University of South Alabama
Faculty Senate
2006-2007

September 20, 2006
University Library, Rm. 110

Approved MINUTES

The meeting began at 3:16 pm with Chair Irene McIntosh presiding. A quorum was present. Minutes changed and approved for June and July.

Present: Beverly, Moore, Irion, Amare, Brick, Britt, Brown, Crumb, Dardeau, Dupree, Fresne, Farmer, Flynn, Khan, Loomis, Major, Prokorov, Wright, Doran, Hain, Bru, Lauderdale, Ficici, Hubbard, McIntosh, Sachs, Santoli, Douglass, Engin, Guion, Li, Tate, Carnahan, Costello, King, Pettyjohn, Porter, Harrison, Joseph, Prescott, Swofford, Robinson

Excused: Sylvester, Williams

Unexcused: Vrettos, Burkhartt, Molokhia, Sherman, Varner, Hamilton, Shamburger

Guests: Dr. John Steadman, Dean, College of Engineering

Representing the Dean’s Council; Report on Grade Replacement Policy

Offered two reasons to change:

A grade should reflect a students’ knowledge of subject matter.

Currently there is no incentive for a student to retake a course in specified filed.

Result: No penalization or support of student in knowledge of subject matter.

Minutes:

Chair’s Report:

Chair and Senate deferred to guest due to time constraints

Dr. John Steadman, Dean, College of Engineering

Representing the Dean’s Council; Report on Grade Replacement Policy

A grade should reflect a students’ knowledge of subject matter.

Currently there is no incentive for a student to retake a course in specified filed.

Faculty discussion included:

Financial Aid- notification of students

Review of current policy and academic bankruptcy

Concerns-Students repeating junior and senior level coursework, capstone courses

Incentive for students to slide from C to D”.

(Noted: Departments may still restrict GR courses within specific majors)

Result: Senators will take grade replacement issue back to their colleges and departments for input. General discussion indicated raising the replacement grades from “B and Below”.

Continue building relationship with USA Administration

Old Business

New Business

-Concerns- financial aid, A- B students, Repeat of capstone courses

See above.

Reports from standing committees: None

Academic Development and Mentoring

Submitted 9/19/06 by Brenda Beverly, committee chair

The new members for the 06-07 committees have not yet met. At the last report, the voting for the changes to the committee name and handbook description had not been approved. Reportedly, this was due to insufficient voting, not necessarily opposition. Concerns raised by faculty regarding new faculty orientation and PETAL requirements (timing, quantity) are an upcoming agenda item for this committee.

Environmental Quality: No report.

Evaluation: No report.

Planning & Development: No report.

Salary & Fringe Benefits: No report.

Technology Utilization: No report.

Caucus reports:

Arts and Sciences: T. Wright- Assistant Dean Search in progress

Allied Health: No report

Computer and Information Systems: T. Hain-Dr. Feinstein will be resigning in May as Dean of the School

Education: J. Sachs-No report.

Engineering: No report.

Library: D. Guion-Ban Book Week next week. Events planned.

College of Medicine : G. Carnahan-Environmental Quality issues being addressed in the college.