Central Michigan University is considering using a national non-profit organization to implement more technology in classes to reduce the cost of higher education.

Many faculty members ridiculed the academic transformation program, from the National Center for Academic Transformation, during Tuesday's Academic Senate meeting.

Provost Gary Shapiro said CMU is looking into it, but Laura Frey, Faculty Association president and associate professor of counseling and special education, raised concerns.

Frey said she is worried academic transformation would allow the faculty less face-to-face connection with students, but force them to spend more time outside of class doing more work. The graduate assistants in the class might also be overwhelmed, she said.

Frey was also concerned the administration would force the system on faculty. Other senate members said it would be “abuse” of the faculty.

“The goal is to increase student learning and decrease cost,” Shapiro said. “Wait until you see it before you say it’s abusing faculty.”

Vince Cavataio, Student Government Association president, said he was in disbelief at the disorganization between the administration and the faculty.

"I have read the purpose of academic transformation and the insinuations made by some senators extend beyond anything touched on in the documents,” the Shelby Township senior said. “Their concerns are not irrelevant, but they aren't even addressed in academic transformation documents."

SGA Parliamentarian Anna Dvorak, an Alma junior, said the sentiments expressed by faculty senators, to her, sounded like they were concerned the idea would introduce additional and unwanted faculty responsibilities.

Shapiro said the university has not committed specific funds for academic transformation.

The administration is not going to force it on the faculty, he said.

Orlando Perez, professor and chairman of political science, asked Shapiro should the university have to choose between quality or cost, which decision would it make.

Shapiro said that example was like trying to choose between two children.

“You’re suggesting I place quality above cost, but it’s not one or the other,” Shapiro said. “Quality is critical, but we cannot keep it if the costs are too high.”

Jim McDonald, teacher education and professional development professor and Academic Senate chairman, said he expects A-Senate meetings to get heated, since it is the only regular place where the faculty and the administration meet with the president and provost for questions.

“It hasn’t been boring yet, let’s put it that way,” McDonald said.

Academic Prioritization

Shapiro said the report should be out late this week or early next week. He said there would be a public forum to discuss it, but only a tentative date is set at this point. He said he is also willing to hold other public forums and meetings with the specific departments if they wish.

Senate members also brought up issues with the fact that Ernest Yoder, founding dean of the College of Medicine, has not attended the past several A-Senate meetings.

Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management, and Linda Slater, director of plant engineering and planning, gave a presentation about creating a sustainable campus.

“This is just the big picture. The master plan’s going to look out for 20 years,” Lawrence said. “Some of it’s ongoing right now.”

A new designator, HSL: Health Systems Leadership, was added, and the Community Development Option: Concentration in Recreation, BS, was deleted.

Mount Pleasant senior Sarah Haas was chosen as the student senator for Senate Executive Board this semester, and Pierson graduate assistant Michelle Campbell was chosen for the position next semester.