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Senate News, November 9, 2020

Senators heard form Dr. Keith Fennen, Chair, Faculty Welfare Committee, regarding proposed changes to the TCPL hiring policy. Dr. Jen Rode, Nursing, presented two degree proposals: Doctor of Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing. Senator Cathy Wagner presented a resolution regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Associate Provost, Carolyn Haynes, returned to Senate for further discussion regarding changes to Senate ByLaws 8.A and MUPIM 11.1. Senator Liz Wardle introduced latest version of the Amorous Relationships Policy.

The October 26, 2020, minutes were approved.

The following reports and minutes were received on the Consent Calendar:

  1. Curriculum

  2. Academic Policy Committee – Annual Report

  3. Academic Policy Committee – Meeting Minutes – October 9, 2020

  4. Academic Policy Committee – Meeting Minutes – October 23, 2020

With the approval of the October 26, 2020, Senate minutes, the following resolution was approved:

SR 21-06

October 26, 2020

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate adopt revisions to the Miami University Policy and Information Manual, Section 2.4.C, University Promotion and Tenure Committee, as set forth below:

The Committee consists of the Provost as chair, the deans of the six (6) academic divisions and six tenured members of the instructional staff, one (1) from each of the academic divisions) appointed by the Provost with the President’s approval.  Members serve staggered three-year terms. The Provost will appoint a representative from the Office of the Provost to serve as secretary without vote.

With the approval of the November 9, 2020, Abbreviated minutes, the following resolutions were approved:

SR 21-07

November 9, 2020

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate endorse the proposed degree and major, Doctor of Nursing Practice, College of Liberal Arts and Applied Sciences.

AND FURTHERMORE, that the endorsement by University Senate of the proposed degree and major will be forwarded to the Miami University Board of Trustees for consideration.

SR 21-08

November 9, 2020

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate endorse the proposed degree and major, Master of Science in Nursing, College of Liberal Arts and Applied Sciences.

AND FURTHERMORE, that the endorsement by University Senate of the proposed degree and major will be forwarded to the Miami University Board of Trustees for consideration.

SR 21-09

November 9, 2020

Resolution on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force Recommendations

WHEREAS Senate voted this summer in SR 20-25 to “work to dismantle the systems of oppression that are operating at our University,” to “make anti-racism a core value of our community,” and to “work in the immediate future to prioritize resolutions that take specific and measurable action,”

RESOLVED: Senate endorses the goals of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, including building accountability and transparency about DEI and building pathways for creating and sustaining DEI resources. Senate requests to be kept regularly informed of progress by the Implementation Committee, and that both CODI and Senate participate meaningfully in discussions about implementation of the recommendations.

SR 21-10

November 9, 2020

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate adopt revisions to the Guide for the Consolidation, Partition, Transfer, or Elimination of Academic Divisions, Department, or Programs (Bylaws of University Senate, Section 8.A) as stated below:

The purpose of this resolution is to guide the decision-making process when consolidation, partition, transfer, or elimination of academic divisions, departments, or programs is under consideration.  “Programs” in this document is defined as administrative units such as academic departments, programs or institutes that offer degree programs, and academic divisions, rather than curricular programs interdisciplinary programs and degree programs (see “Changes to the Academic Curriculum” in the Policy Library for the procedure for elimination of an academic degree program or major). Fundamental to all that follows is the principle that ordinary administrative chains of command should always be observed in the decision-making and implementation process; that is, discussion, consultation, and fact-finding will normally begin at the programmatic or departmental level, with recommendations passing through divisional channels before reaching the Provost’s office.  This does not preclude initiative for such a decision-making process coming from a higher level, but it is meant to establish the principle of involving in a substantial way, those who are closest to the areas under consideration.  In keeping with University Senate’s primary responsibility for curriculum, programs, and course offerings, Those who have proposed a consolidation, partition, transfer, or elimination of Academic Divisions, Departments or Programs will present to Senate the rationale for the restructuring in question. Senate will consider the suggested change and make a recommendation to the Provost. If the restructuring moves is to go forward, a process coordinator will be designated by the Provost in consultation with the Executive Committee of University. The process coordinator should be a neutral person who has no formal ties with the division, department or program under consideration and is a tenured, full professor who is nominated by the professor’s academic dean.

At all times in the process outlined below, every effort should be made to keep the Provost, other appropriate University officers, and the faculty, staff, and students in affected divisions, departments, and programs informed of the progress of such discussions as they take place. 

In consultation with the Provost, the process coordinator is charged with:

  1. ensuring that the decision-making process is fair and empowers all constituents;
  2. ensuring that the process not only allows adequate time to hear and debate all concerns, but also is as efficient as possible;
  3. acting as a sounding board and mediator, as required, throughout the decision-making process; and
  4. acting as a liaison between the affected units and University Senate (the process coordinator does not need to be a member of University Senate).

The following actions should guide all administrators and key stakeholders whenever consolidation, partition, transfer, or elimination is being formally considered. Relevant communication should occur at a time that would allow for substantive feedback from affected parties.

Step 1. A request with a rationale for consolidation, partition, transfer, or elimination of an academic degree program, a department, program (academic unit), or division is submitted to the Provost. This request may be made by the chair or director of the unit involved or it may come from a higher level.

Step 2. If the Provost deems the request worthy of consideration, those who have proposed it will present to Senate the rationale for the restructuring in question. Senate will consider the suggested change and make a recommendation to the Provost. If the Provost deems the request viable, the Provost shall name a process coordinator at such time that formal discussion involving consolidation, partition, transfer, or elimination begins. In consultation with the person who initiated the request and the Dean, the Provost may constitute an ad hoc process committee.

Step 3. In consultation with the Provost and Dean, the process coordinator shall ensure that information is shared widely with divisions, departments, and programs; and with all interested parties within and external to Miami.

Step 4. The persons involved in instituting the request (along with the ad hoc committee where required) will work with the affected division(s), department(s) or program(s) to develop a specific proposal that includes course and timeline of action and impact analysis. The analysis should assess benefits and impacts on the University mission, on all constituents, and affected units, and on budget. Where diverse perspectives exist, the process coordinator will ensure that they are included in the impact analysis. If deemed necessary by the Provost in consultation with the Dean and chair or director, a formal or informal Academic Program Review may be included in the analysis.

Step 5. In consultation with the Provost and the appropriate dean, and at the earliest time possible in the process, the process coordinator will ensure that the proposal in progress is presented and discussed at a regularly scheduled meeting of University Senate. Multiple Senate visits may be necessary.

Step 6. In consultation with the Provost, the process coordinator shall ensure that the Council of Academic Deans and all affected administrators and departments and programs are consulted on the draft proposal.

Step 7. The process coordinator shall ensure that the proposal is presented to University Senate for consideration.

Step 8. The process coordinator and the University Senate shall make recommendations to the Provost.

SR 21-11

November 9, 2020

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that University Senate adopt revisions to the Changes to the Academic Curriculum (MUPIM 11.1) as stated below:

Deleting a Program Minor, Thematic Sequence or Certificate

(Note: any reference to class days in this manual includes final exam week.)

Each academic year during fall semester, the Office of the University Registrar will electronically notify the appropriate chair or program director and academic dean of minors, certificates, and Thematic Sequences that have had no or a low number of students (less than 12 students for undergraduate programs and 7 students for graduate programs) graduating within the academic program during the prior four academic years. No action will be taken on these academic programs at this point in time.

If the programs on this list continue to have low or no enrollments by the start of the fifth academic year, they will be removed from the next publication of the General Bulletin. In this fifth academic year, the chair or program director with the approval of the appropriate academic dean may notify the Office of the University Registrar of a decision to retain the minor, certificate, or Thematic Sequence on the list of active University programs for one (1) additional academic year. The program will remain for an additional sixth year and be deleted during the following year, if low or no enrollments.

Failure to supply such notification by the stated deadline of the fifth year of a low or not awarded program will result in the deletion of the program from the General Bulletin. A department or program wishing to offer an academic program that has been deleted must follow the procedures for approval of a new academic program before the program may be offered again.

Departments or programs may also elect to propose an elimination of a minor, Thematic Sequence, or certificate, on their own and at any point, following the appropriate department governance procedures.  In this situation, the proposed elimination must be submitted for approval by the following bodies following the process described in “Eliminating or Revising a Degree, Major, Co-Major, Minor or Certificate.”

Eliminating or Revising a Degree, Major, Co-Major, Minor or Certificate

Any elimination or revision to a degree, major, or co-major, minor, certificate, or concentration, including name changes to the same, at either the undergraduate or graduate level shall first be approved by the department or program, after consultation with other departments or programs (where appropriate).

Revisions requiring approval include:

  • Change in name of program
  • Curriculum modification, including addition or revision of a concentration with a degree program or major
  • Change in delivery mode for 50% or more of the requirements
  • Change in sites where program is offered
  • Accelerated or flexible delivery
  • Enrolling non-matriculated students to enroll (for certificates only)
  • Elimination of program

The proposed elimination or revision must also be submitted for approval by the following bodies.

Approving Body or Person

Undergraduate

Graduate

Department or Program

Required

Required

Division

Required

Required

Graduate Council

Not Applicable

Required*

Council of Academic Deans**

Required

Required

University Senate (Consent Calendar)

Required

Required

Office of the Provost***

Required

Required

*Only those that require approval by the ODHE Chancellor’s Council on Graduate Studies (CCGS)

**Only members of COAD with faculty status vote on curricular items.

**The Office of the Provost, in consultation with the academic division and department or program shall coordinate appropriate approvals with external agencies, including the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), U.S. Department of Education (DOE), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). External approval is required for substantial changes to the curriculum, change in sites where the program is delivered, change in delivery mode, and (in the case of certificates) enrolling students who are not already enrolled in a Miami degree program.  

If a department cannot agree upon the elimination of an academic degree or major by a simple majority vote, the department or academic program (unit) may request that University Senate Executive Committee in consultation with the Provost appoint a process coordinator who will be charged with:

  • ensuring that the decision-making process is fair and empowers all constituents;
  • ensuring that the process not only allows adequate time to hear and debate all concerns, but also is as efficient as possible;
  • acting as a sounding board and mediator, as required, throughout the decision-making process; and
  • acting as a liaison between the affected units and University Senate (the process coordinator does not need to be a member of University Senate).

Within the span of one academic semester, the process coordinator will engage in analysis of the proposal, including substantive deliberation and feedback from affected division(s), department(s) or program(s). The analysis should assess benefits and impacts on the University mission, on all constituents, and affected units, and on budget. Where diverse perspectives exist, the process coordinator will ensure that they are included in the impact analysis.  The process coordinator will present findings of the analysis and make recommendations to the University Senate and the Provost.

Once these steps are concluded, the process for approval, elimination or revision of a degree program or major (as appropriate) should be followed.