Senate
1.
CALL TO
ORDER
The meeting started at approximately
2.
ELECTION OF
SECRETARY
Ms. Mumbi Thande-Kamiru was elected as the senate secretary.
3.
MINUTES OF
OCTOBER MEETING
The minute of the October 14th Senate meeting were approved after discussion.
4.
PRESENTATION
BY Dr. KAREN VERBEKE ON ACCEREDITATION
ISSUES
Dr. Karen Verbeke talked on accreditation of the Education department. The reason why there has been such a problem is due to low PRAXIS scores. This year school is up for reapproval. The PRAXIS is split up into two sections, part one concerns reading, math, and writing at a ninth grade level. Part two concerns the specific subject matter that one wants to teach e.g. biology. The state attorney advised that each year the test score should be reported. The requirements are that at least 80% of the students should be passing and the school has not reached that standard; therefore the state determined that the school to be low performing. These low scores will not affect funding. Next fall there should be more that 80% of the students that pass the PRAXIS. The State came to visit only because of the low test scores. There is a full time PRAXIS Coordinator and there are Introduction to PRAXIS courses being offered. Sophomore student senator asked if there could be a statement offered by the administration to inform the University community of the situation around the accreditation of the Education Department.
5. C0MMITTEE REPORTS
Dr. Mollett- on behalf of Senate Bylaws review committee
Ms. Demanche, the chair for the Academic Affairs Committee is on sick leave and will not be here for the rest of the semester.
President of the senate asked for volunteers for this position.
6. ELECTION OF CHAIRS
FOR THE SENATE COMMITTEES
Ms. Dadson nominated and elected as chair for Academic Affairs Committee.
Ms. Hudson nominated and elected as chair for Campus Security Committee.
Dr. Bass nominated as chair for the Faculty Grievance Committee, he respectively declined.
Dr. Walther nominated and elected as chair for the Athletic Committee.
Mr. Ron Levy nominated and elected as chair for IT Committee.
Dr. Parveen nominated and elected as chair for Library Committee.
David Ifill nominated and elected as chair for Student Concern Committee.
7. OTHER ISSUES AND NEW
BUSINESS
Ms. Hudson asked for survey instruments to monitor security concerns.
David Ifill suggested that there should be an option to still be able to eat a meal at the Plateau even though a student may have forgotten their student ID. He suggested that the student use their SSN to gain entry.
David also asked if there was a possibility to have the Library open for longer hours so that students may have an opportunity to gain more time in an atmosphere that is conducive to studying.
Andre Wilford asked if there is a possibility to install a stop sign and speed bumps in Hawks Landing due to cars speeding along the road and possibly causing injury.
Freshman Senator asked if there is anything that can be done about the quality of food in the plateau and if something could be done to improve the attitudes of those working in the financial aid office and if there can be anything done to expedite the process of students knowing if they have financial aid or not.
Captain Levy addressed the issue of no heat in Wicomico Hall during a very chilly night.
Dr. Mollett addressed the problems that staff and students are having with Peoplesoft.
Andre and Mumbi brought up concerns with advisors and their lack of advising capabilities. Also expressed alarm with the fact that the 2003-2005 catalog is the first that has been published since the 1998-2000 catalog.
Taiese Bingham put forth a motion to increase classes per subject or to increase number of seats per class. Captain Levy alerted us that we cannot do that because teachers are already stretched thin and that accrediting bodies regulate such matters. The motion was tabled.
The meeting adjourned at
Submitted by:
Ms. Mumbi Thande-Kamiru, Secretary