An M.Ed. Core sub-committee will be formed to revisit the core based on the new ELL and SPED requirements coming from PDE.The GCPRC passed new guidelines for attending the commencement ceremony. These guidelines will appear in the next variation of the graduate student catalog. They are currently working with Faculty Senate to find ways to accelerate the process of getting new courses approved.

The committee talked about their mission of improving Millersville University via discussion of key performance indicators (goals), which will also allow us to receive funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

The committee discussed how to be more responsive to student needs in ways that are convenient for them.  For example, one suggestion was to offer blended courses that meet for the first three weeks and then meet the rest of the semester online.  Another example would be to offer weekend courses for students.  It was discussed that if the university offers weekend courses, they should see what effect this will have on current professors.  Additionally, it was discussed that these types of courses should be targeted to professionals more as professional development trainings than as a regular part of the curriculum for undergraduate or graduate students.  Other ideas might be to offer more summer courses or to offer non-credit courses like foreign languages or cooking. 

Would it help transfer students to have better advisors?  Some schools hire professional advisors because the faculty are too busy to take on this task.  If we did this though, the downfall would be that the professional advisors do not know what is specifically happening in that particular field or department. 

Dr. Francine McNairy, the University President, is planning a transformation fair for the 3^rd week of October.  This fair will have 9 different stations based on different areas in which our University could improve.  The idea is to invite students, faculty, staff, and alumni to the fair to have them stop at the stations that interest them and give suggestions on how to improve the University. 

One issue discussed regarding the Transformation Fair is how to get students to attend.  One idea would be to target student leaders on campus; however, it would be great if students wanted to go and did not go because they felt that they had to be a student organization representative.  Could we have a special event/room at this fair just for student feedback?  What is the incentive for students to come to this?  Should we give students specific options to give their opinion on versus just asking open ended questions about what we can do to make the University better?  How will this be advertised so that it reaches students, alumni, and faculty/staff? 

Is there a way to continue discussions for improving MU past the fair?  What about an ongoing discussion online or even suggestion boxes throughout campus?  If we use a student idea maybe we could offer some type of prize.

The committee will be listening to an audio conference on making the case for liberal education.  It is called "Selling Liberal Education to Students & Parents:  Defusing Common Misperceptions about General Education".  Lisa Shibley from University Planning Council suggested that the Graduate Student Association listen to this broadcast and give feedback regarding the general education requirements at MU.  GSA could get a copy of this broadcast from Carol Kirsch.

Faculty Senate is currently working with the GCPRC to find ways to accelerate the process of getting new courses approved.

Positions are available for a graduate student representative on this committee. If you are interested, please contact a GSA officer.

At this meeting we discussed how the library will be closing for two years and the accommodations the University plans on putting in place for students.  Gerhart will be the new “library area” for students during this time which will start in Summer 1.  There will be 10-15 computer sections with printers etc.  They are also looking for places in Stayer that can be reserved for “library use” and classrooms after hours.  In the new renovation they will be having a 24 hour room with a café and will also have new group rooms that hold 1-6 people with technology to practice presentations etc.  She is going to look into having a lounge in the new library for graduate students.  She wanted to know if we, as graduate students, have any questions about the renovation.  She mentioned that she can come to a meeting if we would like her to.