[YSU-Academic-Senate] Academic Senate Meeting Update: 4/22/26

[Edmund C Ickert]

Good morning everyone,

I am currently working on a written form of the minutes for the meeting.  I have gone ahead and updated the senate website to include a video recording of the meeting, along with, the agenda and all the supporting materials are now uploaded to the website and the Academic Senate TEAMS site.  Additionally, I have received updated committee worksheets and have uploaded them to the Academic Senate TEAMS site for each of the respective committees.  These resources are available for access.

A few key notes from last night:

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for your hard work and participation in the Academic Senate this year. Without your consistent engagement, we would not have been able to establish quorum or conduct the business that keeps this body functioning. Your commitment has been essential to maintaining the Senate's active role in shared governance, and it is deeply appreciated.


  1.
The agenda was ammended to include an update on resources for CourseSYL and future training sessions.  Training sessions for CourseSYL can be accessed via the shared website:

    Register to attend<https://reg.learningstream.com/view/view_month.aspx?as=23&wp=782&aid=YSU&cat1=1893>


  1.
The AI committee presented on updates regarding AI use in higher education.  YSU is hosting an AI conference on AI in teaching and learing on May 7, 2026 from 8:30am-3:15pm in the Williamson Conference Center.  This conference is free to YSU faculty and staff.  A link to conference information is provided here:
https://ysu.edu/ysu-conference-ai-teaching-learning


  1.
An endorsement was passed by majority vote in the senate regarding the 2nd writing course.  The following resolution was approved for endorsement by the senate:
"AAS, AAB, and ATS degree programs need not require a second writing course as a degree requirement. This does not prevent programs from choosing to include the second writing course as a degree requirement.".
  2.
At-large senate elections are bein conducted to fill the senate seats for next year.  A schedule for next year's senate meetings has been drafted, and once approved, will be shared with the senate body.

Lastly, Dr Martha Pallante recognized Dr Chet Cooper for his outstanding service to the Academic Senate which has spanned over 2 decades.  As many of you have heard, Dr Chet Cooper has stepped down from the Academic Senate, and I didn't want the moment to pass without saying something. Twenty years of service to the Senate (mostly as Senate Chair) is an extraordinary gift to any institution, and anyone who has sat in a meeting with Chet knows what that gift looked like in practice.  Chet brought a steady hand to tense moments, treated everyone fairly, and was quietly determined to do right by YSU and, above all, by our students. I've had the privilege of serving as Senate Secretary alongside him for the past five years, and I will miss him at that table more than I can say. His advocacy for student success was never for show; it was simply who he was. It has been a privilege to serve alongside him, and I'm grateful to call him a friend as well. On behalf of all of us, Chet thank you for all you've done. We are better for your leadership, and we're grateful beyond words.

We'll keep you posted on any updates as they happen.

Best,


Edmund C Ickert, PT, DPT, PhD, CLT

Certified Lymphedema Therapist

Associate Professor, Physical Therapy

Department of Graduate Studies in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Secretary, Academic Senate

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH 44555

Cushwa Hall, B326

P: 330-941-1326

F: 330-941-1898

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