Present: Senators Pearson, Warrick, S. Clanton, Lowther, DiPier, Lyubartseva, Moore, Schroeder, P. Clanton, Paulson, Parnell, Wilson, Shirey, Bryant
Ex-officio and guests: Vice President Allen, Graduate Dean Bloss, Dr. Jennifer Rowsam, Kathy Cole
Call to order at 3:42 p.m.
Proxies: Warrick for Zia, Wilson for Dobbins and Louden.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from January 18, 2018 were approved (motion – S. Clanton, second – Bryant).
Special Orders of the Day
Report from the Academic Integrity Committee
Dr. Christie Hough presented the report outlining major changes in the Academic Integrity Policy. Entering students will take an academic integrity course before classes start rather than after their first infraction. There will be a cumulative point system adopted with penalties getting progressively more severe from very little for a 0 point infraction to expulsion for a 4 point infraction. Cumulative sums of 4 points across multiple infractions will also result in the severest of penalties under the policy. The policy will be online. The appeal process is streamlined both in personnel and in timeline. The handbook committee approved the changes. The policy is ready to go to the full faculty for a vote. P. Clanton was appointed to the handbook committee for A. Testa, Shane Warrick was appointed chair of the handbook committee.
Report from the Online Education Committee
Dr. Kim Bloss presented the report outlining online course policies and changes. These changes include a common template for courses in each college so students can better navigate the courses to find the information they need. An online instructor qualifications policy has also been developed. The policy was referred to the handbook committee (Bryant, Schroeder second), motion passed.
Report from the Ad-Hoc Committee on Student Retention
Senator Wilson presented this report including several recommendations. First, that all courses at SAU have midterm grades assigned. Second, that all courses at “1000” level or below have 4-week grades assigned, perhaps these grades would later be updated as midterm grades. Third, that faculty receive some sort of award/ incentive when retention does increase. Senator Bryant commented on the time it takes to enter grades in large courses. Senator S. Clanton asked if there had been any research on course outcomes with or without midterm grades. The Committee report was accepted (S. Clanton, DiPier second), motion passed.
Other Business
Fall break survey results were examined. Option 1 was the less-than-clear favorite which involves starting fall classes one week early and having both a fall break as well as a week off at Thanksgiving. Spirited discussion ensued with no clear outcome or recommendation from the Senate.
Adjourn
Senator P. Clanton motioned to adjourn at 4:55 pm (Bryant second). Motion passed.
