Undergraduate Studies Committee Final Report 2013-2014
Penn State Behrend
Members: Tracy Halmi (Chair, SOS), Mike Naber (SOS), Mark Bestoso (SOB), Randy Brown
(SOB), Huan Chen (HSS), Guadalupe Alvear-Madrid (HSS), Michael Willis (ENG),
Kurt Rogers (ENG), Ruth Pflueger (ex-officio)
Fall & Spring Undergraduate Studies Committee Charges
1. Review the recommendations made by the CQI Team on Instructional Facilities, identify which
recommendations can be implemented without further analysis and develop an implementation
plan.
2. Review the recommendations and current implementation of the recommendations on ways to
provide accurate and positive information about general education classes, continue with the
implementation plan, and modifying where needed.
3. Review and recommend faculty teaching and advising award recipients (spring only.)
Summary:
Charge #1
Review the recommendations made by the CQI Team on Instructional Facilities, identify which
recommendations can be implemented without further analysis and develop an implementation
plan.
Concerns Raised
Computer Lab Demand
 demand for computer labs for
assigned courses is very high
 engineering labs are generally not public
 number of seats do not correspond
to course, thus wasting computer
space
 Behrend needs a large testing
computer lab (suggested 60+ seating)
Classroom Congestion
 too many desks in classrooms
 concerns about students with
disabilities, space for chairs, fire
hazards, etc.
 need for a larger classroom to
accommodate common lecture
courses on the west end of campus
Suggested Implementation Plan
 redistribute ALL computer space
 realign classroom space with course
numbers in either direction (i.e. make
course bigger or computer room smaller)
 create a large secure computer testing center
 enlist computer center to track “class”
usage, scheduled vs. actual use
 facilities will need to support philosophy
(big school with small classes)
 purchase of new desks to maximize space
efficiently while allowing room for students
to navigate and move around room for
group work
 time table for replacements should be created
 strong recommendation that faculty and
staff have input on Fasenmeyer
renovation
Concerns Raised
Classroom Technology
 faculty are concerned that classrooms
are not properly equipped
 elementary
school
classrooms
currently have more technology than
most of our classrooms
Classroom Time Management
 some time slots could be better used (i.e.
8 am and 3:25 PM periods underutilized)
 MW only classes create problems
 all class/labs offerings should be
more evenly spread across the
week
Suggested Implementation Plan
 remove overhead projectors (after
faculty consult)
 mandate screens not block chalkboards
 for all large (>40) classrooms be outfitted
with smart board (or appropriate
alternative)
 pilot program is suggested
 new technology should be put in one specific
classroom with willing faculty courses
assigned who are willing to experiment with
technology before we purchase new
equipment for every classroom
 this approach must involved media, computer
& Center for Teaching Initiatives staff along
with willing faculty (teamwork approach)
 recommended to being with OBS 101 and
OBS 114
 new scheduling software (schedule whiz)
should help classroom time management
 while faculty should have some ability to make
special requests, those requests should not
limit student choice or more efficient use of
classroom space
 recommended that single section courses
be placed at 8 am and 3:25 pm time slots
 eliminate MW courses before 5 pm
 move labs to MWF schedule, move lecture
classes to T/R schedule equally across
schools
 recommended that multiple section courses
be posted with a lower enrollment limit to
force more even enrollment of each section
Example: 8 am (40 seats) vs. 10 am (30 seats)
When 10:00 a.m. fills it forces students to
consider alternative scheduling options.
Courses would then need to be monitored
closely. Enrollment limits could then be adjusted
as sections fill.
ENGL 005
 non-college credit course, uses
resources but is critical for retention
 similar concerns with MATH 004 and
other remedial courses
 Note: there may be faculty resistance to
moving lectures to T/R (not all our committee
members with
agreed
with
this philosophy)
 consulted
Mary
Connerty
and Craig
Warren on the “English Language Study
Center”
 center should be closely monitored to
justify cost; costs could easily be made
up with retention and student success
 if successful, international and non-English
speaking national students should see
increase retention and graduation rates
Implementation
Discussion between administration, faculty and staff are key to solving these issues. It is suggested that in
early fall, the old and new chair of undergraduate studies meets with Faculty Council Chair Dr. Darren
Williams along with Dr. Robert Light and Dr. Birx to discuss a list of priorities.
Charge #2 – ON HOLD
Review the recommendations and current implementation of the recommendations on ways to provide
accurate and positive information about general education classes, continue with the implementation
plan, and modifying where needed.
Due to the imminent general education revitalization, all charges relating to general education courses
were been placed on hold. The committee has been actively involved in communicating the upcoming
General Education Task Force (GETF) charges to the Behrend faculty. In addition, the Undergraduate
Studies Committee with the help of Faculty Council Chair Matt Swinarski and the Chancellors office,
hosted Dr. Gul Kremer on Tuesday, February 25 and Dr. Mary Beth Williams on Tuesday, March 25,
2014. Dr. Kremer is a GETF member with the Student Opportunities and Concerns Subcommittee. Dr.
Williams is the co-chair of the GETF. Both women spent one day each at Behrend interviewing
students, faculty, and academic advisers about how the implementation of the upcoming GETF
proposed changes would affect Behrend. (Appendix #1)
The GETF will be a continuing subject and the committee encourages Faculty Council and our
University Senators to become highly engaged in the conversation. Any changes in General Education
will have an impact at Behrend.
Charge #3
Review and recommend faculty teaching and advising award recipients (spring only.)
During late fall and early spring, the committee worked with the Chancellor’s Office and Carolyn Dudas,
Web Developer/Information Specialist, to develop an updated web interface for nominations of the
advising and teaching awards. The updated forms were posted in mid-January and nominations for the
awards were accepted until March 14th. Forms are located at: http://psbehrend.psu.edu/intranet/facultystaff/faculty-staff-awards/faculty-staff-awards. (Guidelines for the awards procedures are attached.
Appendix #2.)
The response rate for the teaching and advising awards significantly increased this year. We changed
the web interface, the questions and the amount of advertising so it is unclear which change made the
greatest impact. Our committee suggests keeping the same format and advertising dates for next
spring. The number of advising nominations increased but the number of teaching nominations
received was more than double the number in 2013. This new form and increased advertisement
(January 22, February 5, February 26 & March 5) is highly suggested. Appendix #3 contains raw data
for the 2013/2014 nomination totals.
Award Winners: TBA
Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising – Beth Potter
Council of Fellows Excellence in Teaching – Glenn Kumhera
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy
Appendix #1
General Education Task Force Agenda
Penn State Behrend 
February 25
GETF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Gul Kremer, Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University Park
Patrick Tanner, Director of Student and Enrollment Services, Penn State York
BEHREND FACULTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Tracy Halmi, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
Matt Swinarski, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
AGENDA
11:00 am
Greetings, Prischak-1 School of Science Office
11:15 – 11:45 am
ASTRO 001 (GN, 100 students), 101 Otto Behrend Science Building
Professor Darren Williams
noon – 12:45 pm
Lunch Break, 213D Burke
Paul Becker, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Chris Coulston, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vicki Kazmerski, Associate Professor of Psychology
Martin Kociolek, Director School of Science
Robert Light, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Outreach & COO
Terri Mando, Academic Adviser
1:00 – 1:30 pm
ECON 102 (GS, 50 students), 002 Burke Building
Professor Jim Kurre
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Advising Focus Group, 249 Burke
Biddy Brooks, Adviser Center for Adult Learning
Jonathan Hall, Senior Lecturer in Physics
Andy Herrera, Director Educational Equity & Diversity Office
Terri Mando, Academic Adviser
Joshua Shaw, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Kelly Shrout, Associate Director of Student Affairs
3:00 – 3:45 pm
Omar Ashour, Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering, 253 Burke
4:00 pm
Departure, Prischak-1 School of Science Office
General Education Task Force Agenda
Penn State Behrend  Tuesday, March 25
GETF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dr. Mary Beth Williams, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Eberly College of Science
Dr. Tanya Furman, Associate Vice President and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
BEHREND FACULTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Mrs. Tracy Halmi, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
Dr. Matt Swinarski, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
AGENDA
7:30 am
Greetings, Erie International Airport
Dr. Don Birx, Chancellor and Mr. Randy Geering, Senior Director of Business Operations
8:10 – 8:30 am
Morning Break, Clark Cafe
Dr. Matt Swinarski and Mrs. Tracy Halmi
8:30 – 9:15 am
GETF Faculty & Staff Meeting Session #1, Burke 236
9:30 – 10:30 am
Dr. Jones’ Meeting with Faculty & Staff, Reed Auditorium
10:45 – 11:30 am GETF Faculty & Staff Meeting Session #2, Nick 167
11:35 – 12:20 pm Lunch, School of Science Conference Room, Prischak-1
Dr. Greg Filbeck, Professor of Finance
Dr. Ralph Ford, Director, School of Engineering/Associate Dean for Industry and
External Relations
Mr. Robb Frederick, Public Information Coordinator
Dr. Steven Hicks, Director, School of Humanities and Social Science
Dr. Martin Kociolek, Director, School of Science
12:20 – 12:30 pm Drive to Logan House
Mrs. Tracy Halmi
12:30 – 1:30 pm Campus Tour
1:30 pm
Departure, Erie International Airport
M r. Randy Geering
Appendix #2
FACULTY AWARD PROCESS FOR PENN STATE BEHREND
This process covers the following faculty awards presented by the college:
 Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising
 Council of Fellows Excellence in Teaching
 Ben Lane Award for Outstanding Service
 Council of Fellows Faculty Research
 Council of Fellows Excellence in Outreach
DATE
Late fall - winter
Award
 Advising
 Teaching
 Ben Lane
 Research
 Outreach
Mid-December
Mid-January
By second Friday in March
Third Friday in March
ACTION
Respective Faculty Council or other college committees
(see below) review nomination forms (Attachments A-E)
and send recommendations for changes to the
Chancellor’s Office.
Committee
Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Studies
Chancellor (chair), Senior Director for Campus Planning and
Student Affairs, and three faculty members and two
students appointed by the Chancellor/Senior Director.
Research
Research
Modifications to awards forms and web site, and
Awards Nomination Sought Notice (Attachment F)
made. URL:
http://behrend.psu.edu/FacultyStaffAwards
Awards
Nomination Sought Notices distributed to schools and
e- mail notice (Attachment G) sent to Behrend employee
listserv (L- BDEMP@LISTS@PSU.EDU)
Seven-member Ben Lane Award selection committee formed
by Chancellor and Senior Director for Campus Planning and
Student Affairs.
All nominations for advising, teaching, outreach, and Ben
Lane Awards must be submitted to Chancellor’s Office.
All nominations for advising, teaching and outreach scanned
and forwarded to respective schools with instructions for final
nomination package (Attachment H); nominations for Ben
Lane Award forwarded to selection committee.
DATE
First Friday in April
ACTION
Ben Lane Award committee meets and forwards recipient
name to Chancellor’s Office. Chancellor’s Office notifies
Student Activities Office of recipient for inclusion in Awards
Convocation materials and to order plaque. Chancellor’s
Office adds recipient name to historic list of winners for
respective awards (Attachment I).
Single Research Award nominee from each school due
in Chancellor’s Office.
Second Friday in April
Late-April
Single nomination from schools for advising, teaching,
and outreach awards due in Chancellor’s Office.
Single nominations for advising, teaching, research, and
outreach awards scanned and forwarded to respective Faculty
Council committees.
Committees notify Chancellor’s Office of award
winners; Chancellor’s Office adds recipient names to
historic list of winners for respective awards
(Attachment I).
Chancellor’s Office notifies Student Activities of recipients.
Student Activities’ staff orders plaques for advising,
teaching, outreach, and research awards, and enters an
RPCC that is reconciled to the Chancellor’s Office budget.
Chancellor sends congratulatory letters to award winners
and nominees (Attachments J and K).
July
Early-August
Late-August
Ben
Lane teaching,
Award presented
Awards
Convocation.
Advising,
research,atand
outreach
award
recipients identify colleagues to introduce them at the
first Faculty Organization meeting of the semester.
Chancellor’s Office orders $500 checks for recipients. Funds
come from Council of Fellows Endowment (Budget# 0904155,
Fund# 1940).
Chancellor’s Office arranges for post-FacultyOrganization meeting reception with cake to honor
award recipients.
Advising,
teaching, research, and outreach awards
presented during first Faculty Organization meeting of
semester.
revised 11/18/2103
FACULTY AWARDS INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHOOLS
These instructions cover the four major awards: Research, Outreach, Teaching, and Advising. Please note that
each school shall submit one candidate for each award to the Chancellor’s Office by April 8, 2014.
1. RESEARCH
Nominations must include a:
 completed nomination form, with emphasis on last 5-7 years
 current curriculum vitae of the nominee
 statement from the school director that includes a detailed discussion of the nominee’s qualifications,
the quality of publications, and the scholarly reputation of the nominee
The Chancellor’s Office will not accept any additional information from the nominee or school.
2. OUTREACH
The Chancellor’s Office will forward Web and paper nomination forms to the respective school. If no
nominations are received through the nomination process, the school may not submit a candidate to the
Chancellor’s Office.
Nominations must include a:
 completed nomination form
 current curriculum vitae of the nominee
statement from the school director which addresses how the candidate’s work is distinct from typical
academic responsibilities in research, teaching, and service; the relationship between the outreach and
the nominee’s research, teaching, and service; and the impact of the outreach on the school
The Chancellor’s Office will not accept any additional information from the nominee or school.
3. TEACHING
The Chancellor’s Office will forward Web and paper nomination forms to the respective school. If no
nominations are received through the nomination process, the school may not submit a candidate to the
Chancellor’s Office.
Nominations must include a:
 completed nomination form
 current curriculum vitae of the nominee
 statement from the school director which addresses how the candidate’s teaching compares to other
faculty members in the school, a discussion of how the candidate’s teaching extends beyond the
classroom, and any testimonials from nominators
The Chancellor’s Office will not accept any additional information from the nominee or school.
4. ADVISING
The Chancellor’s Office will forward Web and paper nomination forms to the respective school. If no
nominations are received through the nomination process, the school may not submit a candidate to the
Chancellor’s Office.
Nominations must include a:
 completed nomination form
 statement from the school director which addresses candidate’s expectations for advising, how the
candidate exceeds base-level expectations, and any testimonials from nominators
The Chancellor’s Office will not accept any additional information from the nominee or school.
Appendix #3
FACULTY AWARD NOMNATION FOR PENN STATE BEHREND (2013 vs. 2014)
Advising Nominees
2013
2014
Total nominations – 10
Nominees – 6
Total nominations – 13
Nominees – 11
Teaching Nominees
2013
2014
Total nominations – 20
Nominees – 18
Total nominations – 48
Nominees – 34
All Awards (Advising, Lane, Outreach, Teaching)
2013
2014
Total nominations – 37
Nominees – 31
Total nominations – 95
Nominees - 71