California University
VOLUME 14, NUMBER 8 MARCH 19, 2012 READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal
Kenny Rogers Headlines Grand Opening Convocation Center Show Features Country Music Lineup hree-time Grammy Award winner Kenny Rogers will headline an evening of all-American country music as Cal U celebrates the Grand Opening of the Convocation Center. Tickets are on sale now for the all-star show at 7:30 p.m. April 20. The concert will open with performances by Grammy Award-winning contemporary country music star Billy Dean and singer-songwriter Andy Gibson, one of Nashville’s hottest young talents. A ribbon cutting and dedication for the Convocation Center will kick off the festivities, along with additional performances and activities in the Convocation Center courtyard. The public is invited to attend the concert and other Grand Opening events. “The Convocation Center was designed to serve our neighbors throughout the region, as well as our campus community,” said President Angelo Armenti, Jr. “I look forward to welcoming everyone — our students and alumni, our faculty and staff, our University friends and our neighbors from western Pennsylvania and beyond. This is going to be a night to remember.” With one diamond, 19 platinum and 31 gold albums to his credit, Rogers’ voice is recognizable worldwide. He has recorded more than 65 albums and sold over 120 million records in a career that includes 24 No. 1 hit songs, including “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Lucille,”
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Kenny Rogers will perform April 20 at the Grand Opening of the Convocation Center.
“She Believes in Me,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “We’ve Got Tonight.” Two of Rogers’ albums, “The Gambler” and “Kenny,” are featured in the About.com poll of The 200 Most Influential Country Albums Ever. Rogers has received hundreds of awards for his
music and charity work, including three Grammys, 11 People’s Choice Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music awards and five Country Music Association awards. “I really, really love what I’m doing,” Rogers says. “People survive longer if they love what they’re doing. Because you just don’t quit.” Dean has recorded 13 Top 10 hits. His best-known songs include “Only Here for a Little While,” “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” “Billy The Kid,” and “Let Them Be Little.” He and Alison Krauss sang harmony on Kenny Rogers’ No. 1 hit, “Buy Me a Rose.” Andy Gibson moved to Nashville just five years ago, and he’s already making a name for himself as a singer and songwriter. He co-wrote “Don’t You Want to Stay,” the No. 1 country hit for Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson that won a standing ovation at last year’s Country Music Association Awards. He’s in the studio now, finishing up his own debut album of songs, including the single “Wanna Make You Love Me.” Ticket prices for the April 20 concert range from $31 to $81. Parking is included. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com , or at the Cal U Convocation Center Box Office between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. To charge tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000. To reach the Convocation Center Box Office, call 724-938-4600. For more information about the performers and links to their websites and music, visit www.calu.edu .
Four Exhibitions on Display for ‘Museum Month’ Contestants from 43 local high schools will take custombuilt robots into battle during the preliminary BotsIQ competition Friday and Saturday inside the Performance Center.
Cal U Hosts BotsIQ Competition tudents from 43 local high schools will take custom-built robots into battle during the seventh annual preliminary BotsIQ competition Friday and Saturday inside the Performance Center. Robot combat is scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-noon and from 1-4:30 p.m. each day. BotsIQ is a national program supported locally by the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association. A representative of the U.S. Department of Education, James H. Shelton III, assistant deputy secretary for innovation and improvement, has been invited to attend.
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BotsIQ is based on the robotics curriculum from the National Curriculum Standards and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s mechanical engineering methodology. The program tests students’ knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math — the subjects collectively known as STEM — as they design and build robots to battle in an exciting, gladiator-style competition. Recordkeeping and public speaking also are part of the program. High scores are given to teams that win battles, but the top award will go to the team that also demonstrates the strongest documentation and — Continued on page 2
arch is “Museum Month” at Cal U. Now through Sunday, visitors can explore four separate museum exhibitions. • Native Words, Native Warriors, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition, tells the remarkable story of the code talkers, Indian soldiers from more than a dozen tribes who used their Native languages in the service of the U.S. military. The exhibition is on display through Sunday in the Manderino Educational Resource Center, inside Manderino Library. • American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print was created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The exhibition highlights the work of Hatch Show Print, founded in 1879. It is still a working letterpress and design shop, creating posters today using the same letterpress methods as yesterday. Only the faces of the customers have changed: from Elvis Presley to Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy to Bruce Springsteen, the Carter Family to Coldplay, and many, many others. The exhibition is on display through July 29 in Manderino Library Gallery. • Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion continues through May 6 in the Convocation Center. At press time, more than 12,000 visitors, including school children, had visited this free, interactive exhibition. — Continued on page 2
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Actor: ‘Hollywood Typecasts Everyone’ ilm and television actor Morris Chestnut said he and his colleagues caught lightning in a bottle with Boyz n the Hood, the 1991 film that made John Singleton the youngest person and first African-American ever nominated for an Academy Award for best director. Chestnut spoke to students and faculty Feb. 28 as part of Cal U’s Black History Month celebration. Onstage in Steele Hall, he discussed the images of African-Americans portrayed in the media, and the impact they have on American society. “We knew the film’s subject matter was strong, but being born and raised in L.A., that’s just what it was,” said Chestnut, who played a high school football player and teen father in Boyz. In 2002 the Library of Congress deemed the film “culturally significant” and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. “I didn’t realize that people around the country and around the world had no idea of what was going on in Los Angeles at that time,” Chestnut said. “We (actors) were all relatively unknown then, and we never thought the movie would have the impact it had.” Students Jasmine Owens and Robert Martin joined Chestnut onstage to ask the actor their own questions and pose questions from audience members who e-mailed them to Owens’ account. Chestnut’s credits include roles in action films such as Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, G.I. Jane and Half Past Dead, as well as romantic comedies such as The Best Man, The
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Morris Chestnut answers questions during his talk at Cal U as part of February’s Black History Month celebration.
Brothers, Two Can Play That Game and Breakin’ All the Rules. On television, he has appeared in the series V, in American Horror Story and on televised Texas Hold ’Em poker tournaments. He was the 1998 winner of the Madden Bowl, beating other celebrities and NFL players in a John Madden Football tournament. After his initial success, Chestnut said, it was hard for him to land roles outside the “hood movie” genre. “Hollywood really typecasts everyone, and until you
prove yourself, it’s gong to be a challenge to move out of certain roles.” A professional actor for more than 20 years, Chestnut emphasized the color preference on the big screen. “Hollywood is not black, not white, it’s green,” he said. “Once you start making money for the studios, you’re no longer a black actor. “Will Smith in Hollywood is not a black actor. Will Smith sells all over the world. A Will Smith movie is a Will Smith movie; it is not a black movie.” Maintaining his emphasis on the color of money, Chestnut told audience members they have the power to influence what African-American images, roles or even movies Hollywood presents. “If Hollywood puts out a movie with certain images or roles that people don’t respond to, you won’t see it continue,” he said. “If you like a movie, come out, support it and tell others to do so. Hollywood listens to the people, and you have all the power to control the images and roles.” Chestnut, who also works as a producer and casting director, offered simple but sound advice to the many aspiring actors in attendance. He emphasized being able to do several jobs within the industry. “Study and stay focused on your craft,” Chestnut advised. “You will get an opportunity, but you must be ready to capitalize on it, because there are always hundreds just waiting behind you for that same chance. “It’s an extremely tough industry, but one thing Hollywood will always respect is talent.”
Campus BRIEFS Delano Moderates ‘Election Outlook’ Panel
Women’s History Month Offers ‘Naked Dating’
A popular team of political experts will return to examine the outlook for this year’s presidential and congressional elections. Political commentator Jon Delano, of KDKA-TV, will serve as moderator for the 2012 Election Outlook: The Race for the White House. The free event begins at 7 p.m. March 27 in Eberly Hall, Room 110. Presented by the American Democracy Project at Cal U, the program is open to the public. Panelists are William C. Binning, Jon Delano chair emeritus of the Department of Political Science at Youngstown State University, Ohio; Louis Jacobson, staff writer for the Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact.com website, a contributing writer for PoliticsPA, and a contributing editor at National Journal magazine; Costas Panagopoulos, director of the Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy and the graduate program in Elections and Campaign Management at Fordham University, New York; and Daniel Shea, director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College.
Harlan Cohen, the author of Naked Dating, will be featured this week in a Women’s History Month event billed as “a hilarious, candid and highly interactive event that reveals a simple five-step approach to finding the love of your life while fully clothed and totally sober.” The talk at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Performance Center is based on Cohen’s new book, due out next month. He also is the author of “The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College.” On Thursday, Kay Dorrance, director of the END Violence Center at Cal U, addresses issues related to Harlan Cohen violence against women at 11 a.m. in Duda Hall, Room 117. Throughout March, Cal U is celebrating Women’s History Month with a series of academic and cultural events. For a complete schedule, visit www.calu.edu . Women’s History Month events at Cal U are sponsored by the Women's Studies program, the Women's Center, the Activists Club, the Office of the Provost and the Office of the President.
Students to Compete — Continued from page 1 the best group interview skills. “This is a great time for students and parents to visit campus and see STEM in action,” says Michael Amrhein, director for the Office of Outreach and Integration for TEAMS (Technology, Engineering, Art, Math and Science) at Cal U. In addition to educating students in an exciting environment, the program aims to build a strong manufacturing workforce in the Pittsburgh region. Among the 52 “BotsIQ companies” in southwestern Pennsylvania are Allegheny Ludlum, in Washington, Pa.; Dura-Metal products, in Irwin; Jatco Machine and Tool, in Pittsburgh; Kennametal Knowledge Center, in Latrobe; and Lockheed Martin Aero Division, in Johnstown. All teams that participate in the preliminary competition will advance to the finals, held April 13-14 at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, Pa.
Exhibitions on Display for ‘Museum Month’ — Continued from page 1
Cal U student Brittany Pawlikoski looks over the new SITES exhibition ‘American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print,’ which will be on display through July 29 in Manderino Library Gallery.
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Forty full-size replicas of machines crafted from da Vinci’s own technical drawings are on display for visitors to touch, manipulate and explore. • The Magic Planet is an interactive, digital globe that gives viewers a new way to look at the world and its wonders. Located on the second floor of Manderino Library, The Magic Planet is on display during Cal U’s regular library hours. All four exhibitions are free and open to the public. Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion is open from noon-8 p.m., seven days a week. SITES exhibitions are on display from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; from 8 a.m.-noon Friday; and from 2-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Details are available online at www.calu.edu . (Use keyword “SITES” for Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibitions.) Visitor parking is available in the Vulcan Garage, off Third Street near the campus entrance.
THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY FORUM FEBRUARY 21, 2012 / 4:00 p.m., Dixon, Room 327 APPROVED MINUTES The California University Forum met in regular session Tuesday, February 21, 2012, in Dixon, Room 327. Presiding Officer Hoover called the meeting order at 4:15 p.m. The following senators were in attendance: Dr. Lenora Angelone Ms. Cary Banner Dr. Bill Biddington Ms. Alexandra Brooks Ms. Roberta Busha Mr. Craig Butzine Ms. Fran Fayish Ms. Jill Fernandes Ms. Rhonda Gifford Mr. Yancey Goshorn Ms. Autumn Harris Ms. Geraldine Jones Dr. Kevin Koury Dr. Sean Madden Dr. Charles Mance Dr. Carrie Rosengart Dr. Michael Slavin Dr. Craig Smith Mr. Jacob Smith Dr. Emily Sweitzer Mr. Robert Thorn Dr. Brian Wood Dr. Kimberly Woznack Ms. Donna Wright Dr. Mohamed Yamba The following were also in attendance: Mr. Douglas Hoover, Presiding Officer Mr. Loring Prest, Parliamentarian Mrs. Dana Turcic, Recording Secretary The following senators were absent: Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. Mr. Nicholas Battista Mr. Rick Bertagnolli Dr. Jane Bonari Ms. Janelle Brewer Ms. Betsy Clark Dr. John Confer Ms. Lena Danka Mr. Todd Edwards Mr. Shane Fox Ms. Darla Kurnal Mr. Donny Marszalek Mr. Josh Mrosko Ms. Morgan O’Rourke Mr. Gary Seelye Mr. Michael Wagner Dr. Tom Wickham The agenda was presented, approved and the meeting proceeded Presiding Officer Hoover stated that the approved Forum minutes of January 31, 0212 are available on the Forum website ( http://www.calu.edu/ faculty-staff/administration/ forum/index.htm ) or Public Folders in the Microsoft Outlook. A hard copy of the executive committee minutes of February 7, 2012 is included in the senators’ packets for informational purposes. Presiding Officer’s Report Presiding Officer Hoover noted that the Ad-hoc Constitution Review committee has been established as follows: Loring Prest, Parliamentarian; Lenora Angelone, Administrator; Sean Madden, Faculty; Betsy Clark, Staff; and Walter Harris, Student. Loring Prest will chair the committee. Presiding Officer Hoover noted that the following President’s Reponses to Motion(s) passed are included in your packets for your view:
Senator (Student Government President) and two additional senators. Article VII (University Forum Committee Structure), Section 3 of the Constitution of the California University Forum includes these words: “The Forum may also create task forces and ad hoc committees by majority vote of the Forum.” Motion #2011-87 is clearly covered by this provision and is therefore a purely internal matter for the Forum, requiring no action by the University President. (#2011-88) Motion accepted: Be it resolved, that the Budget Committee shall review the University budget and report to the Executive Committee in a timely manner so that the Forum may review and comment upon the budget. With the exception of the word “timely” in the above Motion, Article III (Powers and Responsibilities of the California University Forum), Section 3 and Article VII (Committees), Section 4 of the Constitution of the California University Forum provide both general and specific authority for the Budget Committee, Executive Committee and Forum to do the very things called for in the above Motion. To the extent that actions authorized by the Forum Constitution may not be happening in a timely way, this should become an internal matter for the Forum to resolve. For example, Interpellation provides an opportunity at the opening of each meeting for Forum senators to ask each other questions, without the restrictions imposed by parliamentary procedure. Should that opportunity not be sufficient to generate action by a particular committee, the Forum can always pass a motion of “displeasure” or, in an extreme case, a motion of “censure” of the offending committee. As an internal Forum matter, this Motion requires no action by the University President. (#2011-89) Motion accepted: Be it resolved, that that the Planning and Priorities Committee shall review the Annual Statement of University Policies, Priorities, and Resources and report to the Executive Committee in a timely manner so that the Forum may review and comment upon the Annual Statement of University Policies, Priorities, and Resources. The response to the previous Motion (#2011-88) applies in every respect to this Motion as well. The authority for the Planning and Priorities Committee to act in the way called for in the above Motion has been clearly granted by the Forum Constitution, Article VIII (Committees), Section 7. The failure of any Forum committee to perform its enumerated duties is a purely internal matter for the Forum to resolve through the standard parliamentary tools referenced above and, therefore requires no action by the University President. Please contact me if you have any questions.
February 1, 2012 Mr. Douglas Hoover, Presiding Officer California University Forum Dear Mr. Hoover: This is in response to the motions passed at the November 1, 2011 meeting of the California University Forum. (#2011-87) Motion accepted: Establish a committee to review the constitution and recommend changes for the Forum’s consideration; the committee to be made up of the following Loring Prest, Parliamentarian; Sean Madden, Faculty Senator; Walter Harris, Student
Sincerely, Angelo Armenti, Jr. February 7, 2012 Mr. Douglas Hoover, Presiding Officer California University Forum Dear Mr. Hoover: This is in response to the motion passed at the January 31, 2012 meeting of the California University Forum. (#2012-90) Motion accepted: The Forum recommends that the administration study and report on the effectiveness of the new linked classrooms, implemented in spring 2012, to
determine how they impact student learning, teaching effectiveness, and course evaluations. Rationale: Senator C. Smith presented the motion on behalf of the Faculty Senate. The rationale for this motion was that there are numerous studies that indicate a measurably negative impact on course evaluations using “live” and “remote” classrooms linked with two-way communication, and some of these studies likewise offer recommendations for improvement of student learning and teaching effectiveness. None of these studies, however, involve the unique setting of Cal U, where linked classrooms are in such close proximity to one another. Therefore, Cal U has an opportunity to contribute to the existing scholarship and take a leading role in presenting research findings to improve the use of this type of technology on college campuses. I approve this motion, as presented, and will ask the University Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs to convene an ad hoc Study Committee composed of faculty, students and academic administrators to carry out the recommended study. Although it is clearly understood that the rationale for this motion is not a part of the motion, since it was not discussed, debated and voted upon by the Forum, I will nevertheless ask that the titles and authors of the studies referred to in the Rationale be shared with the Provost for the use and benefit of the Study Committee as it undertakes and completes its assigned task. Please contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Angelo Armenti, Jr. Presiding Officer Hoover noted the next executive committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 in Room 408 of the Manderino Library and the University Community is welcome to attend. Public Comments There were no public comments offered at this time. Interpellation Senator C. Smith inquired as to the status of the president’s response to the motion passed at the November 1, 2011 Forum meeting: The Forum recommends that Multiculturalism remain on the General Education menu. Presiding Officer Hoover will investigate. Senator C. Smith requested that the Budget Committee review the University budget and report its findings back to the Executive Committee in March, so that the Forum senators have time to review and comment on the budget at the April meeting. Senator C. Smith requested that the Planning and Priorities Committee provide the review of the Annual Statement of University Policies, Priorities, and Resources to the Executive Committee in March, so that the Forum senators have time to review and comment on the annual statement at the April meeting. Amendment to the Forum By-Laws: Motion: Resolved, That the California University Forum Bylaws be amended by deleting from Article I, Section 1, par. 2, the words “in LRC Auditorium” and inserting in their place the words “on campus.” This paragraph would then read as follows: Meetings of the California University Forum will be held on campus on Tuesday afternoons, starting at 4:00
P.M., so as to maximize the opportunity for all senators and all members of the University community to attend. Presiding Officer Hoover noted that the amendment changes the words from “in LRC Auditorium” to “on campus”. After a brief discussion on the amendment, a vote was taken. VOTE: Motion passes unanimously. Amendment to the Forum Constitution: Article IX, Section 4 A quorum shall consist of a majority (50% +1) of the filled constituency seats, including the Presiding Officer. Be amended to read as follows A quorum shall consist of fifteen (15) voting members of the Forum. Senator C Smith stated that the purpose of the amendment was to enable the Forum to work more effectively and allow it to fulfill its responsibilities. Parliamentarian Prest noted the following from Robert’s Rules (page 335): ‘To accomplish their work, voluntary societies that have an enrolled membership generally need a provision in their bylaws establishing a relatively small quorum – considerably less than a majority of all the members. In most such organizations, it is rarely possible to obtain the attendance of a majority of the membership at a meeting. Sometimes the specification of a quorum is based on a percentage of the membership; but such a method has the disadvantage of requiring recomputation and may lead to confusion – for example, when the secretary, or other officer who is in a position to certify as to the current number of members for purposes of the percentage calculation, is absent. There is no single number or percentage of members that will be equally suitable as a quorum in all societies. The quorum should be as large a number of members as can reasonably be depended on to be present at any meeting, except in very bad weather or other exceptionally unfavorable conditions.’ After a brief discussion, Presiding Officer Hoover noted that there needs to be a two-thirds vote of those present and voting for the amendment to be approved. Presiding Officer Hoover requested that a roll call vote be taken. Dr. Lenora Angelone - Y Ms. Cary Banner - Y Dr. Bill Biddington - No Ms. Alexandra Brooks - No Ms. Roberta Busha - Y Mr. Craig Butzine - No Ms. Fran Fayish - Y Ms. Jill Fernandes - Y Ms. Rhonda Gifford - Y Mr. Yancey Goshorn - Y Dr. Kevin Koury - Y Dr. Sean Madden- Y Dr. Charles Mance - Y Dr. Carrie Rosengart - Y Dr. Michael Slavin - Y Dr. Craig Smith - Y Mr. Jacob Smith - Y Dr. Emily Sweitzer -Y Mr. Robert Thorn - Y Dr. Brian Wood - No Dr. Kimberly Woznack - Y Ms. Donna Wright - Y Dr. Mohamed Yamba - No
in which to acknowledge, accept, accept in part, or reject in entirety the resolution in question, but with the provision that the Forum be provided reasons for the action taken.
and the President responded and approved the motion. With the assistance of Dr. Mance faculty access to outside telephone lines has finally been completed. There being no further discussion, a vote was taken.
Be amended to read as follows: Upon approval of a resolution by the Forum, the Recording Secretary of the Forum will forward the resolution, the vote, and a brief rationale in support of the resolution to the University President for review. The University President shall have 30 days in which to acknowledge in writing his/her acceptance, acceptance in part, or rejection in entirety, of the resolution in question, or to request additional time to study the resolution. This acknowledgment will be transmitted to the Forum secretary, who will make it available to all senators by the next regular meeting. When requesting additional time for review, the president will indicate the rationale and the time necessary to complete the review. When accepting, accepting in part, or rejecting in its entirety a resolution, the president will provide reasons for the action taken.
VOTE:Motion carries unanimously.
Senator C. Smith noted that this amendment is intended to keep the Forum from being non-compliant with respect to the time that passes for the President to respond to motions passed by the Forum. There being no discussion on the amendment, a vote was taken. VOTE: Motion carries unanimously. MOTION: The Forum adopt the recommendation of the Academic Policy Committee of March 15, 2011, regarding the decision-making process for English Comp. II substitutions. Senator C. Smith moved to withdraw the motion. Second by Senator Angelone. There being no objection to withdrawing the motion, the motion passed by unanimous consent. VOTE: Motion to withdraw the main motion carried by unanimous consent. Presiding Officer Hoover indicated that at the January 25, 2011 Forum meeting, the following motion had been referred to the Academic Policy Committee. On March 15, 2011, the Academic Policy Committee issued a report. However, the actual motion did not receive a final disposition. Therefore, this motion was still pending before the Forum. [Resolved, That] the University Forum renounce the temporary substitutions for English Composition II and endorse a more collaborative decision-making process between the University Curriculum Committee, The General Education Committee, the English Department, and the Chairs’ Forum ad hoc committee on writing.
VOTE: Roll Call: Yea: 18 No: 5 Motion carries.
Senator Koury raised a point of order being that the original motion was passed in a different academic year with a different group. It was also observed that dealing with this motion at this point presented a variance from the agenda. Therefore, Presiding Officer Hoover made the decision to move the discussion of this motion to New Business.
Amendment to the Forum Constitution: Article X, Section 1 Upon approval of a resolution by the Forum, the Recording Secretary of the Forum will forward the resolution, the vote, and a brief rationale in support of the resolution to the University President for review. The University President shall have 30 days
MOTION: The Forum commends Dr. Charles Mance, Vice President for Information Technology, for implementing the capabilities for all faculty members on campus to receive an outside telephone access line on their desk. Senator C Smith stated the original motion to provide long distance telephone access was passed on September 4, 2001
New Business Presiding Officer Hoover indicated that at the January 25, 2011 Forum meeting, the following motion had been referred to the Academic Policy Committee. On March 15, 2011, the Academic Policy Committee issued a report. However, the actual motion did not receive a final disposition. Therefore, this motion was still pending before the Forum. In order to dispose of the motion, the Forum would need to either vote the motion up or down, or vote to postpone the motion indefinitely (“kill the motion”). [Resolved, That] the University Forum renounce the temporary substitutions for English Composition II and endorse a more collaborative decision-making process between the University Curriculum Committee, The General Education Committee, the English Department, and the Chairs’ Forum ad hoc committee on writing. There was a brief discussion on the motion. Senator Koury moved to postpone indefinitely. Second by Senator Brooks. Senator C. Smith called for the previous question on the main motion. Second by Senator Madden. Parliamentarian Prest clarified that the motion for previous question applied to the motion to postpone indefinitely. Since the motion for the previous question is not debatable, Presiding Officer Hoover stopped the ongoing discussion, and proceeded to a vote on the motion for the previous discussion (end debate.) VOTE: Yeas: Majority. Nays: two Motion required 2/3 majority. Presiding Officer Hoover determined that the motion carried. Some senators had left the room, so a point of order was raised as to whether there was still a quorum. Secretary Turcic took a roll call attendance. Dr. Lenora Angelone Ms. Cary Banner Dr. Bill Biddington Ms. Alexandra Brooks Ms. Roberta Busha Mr. Craig Butzine Ms. Fran Fayish Ms. Rhonda Gifford Mr. Yancey Goshorn Ms. Autumn Harris Ms. Geraldine Jones Dr. Kevin Koury Dr. Sean Madden Dr. Charles Mance Dr. Carrie Rosengart Dr. Michael Slavin Dr. Craig Smith Mr. Jacob Smith Dr. Emily Sweitzer Mr. Robert Thorn Dr. Brian Wood Dr. Kimberly Woznack Ms. Donna Wright Dr. Mohamed Yamba There were 22 senators present; therefore, business was halted at 5:27 pm due to the lack of a quorum (23 senators.) Announcements/ Adjournment Presiding Officer Hoover noted the next Forum meeting will be held on March 20, 2012. There being no further business, Presiding Officer Hoover adjourned the meeting at 5:27 p.m. Minutes submitted by Mrs. Dana Turcic, Recording Secretary. MINUTES APPROVED BY MAJORITY VIA E-MAIL BALLOT.
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Trustees OK Honorary Doctorate for Principal he Cal U Council of Trustees agreed to confer an honorary doctorate and made revisions to the Student Code of Conduct when the panel held its quarterly meeting March 7 in Old Main. During the May 11-12 commencement ceremonies, Muriel Summers, principal of the A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C. will be awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. Summers turned the once-failing school into a thriving magnet school when she focused on leadership and infused the principles of Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People into every class, creating The Leader in Me model. She has visited the Cal U campus several times, including last August when she was a keynote speaker at The Leader in Me Global Education Summit. “Muriel Summers’ work at the elementary-school level made me realize we could do something similar here,” said Cal U President Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. “She inspired the Cal U Leader for Life program, which led us to become the world’s first FranklinCovey Leadership University.” The Trustees also approved an action item regarding changes to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities in the Student Code of Conduct, the document that guides the student disciplinary process on campus. The changes align the language identifying
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At their quarterly meeting on March 7, the Cal U Council of Trustees agreed to confer an honorary doctorate upon Muriel Summers, principal of the A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C.
protected classes in the Code of Conduct with the revised Policy Statements and Compliance Procedures on Equal Education and Employment Opportunity and Social Equity. The revised code also complies with recommendations made by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. In other business:
THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY FORUM March 20, 2012, 4:00 p.m, Dixon Room 327
• Lenora Angelone, vice president for Student Affairs, reported on student activities that highlight civic engagement. Among them was the Red Watch Band program, which teaches students to recognize the symptoms of alcohol overdose and take immediate life-saving measures. • Provost Geraldine Jones highlighted faculty achievement. Her report focused on the Dr. Aref-Al-Khattar of the Department of Justice, Law and Society, who completed a Fulbright Senior Specialist assignment at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Two other faculty members recently selected to participate in the Fulbright Specialist Program are Dr. J. Kevin Lordon, of the Department of Secondary Education and Administrative Leadership, and Joseph Schwerha, of the Department of Business and Economics. • Robert Thorn, vice president for Administration and Finance, reported that the $32 million renovation and expansion of the Natali Student Center will begin at the end of the spring semester. The building will remain open during the two-year project. Although enrollment has increased by more than 3,500 in the past 10 years, this is the first upgrade to the facility in more than a decade. Thorn also noted that he expects the Loop Road project to be completed on schedule this spring. • Craig Butzine, vice president for Marketing and University Relations, pointed to a pair of ongoing partnerships.
Ties with the Chevron Center for STEM Education and Career Development provide academic opportunities at the Carnegie Science Center, and the Pittsburgh Penguins partnership offers opportunities for students. The second Cal U Hockey Night in Pittsburgh, for example, involved all three Vulcan hockey clubs and attracted nearly 2,000 fans. Butzine also highlighted the office’s effective promotion of Cal U Global Online’s No. 1 national ranking by Guide to Online Schools. • Sharon Navoney, interim vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations, reported that the Campaign to Build Character and Careers has brought in nearly $28 million, on its way to a goal of $35 million. She reported that $1.8 million has been raised during the current fiscal year, and that Development and Alumni Relations continues to integrate the Cal U for Life principles of time, talent and treasure into its messaging. • Dr. Charles Mance, vice president for University Technology Services, reported that the campus Wi-Fi project was completed successfully in December. Twenty-two “smart” classrooms have been completed, and all 70 Cal U classrooms should be upgraded with “smart” technology by September 2012. The final “tune-up” of Banner, the new student information system, will be completed at the end of this month. The Trustees are scheduled to meet again on June 7.
Convocation Message Includes ‘Value Proposition’
TENTATIVE AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA IV. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21, 2012 a. (Approved by e-mail ballot – refer to Forum website or Public Folders in Outlook) V. MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE a. (Informational Only – Minutes March 6, 2012) VI. PRESIDING OFFICER’S REPORT i. Miscellaneous Information ii. President’s Response to Motion(s) passed iii. Notice of Executive Committee Meeting: April 3, 2012 – University Community Welcome VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS VIII. INTERPELLATION IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS X. NEW BUSINESS XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS Next FORUM Meeting April 17, 2012 XII. ADJOURNMENT
n his spring 2012 “State of the University” address to staff and students, President Angelo Armenti, Jr. pledged to create a stable funding paradigm that will preserve the mission of public higher education. “As I complete my 20th year as your President, this is one elusive goal that I remain committed to achieving,” he said. Separate convocations for staff and students were held Feb. 27 and 28. Both sessions in the Performance Center were well attended. The President’s talks echoed his Jan. 24 presentation to faculty. He discussed the historical decline in support for higher education and the steep drop in funding this year. The governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 calls for a further 20 percent cut in state funding, he said. “Cal U has faced many serious obstacles since 1852, and the obstacles we now face may rival the greatest existential challenges of the past. Privatization without a plan
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has recently progressed from a gradual decline in state funding to a precipitous drop.” Enrollment has leveled out, he added, after 15 years of continuous growth. But hope lies in the Cal U “value proposition” — those “extras” that attract students and make the Cal U experience worth the cost. In addition to high-quality academic programs, amenities such as suite-style campus housing, 24hour health service, campus-wide Wi-Fi, the new Convocation Center and world-class affiliations represent added value for students, he said. Academic advantages include the FranklinCovey Leader for Life process, Cal U Global Online, “smart” classrooms and the Activities Transcript, which documents a student’s experiences outside of class. “Perceived value will, more often than not, attract more and better students,” the President said. “I want us to focus on our value and not be a commodity.”
As the University enters its 160th year, the President promised to continue sharing his thoughts on the future of public higher education. “I look forward very much to having that conversation with you,” he said. Also speaking at staff convocation was freshman Brittany Kusniar, a member of the Honors Program who is majoring in meteorology with a minor in mathematics and GIS/Emergency management. A work-study student, she explained that scholarships have given her time to become active in campus organizations. President Armenti urged the students to study hard, graduate on time and honor their pledge to support Cal U for Life. He thanked the staff for their daily efforts to help Cal U succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace. “Despite the severe challenges and obstacles we face, I still believe in our University,” he said. “We will continue to do what we must to preserve this institution as a beacon of hope.”
The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. University President
Dr. Charles Mance Vice President for University Technology Services
Sharon Navoney Interim Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Geraldine M. Jones Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Robert Thorn Vice President for Administration and Finance
Christine Kindl Editor
Dr. Lenora Angelone Vice President for Student Affairs
Craig Butzine Vice President for Marketing and University Relations
Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff Bender Writers
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