Highlight of UAS Meeting of April 5 and Preview of ECS and UAS Meetings of April 19, 2024

To improve communication between ECS/UAS and faculty colleagues, the Executive Committee of the Senate (ECS), at its August 16, 2023, retreat, reaffirmed a recommendation from August 12, 2021, that a general message be sent out to all faculty each week. This message will highlight the immediate past ECS/UAS meeting and preview the upcoming ECS/UAS meeting. In particular, the highlight will summarize the essential agenda items and provide context on the key votes; the pros and cons will be outlined, and the critical arguments for each will be highlighted. Herein are the highlights of the UAS meeting on April 5 and a preview of the April 19, 2024 ECS and UAS meetings. Meetings of the ECS are restricted to members of the ECS, their alternates, and others whom the ECS may invite, according to SG 1.01.7.2. Meetings of the UAS are open according to SG 1.01.6.2. Any faculty member wishing to speak at a UAS meeting can request to be added as a guest by contacting the chair of ECS/UAS at least three days before the meeting.

Highlights of the UAS Meeting of April 5, 2024

Chair’s Report

Meeting with President Mantella and Provost Mili: The following faculty members, Chris Haven, Bob Hollister, Figen Mekik, Chris Pearl, Mary Bower Russa, Anne Sergeant, and Andrew Spear, will join Courtney Karasinski and me to meet with President Mantella and Provost Mili on April 12 to discuss faculty concerns and shared governance expectations.
The theme for the 2024 UAS Newsletter will be The Role of Shared Governance in Co-Creating Laker Readiness. All faculty who would like to contribute an article should contact Chair Ngassa and plan to submit their articles by the extended deadline of April 11. Please also send a photo to go with your article.
Reach Higher Showcase is Friday, April 12, at 4 pm.
The new Senate leadership will be elected on April 19 from the 2024-2025 ECS membership. Chair Ngassa will not be running for re-election.

Provost's Report

Provost Mili reported that the interviews for the Kirkhof College of Nursing dean were held.

Student Senate President's Report

Student Senate President Quinten Proctor was sworn in for his second term as Student Senate President for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Student Senate Vice President Paris Lawson was introduced.
The Student Senate President was asked about the student perspective on the Town Halls held last week and shared that many students share the same concerns. Student Senate is looking forward to working with potential ways to move forward.

New Business

On the Update from the Employee Ombuds: Elisa Ortega-Schultz, the Employee Ombuds, presented the work of the ombuds during 2023.
On the Research-Intensive Course Designation: A research-intensive (RI) course designation is proposed to be attached to specific course sections and courses to elevate and recognize research efforts. A motion to table this discussion and have the proposers obtain input from humanities faculty on incorporating relevant language for their fields and from the Registrar’s Office on how this designation would appear on transcripts and the amount of work this would require passed unanimously.
On the International Education Committee (IEC) Memo on IEC Bylaws Change: The proposed change will change the Shared Governance Policies in SG 1.02.B. The significant change in membership composition is recommending two representatives from CECI (currently, four are from CLAS, and one is from each of the remaining colleges and the University Libraries). For student membership, it is recommended that one student be selected by the Student Organization, which represents international students. The motion of support passed unanimously.
On the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) Memo on Course Designation for Study Abroad: The UCC recommends the creation of a permanent course designation specific to study abroad. The recommendation results from collaborations with the Padnos International Center (PIC), the International Education Committee (IEC), and the University Registrar’s Office. The motion to support unanimously passed.
On the Graduate Council (GC) Memo on Independent Study: GC reviewed and updated the existing policy to be consistent with current practices and terminology. The motion to support passed unanimously.
On the Graduate Council (GC) Memo on the Use of AI in Dissertations and Theses: Artificial intelligence (AI), when generating a research project, thesis, or dissertation, must adhere to some minimum standards to ensure academic integrity and uphold quality standards. The motion to support passed unanimously.
On a Consent Agenda for UAS: The proposed language for describing the operation of a consent agenda for UAS was reviewed. The motion to support unanimously passed.
On GVSU Perception Research: Jennifer Allard, AVP for Marketing and Branding, led the conversation on GVSU Perception Research Survey. In July, there will be a new home page that will be recruitment-based. We are working with a new ad agency that focuses on higher education. In the fall, a new brand for GVSU will be announced.

For more details on the above items, please go here.

Preview of ECS Meeting of April 19, 2024

Instructional Materials Task Force Report
Academic Policies and Standards Committee (APSC) Memo on Proposed Change to BA Degree Requirement to Include American Sign Language (ASL)
Transition from ECS 2023-2024 to ECS 2024-2025
Election of Senate Leadership for 2024-2025

Preview of UAS Meeting of April 19, 2024

Remarks from President Mantella
Instructional Materials Task Force Report
Academic Policies and Standards Committee (APSC) Memo on Proposed Change to BA Degree Requirement to Include American Sign Language (ASL)
Transition from UAS 2023-2024 to UAS 2024-2025
Highlights of Standing Committee Work for 2023-2024

Please don't hesitate to contact your ECS or UAS representative from your College or university Libraries to provide input on any ECS agenda item you want to discuss.

Thank you for your continuous interest in faculty governance.

Sincerely,

Felix N. Ngassa
Chair of ECS/UAS 2023-2024

ECS Membership

1 Campus Drive

3090 James H. Zumberge Hall
Allendale, MI 49401

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