Academic Senators talk enrollment at last meeting of 2019
Central Michigan University Executive Vice President and Provost Mary Schutten passes the microphone to President Bob Davies at the Nov. 19 academic senate meeting. (File Photo)
Academic Senate Chairperson Brad Swanson told senators he hoped for a quick last meeting on Dec. 3 to close the semester. What actually ensued was a nervous look ahead for many senators and faculty.
Vice President and Provost Mary Schutten foresaw a positive conclusion to fall 2019. She also alluded to The Board of Trustees' public committee meetings on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and its formal session on Thursday, Dec. 5 in the Bovee University Center President’s Conference Room.
Schutten will complete her first semester as Provost later this month.
"I can't believe it's only been one semester, (the academic senate) has made it a great transition for me and I appreciate the work that we do together," she said.
Following the President and Provost joint report, many senators were unsatisfied by the lack of acknowledgment toward enrollment and budgeting.
President Bob Davies introduced the $3 million President and Provost Fund for Innovation and Excellence at the first academic senate meeting this semester.
"At the same time we're cutting jobs and canceling courses we're offering innovation grants to pursue new projects at CMU," said senator Michael Mamp of fashion, interior design, and merchandising. "I think in the middle of that is the question, 'Who are we at CMU and who do we want to be?'"
Later in the meeting, senators voted unanimously for the deletion of the Masters in Arts sociology program.
Senators also debated changes in the incomplete grade policy. After objections from nearly half the senate, they voted to have the policy returned to the registrar's office for revisions.
Academic senate meetings will resume with the start of the spring 2020 semester on Jan. 14. They are held every other Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in French Auditorium, Education and Human Services Building Room 118. Anyone, including students, can sit in on an academic senate meeting, and meetings are live-streamed on the academic senate website.
