University Senate - October 11, 2021 Meeting Minutes
The University Senate was called to order at 3:30 p.m., Remote Access, on Monday, October 11, 2021. Members absent: James Bielo, Debbie Coleman, Eli Davis, Amanda Euen, Spencer Izor, Ruku Pal, Becca Pallant, Eric Rapos, Carrie Ann Sharitt, and Vada Stephens.
Call to Order and Announcements
1. Announcements and Remarks by Chair of University Senate Executive Committee, Jennifer Green
Approval of University Senate Minutes
2. Approval of Senate Minutes: A motion was received, seconded, and carried to approve the September 27, 2021 Minutes (Yes, 44 No, 0, Abstain 0)
Consent Calendar
- October 11, 2021 Curricular Items
- LEC Minutes from 9.21.21
Special Report
4. Special Report Presentations:- Faculty Diversity Statements – VP Institutional Diversity and Inclusion Cristina Alcalde
- Presentation from Office of Diversity & Inclusion that reviewed mission, restructuring, and new positions, and initiative to require diversity statements for faculty applicants.
- Common approaches in Diversity Statements:Focus on past contributions and provide examples to diversity and equity efforts.
- Identify an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in their related field, discipline, or higher education.
- Discuss the candidates vision for how they may make contributions to diversity in the future.
- A sample rubric was provided to show how statements are evaluated, and how criteria is utilized.
- Council of Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) Update – CODI Senate Liaison Rosemary Pennington
- The committee is still:
- undergoing some transition with its composition, but excited about opportunities on campus.
- working to make more connections across campus through partnerships with Dr. Alcalde, LGBTQ Services, Miami Tribe and other entities.
- reviewing policies and procedures that the University should review in order to move forward successfully.
- The committee is still:
New Business
5. No items of new business.
Old Business
- SR 22-04 Sports Leadership and Management, Master of Sports Analytics:
- Resolution put to the floor for discussion; no discussion. Resolution passed. (Yes 44, No 1, Abstain 1)
- SR 22-05 Proposed Policy Revision – Credit/No Credit Grade Revision
- Discussion commenced regarding continued concern surrounding the ease of deciphering the C1, C2, and NCR marks, as credit/no credit was implemented to not have concern over the grade itself as opposed to notating the class was passed. It was noted that there are programs where it will need to be more transparent than the current system of ‘X’ and ‘Y’ for instances of pre-requisite classes requiring a ‘C’ or better that require that distinction of accurate performance and ability to take classes that require a ‘C’ or better.
- Resolution again put to the floor for a vote; Resolution passed. (Yes 37, No 4, Abstain 6)
- SR 22-06 Sense of the Senate Resolution
- Resolution put to the floor for discussion. Amendments were proposed to have the resolution to recognize the need for some way of proctoring exams and to address some potential timing issues in the recommendations section. (Amendment 1 – Yes 17, No 32, Abstain 1) (Amendment 2 Yes 39, No 5, Abstain 4) (Amendment 3 Yes 28, No 12, Abstain 7)
- The amended Resolution was put to the floor for a vote; Resolution passed. (Yes 45, No 3, Abstain 0)
Special Reports Continued
7. Special Reports Continued
- Collin's Law – Associate VP & Dean of Students Kimberly Moore
- Review of Collin’s Law and University Policy
- Slides were provided during the presentation which include QR codes with information regarding the policy, duty to report and training requirements.
- The law requires all University administrators, staff, faculty members, consultants, alumni and volunteers to report knowledge of hazing to law enforcement in the area the victim of hazing resides or in which the hazing has occurred. Failure to report is a criminal offense.
- Collin’s Law also requires students, as well as all staff and volunteers that advise or coach an organization and have direct contact with students, to receive training on hazing awareness, prevention, intervention, and the institution's policy.
- Sexual Violence Month and Duty to Report – Time constraints did not allow a report to be given; this will now be discussed at an upcoming Senate meeting.
Adjournment
8. Meeting was adjourned
Resolutions
SR 22-04
Sports Leadership & Management, Master of Sports Analytics
October 11, 2021
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate endorse the proposed degree, Sports Leadership & Management, Master of Sports Analytics, College of Education, Health & Society
AND FURTHERMORE, that the endorsement by University Senate of the proposed degree will be forwarded to the Miami University Board of Trustees for consideration.
SR 22-05
Proposed Policy Revision – Credit/No Credit Grade Revision
October 11, 2021
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate adopt revisions to the Miami University Policy Library, the University transcript legend, the University General Bulletin, and the degree audit as set forth below.
Under Grades, Other grade symbols include: (on both undergraduate and graduate scales)
Under Credit/No Credit Courses (undergraduate)
No more than 10 percent of the total credit hours earned at Miami University may be earned in courses taken on a credit/no-credit basis. Freshmen may register for courses on a credit/no-credit basis providing they are concurrently enrolled for 12 hours for grades. During the summer term, freshmen may register for courses on a credit/no-credit basis providing they are concurrently enrolled for four semester hours for grades. If at any time during the semester, a student drops below 12 hours for grades (four hours for the summer term), the credit/no-credit status will be removed. Courses offered only on a credit/no-credit basis are not factored in. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may register for one or more courses per semester on a credit/no-credit basis. Students may not enroll on a credit/no-credit basis in any course in which they have previously earned credit. A student may not enroll for grade in any course for which they have received “credit” on a credit/no-credit basis. The grade “CR1” designates credit earned for coursework of C or better quality. The grade “CR2” designates credit earned for coursework of C- through D- quality. The grade “NCR” designates no credit earned for a failing grade of F. The instructor will record report the normal standard letter grade, which converts to the respective credit/no credit grade and is recorded on the academic record. Courses taken on a credit/no-credit basis are disregarded in the computation of grade point averages. A course can be changed from credit/no-credit to letter grade or from letter grade to credit/no-credit during the first 20 percent of the course (see the academic calendar).
Under Credit/No Credit courses (graduate)
Students may take courses on a credit/no credit basis if the department gives its permission. To receive credit (“CR1”) in a graduate-level course, students must earn at least a “B” in the course. A maximum of one fourth of the minimum hours required for their graduate degree, excluding thesis or dissertation hours, may be taken on a credit/no credit basis.
SR 22-06
Sense of the Senate Resolution - Remote Proctoring Services
October 11, 2021
In appreciation of the extensive and excellent work of the subcommittee charged with evaluating Miami's use of Proctorio for remote proctoring services, Senate supports the following resolution:
Whereas:
- Members of the University currently utilize remote proctoring software;
- Members of the University recognize that proctoring exams is necessary;
- The University’s contract with Proctorio ends in May 2022 (and we must inform the company of our intent not to renew well before that time);
- As a community of students and teacher-scholars, the University must consider remote proctoring in conversation with its institutional ethics, objectives, and values;
- The University should regularly examine its contracts to ensure that remote proctoring products achieve the University’s needs and goals and are responsive to the institution’s ethics and values;
- The CTE Subcommittee’s report on Proctorio recommends immediate action;
- The Associated Student Government passed SR202112 and SR202104 on the matter of remote proctoring;
- Recent scholarship, community feedback, and the ASG resolutions suggest reasonable concern regarding the challenges that remote proctoring presents to issues of equity, diversity, ethics, privacy, and accessibility
Senate recommends
- That the University notifies Proctorio of its non-renewal of its contract prior to May 2022.
- That the relevant offices open and conduct an RFP (by November 15, 2021) to investigate third-party proctoring so as to provide adequate time for thorough review and implementation by May 2022;
- That the RFP review committee include representative stakeholders who implement and use the product;
- That any new RFP consider and score proposals including essential scoring criteria as articulated in the Subcommittee’s Report and as determined by the group responsible for the RFP and review