Academic Senate approves new Ph.D. program in physics
The Senate also added two film courses to the University Program group IV-A
Academic Senate meets April 23 in the French Auditorium of the College Education and Human Services building.
Academic Senate approved a new Ph.D. program and added two broadcast and cinematic arts classes to the University Program at its April 23 meeting, the last meeting of the 2018-19 academic year.
The Senate added a new Ph.D. program in physics. Senator Marco Fornari, physics faculty, said the department has an average income of more than $2 million, which will fund the new program, along with grants.
Senator Ben Heumann, geography and environmental faculty, said the Academic Planning Council also discussed funding for the program. He said not only does the physics department bring in more external funds than any other department, but it brings in 25 percent of all external funds.
Adding two BCA courses to University Program
After many revisions to the master course syllabi, the Senate voted in favor of adding two broadcast and cinematic arts classes to the University Program. BCA 350: Women in Film and BCA 351: Queer Cinema will be part of the UP IV-A Group, which addresses studies in discrimination in the United States and other cultures.
The General Education committee reviewed the proposal at its Feb. 28 meeting and decided to send it back to the initiator for revision. The issue was the master course syllabus should either address why the course was at a 300-level or it should require a prerequisite.
BCA faculty Patricia Williamson, the initiator, said she did not want to include prerequisites for the classes because she didn’t feel they were necessary.
The courses passed without any prerequisites, but because they are intermediate film courses, it is advised that students take them as a sophomore or higher, since the course will require the ability to write film analyses.
Conducting market analysis for literacy major
A new literacy major for teacher education and professional development students was on the agenda, but the Senate did not approve it at the meeting. A motion was approved to table the legislation.
Senator Tracy Collins, English language and literature faculty, said a market analysis should be conducted before approving the major. She proposed the motion to send the legislation back to the Academic Planning Council after a market analysis is completed, so the council can decide whether or not to approve it.
“The first market analysis that was done for the reading major didn’t pass, and I think that is a point that should be known,” said Senator Tracy Davis, English language and literature faculty. “That wasn’t a favorable analysis for the original version and I think that’s one of the reasons we would like to see the market analysis, to make sure it has a favorable outcome.”
Senator Ray Francis, teacher education and professional development faculty, said there is no need to push back the legislation.
“Given the idea that the provost already indicated there wasn’t a need for a second market analysis, and given the fact that Michigan is doing just deplorable in (reading and literacy), we need to make some changes to adjust, adapt and put our students in the best situation possible to be successful,” Francis said. “Not only our teacher education students at CMU, but our students in K-12 classrooms.”
After some discussion, the Senate approved Collins’ motion to send the legislation back to the APC after a second market analysis is complete.
Reception for Provost Gealt
Provost Michael Gealt announced there will be a reception for the outgoing provost at 5 p.m. on April 25 in Powers Hall. He is finishing his sixth year as provost at CMU and is stepping down, effective June 30.
“One of the best things about working in a university,” he said, “is that all the people I interact with are intelligent, and we all have the same goal of graduating our students and showing the world that our students are the best students there ever have been.”
Gealt updated the Senate on current administrator searches. Marcy Taylor, who was serving as the interim associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, was appointed associate dean of the college, effective immediately.
The last candidate for the College of Business Administration dean search, Christopher Moberg, will visit campus on April 25.
