Behrend Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

August 20, 2024

  1. Meeting Introduction and Approval of Minutes
    1. Meeting called to order by Jason Bennett.
    2. Approval of meeting minutes from April (Motion: Jay Amicangelo, Seconded: Darren Williams).
  2. Faculty Senate and Committee Introductions
    1. Introduction of Faculty Senate Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, part-time representative, Parliamentarian, Ombudsman, and alternate Ombudsman.
    2. Introduction of ten committees in the Faculty Senate and their chairs.
    3. Introduction of eight Faculty Senators in University Senate.
  3. College Updates (Chancellor Ford)
    1. Enrollment Updates
      1. Year-over-year acceptance rate is positive.
      2. Residential class has 1,092 students, up 4.3% over last year.
      3. 986 first-year students and 106 transfer students.
    2. Interim Role Assignments
      1. Kelly Shrout is the Interim Associate Director of Student Affairs replacing Dr. Ken Miller.
      2. Robb Frederick is the Interim Director of Strategic Communications replacing Bill Gonda.
      3. Lindsey Hopkins Hall is the Interim Director of Educational Equity and Diversity.
      4. The position of Director of Business Services has been eliminated; Randy Geering retired.
    3. Reallocation of Duties
      1. Amy Bridger has taken over the real estate portion of Randy Geering's duties.
      2. Mike Lindner, Director of Housing and Food Services, has taken over the copy center, mail services, and parking services.
      3. Additional duties are being managed by the Chancellor.
    4. Replacement Hiring Process
      1. The University had a process to request replacements for retirees.
      2. Some faculty and staff will stay until December 2024.
      3. A few replacement positions have been approved as of August 16, 2024.
    5. Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
      1. The budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 is set and in good shape.
      2. Concerns remain for the 2025-2026 budget.
    6. Budget
      1. The budget for fiscal year 24-25 is set and in good shape.
      2. There was significant turmoil last year regarding future budgets.
      3. Discussions about the 25-26 budget started in January and March, but it is still not finalized.
      4. There have been many open meetings and discussions about the budget.
      5. Confidence about the future is increasing, although turmoil persists.
      6. Student enrollment and the quality of educational experience are key drivers of success.
      7. High return on investment for graduates and improving research mission are emphasized.
      8. The budget for the 25-26 fiscal year is still not finalized.
      9. Continue discussions and open meetings to finalize the 25-26 budget.
    7. Transformational Gift
      1. A $3 million gift was received to name the director of the School of Engineering position.
      2. The position will be known as James R. Meehl Director of the School of Engineering.
      3. This is the first school to have a director named at Penn State Behrend.
    8. Voluntary Separation Program
      1. The Voluntary Separation Program was announced in early May.
      2. Choices had to be made by the end of May with most separations effective by June 30th.
      3. Twice as many staff took the separation option compared to faculty.
      4. Faculty who opted for separation were generally close to retirement.
    9. X. Introduction of New Faculty Members
      1. Two new faculty joining the Black School of Business.
      2. Four new faculty members introduced in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) department.
      3. Five new faculty members introduced in the School of Science.
  4. Academic Affairs (Greg Filbeck)
    1. Enrollment Statistics
      1. Residential class enrollment is up 4.3% over last year, totaling 1,092 students.
      2. First-year students number 986 with 106 transfer students.
      3. World Campus programs have increased by 59 students in the first-year class.
      4. Expected total enrollment is around 4,400 to 4,500 students with 3,400 residential students and 1,070 World Campus students.
    2. Student Enrollment and Success
      1. Student enrollment is a key driver of success.
      2. Focus on the quality of students' educational experience.
      3. High return on investment for graduates.
      4. Retention and student success are crucial for long-term success.
    3. Research Mission
      1. Research mission is ever improving. Research and scholarship are key differentiators for investment. Interaction with students, faculty, and staff is crucial for attracting donors.
      2. Continue to improve research and scholarship to drive investment.
    4. Convocation
      Convocation is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2024. It is an opportunity to welcome new students and start the new year positively.
    5. Academic Affairs Initiatives
      Monthly academic affairs updates are being conducted. Office hours and smaller group meetings are being set up across the four schools to discuss academic affairs.
    6. Retention and Recruitment
      1. Statistics show a 93% graduation rate for students who enter their major.
      2. First-year seminars will be implemented across all four schools.
      3. 78% of students use the Learning Resource Center due to faculty referrals.
      4. The number of students using disability services has doubled in the past five years.
    7. Academic Portfolio Strategy
      1. Appointment to an ADPR committee for program reviews.
      2. Ongoing six-year cycle of program reviews at Behrend.
      3. Collaboration with Faculty Senate on academic matters.
      4. Completion of P3 proposal for biobehavioral health.
    8. Faculty Support
      Efforts to support faculty through training and other resources. Provide ongoing training and support for faculty.
    9. External Enrollments
      Five agreements signed with Indian Universities. Continue efforts to increase external enrollments.
    10. Biobehavioral Health P3 Proposal
      Completed the P3 proposal for biobehavioral health, and it is now in the system.
  5. Academic Affairs (Alicyn Rhoades)
    1. 747 publications since 2020. 9.7 million in research expenditures in 2023, up from less than 2 million in 2015.
    2. Organize four parallel sessions at Reed Union Building with food, music, and a poster session by students. Open funding opportunities for NWRI collaborations with up to $25,000 per project. -- 2024-10-30 November
    3. Faculty Mentors Replacement
      1. Need to replace faculty mentors who have left.
      2. Find a faculty adviser for Greener Behrend. Assemble a team of faculty mentors for Wintergreen Gorge restoration Phase 3 proposal.
    4. Grants and Contracts Office
      1. The office is open and willing to help with all things related to grants and contracts. New approach to training this year, with sessions located near schools such as Burke, Witkowski, and Federal House.
      2. Reminder that the Grants and Contracts Office is open for business. Request a training session if needed.
  6. Student Affairs (Chuck Brown)
    1. Student-Athlete Academic Performance
      1. 367 student-athletes, including 35 dual sports student-athletes, achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.22.
      2. 68% of student-athletes maintained a GPA of 3.0 or above.
      3. Approximately one-third of student-athletes maintained a GPA of 3.5 or above.
      4. Only 6 out of 367 student-athletes were ineligible coming into the semester.
      5. Tracking of student-athlete GPAs began in 2012 with a cumulative GPA of 2.9, currently at 3.22.
      6. Women's student-athlete GPA is 3.37, while men's student-athlete GPA is 3.11.
      7. Women's GPA: 3.37
      8. Men's GPA: 3.11
      9. Six-year academic success rate for 2017-2018 cohort: 83%
      10. Potential success rate including transfers: 85%-87%
      11. Campus population graduation rate: 69%
    2. NCAA Reporting Requirements
      Division III campuses required to report academic success rates Historical success rate has been as high as 91%.
    3. Policies for Student-Athletes Missing Classes
      1. Student-athletes must provide a class letter if they will miss class for competitions Policies 4227 and 4435 cover missing class and make-up opportunities Policy 6730 covers Division III Athletics guidelines.
      2. Students to provide class letters to faculty in the first week of class and arrange make-up work or exams.
    4. Support for Faculty
      Faculty can contact Brian Streeter or Chuck Brown for issues regarding student-athletes missing classes.
    5. Student-Athlete Class Letters
      Student-athletes are reminded to provide class letters to faculty members at the beginning of each semester. Student-athletes should meet with faculty to plan for making up any missed work or exams.
  7. Recognition and Awards
    1. Council of Fellows Excellence in Teaching Award
      Jodie Styers, Associate Teaching Professor of Math Education, received the award for 2023-2024.
    2. Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising
      Zach Williams, Assistant Teaching Professor of Accounting, received the Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising for 2023-2024.
    3. Council of Fellows Faculty Research Award
      Wilson Brown, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, received the 2023-2024 Council of Fellows Faculty Research Award.
    4. Council of Fellows Faculty Excellence in Outreach Award
      Kenneth Louie, Associate Professor of Economics, received the Council of Fellows Faculty Excellence in Outreach Award for 2023-2024.
  8. Meeting Close
    1. Motion: Chuck Yeung
    2. Seconded: Terry Blakney