Lincoln
University of Pennsylvania
Faculty Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Multi-purpose Room of the Student Union Building
Dr. Nelson
convened the meeting 4:11 PM.
I. REPORT FROM THE STUDENT
GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION . . . Mr. Abraham Hoff, Jr., SGA President
Mr.
Hoff thanked professors for working late with students. He noted that one professor
stayed until 1:30 AM to help a student. He also noted that faculty had responded
to the call to keep the campus clean. For instance, Drs. Millette and Bradt had
helped students clean up around Dickey Hall. Mr. Hoff stated, "I acknowledge all
the faculty for their good work."
Then, Mr. Hoff noted some
of the Student Government Association's (SGA) accomplishments and remaining concerns.
For instance, the SGA instituted several book scholarships. In addition, Mr. Hoff
called on faculty to try to lower textbook prices and use more used books.
II.
REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT . . . Dr. Ivory Nelson
Dr. Nelson
first acknowledged the efforts of the Lincoln University basketball team, which
played to a full house at the Manuel Rivero Gym and beat Cheney University for
the first time in 11 years. He also encouraged everyone to continue to support
the Lincoln University basketball team. Dr. Nelson also explained that while the
infrastructure project provided new pipes that more efficiently pump steam, the
many buildings on campus need renovation especially the old regulators. For instance,
the regulators in Dickey Hall's computer lab needs to be replaced to maintain
comfortable temperatures in the room, which we will find the money to do. To explicate
the complexity of the problem, Dr. Nelson remarked that in the LLC dining room
the temperature on the floor is 64° Fahrenheit while the temperature in the same
room is 78° Fahrenheit near the ceiling.
Dr. Nelson then referred
to the document entitled, "Academic Reform Action Plan" that was handed out to
the participants at the meeting. There are 11 Board of Trustees resolutions passed
on November 20, 2004 that pertain to academics. Also, he noted that Academic Affairs
needs to include the 11 resolutions as part of its strategic plan and that the
Board of Trustees would have a chance to reaffirm the Visions, Mission, Goals
and Philosophy of the University in April of 2005. He noted that the Middle States
Monitoring Report would be October 1, 2005. The Middle States Evaluation visit
will be 2007-2008.
With regard to the Education Department,
the state will evaluate the program in February 2005 and once that is finished
the Education Department will apply for NCATE accreditation. As we move forward,
in those programs where there are relevant accrediting agencies Lincoln University
is going to have to be accredited by them. Also, every discipline should bring
the honor society for that discipline on campus.
III. Action
Items Grant D. Venerable, II, Ph.D., Vice-President for Academic Affairs
A.
Approval of Minutes from the November 9, 2004 meeting--the minutes were approved
pending the following correction: in Section II, B, 1 the minutes should read
"a potential concentration in Graphic Arts" instead of "a concentration in Graphic
Arts."
B. Recommendations from the Curriculum and Educational
Policies Committee. . . . . . Mr. Reginald Myrick
Mr.
Myrick: We met on November 18, 2004 and we decided to approve the new curriculum
for the M. Ed. Biology program and bring it before the faculty. The body voted
to approve the M. Ed. Biology program
C. Recommendation
from Committee on Admissions, Academic Standing and Financial Aid on SAP Policy
. . . . . Dr. William Bynum & Dr. Gwinyai Muzorewa
Dr.
Bynum proposed that the faculty make the following change to the satisfactory
academic progress policy:
Current text: Academic Suspension:
A student who is not achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be placed
on academic suspension and will not be eligible to enroll in Lincoln University.
The occurrence of Academic Suspension is recorded on the transcript of a student.
Changed text: Academic Suspension: A student who is
not achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of the fall term
will be placed on progress probation. The occurrence of Progress Probation is
not recorded on the transcript of a student. Subsequently, a student who is not
achieving SAP at the end of the academic year will be placed on academic suspension
and will not be eligible to enroll in Lincoln University. The occurrence of Academic
Suspension is recorded on the transcript of a student.
Dr.
Poe asked if Dr. Bynum could give some of the reasons for the proposed change.
Dr. Bynum: There is a very short timeframe in which to notify
students. In addition, it is sometime difficult to get the committee together
between the fall and spring semesters.
Dr. Chapp expressed
the concern that no criteria will eliminate students in the lower division leading
to the retention of juniors who are failing almost all their courses.
Dr.
Chikwem: What Dr. Bynum is addressing are problems surrounding getting the committee
together during the holidays.
Dr. Walton: We should worry
about giving false hope to those students who have a mathematical impossibility
of obtaining a satisfactory grade point average before the end of the academic
year.
Dr. Bynum: Even without the change the committee still
can allow for "mathematical impossibilities" because of extenuating circumstances.
Professor Jones: Students with a lot of "Fs" are often the
most troublesome students in class.
Dr. Nelson: It is most
probable that 90 percent of the students will be readmitted on progress probation
by the committee even with no change in the policy.
Dr. Poe:
This policy change has a number of different ramifications: one is that there
might be a bias against students that are on progress probation.
The
faculty voted to approve the above change in the SAP.
D.
Approval of December Graduate List . . . . . . . Mr. James Simington
The
faculty voted to approve the December Graduate List subject to modifications as
necessary.
E. Recommendations from the Nominations Committee
. . . .Dr. Lennell Dade
Dr. Dade: The nominations committee
recommends that Dr. Sekoni replace Dr. Hoogeveen for the spring semester because
Dr. Hoogeveen will be on sabbatical during the spring semester. The body approved
the recommendation from the nominations committee.
IV.
Discussion Items
A. Academic Integrity Committee .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Nancy Kenner
Ms. Kenner
remarked on the need for academic integrity to be addressed in the Student Handbook.
Dr. DeBoy noted there is a Faculty Academic Integrity statement that is to be
included in all syllabi.
V. Announcements
Dr.
Nelson wished everyone a Happy Holidays and invited everyone to enjoy the refreshments
and live music.
The meeting was adjourned at 5: 19 PM.
