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Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda January 20, 2026, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes December 15, 2025
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:25 Report
• School of Graduate Studies
• Professional Responsibilities and Procedures Committee
• 3:45 Old Business
• 3:50 New Business
• 4:00 Information
• EPC Report - January 8, 2026
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Production Tax Credits Promote U.S. Wind Power Development With A Rush To Develop Before They Expire, Michelle M. Arnold, Emily Richards, Brennan Bean, Rebekah Scott, Christopher L. Lant

Environment and Society Student Research

A statistical analysis of wind power development in each U.S. state from 2000–2022 shows that the Production Tax Credit strongly promoted wind power development, especially when it was due to expire, and producers rushed to qualify. This implies that the Inflation Reduction Act should also have an important effect in promoting wind power, with an exaggerated effect when developers perceive that tax credits will be discontinued. Physical wind power potential is positively related to wind power development among states. States with high potential selectively pass Renewable Portfolio Standards, but they have no statistically significant influence on capacity developed among the …

Strength In Numbers: Exploring The Link Between Upper Body Muscular Strength And Academic Achievement In Youth, Julian A. Reed, Marsha Dowda Drph, Russell R. Pate Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between upper body strength and endurance (UMSE) and academic achievement in youth.

Design

Cross-sectional study included 5th (N = 25,025) and 8th grade (N = 14,988) students in South Carolina.

Methods

Academic achievement was measured using a statewide assessment and classified into two categories (meets/exceeds standards or does not meet/approaches standards). Achievement in mathematics and English Language Arts was assessed. UMSE was measured as part of the South Carolina FitnessGram project and expressed as Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) or Needs Improvement – Health Risk. Student demographic characteristics were derived …

Topological Data Analysis Of New York City Taxi Trip Data Using Advanced Dimensionality Reduction And Clustering Techniques – Uncovering Structure And Timeliness, Mahalakshmi Sakthivel

Theses and Dissertations

In this project, we used Topological Data Analysis (TDA) to explore the shape and structure of high-dimensional data and the timeliness dimension of information quality through topological data analysis, with the long-term goal of automatically computing timeliness values that reflect how useful data items are for decision making. The project followed a two-phase approach: in the first half, we employed the Kepler Mapper library along with techniques like Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP), T-SNE (t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding) and Customized Embedding to analyze and visualize complex datasets. In the second phase, we specifically applied our …

Perspectives Of Current And Former Kindergarten Teachers Regarding The Role Of Play-Based Learning Practices, Breann Nicole Crocker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increase in standards-based curriculum in kindergarten has led to uncertainty about the use play-based learning to teach to benchmark standards. The problem that was addressed through this study is that the role of play-based learning in the study state new kindergarten (SSNK) curriculum to teach benchmark standards has not been evaluated. Grounded in Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore kindergarten teachers’ perspectives of the role of play-based learning practices in teaching to state learning benchmarks after being trained in (SSNK) curriculum. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight kindergarten …

Crystal Structures, Optical Behavior, And Magnetic Properties In Hydrated Lanthanide Iron Sulfates, Chole Jones, Silu Huang, Tyler L. Spano, Eric A. Gabilondo, Mohammed Al-Fahdi, Kara Trim, Mary Douglas, Rongying Jin, Andrew Miskowiec, P. Shiv Halasyamani, Ming Hu, Jie Ling

Faculty Publications

Single crystals of LnFe(SO₄)₃(H₂O)₂ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm; compounds 1–11) and LnFe(SO₄)₃(H₂O) (Ln = Tm, Yb, Lu; compounds 12–14) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis revealed that the dihydrated compounds (1–11) crystallize in centrosymmetric (CS) structures, with the lanthanide ions adopting eight-coordinate geometries. In contrast, the monohydrated compounds (12–14) exhibit noncentrosymmetric (NCS) structures, where the lanthanide ions are seven-coordinated. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) confirmed that compounds 2, …

The Effectiveness Of Window Shopping Cooperative Learning In Enhancing Creativity And Understanding Of Earth Structure Concepts, Dhiana Wahyu Kusuma Wardhani, Agung Mulyo Setiawan, Wahyu Hadi Susilo

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the window shopping cooperative learning model in enhancing grade 8 students’ creativity and conceptual understanding of earth structure in science learning. The model was introduced as an alternative to address issues of low engagement and uneven participation in classroom activities. The research employed a classroom action research (CAR) design with three meetings representing the planning, action, and reflection stages. The participants were 29 students of class VIII F at SMPN 24 Malang. Data collection techniques included classroom observations, field notes, and a post-test. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to capture participation, motivation, …

Tarl Approach As An Innovative Strategy For Ipas Learning In Primary Education, Rahmah Alia Anzani, Rodotul Janah, Indra Darmawan

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach in IPAS (Science, Environment, and Social Studies) learning, specifically on the topic of the digestive system, in Grade 5 at SD Kanisius Kembaran, Yogyakarta. A descriptive qualitative method was employed, with data collected through interviews with teachers and students, as well as a review of relevant literature. The findings indicate that the TaRL approach positively impacts student learning outcomes, with approximately 60% of students showing improved comprehension and more active engagement. However, the implementation also faces several challenges, such as time management difficulties, limited …

2026 Mlk Celebration, Dr.Adrienne Coleman

MLK Celebration

One Dream, Many Voices:

Uplifting Black and Brown Excellence Presented by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Brotherhood-Sister Circle (BHSC), and Featuring Poetic Justice.

Black National Anthem  “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson, Performed by IMSA Chamber Choir

Oer Review For Open Programming: Java I - Creating An Oer Textbook For Programming Fundamentals, Peter Arsenault

Open Educational Resources Publications

This report describes the creation and implementation of a seven‑chapter Open Educational Resource (OER) for Bentley University’s CS 180 – Programming Fundamentals course, developed from the author’s teaching notes, custom examples, and course materials from Fall 2024. The project aimed to provide current, accessible, digital‑first learning resources aligned with modern programming tools, supported by generative‑AI editing in NotebookLM and open‑source formatting tools such as pandoc and Marp. Implemented during Fall 2025, the OER received highly positive student feedback, particularly regarding its clarity, accessibility, and cost savings, and it is slated for further refinement—including updates for Java 25, expanded examples, and …

Implementing Teaching At The Right Level In Primary Schools: A Literature Review, Fendrix Setya Purnawan, Rokhiyani Herlina, Titi Hidayah

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

The dynamic development of primary education requires teachers to adopt effective teaching methods. One key factor in improving student learning outcomes is the implementation of appropriate instructional strategies. This study aims to understand and analyze the fundamental principles and core concepts of Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) as an approach to enhancing the quality of learning. The research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a literature review approach, analyzing 20 relevant studies. TaRL is a learning approach designed to match teaching strategies with students' actual levels of understanding and ability, focusing primarily on foundational literacy and numeracy skills. The …

Chemistry Education Undergraduate Students’ Mental Health Issues As Correlate To Their Interest In Chemistry Courses In Southeast Universities, Juliana Nkiru Nnoli, Obikezie Maxwell Chukwunazo, Abumchukwu Angela Adanne

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

This study examined the relationship between mental health issues and interest in chemistry courses among Chemistry Education undergraduate students in federal universities in Southeast Nigeria (n = 2500). The research was motivated by increasing academic stress, perceived course difficulty, limited coping resources, and the influence of mental health on motivation, arousal, and self-efficacy. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A correlational research design was employed. The sample of 2500 students was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling from the five federal universities in the region. Data were collected using two instruments: the Chemistry Mental Health Inventory (CMHI) …

Dual-Task Effects On Spatiotemporal, Kinematic, And Kinetic Parameters And Their Variability During Running, Hsiang-Ling Teng, Jo Armour Smith, Will F.W. Wu

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Running in real-world environments often requires using cognitive resources simultaneously with the motor task (dual tasking, DT). Limited existing evidence suggests that DT reduces running speed. Movement variability is essential for a healthy, adaptable motor system. DT has been shown to affect movement variability during walking. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how DT affects spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running.

Research question

Does DT affect spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures and their variability during running? Does running speed influence DT effects?

Methods

Thirty-one asymptomatic runners participated in this cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were recorded while …

Technology Competition Risk Situation And Response Strategies In China’S Energy Sector Under Great Power Competition, Yong Shi, Shanghua Li, Fei Wu, Kun Guo

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

With the advancement of the global energy transition and the intensification of global geopolitical uncertainties, technological competition in the energy sector has become a key area in the great power competition. This study constructs a logical framework for energy technology competition and reveals the new trends in current technological competition in the energy sector. On this basis, this study systematically analyzes the three main types of risks that China faces in energy technology competition and further proposes corresponding countermeasures. China must continuously enhance the core competitiveness and institutional voice over energy technology to achieve the strategic goals of energy security …

Internal Logic And Reform Suggestions Of Fiscal And Taxation Policies Supporting Construction Of New Energy System, Junming Zhu, Bofeng Li, Jiali Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Building a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient new energy system is a core strategy for China to achieve its “dual carbon” goals and promote high-quality development. This endeavor involves not only technological innovation in energy production and consumption but also requires guidance and support from the national governance system. As a key instrument of modern national governance, the fiscal and taxation policies serve as a crucial way to guide energy production and consumption, promote technological innovation, and adjust the distribution of interests. In light of the current multidimensional goals of energy transition—particularly the inherent tension between “clean and low-carbon” and …

Research On Energy Security Governance And Preventive Measures In China Under Century Long Changes, Qiang Ji, Ying Fan, Yu Song

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Against the backdrop of unprecedented changes in a century, multidimensional internal and external risks are intertwined and stacked, and energy security is constantly developing towards diversification, integration, and globalization. Balancing energy security and climate governance under the “dual carbon” goal is bound to encounter many major challenges, and climate issues have become an important part of the energy security concept that cannot be ignored. This study comprehensively analyzes the internal and external multidimensional risks faced by China’s energy security, and elaborates on the new energy security governance system of “one body, two wings, three ends, and four characteristics” from the …

Market-Oriented Reform In China’S Oil And Gas Industry: Current Dynamics And Strategic Pathways, Min Shi, Yuan Xue, Xunpeng Shi, Dayong Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

China’s oil and gas market-oriented reform, developed through decades of exploration, has established a structure featuring multi-entity exploration in the upstream, independent operation of the national pipeline network in the midstream, and diversified competition in the downstream. Nevertheless, systemic challenges persist. A highly concentrated supply structure poses risks to energy security, while inadequate competition and limited market openness constrain operational efficiency. The green transition is hampered by insufficient policy coordination and economic viability barriers, and R&D transformation bottlenecks impede technological innovation. Furthermore, regional disparities in public service provision undermine social equity. Resolving these contradictions necessitates a systematic approach to reconfigure …

Strategies For Enhancing China’S Energy Resilience: Trade-Offs Between Diversification And Localization, Zhongwei Song, Yu Zhao, Xiang Gao, Jiaofeng Pan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In recent years, intensified geopolitical conflicts worldwide have increasingly exposed the vulnerabilities of traditional energy security frameworks, necessitating a shift in perspective from “ensuring stable supply” to “building systemic resilience”. This study explores pathways to enhance China’s energy resilience, analyzes how diversification and localization strategies can strengthen national energy security, and reviews related policy practices. Building on this analysis and considering China’s current energy landscape, the study proposes that in the short term, emphasis should be placed on diversifying import sources and routes while strengthening domestic supply assurance. In the medium to long term, it is essential to accelerate the …

Innovative Applications And Development Paths Of Digital Earth Technology In Marine Environmental Support, Junyi Liu, Xiongfei Liu, Zongji Wang, Zhihong Zeng, Huiping Xie, Siye Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The convergence of Digital Earth technologies and the field of marine environmental support represent a significant trend in global scientific and technological advancement. In response to the characteristics of marine environmental data such as sparsity, dynamic complexity, and multi-scale interdependence, and by integrating the evolution of international Digital Earth technology with China’s independent innovation practices, this study constructs three core methodological paradigms. The first is the element-integrated ontology, which proposes a hybrid representation paradigm of “spatiotemporal embedded field + ontology” to achieve integrated and dynamically evolving modeling of marine physical environments alongside geological, biological, chemical, and other multidimensional elements. The …

Forecast Of China’S Economic Growth Rate In 2026 And Policy Suggestions, Xikang Chen, Cuihong Yang, Kunfu Zhu, Huijuan Wang, Xinru Li, Yu Zhao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In 2025, China’s economy has shown a steady progress while maintaining stability. The industrial structure continues to be optimized, the new-quality productive forces enjoyed thriving development, people’s wellbeing was effectively ensured. China’s GDP growth rate ranks among the first tier of the world’s major economies. This study reviews the economic performance of China in 2025 and analyzes the domestic and international conditions for the next period. Using a system-based comprehensive factor prediction method, the study forecasts the economic growth rate for 2026, indicating that China’s economy is expected to maintain stable operation, with a growth rate of around 5.0%. This …

Thoughts On Accelerating The Capture Of Technological High Ground For Precise Marine Environmental Assurance, Yuantao Wu, Mingyue Wan, Deke Chen, Danhong Dong, Yao Yu, Miao Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The marine environment serves as a critical foundation for the development, utilization, protection, and governance of the ocean. Marine environmental support holds significant strategic importance for the exploitation of marine resources, ecological and environmental conservation, and the safeguarding of maritime rights and interests. It has become a strategic high ground in the new wave of marine technological innovation and development. This paper reviews the current status of global marine environmental support technologies, with a focus on the establishment and capabilities of the comprehensive “observation–forecasting–application–assessment” precision support technology system for the marine environment developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It …

Data Altruism: Eu Solution And Path Of Localization In China, Teng Wu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Data altruism transcends the profit-seeking, monopolistic and competitive nature of the market mechanism. It is driven by innovation and encourages data subjects and holders to share information guided by the public interest. As a new type of data application and service model, it aims to achieve a virtuous cycle of the data ecosystem while optimize the utilization of data resources. Tracing back to the source, the theoretical foundation of data altruism from the ethical theory of altruism, and the concept of its budding was supported by the data for good. Analysis shows that the specific scheme of the EU data …

Frontiers In Ocean Non-Equilibrium Dynamics And Challenges In Operational Oceanography Application, Yuhong Zhang, Yan Du, Tianyu Wang, Minyang Wang, Qin Duan, Xinlong Li, Yuhang Zheng, Yifan Xia, Shilin Tang, Yineng Li, Jianping Yin

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Ocean circulation exhibits complex multiscale dynamics, among which non-equilibrium processes, marked by transient behavior, strong perturbations, and pronounced nonlinearity, are of particular importance for maritime environmental support. However, limited observational capability has long constrained the study of subsurface non-equilibrium dynamics, leaving numerical models insufficiently validated and positioning this issue at the forefront of modern physical oceanography. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a promising pathway to overcome this bottleneck. Built on this concept, the “iEddy” AI large ocean model can efficiently reconstruct high-resolution, high-accuracy three-dimensional temperature, salinity, and velocity from sea-surface remote sensing data, demonstrating strong capability in capturing non-equilibrium ocean currents …

Current Status And Prospects Of Ocean Data Reanalysis, Chuanyu Liu, Fan Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Ocean data reanalysis (ODR) is a technique that combines ocean observational data with ocean circulation models to produce gridded data with higher accuracy and greater spatiotemporal coverage. The generated reanalysis data serve as a foundational dataset for conducting oceanographic research and developing artificial intelligence-based large ocean models. This study reviews the technical approaches of ODR, the current status of global and regional ocean data reanalysis systems developed in the world, and puts forward recommendations for the development of China's ocean reanalysis system.

Development Trends And Implications Of Muti-Objective Marine Environmental Forecasting Technology, Yineng Li, Yuhang Zhu, Shiqiu Peng, Zhiwu Chen, Xing Wei, Junmin Li, Shaodian Li, Peiwei Xie, Jiawen Liao, Yankun Gong, Shilin Tang, Shuqun Cai

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

With the continuous expansion of global maritime activities and the steady advancement of the “maritime power” strategy, marine environmental security has become a top priority for China. In deep-sea areas, various environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, sound velocity, wave dynamics, internal solitary waves, and nearshore rip currents play a crucial role in navigation safety and underwater equipment operations. Nevertheless, traditional single-parameter forecasting models are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of multi-objective environmental protection. As a result, there is a growing need for a high-resolution, multi-objective forecasting system that integrates basic oceanographic element predictions (such as temperature, salinity, …

Transparent West-Pacific: Frontier Advances In Earth System Science, Lixin Wu, Jiwei Tian, Weidong Sun, Hailong Liu, Tianyu Chen, Zhimian Cao, Zhao Jing

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The West-Pacific hosts a well-developed trench-arc-basin system characterized by intense fluid–solid interactions, making it an ideal region for studying multi-sphere interactions within the Earth system. Research on cross-sphere dynamic processes and material-energy cycles in the West-Pacific not only represents a core frontier in Earth System Science, but also crucial to addressing major strategic needs, such as global climate change response, sustainable use of marine resources, and protection of the deep-sea environment. This article highlights key advances achieved under the Major Program on West-Pacific Earth System Multispheric Interactions (WESPMI), in areas including multi-scale oceanic interactions, cross-sphere material exchange, plate subduction and …

Significance, Challenges, And Policy Recommendations For Strengthening Database Development To Support Ai For Science In China, Kaihua Chen, Hongxin Liu, Rui Guo

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

With the rapid emergence of research intelligence driven by big data and artificial intelligence (AI), high-quality, openly shared scientific databases have become a strategic focal point for scientific innovation and enhancing technological competitiveness. Major countries around the world are increasingly recognizing the foundational role of scientific databases in advancing basic research. While continuously strengthening their own scientific data infrastructure through a series of initiatives, they have simultaneously imposed restrictions and suppression on the development of AI technologies in China, including those involving research data. Against this backdrop, building an autonomous and controllable scientific data ecosystem to support research intelligence is …

Systemic Risks Analysis In International Crude Oil Market: Evidence And Countermeasures, Han Zhang, Yuejun Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Crude oil, often referred to as the “lifeblood” of the modern economy, plays a pivotal role in global economic stability and energy security. However, with the recurrence of crises in recent years, such as the the Russia-Ukraine conflict, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and intensifying trade frictions, the international crude oil market has been facing complex systemic risks, which are accelerated by persistent geopolitical conflicts, fragile supply-demand structures, and the intertwining of macroeconomic and financial uncertainties and so on. For China, with crude oil import dependence remaining above 70% for a prolonged period, economic and social development faces the …

Research On China’S Economic Pulse Based On Etc Big Data: Operational Characteristics, Structural Challenges, And Paths To High-Quality Development, Junjie Hong, Geng Li, Jian Guo, Zhengjie Tian, Libin Hu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Big data from highway ETC systems, characterized by full-domain coverage, high-frequency real-time updates, and precise granularity, provides a unique micro-observational window for perceiving the pulse of China’s economic operation. Based on the daily traffic data of national ETC users from Shandong Hi-Speed Xilian Science and Technology Co., Ltd. spanning the period 2023–2025, this study constructs a “China Economic Pulse Index” encompassing five core indicators: daily traffic volume, truck traffic volume, average truck load, inter-regional flow ratio, and travel efficiency. It systematically analyzes the economic operation logic reflected behind ETC big data. Research findings indicate that ETC data clearly reveals China’s …

Satellite-Derived Bathymetry In Island Coastal Zones: Technology, Shilin Tang, Yuye Huang, Yongming Liu, Jianping Yin, Deke Chen, Ronggang Huang, Shuang Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Shallow bathymetry data constitute the core foundational information underpinning the ecological, resource, and strategic values of island and coastal zones. Satellite-derived bathymetry has evolved into a key technical means for large-scale acquisition of shallow bathymetry information. Focusing on satellite-based lidar bathymetry, optical imaging bathymetry, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) bathymetry, this study systematically summarizes the core principles, applicable scenarios, technical strengths, and inherent limitations of each technology. It is shown that satellite-derived bathymetry has undergone an evolutionary shift from theoretical construction to practical application, and from single-method, single-data-source approaches to multi-technology, multi-source data fusion frameworks. In the future, to meet …