November 4, 2008

November 4, 2008

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Present:          Aide, Baker, Barrios, Beard, Bertrand, Buis, Hinkle, Janzow, Kraemer, McGowan, Miller, Prater, Ruediger, Starrett, Stephens, Strange and Veneziano
 
Guests:           Victor Gummersheimer, Cheryl McAllister
 
A.  MINUTES:
Upon a motion by McGowan; seconded by Prater, the minutes of October 7, 2008 were unanimously approved.
 
B.  ACTION ITEMS:
 
1.  Proposal to replace MA090 (Developmental Algebra) and MA095 (Intermediate Algebra) with MA101 (Intermediate Algebra I) and MA102 (Intermediate Algebra II)
Stephens explained that this proposal is very important and will have sweeping implications for all majors. McGowan moved approval for the replacement of MA090 and MA095 with MA101 and MA102; Janzow seconded. McGowan asked Gummersheimer to further explain.  Gummersheimer explained that the ultimate reason for this proposal is to improve the success rate in the developmental courses and in the Logical Systems courses. He further explained the concepts of the new courses; students will be expected to master all 240 topics using online software called ALEKS. Once a student has mastered all topics, whether completing them all in MA101, or having to complete both MA101 and MA102, he/she will move on to Logical Systems; if the student masters at least 80 units in MA101, he/she will move on to MA102, and only after completing all topics then, will he/she move on to Logical Systems. Stephens stated that four pilots are scheduled for Spring 2009. Further discussion followed and Council was informed that success rates in such courses are a national problem; McAllister explained that using ALEKS will be like giving students individual tutors. Stephens stated that this proposal is not to save money and not to reduce staff, it is to teach math more successfully.  The pilots will have one lead instructor, 2 graduate assistants, and possibly one senior math student, with 8-12 students per ‘instructor.’ After discussion, it was decided that the statement on page 3, #7 should remove the word “must” and replace it with “should.”  Council expressed concerns about the credit received for MA101 and/or MA102 putting students over the 120 hour requirement; McGowan explained that it will depend on the student’s major as to whether the hours will be above the requirement, and in most majors these credits could be used as electives. Following Aide’s question, McGowan stated that the courses will be offered at the regional campuses with the same amount of support as will be provided on the main campus. Stephens informed the Council that this Thursday, November 6th at 11:00 am, there is a webinar on ALEKS, and she invited the Council to join she and McGowan in viewing it. Motion was unanimously approved for the pilot to take place in Spring 2009, with students receiving credit for MA101 and MA102. After further discussion, the Council supported Stephens taking the proposal to Executive Staff, with McGowan, Gummersheimer, and McAllister present for explanation, for approval on the new courses being for credit and counting towards graduation.
 
2.  Proposal: Admittance, Continuance, and Dismissal for BA in Theatre and Dance and BFA in Performing Arts
This item was deferred at the October 7, 2008 meeting, and is now being brought back with revisions, which address the concerns of the Council. Barrios moved approval of the proposal for admittance, continuance, and dismissal for the BA in Theatre and Dance and BFA in Performing Arts; Miller seconded. Miller explained that a Pre-Theatre and Dance major has been introduced based on the Council’s concerns regarding the BA being a “fall-back” degree for those not succeeding in BFA. All Theatre and Dance majors will now begin in their first semester with the Pre-Theatre and Dance major, and will only be accepted into the BFA program in the second semester, based on a minimum 3.0 GPA within the Theatre or Dance major and a minimum overall university GPA of 2.5. Further discussion followed and the Council supported the revisions made to the proposal. Motion was unanimously approved.
 
3.  Online Course Ownership Procedures
This item was tabled at the October 7, 2008 meeting. Stephens asked for motion to remove item from table; Janzow moved motion; McGowan seconded. Starrett explained he revised the document based on the Council’s concerns about the use of “class” and “course” throughout the document, as well as arrangement of bulleted items on the second page. Discussion followed, and it was decided to change several instances of “course” in the document to “class.”  Motion, with editorial changes, was approved with one nay.
 
C.  DISCUSSION ITEMS
 
None
 
D. OTHER
 
            None