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
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