to Campus Assembly May 5.

 

2) As per policy, students suspended by any campus of the University of Minnesota will not be allowed to take Continuing Education classes at the University of Minnesota.

 

More detail can be found in the minutes from our meetings, available at

https://www.morris.umn.edu/Scholastic/protected/09-10/index.html

 

Scholastic Committee has noticed some implications relating to practices (not policy) that we are currently discussing. I will provide more information at the May 5 Campus Assembly once we complete our discussions.

 

Assessment Committee - Michael OÕReilly

 

In February 2009, the ASLC made a specific request to Disciplines, through Division chairs, to initiate (or in some cases continue) an ongoing annual assessment procedure. The request was that ÒDisciplines move, on an incremental basis, towards regular internal assessment of each course offered, A suggested process was that, year by year, Disciplines prepare (i) stated goals for one course, together with (ii) stated assessment

measures to test if these goals are being achieved and (iii) produce a short report indicating what and why changes ensued.Ó

 

All but two Disciplines responded, some in more detail than others. The responses are available under ÔDiscipline reportsÕ on the ASLC website. The ASLC has reviewed these reports and has met with Division chairs on the issue, with the intent of seeking fine-tuning and upgrading of each DisciplineÕs assessment

process.

 

The Committee recently met with the visiting HLC accreditation team, which expressed some concern that a continuing assessment process is not yet well established at UMM and indicated that it would probably recommend that we submit a five-year report. It should be noted that it viewed Assessment with a big ÕAÕ, going well beyond assessment of academic programs or courses.  There are also changes that impinge on DisciplinesÕ assessment activities.  One is the now implemented Discipline reviews which call for inclusion of annual reports on assessment over a five-year period. Another is the need to assess the recently approved Student Learning Outcomes. These outcomes might be considered overarching all activity, academic and extra-curricular.

 

The ASLC now makes two requests to Disciplines (which it will forward through Division chairs). The first is that Disciplines revisit their 2009 plan, ensure that they act on any information gained and seek to improve the plan.  To this end members of the ASLC are willing to meet with Disciplines or Discipline co-coordinators to clarify what is sought and, if desired, indicate a number of models that might prove appropriate.

 

The second request is that Disciplines respond to a forthcoming survey from the ASLC on where and in what way (curricular and extra-curricular) and to what area their courses and programs contribute to reaching the goals of the Student Learning Outcomes. This initial survey is not asking Disciplines to make specific plans for assessment of Student Learning Outcome. We anticipate that our current General Education requirements will contribute to many aspects of the Outcomes and we seek to catalogue the connections.

 

Health Services Subcommittee – Bridget Joos

 

The subcommittee has received numerous complaints about individuals regarding smoking near building entrances.   This concern has been discussed with the peer health educators and the subcommittee has several strategies in place:  1) work with Plant Services to make sure the receptacles are 25 feet away from entrances; 2) develop signage to show the 25 foot mark; 3) engage and educate the campus community by challenging individuals who are not adhering to the policy.  

 

V.             For Action.  From the Functions & Awards.  Scholar of the College nominations were approved as presented.

 

A suggestion was made to have the students review the information before the program is printed so double majors could be listed along with hometown information, etc.

 

VI.           For Action.  From the Functions & Awards.  Honorary designation of campus space. 

 

Jim Togeas, chair of the committee, reported they have received two proposals that have been unanimously endorsed by the Functions & Awards Committee.  The next step in the process is forwarding the proposals to the Chancellor and then to the Campus Assembly. 

 

Nomination from Twig Webster to rename the Proscenium Theatre to ÒThe Raymond J. Lammers Proscenium Theatre.Ó   Passes by unanimously by voice vote.

 

Nomination from Mark Fohl that the P.E. Center Gym floor be renamed to ÒGremmels Court.Ó  Passes unanimously by voice vote.

 

VII.         For Action.  From the Curriculum Committee. The following curricular changes were approved.

 

Division of Education

The following changes are designed to address standards required by the MN Board of Teaching.

 

Course changes:

Ed 2101—Foundations and Issues in Education (1 cr) – Deactivate

ElEd 2111—Tutor-Aid Practicum (IP; 4 cr) – Updated

ElEd 3201—Preprimary Theory:  Three-, Four-, and Five-Year-Olds in School (1 cr) – Updated

ElEd 3202—Middle Level Theory (1 cr) – Updated

ElEd 4101—Strategies for Inclusive Schooling (2 cr) – Deactivate

ElEd 4201—Directed Student Teaching in Primary and Intermediate Grades (HDIV; 12 cr) – Updated

ElEd 4204—Directed Student Teaching in International School at the Primary and Intermediate Level (IP; 12 cr) – Updated

ElEd 4901—The Teacher and Professional Development (2 cr) – Deactivate

SeEd 4201—Directed Student Teaching in the Middle and Secondary School (HDIV; 12 cr) – Updated

SeEd 4204—Directed Student Teaching in International School at the Middle and Secondary Level (IP; 12 cr) – Updated

SeEd 4901—The Teacher and Professional Development (2 cr) – Deactivate

 

New courses:

Ed 2121—Introduction to Education (SS; 3 cr)

Ed 2131—Foundations of Reading (HUM; 2 cr)

Ed 4121—Strategies for Inclusive Schooling (2 cr)

Ed 4901—The Teacher and Professional Development (1 cr)

ElEd 3203—Preprimary Methods:  Curriculum and Instruction for Three-, Four-, and Five-Year-Olds (3 cr)

ElEd 4206—Directed Student Teaching in Preprimary Classroom (HDIV; 4 cr)

ElEd 4207—Directed Student Teaching in Middle Level Classroom (HDIV; 4 cr)

SeEd 4115—Advanced Content Reading (HUM; 2 cr)

 

Division of Science and Mathematics

 

New courses:

Chem 3301/ESci 3301—The Chemistry of Sustainable Energy (SCI; 3 cr)

CSci 4409—Systems:  Programming for Parallel Architecture (M/SR; 2 cr)

ESci 2201—Field Experience in Environmental Challenges of the Italian Alps (ENVT; 4 cr)

Phys 1064—High Altitude Ballooning:  An Exploration of Near Space (SCI-L; 2 cr)

Phys 2302—The Physics of Sustainable Energy (ENVT; 4 cr)

 

VIII.        For action.  From the DeanÕs office.   2013-2014 (revised) and 2014-2015 (new) Academic Calendars.

 

Cheryl Contant explained that in the 2013-14 revised calendar, spring semester starts one week earlier than the previous proposed calendar to meet payroll date requirements.   

 

2013-14 revised calendar unanimously approved by voice vote.

2014-15 new calendar unanimously approved by voice vote.

 

IX.        For Information.  From the Executive Committee.  Next steps for proposed constitution.

 

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

 

Michelle Page said the Executive Committee would like to continue the discussion on next steps for the constitution to get a sense of the will of the Assembly on what we do next.  She received several messages in regard to her e-mail message and the overwhelming response was that people simply forgot to vote and want the opportunity for this to be brought forward for discussion and another vote.   The EC has discussed several options including:  1) revote; 2) make editorial changes; 3) have an opt-in mechanism.  The EC would like to bring a resolution to the next Assembly meeting.

 

Bert Ahern encouraged rapid and as simple action as possible with a reintroduction to the motion and daily reminders during the two-week voting period.   Jenn Goodnough asked if the computer system could generate a program so that those who have already voted wonÕt receive daily messages.    Michelle will check with our Computing Services staff to see if this is possible.

 

Mary Elizabeth Bezanson added that because roll call voting is usually not done in Assembly, we have never successfully revised the constitution and she is tired of being held hostage by the process.  She would like the parliamentarian or someone one on campus to explore a way to have a recorded vote.  She does not care how people vote; she just wants to know that people voted.  She encouraged the Executive Committee to reach beyond the borders of this campus because we need help on how to do this more effectively.

 

Paula OÕLoughin encouraged a revote as soon as possible.  While all of the suggestions have been good, she strongly discouraged the opt-in possibility. 

 

Henry Fulda suggested the same kind of procedure as a state election, i.e., set up a time for a paper ballot and then send an e-mail encouraging people to take 10 minutes from their day to go vote.

 

Motion to extend meeting by 10 minutes failed.

 

IX.           All University Reports.

 

None.

 

X.             Old Business.

 

None.

 

XI.           New Business.

 

None.

 

 

 

Adjourned at 6:15 p.m.