ACADEMIC SENATE 2010-2011
David R. Boe, Chair
Helen J. Kahn, Vice Chair
Deanna L. Pozega, Secretary
Academic Senate Meeting of November 16, 2010
Northern Michigan University
Brule Room of the University Center
Draft Minutes
Present:
David Boe (Chair), Helen Kahn (Vice Chair), Deanna Pozega (Secretary), Susan
Koch (VPAA) Andy Poe (Past Chair), Ron Sundell (AAUP Liaison), Mike Andary
(Member at Large), Larry Pagel (Member at Large), George Gross (Member at
Large), Kim Martino, Vanessa Thibado, Dani Thoune, Bill Ball, Bill Bergmann,
Mike Broadway, Dave Donovan, Christine Flavin, Peter Goodrich, Jeanne Graves,
Jeff Horn, Chris Kirk, Robert Legg, Joe Lubig, Frankie McCormick, John
MacDevitt, Erich Ottem, Glenna Pendleton, Robert Quinn, Francella Quinnell,
Jamal Rashed, Barb Rhyneer, Bruce Sarjeant, Terry Seethoff, Mark Shevy, Marge
Sklar, Rebecca Ulland, Darlene Walch, Helen Wedin
Absent:
Kyle Brock, Dave Prychitcho, Kristi Robinia, Harvey Wallace, Greg Warchol
Guests:
Julie Rochester (HPER/NCAA), Ray Ventre (D.H. English), Liz Monske (CUP), Ray
Amtmann (BUS), Daryl Kobie (D.H. OCCS), Gabriel Brahm (FGC), Jill Leonard (BI),
Kim Rotundo (Registrar)
I.
Call to Order: 3:05 p.m.
II.
Additions to/Adoption of Agenda:
Motion to adopt agenda: (Mike Andary, second Erich Ottem)
Approved unanimously
III.
Approval of Draft Minutes of Tuesday 02 November 2010:
Motion to approve minutes: (Peter Goodrich, second Joe Lubig)
Approved unanimously
Chair Boe moved item VII – A, the Athletic Council Presentation (by Julie Rochester),
under Informal Consideration, to the top of the agenda.
 16 November 2010 Athletic Council Presentation
The NCAA recommends that a Faculty Athletics Representative report to academic
Senate each semester. Dr. Julie Rochester has held the position for the past four
years, and made her bi-annual report to the Senate on November 16, 2010.
Across NMU and other universities, it’s common to see student athletes
outperforming the general student population. Rochester’s power-point
presentation compared the current Academic Performance of NMU student
athletes. The overall NMU GPA is 2.74 while NMU Student Athletes average 3.11. A
national trend that is becoming apparent is that student athletes typically carry
higher semester GPAs during their competitive season.
There are eligibility requirements for student athletes – checked by registrar,
admissions, financial aid, & athletics. When advising athletes, keep the following in
mind:
 Student Athletes must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester.
 They must PASS a minimum of 24 credits in the calendar year.
(This does not include remedial or repeat courses.)
 They must show progress towards a degree.
(Students can’t just take random classes.)
 The must have a declared major in their 5th semester.
Please fill out the hand-delivered academic progress forms for student athletes if
you are asked. If students are not doing well or not showing up for class, you may
want to call the coach directly. They need to know if the student’s academic
eligibility may be compromised.
Challenges of course scheduling: Going to practice is NOT an excuse for missing
class. Only competitions should be excused. Students are responsible for all course
work whether or not their absence is excused.
When a student athlete double-majors, there is some difficulty ‘showing progress’
towards a degree. There have been a number of “workarounds”, but work is in
progress to find a permanent solution.
The Athletic Department completed a Blue Print Report and self study this summer
in accordance with NCAA policies. The self study included surveys for Ice Hockey &
Football.
NMU is participating with the NCAA in a Student Athlete Research project called
GOALS. GOALS stands for:
 Growth




Opportunities
Aspirations and
Learning of
Students in college.
In the 2009 – 2010 season three NMU teams qualified for NCAA National
Tournaments: Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, and Ice Hockey. This fall (2010),
NMU’s Soccer and Volleyball teams qualified for the NCAA National Tournament.
Concussion management is a hot topic in athletics today, and all NCAA affiliated
institutions are now required to implement a plan.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Rochester at: 906-227-2026, or
jrochest@nmu.edu. You may also contact the Assistant Athletic Director, Bridget
Berube, brerube@nmu.edu.
IV.
Reports:
A. Chair (David Boe): Chair Boe reported that Provost has approved Senate actions
from previous meeting: the Liberal Studies Report of November 2nd (Granting
Division II Liberal Studies Credit for HS/GR 311 & 311X), the CUP Report of
October 19th (CAPS and Eng Tech revisions), and the December Preliminary
Graduation List.
B. Vice Chair (Helen Kahn): Vice Chair Kahn reminded Senators to please bring
their name tags. If you need a new one, make a note on the attendance sheet.
C. Secretary (Deanna Pozega): No Report.
D. Provost (Susan Koch): Provost Koch mentioned the preparation in progress for
the December Board of Trustees meeting, where the Senate-Approved TESOL &
MA Education programs will be presented.
E. ASNMU: Four NMU students attended LSSU conference. Another event is
scheduled in Oakland during January. ASNMU is looking for fundraising
opportunities or an endowment in order to reinstate the “Childcare
Scholarship.” Also, please watch for proposed legislation affecting college
students.
F. CUP Report of Tuesday 16 November 2010 (First Reading)
Motion to accept: (Larry Pagel, second Michael Andary)
Discussion: No discussion.
Second reading of this report will occur in 2 weeks (at final Senate meeting for
this semester).
G. FGC Report of Tuesday 16 November 2010 (First Reading)
Motion to accept: (Frankie McCormick, second Larry Pagel)
Dave Donovan asked how much would be funded. Provost Koch stated that total
amount of funding was yet to be determined. It’s typically not decided until
after Senate approves the report.
Second reading will occur in 2 weeks.
V.
Unfinished Business
A. CUP Report of Tuesday 02 November 2010 (Second Reading)
In the previous Senate meeting, questions were raised regarding how two of the
proposed courses, MGT 216 and MGT 416, differ – besides one providing an
“introduction” and the other being “advanced”. Because the question had not
been sufficiently addressed during that meeting, Chair Boe requested that more
detail be provided prior to second reading. The MGT 216 and MGT 416 course
syllabi were made available to the entire Senate by posting on the current
documents website. Additionally, Ray Amtmann (College of Business) was on
hand to explain.
Amtmann pointed out that there are multiple modules in the structure that form
the important principles required to establish understanding of how to develop
sustainable businesses. These are studied in the first course, MGT 216, the basic
foundation. MGT 416 combines the components to analyze different businesses
and critique those businesses to determine in which ways the businesses are
truly sustainable. The different learning objectives distinguish the two; the
senior level course actually applies the information presented in the introductory
course.
Item 1 was separated from 2, 3, and 4 within the CUP Report. Floor was opened
to debate on items 2, 3, 4. With no discussion, this portion of the CUP Report
(items 2, 3, 4) was voted on. It was accepted unanimously.
Larry Pagel proposed that the descriptions be resubmitted for the next meeting.
Dave Donovan mentioned that this is micromanaging of another department.
Helen Kahn stated that it’s important to be clear in a course description. Dani
Thoune (ASNMU) stated that it’s helpful for students to see a clear course
description in the bulletin. Pagel’s motion received a second from Peter
Goodrich.
Majority vote is required. The motion passed, but it was not unanimous. Senate
will await communication from Ray Amtmann for inclusion in the next report.
B. GPC Report of Tuesday 02 November 2010 (Second Reading)
1. MA in English: Theatre Track Proposal
2. Descriptions of Proposed Theatre Courses
Darlene Walsh asked why an English master’s with theater track requires FIVE
new theater courses. Ray Ventre said that there are no current 500 level courses
in theater and there’s a limit upon number of 400 level courses that can be
offered and counted towards a graduate degree. The new courses parallel
existing 400 level theater courses. These will be offered as a part of existing
load. Currently students are taking the 400 level existing courses as individually
created 500-level courses. Unless there’s a significant growth in the number of
students, the English department is sufficiently staffed to cover existing courses.
Terry Seethoff challenged the response by presenting the possibility of a larger
influx of students. How would the TH 599 Thesis course be covered by faculty?
Would this be an additional charge? Ray stated that it’s covered by Master
agreement. Also, there are currently final projects ‘instructed’ by graduate
faculty, and the TH599 would replace those final projects.
Terry Seethoff asked about enrollment requirements, specifically whether
students without an English undergraduate degree would be accepted. Ray said
they’d look more at the overall abilities of the prospective student rather than
the degree possessed.
Bill Bergman: If this program officially exists and demand is created, won’t it
cost more money? Ray replied by discussing how the department has adjusted
to past changes and stated that he’d expect the department would continue to
adapt as necessary.
John MacDevitt asked about application process of theater applicants. Ray
explained how this would allow English department to be part of the process of
hiring the assistants.
Michael Broadway described the rationale for the program as essentially a
paperwork issue. Ray defended the program and said he’d like to look at it as an
additional option for students.
Peter Goodrich: Are we leveraging the resources of two different departments
to make this as affordable as possible? Isn’t this in the best interests of the
university as a whole?
Provost Koch commented on the different points of view and how she
appreciates all of the comments. She pointed out that a financial analysis will be
done outside of Senate. It’s an important part of the analysis that she always
does when receiving such a proposal.
The report was approved, but not unanimously. (Seethoff, Broadway, and Walsh
were opposed.)
VI.
New Business: None
VII.
Informal Consideration
A. Athletic Council Presentation (Julie Rochester)
(Moved to beginning of meeting)
VIII.
Good of the Order
Geography Department honors society is showing a movie tomorrow on landscapes
and how they are treated.
Joe Lubig thanked everyone on behalf of the Teacher Education programs thank
everybody for providing them with the requested supporting materials.
Erich Ottem asked that everybody promote Thursday as a day to stop smoking.
Andy Poe announced that 4 NMU programming teams recently competed at Lake
Superior State University. NMU teams didn’t win, but they did well & had fun.
Rebecca Ulland urged participation by all in International Education week. Check
out sponsored events.
IX.
Adjournment: 4:17 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Wratschko
Secretary to the Academic Senate/AAUP
Revisions by:
Deanna Pozega, Secretary
Academic Senate, NMU
c. President Wong