Digital Commons Network^™

April 15, 2025, Council On Graduate Studies

Minutes

No abstract provided.

How Can The Adoption Of Biodegradable Packaging In The Beverage Industry Specifically Contribute To Reducing Single-Use Plastic Waste, And What Regulatory Or Cost-Related Challenges Hinder Its Widespread Implementation In Developing Countries?, Rebecca Aba Gaisie

2025 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents

This research investigates the potential of biodegradable packaging to reduce single-use plastic waste in the beverage industry and explores the regulatory and cost-related barriers to its adoption in developing countries. The beverage sector is a major contributor to global plastic pollution, and biodegradable alternatives offer a promising path toward sustainability. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines qualitative interviews with industry experts and case studies of businesses implementing biodegradable solutions, alongside quantitative survey data from 100 manufacturers and 200 consumers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Findings reveal that while biodegradable packaging significantly reduces plastic waste and appeals to environmentally …

April 10, 2025, Caa

Minutes

No abstract provided.

April 09, 2025 (Vol.109, No. 25), Daily Eastern News

Daily Eastern News: 2024-2025

No abstract provided.

April 8, 2025, Nichole Mulvey

Minutes

Vol. 53, No. 14

Student Fees and Tuition Increases Resolution passed. College of Health and Human Services proposes "hy-flex" courses to CAA.

April 3, 2025, Caa

Minutes

No abstract provided.

April 02, 2025 (Vol. 109, No. 24), Daily Eastern News

Daily Eastern News: 2024-2025

No abstract provided.

Turning Farm Waste Into Energy: Pragmatic Approaches For Cleaner Midwestern American Communities, Rebecca Gaisie

Selected or Submitted Student Research Papers/Projects

Mismanagement of farm waste in the Midwest of the United States has resulted in significant methane emissions, water contamination, and public health concerns. The present manure management rules are still inconsistent, underfunded, and insufficient to motivate individuals to behave in a way that benefits the environment, despite increasing concerns about the environment. This policy study investigates anaerobic digestion as a potential means to convert waste into energy that could support rural and environmental development. Some of the problems with the federal and state legislation examined in this study under an EPI framework are a lack of incentives, inadequate technical support, …

April 1, 2025, Council On Graduate Studies

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Issue 58, Anna Nelson

NoteBooth

Spring 2025

March 26, 2025 (Vol. 109, No. 23), Daily Eastern News

Daily Eastern News: 2024-2025

No abstract provided.

Every Grain Of Sand: 2024 Changes To The Scope Of Higher Education Unionization, William A. Herbert, Joseph Van Der Naald, Jacob Apkarian

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

In this research note, we supplement the findings presented in the National Center’s 2024 Directory of Bargaining Agents and Contracts in Institutions of Higher Education. We aggregate and analyze data on changes in academic collective bargaining relationships for faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate and undergraduate student employees in the year 2024. Our findings demonstrate that the growth in academic collective bargaining over the past decade that we documented in the 2024 Directory has continued. However, we find some significant contractions in faculty unionization through institutional closures and the revocation of bargaining units in the state of Florida. The research …

Graduate Student Labor Unions: Two Experienced Academic Administrators Share Their Views, Karen R. Stubaus

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

This interview of two experienced academic administrators traces the evolution of graduate worker concerns as expressed in their collective bargaining agreements over the course of 50 years, at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Initial emphases on standard terms and conditions of employment are supplemented over the course of time with attention to work/life balance, discrimination and harassment, and other social justice issues. Administrators provide insights and advice on how to establish productive and collegial working relationships with the growing phenomenon of graduate worker unions.

Navigating Harassment And Discrimination At University Of California Through Uaw 4811'S Abusive Conduct Contract Provisions, Sarah Arveson, Emily Weintraut

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

The Respectful Work Environment (RWE) provisions in the recent University of California labor agreements with graduate students and postdocs have proven useful in addressing harassment and discrimination in new and perhaps more effective ways than either previous contract provisions or university policies and procedures. The authors describe how the new RWE provisions work and provide several illustrative case studies.

"No Pay, No Ras": Resident Assistant Unionization Amidst University Backlash, Justin Weller

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

While resident assistant (RA) unions have existed in the United States for over 20 years, RA unionization has accelerated on college campuses in recent years. This article explores the institutional responses to RA unionization through a distributive justice framework. I argue unionization aligns with the distributive justice framework and union-busting strategies do not align. I provide practical recommendations for institutions to align their practices with the National Labor Relations Act and relevant jurisprudence. Implications include a need to study RAs’ experiences in unionization and a continued focus on the ongoing legal challenges that may impact future unionization.

The Limits Of Law: Lessons For Collective Bargaining, Eric J. Scarffe, Daniel Saunders

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

This paper elucidates some features of law that generally go overlooked in collective bargaining. Using examples from collective bargaining agreements at universities in Florida, we unearth how assumptions about the nature of law (championed by the conservative legal movement) may undermine the ability for unions to influence the material working conditions at their universities. We believe negotiators need to reject these assumptions, and embrace an approach to ‘bargaining as pedagogy,’ which emphasizes the need for faculty and administrators alike to arrive at shared understandings of what the law means (be it the collective bargaining agreement, university policy, or state statute).

Faculty Views About Their Covid-19 Layoffs From A Public University In The Us Midwest, Susan E. Ramlo

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

In July 2020, a public university in the US Midwest announced it would lay off 96 bargaining unit faculty based on a force majeure clause in the union contract. Most of the faculty held tenure and some were distinguished professors. The layoffs occurred with no faculty input and immediately following a major university reorganization. This study uses Q methodology [Q] to examine the Perceived Organizational Support [POS] of these laid off unionized faculty within an agency theory framework. Q allows us to reveal and describe the divergent views of the laid off faculty based upon analyses of their sorts of …

Eng 5260-001 Communication In Science And Technical Organizations, Rashelle Spear

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

Grounded In Touch: The Science Behind Anxiety Relief And Human Connection, Misty Rhoads Ph.D. Czb, Mary Murphy M.A., Lmt, Czb, Mary L. Behrens Pt, Czb, Rhonda Salvo Pt, Czb, Sarah-Elizabeth Anderson Lmt, Czb, Clare Gowen Pt, Czb, Dawn Humbles Lsh, Czb, Veronica Quarry Pt, Czb, Deborah Rosene Ph.D., Czb, Wendy Tribelhorn Lmt, Czb, Jared Urcheck L.Ac, Czb, Deanna Waggy Otr, Czb

Journal of Transformative Touch

Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most pervasive mental health challenges worldwide, affecting individuals across all demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds. As a leading contributor to disability and diminished quality of life, anxiety continues to rise in prevalence, exacerbated by global crises and societal stressors. This study explored how Zero Balancing (ZB) supports individuals with anxiety. Researchers hypothesized that ZB would lower the perceived severity of general anxiety and reduce perceived anxiety symptoms.

Methods: A concurrent mixed-methods phenomenological research design was utilized to honor the holistic nature of bodywork and explore participants' lived experiences. This national study involved 320 ZB sessions …

Eng 5010-600 Studies In Twentieth-Century American Literature, Melissa Ames

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

Eng 5007-600 Composition Theory And Pedagogy, Rachael Ryerson

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

March 11, 2025, Council On Graduate Studies

Minutes

No abstract provided.

March 11, 2025, Nichole Mulvey

Minutes

Vol. 53, No. 12

Actions included unanimous passing of resolution on Yahacov "Cov" Dennis, the first reading of a proposed By-Laws addition regarding petitions for Faculty Senate Exec to conduct third party "No Confidence" votes, and VPSA Anne Flaherty, Associate Director of Counseling Jessica Coburn, and Executive Director of Health and Counseling Services Eric Davidson presented on student mental health supports.

On The Tragic Death Of Yahacov "Cov" Dennis, Todd Bruns, Brad Decker

Faculty Senate Resolutions

Vol.. 53, Res. 2

This resolution was passed unanimously by Faculty Senate on March 11, 2025.

Eng 5007-001 Composition Theory And Pedagogy, Rachael Ryerson

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

Eng 4903z-003 Young Adult Literature, Niall Nance-Carroll

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

Eng 4903-001 Young Adult Literature, Niall Nance-Carroll

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

Eng 4765-001 Professional Editing, Terri Fredrick

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

Eng 4764-001 Advanced Dramatic Writing, Christopher Wixson

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

February 27, 2025, Caa

Minutes

No abstract provided.