November 1, 2005

November 1, 2005

Present:  Athinarayanan, Bertrand, Cron, Curtis, Ferguson, Hinkle, Jones, McDougall, McGowan, Prater, Redmond, Shaw, Shepard, Starrett, Stephens, Syler
 
Guests:  Stuart Towns, Paula King, Gary Miller, Kenn Stilson.
 
A.  Minutes of September 2, 2005.  This item was presented at the end of the agenda.  Jones asked that page 2, Item D. [Writing Composition Placement, 2nd paragraph, 1st sentence] in the minutes be re-worded to state that the committee charge was to review the current writing composition placement procedure; compare with other institutions in the state; and look at the ACT essay as a possible replacement.  The correction will be made and re-distributed to the Council.
 
Stephens noted that Item 8 [Revision: MA & Specialist Programs in Ed. Adm. & Counseling] under Action Items had been withdrawn from the revised agenda by Dean Shepard.
 
Council discussed changes to transfer credit.  Stephens reviewed with the Council the amendments that have been approved by CBHE’s Committee on Transfer and Articulation [COTA].  The addendum prescribes flexibility in credit transfer and degree requirements in cases where a similar course might be a lower-division course at one institution and an upper-division course at another.  Institutions are expected to avoid requirements that result in unnecessary duplication for students.
 
B.  Action Items
 
1.  60% Rule Committee Report.  McGowan explained that the committee met as requested by the Council to review and research the 60% rule and came up with 3 recommendations.  (1) Eliminate the rule that requires 60% of the major be at the upper division; (2) Implement a rule that would require that at least 15 hours of the major be at the upper division; (3) Change the degree requirement from 30 upper division hours to 40 upper division hours.  He noted that only 4 majors were found that would not meet the 15 hour requirement. (See previously sent agenda item).  After discussion and consideration of approving only part of the recommendation, it was agreed to move this from an Action item to an Information item for this meeting.  Deans will look at the impact on individual programs.  The item will be brought back to the next meeting as an action item calling for a vote to approve/disapprove.  Stephens reminded the Council that they did not want to adopt a rule only to have exceptions.
 
2. Substitute Teacher/Teaching Assistant Certification.  Shepard moved approval of the teaching Assistant Preparation Certification; Shaw seconded.  Shaw stated that the purpose of this certificate program is to assist laid-off and displaced workers at the Higher Education Center’s to utilize Workforce Development opportunities.  The program would prepare prospective students for employment as teaching assistants, paraprofessionals or substitute teachers upon completion of 60 hours.  Hinkle asked for clarification if this certification would be shown on transcripts with no major declared.  It was determined that it would appear on the transcript. It was also noted that the student’s g.p.a. would be the qualifier to move on into a degree program in teacher education.  The Council asked that specific class prefixes be identified for Biological Science, Literary Expression and Physical Sciences courses; not identifying specific prefixes that will meet the requirements allows for possible errors in advising.  The Dean will provide a corrected form.  It was noted that the demand for the program could reach as many as 30 students, depending on the region’s unemployment and lay-offs.  The motion passed unanimously.
 
3.  New Option: Musical Theatre in B.F.A. in Performing Arts.  Jones moved approval of the Musical Theatre option in the B.F.A. in Performing Arts; Curtis seconded.  Jones told the Council that the development of this option has been progressing for 2 years to support the mission of the new School of Visual & Performing Arts and it enhances cross-discipline learning with the integration of the arts.  He noted there is integration of 3-separate disciplines - dance, acting and voice.  He noted this combination would make for a unique triple degree.  Ken Stilson also noted that this course arrangement would make the option more marketable, since it has a clear structure.  Gary Miller noted that the 3-prong emphasis would make it a stronger program. There was discussion regarding the core requirements with assurance that there was equal emphasis for each aspect of the program.  It was noted that more hours were required for the options than the core.  The motion passed unanimously.
 
4.  Revision: B.F.A. in Performing Arts.  Jones moved for approval of revisions in the B.F. A. in Performing Arts; Curtis seconded.  Revisions included are in the core, and the existing options acting/directing, design/technology, and dance option.  The revision will add the new musical theatre option to the B.F.A. degree.  The motion passed.
 
5.  Revision:  B.A. in Theatre to B.A. in Theatre and Dance.  Jones moved for approval of the name change and revisions in the B.A. in Theatre to B.A. in Theatre and Dance; Curtis seconded.  The change provides for both theatre and dance emphasis and gives students the opportunity to have a double major in some other field.  The motion passed.
 
6.  Dual MBA/Master Degree Program.  Stephens drew attention to paragraph 4 in the request from McDougall, stating that it is not the prerogative of the Council to set standards on fees and this would not be part of the motion.  McDougall moved acceptance of a dual MBA/Master degree program with the University of Applied Sciences in Schmalkhalden, Germany.  McGowan seconded.  McDougall informed the Council that past accreditation teams have been impressed with the international diversity of the MBA programs.  He noted that the number of international students have drastically dropped with homeland security issues. He noted that globalization is an important element of accreditation.  Unsure if the numbers will increase, the program is pursuing an initiative for a dual program, and is asking for an exception to the 9-hour limit.  The proposal would include 18 hours from Southeast and 15 hours from German institution.  This would represent separate degrees from Southeast and the University of Applied Science in Germany.  The motion passed unanimously.
 
7.  Revision: M.A. in Human Environmental Studies.  Prater moved acceptance of the revision in the M.A. in Human Environmental Studies; Syler seconded.  Paula King noted that there were actually three things being considered.  She presented the proposal to change the name from MA in Human Environmental Studies Education to MA in Human Environmental Studies.  She reported that are 2 options; one to service returning secondary school teachers and the other for other professionals such as dietitians, interior designers, fashion merchandisers and child care specialist.  The majority of students are not enrolled in the education component but rather the program that is designed for a professional role.  The program change deletes 2 options and compresses it into 1 option.  Admission criteria was also added which did not previously exist.  The motion passed unanimously.
 
8.  Course Numbering (moved from Information Item, Number 2).  Hinkle told the Council that Dr. Holt had asked that the Council consider moving from a three digit course number to four digit course numbers.  Hinkle noted that the system had already ran out of UI3xx numbers and had to come up with an additional discipline code for those courses.  Moving to the new Banner system this seemed an appropriate time to make the change.  After discussion, it was endorsed.  The Council agreed that the way to go to a four digit system was to multiply by 10 (adding a “0” at the end). Upon an endorsement by McDougall, seconded by Jones; it passed unanimously.
 
C.  Information Items
 
1.  Discontinuation of Media Studies Option in Mass Communication.  Jones announced that the faculty of the Department of Communication voted to discontinue the Media Studies option, effective with the next catalog (2006-07). He reported that the rationale for discontinuing included the very low number of students; media studies had become the choice of students that were not successful in the more in-depth study of the professional sequences in mass communication; media studies is the only option in mass communication that is not and cannot be accredited which is a disservice to students; and with the discontinuation the program is fully accredited by ACEJMC.
 
2. and 3. (moved to other places on agenda).
 
4.  Administrative Assistant Two-Year Certificate.  McDougall described the curricular changes (see previously sent agenda item) associated with the Administrative Assistant Two-Year Certificate program electives.
 
D.  Other
 
McDougall asked for a Memo to be sent to all Deans stating that Academic Council will not act upon any program proposals unless presented on the proper CBHE forms.  The Council agreed unanimously.