UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE
UNIVERSITY SENATE MEETING
VOL. XXXIV. NO. 10
April 28, 1998

Members Present:

Angelo Armendariz, David Backstrom, Richard Behling, Thomas Bergmann, Judy Blackstone, Anne Cattarello, Linda Cecchini, Greg Conderman, J. Kenneth Davidson, Sr., Gene Decker, R. Dale Dick, Bernard Duyfhuizen, Andrea Gapko, Joseph Giordano, Douglas Hallatt, Margaret Hallatt, Susan Harrison, Erik Hendrickson, Eugene Hood, Carol Klun, Robert Knight, Stephen Kurth, Katherine Lang, Barbara Lozar, Judy Lund, Ivar Lunde, Barbara MacBriar, Maureen Mack, Mona Majdalani, Owen Marshall, John Melrose, David Nelson, Bobby Pitts, Walter Reid, Constance Russell, Sandra Seefeldt, Nancy Shoemaker, Sylvia Sipress, Paula Stuettgen, Susan Tarnowski, Melissa Vogler, Fred Waedt, Michael Wick

Members Absent:

Robert Barganz, Victor Cvancara (excused), Susan Felber, Brady Foust, Obika Gray, Karen Havholm, Larry Honl, Fred Kolb, Sandra Kottke, Timothy Leutwiler, Jane Linton, Thomas Miller(excused), Mark Olsen, Richard Palm, Cleo Powers (excused), Donna Raleigh (excused), Richard St. Germaine (excused), Robert Scott, Roger Selin (excused), Marjorie Smelstor, Sheila Smith, Steve Tallant, Roger Thiede, Ronald Warloski, Karen Witt

Guests:

David Hart, Nate Otto (Student Senate Liaison), Spectator Staff

The regular meeting of the University Senate was called to order by Chair Harrison at 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, 1998 in the Tamarack Room of Davies Center.

  1. Minutes of April 7, 1998 were approved as distributed

Introduction of Nate Otto, Student Senator, who will act as liaison to improve communication between Student and University Senate and will attend University Senate meetings next year
  1. Chair's Report - Chair Harrison
    • Draft of changes within Chapter 3 of the Faculty and Academic Staff handbook are available on the web
    • Suggested method of transition for the senators at large pending faculty and academic staff acceptance of recommended changes
      • Academic Staff Senators at large can be elected right away
      • Faculty Senators at large may be reduced over the next four years through resignations and expiring terms
    • Possibility that BITS Coordinator position on campus may not be filled was dispelled by David Hart; position to be filled as rapidly as possible
    • Senators were emailed a copy of a letter from UW-System Fringe Benefits Advisory Committee to Katharine Lyall
    • Reminders
      • Submit comments about chancellor finalists to members of search and screen committee before noon Thursday
      • Attend University Faculty and University Academic Staff meetings on Thursday, April 30th
      • Encourage colleagues to return mailbox ballots as 34% need to be returned for binding referenda

  2. Report of the Nominating Committee - Senator Blackstone
    • Election of chair-elect
      • Susan Harrison elected as chair-elect

  3. Report of the Academic Policies Committee - Senator Lozar

    Motion 34-AP-11:

    Moved and seconded by committee that the University Senate recommend that each department develop a mechanism for advising transfer students.

    Discussion

    • Transfer students often present more complex advising problems
    • Would like departments to think about what would be best way to advise transfer students
    • Faculty member designated as advisor for transfer students would have expertise
    • Only declared transfer students come to individual departments for advising
    • Recommendation today has no effect on admission of transfer students
    • To change process of placement tests is another issue and would need to go through Academic Policies Committee
    • Transfer students are admitted without regard to intended major, to do so would require new policies

    Vote on Motion 34-AP-11: Motion PASSED unanimously by University Faculty Senators

    Motion 34-AP-12:

    Moved and seconded by committee that University Senate approve the proposed revision of the foreign language/foreign culture requirement

    TEXT of CHANGES per Motion 34-AP-12:

    All students seeking the baccalaureate degree must satisfy the foreign language/foreign culture requirement. by (1) passing a competency/placement examination demonstrating competency at the 101 level in a foreign language or completing a 101 level foreign language course with a grade of C (not C-) or better, and (2) satisfying one of the following: The goal of this requirement is to develop an understanding of the cultural, social, religious, intellectual, and philosophical aspects of foreign countries or regions. The requirement can be met in one of three ways:

    a) passing a competency examination demonstrating competency at the 102 level in a foreign language by achieving a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201 level course in a foreign language or completing a 102 level foreign language course with a grade of C (not C-) or better, or

    b) successfully completing one semester in a study abroad program or equivalent, or

    c) completing with grades of C (not C-) or better a minimum of nine credits in courses designated as fulfilling the foreign culture requirement. Courses which fulfill the foreign culture requirement are listed in the Catalogue (see Foreign Culture Courses).

    Students who are not native speakers of English may satisfy this requirement by completing the English competency requirement for the baccalaureate degree and demonstrating competency in their native language.

    Discussion:

    • May need to ease restrictions on courses that can be used for foreign culture requirement to include those not predominantly of twentieth century culture
    • Ability to use study abroad to meet foreign language/foreign culture requirement
      • Some felt this much weaker than the other two because some of those programs involve living in English ghetto
      • Representatives of foreign language department believe lot of value to learning in another culture even though interaction may not be extensive
      • Some saw semester abroad as a transformative experience that carries much weight

    Amendment 34-AP-12-a1:

    Moved by Senator Davidson and seconded to divide the question

    Vote on Amendment 34-AP-12-a1: Amendment DEFEATED

    Continued Discussion:

    • Foreign language at the 101 level will no longer be required
    • Some study abroad programs do not require language competency

    Amendment 34-AP-12-a2:

    Moved by Senator Reid and seconded to restore the language in part c) 'with grades of C (not C-) or better'

    Discussion:

    • Grade requirement was reduced because these courses also satisfy general education requirements which only require a grade of C-; this would eliminate potential confusion
    • Students could also take these courses satisfactory/unsatisfactory
    • If C- is acceptable, may create an exodus from foreign language courses because there a C is required
    • Bachelor of science degree requires foreign language with a grade of C

    Vote on Amendment 34-AP-12-a2: Motion DEFEATED by University Faculty Senators

    Vote on Main Motion 34-AP-12: Motion PASSED by University Faculty Senators
    1. New Business - None

    2. Announcements
      • Executive Committee - Senator Harrison, Chair
        • Next meeting May 5th, 3:00 p.m., Schofield 202
        • Review of committee transition
        • Spousal retention in hiring
      • Academic Policies Committee - Senator Lozar, Chair
        • Next meeting May 5th, 2:00 p.m., Schofield 202
        • Program reviews of Chemistry, Allied Health, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Psychology

      General Announcements
      • Motions for next Senate meeting need to be in Senate Office by Monday or Tuesday of next week
      • Next Senate meeting will be May 12th

    Without objection, University Senate adjourned at 4:47 p.m.

    Respectfully submitted,
    Wanda Schulner
    Secretary to the University Senate