Call to Order and Announcements

The University Senate was called to order at 3:30 p.m., in Room 111 Harrison Hall, Oxford Campus, on Monday, April 15, 2019.  Members absent:  Jason Abbitt, Jasmine Adkins, Juan Carlos Albarran, James Bielo, J. Scott Brown, Bradley Davis, Yildirim Dilek, Annika Fowler, Jannie Kamara, Richard Keifer, Lei Kerr, Vahagn Manukian, Ikaika McKeague-McFadden, Molly O’Donnell, Michel Pactat, Ashley Pool, Vince Smith, Caroline Weimer, and, Liz Wilson.

1. Announcements and Remarks by the Secretary of University Senate, Phyllis Callahan

   1. There was a reminder that there still is curriculum that needs to be discussed before the end of the semester. There will be a new major presented today and one more by the end of the semester in time for the May Board of Trustees meeting.

   2. The issue of continuing contracts that was mentioned at the April 8, 2019, Senate meeting will be coming to Senate in an upcoming meeting. This proposal is one that was initially rejected by Faculty Welfare Committee.

Approval of University Senate Minutes

2. A motion was received, seconded, and carried to approve the April 1, 2019, minutes of University Senate.

3. A motion was received, seconded, and carried to approve the April 8, 2019, minutes of University Senate.

Consent Calendar

4. The following items were received on the consent calendar:

   1. Curriculum Consent – April 8, 2019

   2. Curriculum Consent – April 15, 2019

   3. Benefits Committee Minutes – March 1, 2019

   4. Honors Program Advisory Council Minutes – February 18, 2019

   5. Graduate Council Minutes – February 12, 2019

   6. Benefits Committee Minutes – March 15, 2019

New Business

5. At the Intersection of Student Life and Curriculum – Jayne Brownell – V.P. for Student Life  

   1. Today’s presentation is an update on priorities, including the strategic planning process. Last year, the Division of Student Affairs became the Division of Student Life, and with that name change clarified its mission (Slide 2).  There are six focus areas that have key performance indicators.  The ‘Community and Belonging’ focus area is at the center of everything that happens to a student.  Surveys and data have shown that the greater the sense of belonging, the greater the chance that they will graduate from Miami and recommend Miami to others.  The Office of Student Life ensures that there are opportunities for student involvement throughout the year.

   2. The ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ focus area strives for a welcoming and inclusive environment and helps students meet people like themselves. A new online module about diversity and inclusion was piloted last fall and will be mandatory next year.

   3. The ‘Academic Support’ focus happens in many different places. Slide 8 shows how demand in Rinella has grown.  The ‘Student Transitions’ focus ensures that students successfully navigate through Miami. Student engagement and involvement matter and help students succeed.  An example of students being a Resident Advisor was given.  ‘Health and Wellness’ issues impact academics.  There has been a dramatic increase in the need for mental health services, with anxiety being a leading cause of this.  A goal is to have students develop their own self-care and self-advocacy strategies.

   4. Some of the new initiatives for Student Life involve imbedding psychiatric services in Student Health Services, SEAL (Student Engagement and Leadership) ambassadors, and partnerships between Student Life and faculty and academic staff.

   5. The following questions and comments were part of the discussion:

      1. A question was asked regarding the increase in Rinella services offered. P. Brownell feels it is related to a generational shift in which there is less stigma about asking for help, and more students have documented plans for conditions such as ADHD.  It was noted that there is a trend of students not attending office hours as often, and there was concern raised that there needs to be some gatekeeping done with the instructor.  Rinella services approximately 3,000 students per year.

      2. A question was brought up whether Service Learning could be brought back. It was noted that the biggest change is when Miami stopped providing cars due to liability issues.  The office went through transition, and faculty started to organize partnerships on their own.  In the future, the office will be a part of Wilks Leadership and will be doing less volunteerism and less civic engagement.

      3. The integration of domestic and international students was discussed. The responsibility for segregation seems to lie more with domestic students.  LLCs are targeted to support people meeting one another and to prompt domestic students to be more open.  In summer orientation, there are 1-2 international students who are on the orientation team.  Integration issues are included in vignettes that all students are shown.  In addition, Senator Young indicated that there are global cafes as well as some families who host international students in order to help with integration.

6.  SR 19-06 – Organizational Leadership Major – Steve Lippmann (Attachment A-II)

   1. The Organizational Leadership major is interdisciplinary and ties together sociological, psychological, and political science theories. It is thought to be a good option for University Studies students as well as a major that may attract new students to Miami.

   2. The major is 49 hours and includes a required internship and applied project. The applied aspect of the major will allow a student to develop design thinking skills, research and development, and project management skills.

   3. The following questions and discussion points were made:

      1. There was concern that there would be competition with the Organizational Leadership Concentration within the BIS degree. There was also concern about overlap with the Non-Profit and Community Studies major.  Both of these issues will be discussed further.

      2. There was concern that 49 hours is high. It was addressed that there are no related hours required for this major, which is a normal range compared to  other Arts and Science majors, and the combination of courses is structured in a way to carve out a niche.

      3. Are there plans for there to be a minor? Not at this point.  

      4. A concern was brought forward regarding enrollment access for general business courses. Many of these courses will be online, but there was a concern about priority and capacity issues. There are specific restrictions about online courses for international students.

      5. A comment was made regarding the assessment plan. It may be a good idea to look at coursework earlier in the student’s career, not just the capstone course.

      6. Concern about the title of the major. It sounds like it belongs in the Farmer School of Business.  Associate Dean Baernstein indicated that this major had been vetted for two years, and there was much discussions about the name.  The Farmer School of Business was in agreement with the name.

      7. It was suggested that faculty in Organizational Leadership work with faculty in Non-Profit and Community Studies for internship placements since relationships have already been established.

      8. Resources were briefly discussed. At this time, they are covered with two faculty and a VAP.

      9. The following resolution was shown and passed.

SR 19-06

April 15, 2019

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate endorse the proposed degree, Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Organizational Leadership, College of Arts and Science;

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 19-06 carried by voice vote with two abstentions.

7. SR 19-07 – Tenure/Tenure Track Guidelines

   1. The Tenure/Tenure-Track Guidelines were revised with input from the Tenure and Promotion Committee. Senators had multiple suggestions and points of clarification. Most were addressed immediately; however, there were a few that Provost Callahan needed to clarify before changing.

   2. The changes will be sent out with the minutes this week for next Monday’s meeting. Additionally, senators are asked to review the TCPL Guidelines, in which there were no changes, and the two MUPIM changes (MUPIM 7.11 and 7.4.E).  All will be brought forward by resolutions on April 22, 2019.

Report

8. Executive Committee Report – Terri Barr, Chair, Senate Executive Committee

   1. Senator Barr asked that senators review the six policies that were sent out on behalf of General Council last week and send any questions to her so that they can be given to Robin Parker in advance of the meeting.

   2. Please remember that elections are April 22, 2019. The regular Senate meeting will end at 4:25 p.m., and an Executive session will commence at 4:30 to elect the Chair-Elect and At-Large members of Senate Executive Committee for 2019-2020.  Please send nominees to Becky Sander by Friday, April 19, 2019.

Adjournment

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