University Senate - October 23, 2017 Meeting Minutes

Call to Order and Announcements

The University Senate was called to order at 3:50 p.m., in Room 111, Harrison Hall, Oxford Campus, on Monday, September 25, 2017. Members absent:  Jason Abbitt, Juan Carlos Albarran, Sheldon Anderson, Ann Elizabeth Armstrong, Susan Baim, Rodney Coates, Michele Dickey, Michel Pactat, Dave Sauter, and Stan Toops.

  1. Announcements and Remarks by the Chair of University Senate, Phyllis Callahan
    1. Senators were reminded to communicate to their constituents to complete the campus climate survey, which is open through October 27, 2017.  Currently, student response rate is still very low.  Student senators were asked to reach out to their constituents to improve the completion rate.

    2. The November 6, 2017, Budget presentation will given by Dr. Creamer and Provost Callahan.  Because it is open to all, it will be held in 102 Benton Hall from 3:50 – 5:00 p.m.
    3. Mike Curme, Dean of Students, presented the Optimal Town Gown Experience Assessment, which is a survey to determine the degree to which campus and community relationships are aligned. The assessment opened to the Oxford community 3 weeks ago, and over 500 have completed it.  It will be open to faculty, staff and students on Friday, October 27, 2017.

Approval of University Senate Minutes

  1. A motion was received, seconded, and carried to approve the October 9, 2017, minutes of University Senate.

Consent Calendar

  1. The following items were received on the Consent Calendar without debate: 

    • Curriculum

    • Council on Diversity and Inclusion Minutes – September 1, 2017

    • Council on Diversity and Inclusion Minutes – September 15, 2017

    • Graduate Council Minutes – August 31, 2017

    • Academic Policy Committee Minutes – September 22, 2017

    • Conferral of Degrees

    • Deactivation of Degree Programs

    • Graduate Handbook-1.1-Certificate language

    • Graduate Handbook 4.5.B_Doctoral Examining Committees

New Business

  1. SR 18-02: Adolescent/Young Adult Integrated Science Major, Bachelor of Science in Education – Ann Haley MacKenzie, Teacher Education 
    1. The proposed AYA Integrated Science major will replaces seven majors, each of which have a specific content area(s).  With the proposed major, a teacher will be licensed to teach 7-12th grade science in the four major science disciplines (biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics).  The student will concentrate in one science area.  There currently are only nine students in the seven majors, and the hope is that the new integrated major will increase enrollment.

    2. The Integrated Science major would distinguish Miami from other Ohio universities and will allow them to be more marketable.  Schools are expecting teachers to be integrated, and oftentimes, the teacher has to take additional coursework in science areas other than what they are licensed to teach.A change in the By-Laws was presented to Senate.  A friendly amendment was made to add a staff member to the committee when Distinguished Service Awards are considered.

    3. The number of credit hours will vary depending on the main concentration, but range from 143 to 148.  It was noted that many students enter Miami with AP or college credit and can complete the degree in four years.  

    4. Several concerns and questions were raised including the added cost of potentially having to do summer and winter term coursework, how student teaching would be done, and the decrease in depth of knowledge in any particular science area.

SR 18-02

October 23, 2017

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate endorse the proposed degree, Bachelor of Science in Education, with a major in Adolescent Young Adult Integrated Science, College of Education, Health and Society;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the endorsement by University Senate of the proposed degree and major will be forwarded to the Miami University Board of Trustees for consideration.

SR 18-02 was passed by voice vote (44 yes; 4 no, including Professor Lowery Bretz; 9 abstentions).

Special Report

  1. Benefits Committee Update - Dawn Fahner, Interim Associate VP for Human Resources and Karen Wilson, Director of Benefits  
    1. Karen Wilson was introduced as the new Director of Benefits.

    2. Senators submitted questions in advance. While many of the questions will be addressed in the presentation, specific questions will be addressed individually.

    3. Contract negotiations with Premier Health Partners are continuing.  For residents in the NE area of Butler County, who usually use Premier, Kettering Health Network is an option.  It was noted that emergency room care is covered in network.
    4. SERB 2017 data, comparing high deductible and PPO plans across Ohio institutions, were reviewed.-  

    5. A reminder was given that open enrollment ends at 5 pm on October 31.  The premium discount program ends November 15th.  There was an 85% participation level in 2016.  The Healthy Miami platform will be reviewed for usability.  The health assessment questionnaire has been reviewed by the Benefits Committee and experts in the field, and it was determined that the assessment is valid.

Report

  1. Report by the Chair of the Executive Committee of University Senate, Shelly Jarrett Bromberg
    1. An overview of the October 16, 2017, Senate Executive Committee meetings were given.

    2. Senate Committee presentations are being scheduled and will be listed on the Canvas calendar. Senators were asked to provide any common questions they would like to have addressed.

    3. An update from the September 2017 Board of Trustees meeting was given.

Adjournment

  1. A motion was received, seconded, and carried to adjourn the Regular Session of University Senate.

Next scheduled meeting of University Senate:

November 6, 2017, 3:50 p.m.

Room 102 Benton Hall, Oxford Campus