University Senate - September 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes

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, September 23, 2019.  Members absent:  Cecilia Comerford, Yildirim Dilek, John Forren, William Modrow, Trey Petrella, Brandon Small, and Steven Tuck.

  1. Announcements and Remarks by the Chair of Senate Executive Committee, Dana Cox

    1. Senator Cox announced that there had been a decision made at the September 17, 2019, Faculty Assembly meeting regarding the Arrest Reporting policy. This will be discussed later in today’s meeting.

Approval of University Senate Minutes

  1. A motion was received, seconded, and carried to approve the September 9, 2019, minutes of University Senate.

Consent Calendar

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

    1. Curriculum

    2. Graduate Students - Registration – Dual Enrollment in Undergraduate Degree Programs – G.H. 1.2

    3. Graduate Students - Registration – Graduate Course Load for Part-Time and Post-Candidacy Students – G.H. 1.2

    4. Graduate Students – Registration - Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree

    5. Undergraduate Research Committee – Annual Report

    6. Academic Policy Committee – Annual Report

    7. MUDEC – Annual Report

    8. Liberal Education Council – Annual Report

Old Business

  1. Strategic Planning Committee Discussion– Bob Applebaum and Julia Guichard, Co-Chairs

    1. Professor Applebaum opened the discussion by showing the slide with the 30 recommendations from the Strategic Planning Committee’s Report. There were ten recommendations (designed by an ‘S’) that the Committee felt were relevant for Senate consideration.  One of the biggest questions for Senate is to think about is the role of Senate in the strategic process.  There are different options to consider, but one of the challenges is what is the role of existing senate committees and what is the role of senate on the strategic planning committee?  Is the position of senate going to be reactive or proactive?  There is senate involvement in committees, but not an active involvement.

    2. The listening sessions expressed that although there is an interest in change, there is also a hesitation and a culture of a ‘can’t do attitude’.

    3. Senators engaged in a discussion and the following points were made:

      1. There was a concern that people do not want to get involved with senate committees and that Senate is just a rubber stamp. Involvement with the Strategic Planning process would be an opportunity to be more proactive. For example, how can Senate be involved in curriculum review?

      2. A comment was made regarding the need to appoint the chair of a Senate committee prior to May/June.

      3. There was discussion regarding Senate’s role/purpose/mission moving forward. Communication is key to making this work.  A suggestion was made to have a liaison on the strategic planning committee.  It was noted that the committee has not been formulated yet.  Senate needs to know in order to be able to do things moving forward.

      4. Comment about the discussion regarding the regionals having a separate Miami plan. This was not a recommendation from the Strategic Planning Report; this came from the Provost asking people to ‘think differently’.  

      5. Question regarding the intended role regarding the direction of Senate. The Strategic Planning Committee had a minimalist role for Senate. The plan is a fluid process and what is needed is a deeper discussion, but to be mindful that we would have to move quickly and Senate tends to be a body that moves more slowly.  The Committee did not think about ‘how’ things were going to be done; however, their goal was to define the vision and direction.  The plan will not come to fruition exactly as written.

      6. How do priorities get established and implemented? Thirty recommendations cannot happen at once.  Could committees be charged with helping with the recommendations?  Where does it make sense to have senate represent and what would be the role?  Would they be involved with the process along the way?  What is the best use of resources and the best route of communication?  An example was raised of the proposal for an Honors College.  Once there is commitment, it’s hard for approvers to say ‘no’ and it gets rubber stamped.

      7. A question was asked whether each of the recommendations become committees. No, there are 13 committees.  When are they going to be pulled together?  The Provost has been looking at recommendations to see if there is a reasonable match between existing committees and recommended committees.  If there is a reasonable match, they should get a chance.  Provost Osborne challenges ‘is senate where shared governance meets the road, or is it not?’.  Should some things change?  There needs to be a structure and mechanism for making Senate the heart of this.

      8. Discussion whether Senate is going to be more proactive or merely advisory and responsive? The Body has started to transform.  It was suggested that every committee should have 2 senators and that a regular reporting process be established.  There was some discussion regarding the process for membership on current Senate committees and about the need to educate committees on what they need to do.  

      9. Professors Applebaum and Guichard reminded senators that Senate can consider any of the 30 recommendations, not just the ones suggested.

New Business

  1. SR 20-02 20-02 – International Education Committee – Composition Change – Cheryl Young, Assistant Provost 
    1. Senator Young provided an explanation as to the concept and definition of internationalization. It is a concept that has been around for 50 years and is a commitment that Miami has made. 

    2. There was an overview given as to why there is a change to the committee. The change is to align the senate committee structure with the organizational structure.  The composition of voting members has not changed and three ex-officio non-voting staff have been added.   MUDEC is being proposed as a subcommittee, which make more sense now that the offices are together.  The new structure will allow the committees to work together and more in alignment with the organizational structure.

    3. A question was asked regarding representation of the English Language Center on the Regional campuses on this Committee. The ELC is represented on ISAAC

    4. It was asked why the Committee name was ‘internationalization’ and not ‘globalization’? Senator Young explained that it is to align with the terminology in the profession.

  2. The resolution was read and unanimously approved.

     

    SR 20-02

    September 23, 2019

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate endorse proposed revisions to the ByLaws of University Senate, 6.C.7, regarding Committee composition and membership of the International Education Committee, as set forth below:

    International Education Committee University Committee on Internationalization

    The functions of the International Education Committee University Committee on Internationalization are to:

    • articulate the strategic vision, set guidelines, and establish priorities for international education at Miami University; and
    • advocate for the appropriate design, development, evaluation, and assessment of all international programs, workshops, partnerships, exchanges, and internships associated with the University; and
    • monitor the recruitment and support of Miami students studying abroad and of international students studying at Miami University; and
    • function in cooperation with the Miami University Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) Committee, the Liberal Education Council, and the office of enrollment management on all Miami campuses; and
    • encourage all academic divisions, departments, and programs in the creation of programs, policy and faculty development; and
    • Advise and consult on strategic comprehensive internationalization planning and assessment.
    • Advocate for education abroad, exchange programs, global partnerships, international student support, visiting scholars’ guidelines and support, faculty professional development, global alumni relations, and intercultural and global curricular/co-curricular learning outcomes.
    • Goals and initiatives are discussed, and advice is solicited by those responsible for global endeavors on behalf of the university.
    • The Committee will discuss long term goals and priorities, as well as immediate interests.
    • The Committee will establish ad hoc and standing sub-committees as needed to focus on established centers of emphasis, and emerging concerns, initiatives, guidelines, or proposals.
    • report regularly to University Senate.

     Composition

    • Seven (7) faculty
      • Six (6), one from each academic division
      • One (1) member of University Senate, serving as Senate Liaison
    • At least one (1) member, ordinarily the chair, shall be a faculty member with familiarity of the Miami University Dolibois European Center Subcommittee (MUDEC)
    • At least one (1) member shall be a faculty member with familiarity of the international student and scholar experience.
    • Two (2) students
      • One (1) who has studied abroad outside of the United States participated in one or more overseas programs
      • One (1) from the international student community
    • Two (2) eEx officio, non-voting members
      • Assistant Provost, Director of Global Initiatives
      • Director, of Liberal Education or his or her designee
      • Finance & Business Affairs representative
      • Student Affairs representative
      • Enrollment Management & Student Success representative

    Standing sub-committee: MUDEC Committee

    Reporting to the University Committee on Internationalization, the functions of the MUDEC Committee are to advise the Provost, the Dean of the John E. Dolibois European Center, and the University Committee on Internationalization on matters of the Center's curriculum, on the appointment of Semester Course faculty and sprint course faculty, and on such other matters as deemed appropriate. The committee shall:

    • serve as the Curriculum Committee for the Center. In consultation with the Dean of the John E. Dolibois European Center and the European faculty, it shall propose revisions to curricular requirements; propose, develop, and revise courses as appropriate; and review courses proposed by European faculty.
    • function as the search committee for the appointment of Semester Course faculty and sprint course faculty and scholars.
    • in consultation with the Dean, advertise these positions; in cooperation with the Dean, it shall accept nomination materials, and screen and interview candidates; it shall then recommend appointments to the Dean.
    • assist the Dean in the recruitment and appointment of the MUDEC Oxford Coordinator and the Student Activities Coordinator. The Committee shall advise the Provost on the appointment of the Dean.
    • on request, advise the Dean on the recruitment of European faculty.
    • report regularly to University Senate, the Dean of the John E. Dolibois European Center, and the University Committee on Internationalization.

     Composition

    • Six (6) faculty members, one of whom shall be appointed Chair.
      • The Chair shall have had experience at MUDEC.
      • All the faculty members shall have had international education experience.
      • Two (2) ordinarily shall have had recent experience as teachers of the Thematic Sequence Semester Course at MUDEC, and
        • at least one shall have had experience as a visiting scholar or professor.
    • At least one (1) shall be a member of University Senate,
    • The Committee members shall be appointed as provided in Section 6.A.
    • One (1) student
    • One (1) student alternate.
      • The student member and alternate shall be chosen by Associated Student Government from among students who have studied for at least one full semester at MUDEC.
    • Two (2) ex officio, non-voting members
      • Coordinator of MUDEC
      • Assistant Provost, Global Initiatives

Report

    1. Provost Updates – Jason Osborne, Provost

      1. Last week were meetings with both the Foundation Board and the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approved splitting the Graduate School Dean’s position into Dean, Graduate School and Vice President for Research and Innovation.  Also approved was the initial round of funding for the Health Sciences Building, which will be adjacent to the student health center.  The goal is to have a health district in that area of campus.

      2. Provost Osborne unveiled the next steps for the Strategic Plan. We need this to be part of the conversion at Miami:  Miami RISE – Research, Innovation, Student Success, and Engagement.

      3. If there is anything that Senate should be involved with, it’s curriculum.   Provost Osborne suggested that Senate help get a group together to review metrics and data in the majors, co-majors, minors, low enrollment classes, etc.

      4. There was a question as to whether there was a name for the new Health Sciences Building. There is not a name at this time.

      5. There was a discussion regarding curriculum and whether we are streamlining or innovating? It was stressed that we cannot continue to add without taking away. 

Executive Committee Update – Dana Cox, Chair, Senate Executive Committee

    1. Faculty Assembly has returned the Arrest Reporting policy. Senate Executive Committee discussed how to best move forward and decided to engage a three-part process:  education, discussion, action.  We need to enter a period of education:  what is the issue, what adjustments can be made to reduce the impacts, what is the policy trying to solve?  After education, there will be discussion with constituents.  Next meeting, Executive Committee will bring forward the process.

    2. On October 7, the TCPL policy will be discussed, and Robin Parker will be available for questions. Senate is advisory on policy and can suggest ways it could be better.

    3. A question was asked as to whether there was going to be an ad hoc committee formed for the Arrest Reporting policy. Senator Cox indicated that this may be an option, as was done for the Faculty Committee on Composition.

Adjournment

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

Next scheduled meeting of University Senate:

October 7, 2019, 3:30 p.m.

Room 111 Harrison Hall, Oxford Campus