EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Present:          Alloway, Beck, Bolin, Bradford, Flowers, Hachtmann, Ledder, Moeller, Scholz, Stock  

 

Absent:           Alexander, Rapkin, Zimmers

           

Date:               Wednesday, September 13, 2006

 

Location:        Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace

 

Note:   These are not verbatim minutes.  They are a summary of the discussions at the Executive Committee meeting as corrected by those participating.

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1.0       Call to Order

Moeller called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.

           

2.0       ASUN (Matt Schaefer, Greg Gifford)

            2.1       Safe Assignment

Gifford stated that ASUN is concerned that the Safe Assignment program will be used as a policing tool rather than an educational tool for students.  He stated that the ASUN would like to see a program that can be used to educate students rather than punish them. 

 

Moeller stated that in previous meetings of the Academic Senate it was reported that Safe Assignment is a diagnostic tool for students to use as well as for faculty use.  She stated that students can check their papers to see if they have paraphrased or not cited references properly before they turn the paper into their professors. 

 

Schaefer stated that students thought that a professor would have to give permission for students to use the program.  Moeller pointed out that the program is on Blackboard and anyone can access it.  Alloway noted that the program is under the assignment tab in Blackboard. 

 

Alloway stated that there are segments of the university population that are less informed about proper citations and what constitutes plagiarism.  He pointed out that the faculty felt that Safe Assignment could be a real educational tool to help these students. 

 

Bradford pointed out that there is a serious problem with intentional plagiarism.  Flowers noted that this is not only with students.  Alloway reported that there have been cases of faculty members at other universities who have been found guilty of plagiarizing. 

 

Moeller stated that she tested the Safe Assignment program this summer with students in her graduate class.  She noted that the students thought it was a great tool. 

 

Gifford stated that students were told that a faculty member had to allow the students to use the program. 

 

2.2       Academic Dishonesty Grade

Moeller stated that several universities are using and having success with giving the grade of “XF” to a student found guilty of academic dishonesty.  She noted that the grade is designed to inform people that a student has intentionally been found guilty of cheating.  If there are no further incidents, the grade can be removed after a period of two years. 

 

Moeller stated that the Executive Committee wants to work with the students to develop a definition of academic dishonesty.  She pointed out that the current policy is not visible.  She stated that the Committee will work with ASUN and Dr. Hecker’s office to develop a policy.  Ledder stated that he would like to see an academic honesty policy that is not just geared towards students but to all members of the academic community. 

 

Schaefer asked when a faculty member would have the opportunity to see a student’s academic record.  Bradford stated that a committee would need to review whether the grade should be given.  Ledder pointed out that academic advisors could check on a student’s record. 

 

Alloway stated that nothing will develop on the grade until the campus has a better definition of academic dishonesty.  He pointed out that the faculty does not want anything that could be unfair.  Bradford noted that procedural protections on giving the grade need to be ensured.  Alloway stated that preliminary suggestions are that Judicial Affairs would actually determine whether the grade should be given.  It would not be up to one individual to make that decision. 

 

Flowers pointed out that the Judicial Affairs Office would also need to keep track of the records of these cases.  He noted that faculty members are currently required to report incidents of academic dishonesty.  Bradford stated that this policy is probably not being followed by many people.  Flowers agreed and stated that many faculty members may not be aware of this policy.  Alloway noted that many professors do not want to deal with a lengthy process so they will often not report a violation. 

 

Schaefer stated that he heard from a student that a professor was offering students extra credit in a course for turning in a student who is cheating. 

 

Moeller stated that she recently had an incident with one of her students who plagiarized 70% of their paper.  Moeller was told that she should go to Judicial Affairs about the incident but the procedures were lengthy and time consuming. 

 

Beck pointed out that a faculty member can ask Judicial Affairs to maintain a record of the incident without taking action because she has done that on one occasion, but she doesn’t know how well this actually works.  Schaefer asked if the student was informed that this was being done.  Beck stated that she informed the student. 

 

Stock stated that he believed it would be news to many faculty members that they are required to file a report.  He pointed out that there are many fuzzy cases of academic dishonesty and it is up to an instructor to deal with the students in these cases.  He noted that particular cases of academic dishonesty might not be severe enough to warrant going through Judicial Affairs. 

 

Bradford stated that the Executive Committee is just beginning preliminary discussions about the grade option.  He pointed out that the Committee will consult with ASUN when a draft policy is written.  Moeller stated that the Committee will definitely work with ASUN further on this subject.

 

2.3       Syllabus Policy

Schaefer stated that ASUN would like to have a policy for the campus that requires each course to have a syllabus.  Bradford asked if the policy would apply to only undergraduate courses.  Flowers noted that some undergraduate courses such as independent studies usually do not have a syllabus because of the nature of it.  Ledder stated that the draft policy deals with these courses by using language that the policy is for courses “in the traditional sense of the word.” 

 

Bradford stated that he is unsure about requiring a grading policy in the syllabus.  He asked what kind of grading policy the students are wanting, a letter grade scale.  Schaefer stated that the syllabus should state how grades will be assessed.  Alloway suggested substituting grading policy with “method of evaluation.”  He pointed out that using this language would allow professors to state what is appropriate for their course. 

 

Stock stated that he has concerns with stating the time and place of the final.  He noted that he does not want people to infringe on the 15th week policy but he sometimes will not decide until the middle of the semester whether he will give the students a take home final.  Ledder pointed out that some times professors do not know the location of where the final exam will be given.  Schaefer stated that the important thing is that the professors eventually communicate when and where the final exam will be held.  Ledder noted that he posts the final exam information on his website and announces it in two different class periods. 

 

Alloway stated that it is important for the students to keep their email addresses up to date on Blackboard.  He noted that he has had email messages returned because the students have changed them. 

 

Bradford pointed out that not all professors distribute printed copies of their syllabus.  Schaefer stated that ASUN encourages professors to use Blackboard as much as possible. 

 

Schaefer stated that it is helpful to students who are shopping for classes to have a copy of the syllabus on the first day of class.  He noted that listing the prerequisites for the course of the syllabus can alert students that they are not ready to take a particular course. 

 

Gifford stated that ASUN has been told that there are instructors who say that they are constructing a draft syllabus but then it never gets distributed.  He stated that the policy is an attempt to make sure this practice stops. 

 

Schaefer pointed out that having a syllabus protects faculty members as well because students cannot argue against an assignment if it is posted in the syllabus.  He stated that ASUN will continue working on the policy and will be in touch with the Senate about it. 

 

2.4       Book Orders

Schaefer stated that ASUN wants to encourage faculty members to turn in their book orders by October 15th.  He noted that students get a better buy back on their books if the order has been submitted by that date.

 

2.5       ASUN Government Liaison Committee

Schaefer reported that a big focus of the ASUN is with the Government Liaison Committee who will work with the City Council and State Legislature about the proposed spending lid bill.  He stated that ASUN is trying to get funding for a student campaign to fight against the proposed legislation by getting people to vote against it. 

 

Moeller reported that the Chancellor discussed at the Deans and Directors meeting this morning that state employees must be careful with their activity towards the bill.  She noted that employees cannot speak at any venue about the bill during the time when they are on the job.

 

Ledder stated that anything the employees of the university will say will be held with suspicion.  He pointed out that students will carry more weight with the public because they are not getting paid by the university. 

 

Moeller noted that employees cannot use any equipment or work time in the effort to fight the lid. 

 

2.6       Technology in the Classroom

Schaefer stated that ASUN is also looking into the use of podcasts.  He stated that ASUN will continue to work and encourage faculty members to use innovative ways to teach. 

 

Bradford asked if professors who use PowerPoint in the classroom later post their slides on Blackboard.  Schaefer stated that he is starting to see more of this.  Ledder asked if this would affect class attendance.  Beck stated that she heard that it can.  Moeller noted that a professor could require class attendance. 

 

Beck stated that she uses PowerPoint presentations in her classroom but she tells students that not all of the information that is given in class is on the PowerPoint presentation.  Schaefer noted that it makes taking notes in class much easier. 

 

Alloway stated that he has had a 50/50 response from students on the PowerPoint slides.  He noted that some say too much information is provided while others like having the slides posted. 

 

2.7       Academic Rights and Responsibilities of Students

Schaefer stated that a resolution will be presented at the ASUN meeting tonight on the academic rights and responsibilities of students.  He noted that students should be aware of these and if they are violated they should take appropriate action.  He stated that he has met with Vice Chancellor Franco and they are working on forming a joint campaign to inform students of what they can do if they feel that that their academic rights have been violated.  Gifford stated that they want to call students’ attention to the fact that there are processes in place and an ombudsman on campus to handle situations if a student’s academic rights have been violated. 

 

3.0       Announcements

            No announcements were made.           

 

4.0       Approval of 9/13/06 Minutes

Flowers moved and Bradford seconded approval of the minutes as amended.  Motion approved.

 

5.0       Unfinished Business

            5.1       Review of Responses to Institutional Objectives Survey

The Committee reviewed the responses that have been received to date on the survey.  The Committee agreed that a reminder should be sent out next week to the faculty encouraging them to respond to the questionnaire. 

 

Moeller stated that she is trying to find out why the colleges have to approve the revisions to the general education program.  She noted that at other universities it is usually the Faculty Senate that approves such changes.  She reported that she has asked Associate to the Chancellor Howe to check to see if it is state statute for the colleges to approve the curriculum changes. 

           

6.0       New Business

6.1       Review of Senate Meeting

The Committee agreed that there were very good group discussions on the Institutional Objectives.  Ledder noted that the way the committee reports are being presented is much better.

 

6.2       Deans and Directors Meeting

Moeller stated that she attended the Deans and Directors meeting.  She reported that web development was discussed.  She noted that 50 different web designs were submitted and 8500 UNL representatives took part in voting for the web design that would be adopted.  She stated that the idea was to have a web design that was consistent, easy to use, had branding and accessibility.  She noted that the web will be redesigned in 2009.

 

Ledder pointed out that the web design did not consider ease of visual use.  Flowers stated that no one on the web development team has any real background with visual perception.  Ledder noted that the campus was interested in legal compliances but did not take into consideration accessibility for visually impaired people.  He suggested that Christy Horn, ADA/504 Compliance Officer, should be contacted to get a group of people to test the website. 

 

Moeller stated that a very good presentation was given by Professor O’Hanlon on the accreditation report.  She noted that the presentation shows that the report is not a defensive report but one that is reflective and moves the campus forward.  She stated that the final version of the report will be on the web. 

 

6.3       Board of Regents Meeting

Moeller reported that most of the meeting was occupied with discussions about the UNO situation.  She stated that Professor Lewis, Mathematics, did give a presentation on Math in the Middle.  Moeller noted that the Board was very impressed with the presentation.

 

Moeller reported that Dr. Pratt, Interim Provost, gave a presentation on gender equity data.  Moeller pointed out that only 14 women on campus make over $100,000 while there are nearly five or six as many men who make over $100,000.  She pointed out that in some cases the men have been here for a long time.  She stated that a full report on gender equity will be presented to the Board this fall. 

 

Moeller reported that the Chancellor met with the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women.  She stated that the Chancellor wants the Commission to help get more information on finding another day care facility.

           

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be on Wednesday, September 20th at 3:00 pm.  The meeting will be held in 201 Canfield Administration Building.  The minutes are respectfully submitted by Karen Griffin, Coordinator and Rick Alloway, Secretary.