FACULTY SENATE

Minutes of May 2, 2006
(unapproved)

 

The Faculty Senate (FS) met at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at the Center for Tomorrow to consider the following agenda:

1. Report of the FS Grading Committee: 2nd reading - W. Baumer
2. Report of the FS Elections Committee - W. Hepfer
3. Report of the Chair
4. Report of the President/Provost
5. Report on the University Faculty Senate meeting in Plattsburgh - W. Baumer
6. Information re the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama - J. Wood & W. Regan
7. Old/New business
8. Adjournment

Item 1: Report of the FS Grading Committee: 2nd reading- W. Baumer

Professor William H. Baumer is chair of the FS Grading Committee. The Committee is recommending revisions to the following four policies:

Academic Second Chance Policy - The recommended revision states:

"Any student whose initial study in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree at the University at Buffalo has been unsuccessful, i.e., has resulted in generally poor grades or uncompleted courses and may have resulted in academic probation or dismissal, may request an academic second chance and readmission as a matriculated student to baccalaureate study at UB. The student may request academic second chance readmission as of a term beginning at least five [5] academic terms after the student's last enrollment as a matriculated student at UB, unless very exceptional circumstances justify earlier re-entry. Normally the student will submit this request at least four [4] academic terms after the student's last enrollment as a matriculated student at UB. The request for an academic second chance must be supported with evidence of significantly improved ability to pursue baccalaureate study successfully. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to, successful study at another post-secondary institution, work experience, full-time voluntary service with an eleemosnynary organization, or honorable military service."

The vote was unanimously in favor of the proposal.

Course Repetition Policy - The proposed policy says:
"A student may repeat a course to supplant a failing grade or to improve the student's record when the student's first enrollment resulted in a passing grade. These conditions apply:

1. When a course is repeated, the grade and credits of the first enrollment no longer count towards general degree requirements and are excluded from the student's credits attempted, credits completed, and UB grade point average [gpa], even if the repetition grade is lower than the initial grade.
2. When a course repetition results in a passing grade, i.e., a grade of "D" or higher, the grade and credits of this repetition count towards general degree requirements and are included in the student's credits attempted, credits completed, and gpa.
3. Whenever a course repetition results in a grade of "F", the course may be repeated again. The credits and grade for each and every failed course repetition are included in the student's credits attempted and gpa. Failed repetitions negatively affect the student's gpa; multiple failed repetitions may result in academic probation or dismissal.
4. When a course is repeated more than once and the last repetition results in a passing grade, the grade and credits for this last repetition count towards general degree requirements and are included in the student's credits attempted, credits completed, and gpa.
5. Whenever a course repetition results in a passing grade, the course may not be repeated for credit. A student may, however, repeat again a course in which a passing grade has been achieved solely to demonstrate proficiency for a major or minor. Any such further repetition shall be required and approved by the department or program involved, shall carry no credit, but shall be included with the grade achieved in the student's record of study.
6. When a course is repeated, S/U grading is not an option.
7. Credits and grades of successfully repeated courses count towards major or minor requirements only at the discretion of the program."

Professor Titus distributed a handout with suggested edits and a flow chart illustrating the course repetition process at the beginning of the meeting. Professor Baumer pointed out that it omitted a few important steps, however, so there was no amendment.

Professor Schack complimented the Grading Committee's work and recommended that their policy revision be endorsed. He added that having a complementary flow chart that fully illustrates the process would be useful, but that can be done after today's vote.

The vote was unanimously in favor of the Grading Committee's proposed revision.

Incomplete Grade Policy - The proposed revision is:
"For all courses, an interim grade of Incomplete ['I'] may be assigned if the student has not completed all requirements for the course. The 'I' shall be accompanied by a default grade that shall become the permanent course grade of record if the 'I' is not changed by formal notice by the instructor upon the student's completion of the course.

Assignment of an interim 'I' is at the discretion of the instructor. A grade of 'I' is to be assigned only if successful completion of unfulfilled course requirements can result in a grade better than the default grade; the student should have a passing average [equivalent to a grade of at least 'D'] in the requirements already completed. The instructor shall provide the student specification, in writing or by electronic mail, of the requirements to be fulfilled.

The default grade shall become the grade of record if the 'I' is not replaced by a permanent grade within twelve [12] months after the close of the term for which the 'I' is assigned:

• Fall: the following 31 December
• Spring: the following 31 May
• Summer: the following 31 August

The instructor may set an earlier deadline for completion of the course requirements. If an earlier date for completion is set, the instructor shall inform the student thereof in writing or by electronic mail.

A student may not re-register for any course in which the student has an interim 'I'. When a student graduates, an 'I' grade in any course included in the student's degree program shall default to the permanent grade. If a student is continuing in a combined or multi-degree program, e.g., receiving a B.A. in a B.A./M.A. program or an M.A. in a Ph.D. program, any course for which the student has an interim grade of 'I' that is not included in the course constituting the student's degree program shall be excluded from this provision but shall remain subject to the maximum time limits.

For all undergraduate courses the default grade accompanying an interim grade of 'I' shall be any one of 'B', 'C', 'D' or 'F'. For all graduate courses the default grade accompanying an interim grade of 'I' shall be 'U'. Neither 'A', 'P', nor 'S' shall be assigned as a default grade."

The vote was unanimously in favor of the proposal.

Prompt Grade Submission Policy - The proposed revision says:
"Faculty shall submit grades for all courses within seven days [including weekends and holidays] after the last day of the term's final examination sessions or the last day of classes of a term not having separately scheduled final examination sessions. Courses offered in a non-standard term, e.g., a non-standard summer session, may have a shorter time for grade submission. Grades may be obtained by students and advisors, through MyUB and DARS, the day after they are submitted."

The vote was unanimously in favor.


Item 2: Report of the FS Elections Committee -- W. Hepfer

Elections Committee Chair Will Hepfer announced that Professor Robert Hoeing has volunteered to be Secretary of the Faculty Senate for the next two years. Professor Hoeing is unopposed for this position, so Chair Nickerson asked for approval to have Secretary Hepfer cast one vote to validate Bob's election. There was unanimous assent.


Item 3: Report of the Chair

The Chair's report was distributed with the agenda. Highlights included:

• Information was sent to the faculty ListServ about how to nominate yourself for membership on a SUNY Senate committee. We have been very successful in placing faculty on committees of their choice. A commitment to attend all meetings is expected.
• Searches for deans of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences are progressing. A new search will get underway soon for a new dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

Item 4: Report of the President/Provost

President John B. Simpson presented Will Hepfer with a plaque expressing appreciation for his four years of service as Secretary of the Faculty Senate.

He said we won't know the total number of students who will be graduating this spring until after the final exam period, but nearly 5,000 have applied for degrees. That's spectacular.

The UB2020 planning process has reached a very interesting stage, because we're ready to move on the first strategic strength proposal relating to integrated nanostructured systems. Twenty-nine new faculty hires in multiple disciplines are expected during implementation of this phase of the plan.

No other institutions are attempting strategic plans of the same scope as UB2020. While most other schools have been dealing with generic issues, UB's vision has been toward what our long-term directions should be. This is very much to our credit.


Item 5: Approval of the minutes of April 4, 2006

The minutes were approved as distributed.


Item 6: Report on the University Senate meeting in Plattsburgh - W. Baumer

SUNY Senator Baumer's written report on the April 7-8 meeting at SUC-Plattsburgh was distributed with the agenda. Highlights included:

• The SUNY Faculty Senate will cooperate with UUP in support of SUNY's budget request and in addressing a proposed academic bill of rights.
• The "Big Dig" has been an attempt to get data re faculty and professional staff positions. The number of professional staff positions has increased over the past decade, while the number of faculty positions has remained unchanged. What instructional or administrative functions are being served by the increases?
• The Governance Committee will distribute a revised Governance Handbook in Fall 2006.
• A SUNY-wide cooperative library acquisitions program will be developed.
• SUNY Senator Peter Nickerson was recognized for six years of service representing the University at Buffalo Health Sciences.

Item 7: Information re the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama - J. Wood & W. Regan

Associate Vice Provost for International Education John Wood discussed the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama. Tickets for the September 18-20 event will go on sale to UB faculty and staff next Monday; students will be able to attend for free.

September 19th has been designated as a Special Day of Learning so students and faculty can attend the Dalai Lama's lecture in UB Stadium. Classes are cancelled then, but any academic consequences should be offset by there being an extra Tuesday in the Fall 2006 academic calendar.

Much planning has gone into making the Dalai Lama's historic visit a unique learning experience. A course on Tibet was offered this semester, and there will be related lectures over the summer. During his visit, there will be a themed lecture, workshop, and film, plus a variety of art, music, and dance activities.

Director of Special Events William Regan demonstrated how easy it will be for faculty and staff to order tickets online during the two-week period beginning May 8th. After that, tickets will go on sale to the general public. Details are available on the Web at http://www.buffalo.edu/dalai_lama/.


Item 8: Old/New business

None


Item 9: Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Will Hepfer
Secretary of the Faculty Senate

ATTENDANCE (P = present; A = absent; E = excused)

Chair - P. Nickerson
Secretary - W. Hepfer
Parliamentarian - W. Baumer
Architecture & Planning - GS Danford (P)
Arts & Sciences - S. Bennett (P), R. Bobe (A), J. Buscaglia (A), J. Campbell (P), M. Churchill (P), L. Dryden (P), J. Faran (P), S. Gabriel (A), R. Giese (A), R. Hoeing (E), E. Juarros-Daussa (A), C. Lamb (A), M. Lo (P), A. Markelz (A), N. Matthews (P), J. Mendoza (A), S. Rothenberg (P), SD Schack (P), N. Shiode (P), L. Simms (A), D. Street (P), K. Takeuchi (E), J-C Thill (A), G. Timler (P), C. Welch (P), R. Woodard (P), J. Yu (P)
Dental Medicine - P. Bradford (P), M. Donley (E), G. Ferry (P), E. Pantera (A), J. Zambon (P)
Education - M. Kibby (A), J. Lee (P), L. Malavé (P), T. Schroeder (P)
Engineering & Applied Sciences - P. Alexandridis (A\P), C. Alphonce (P), C. Basaran (P), J. Crassidis (P), G. Dargush (P), D. Pados (P), A. Titus (P), R. Wetherhold (P)
Informatics - J. Ellison (P)
Law - S. Ghosh (A), T. Miller (A), J. Milles (A)
Management - J. Boot (P), S. Gunn (P), W. Lin (P), M. Trivedi (P)
Medicine & Biomedical Sciences - D. Amsterdam (A), M. Dayton (A), W. Fiden (A), E. Fine (P), W. Flynn (A), L. Harris (A), J. Hassett (P), L. Hernan (A), P. Joshi (P), T. Langan (A), V. Li (A), N. Miele (A), R. Noble (P), A. Posner (P), J. Sauret (A), J. Sharp (P), G. Snyder (A), J. Springate (P), G. Sufrin (A), F. Velazquez (P), A. Weinstock (A), B. Weinstock-Guttman (A)
Nursing - C. Curran (P), P. Wooldridge (A)
Pharmacy - G. Brazeau (A)
Public Health & Health Professions - K. Personius (A)
Social Work - B. Rittner (P)
SUNY Senators - W. Baumer (P), HW Coles (P), H. Durand (P), P. Nickerson (P)
University Libraries - J. Adams-Volpe (P), HA Booth (P), M. Kramer (E), D. Tao (P) University officers - President J. B. Simpson, Provost S. K. Tripathi

Guests - M. Cochrane (Reporter), J. Wood (International Education), W. Regan (Special Events), K. Saunders (VPUE)

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