agenda status: approved Agenda: AGENDA University Committee on Academic Policy Meeting of Thursday, August 30, 2007 10:15 a.m., Administration Bldg. Board Room
Phone or e-mail Sandra Walther (353-5380; swalther@msu.edu) if you cannot be present. Please remember that you are asked to send a substitute from your college. Attachments: April 26, 2007 Draft Minutes April 26, 2007 Draft Minutes Addendum (Summer 2007 Committee Actions) minutes status: approved approved at meeting of 09/13/2007 UCAP Minutes for meeting held on 08/30/2007 Attendees: Rania Badin, Dennis Banks, Matthew Caramagno, R. Sekhar Chivukula, Peter Cobbett, Mary Crimp, Doug Estry, Caroline Hartig, Linda Jackson, Helen Mayer, Matthew McKeon, Jerry Punch, Ralph Putnam, Michael Schechter, Jim Smith, Amanda Venettis, Thomas Volkening Absent: Richard Hallgren, Michael Shields The Agenda was approved. Welcome and Introductions Chairperson Chivukula welcomed new and returning members to the committee. Motion by Professor Ralph Putnam passed unanimously:
After members of the committee introduced themselves, Professor Chivukula provided an overview of the purpose and purview of the committee, including a discussion of UCAP bylaws. Elected Committee Positions: Discussion Chairperson Chivukula described the committee’s elected positions and their associated responsibilities, asking members to volunteer for positions. Volunteers: Ralph Putnam, Vice Chair Dennis Banks, Athletic Council Linda Jackson, MEAC Matt McKeon, UCLL Jerry Punch, 2nd representative to Academic Council After members volunteered for open committee positions, Chairperson Chivukula suggested that, if there were no further nominations, elections be closed by accepting the volunteers to the positions. No further nominations were made and the committee unanimously accepted the slate of volunteers. Committee Operating Procedures and Housekeeping Chairperson Chivukula suggested that the committee follow Roberts Rules of Order in formal operation, but in matters such as approving the meeting agenda and minutes do so with general agreement. There were no objections from the committee. The Chairperson suggested that after reaching consensus on a matter in the committee’s regularly scheduled meeting, the committee consider using email as the means to formalize language for communication of the committee’s recommendation and the approval of those documents. In these cases, if any committee member objected, the approval of the text of the already agreed upon action would be added to the agenda of the next meeting. Motion by Linda Jackson passed unanimously:
A question was raised whether substitutes for elected members count toward quorum. Although noted that traditionally non-voting members do not count toward quorum, the suggestion was made to consult the Secretary for Academic Governance on the matter. Professor Putnam remarked that the committee had investigated the matter of voting rights of a members substitute and found that a) a substitute is not a duly elected representative and b) that person would not have been a part of the committee discussions up to that point, therefore a member substitute had voice but not vote. Committee members were reminded that it is important for members to provide substitutes so the college has someone to report back and to represent the college’s interests. In addition, members were urged to work with their deans and departments to insure that issues being considered by the committee were communicated to the appropriate audience for feedback. As a matter of practice, agendas and related documents will be distributed by email and posted on the UCAP website prior to regularly scheduled meetings. It was suggested that when the committee is considering a substantial policy issue, the subcommittee working on that issue take the time to provide a brief seminar to the full committee enabling the smooth flow of movement of issues from subcommittee recommendation for full committee consideration. All committee meetings are open to the public. There is no voice for anyone except those on the committee and those recognized or given voice by the committee. In these cases, Chairperson Chivukula would like to formally ask the committee to allow the person voice and then after the person has spoken, state they no longer have voice. The committee reviewed a draft of questions regarding programmatic changes. This document would be provided to those making presentations to the committee. There were no objections to beginning this practice. Chairperson Chivukula instructed the committee to review committee business and proposed changes from the point of view of the university, and consistent with the University’s position as a public, land grant university. Minutes from the 4/26/07 meeting were approved. The addendum to the 4/26/07 minutes was approved. Formation of Subcommittees Academic Dishonesty Policy Subcommittee Peter Cobbett – Chair Caroline Hartig Marty Crimp Matt Caramagno Undergraduate Teaching Aides Rick Hallgren – Chair Jim Smith Amanda Venettis Judy Miller, a scholar in the area of undergraduate aides, will be conducting a Lilly Seminar at MSU on October 5. In addition, the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education has scheduled a luncheon with Dr. Miller for UCAP members interested in discussing the topic at greater length. Members Chivukula, Smith and Venettis indicated they would attend the luncheon. Religious Observance Last year UCAP forwarded to Academic Council its recommendation that the Religious Observance policy be changed. After discussion in Academic Council, the recommendation was returned to UCAP for further review. In the next UCAP meeting, Vice Chair Putnam will review the returned policy with the committee in order to determine whether the issue should be revisited and if a subcommittee should be formed to rework the recommendation. Fall Semester Break The committee provided its recommendation to Academic Council for consideration. It is not known whether this will recommendation will move further along in academic governance or be returned to UCAP for reconsideration. Committee Positions: Elections Selection of committee positions was completed earlier in the meeting. Roundtable Chairperson Chivukula asked if there were any objections to calling a special meeting of the committee, if necessary. There were no objections. The meeting was Adjourned at 12:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted by Sandra Walther |
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