October 6, 2009

October 6, 2009

Academic Council (approved November 3, 2009)

Present: Athinarayanan, Baker, Barrios, Buis, Dickson, Kraemer, McGowan, McMillan, Miller, Parker, Prater, Ray, Ruediger, Starrett, Stephens, and Ustinova

Guests: Wayne Bowen, Steven Hoffman, and Stephen Overmann

A.  MINUTES:
Upon a motion by McGowan; seconded by Barrios, the minutes of September 1, 2009 were unanimously approved.

B.  ACTION ITEMS:

1.  Master of Science in Environmental Science: Revisions
Stephens announced that at the September Council meeting, the program was approved, with the caveat that McGowan bring an “Admission Plan” back to the Council. The revised document was handed out and Overmann explained the revisions and additions. Initially, the plan stated that students should obtain support from a faculty member as an admissions requirement; the revised plan asks students to specify whether he/she is declaring thesis or non-thesis. If declaring a non-thesis, the student will be assigned a faculty supervisor as part of the admission process. If declaring thesis, the student has a timeline in the first semester to work out an agreement with a faculty member to supervise his/her research. McGowan stated that the revisions address concerns stated by McDougall and Zahir Ahmed. McGowan moved approval to accept the admission plan as revised; seconded by Kraemer. Motion passed unanimously.

2.  Historic Preservation: Program Changes
 Barrios moved approval of the proposed changes to the Historic Preservation program; seconded by McGowan. Hoffman explained that the major change to the program was the addition of six hours of electives to the core requirements. The hours were moved from the additional interdisciplinary requirements section. Starrett pointed out that one of the class prefixes was incorrect; Stephens asked Hoffman to email corrected version to Jen Smith. Dickson advised that MG301 might not be the most effective class, as it’s listed under “Economic Issues” on the Interdisciplinary Program Components page; Council suggested it be moved under “Curatorial Issues.” Further discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

3.  Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders
 Stephens pointed out that with the absence of Noe and Janzow, she felt it best to table this item until the November meeting.

4.  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Capstone Requirement
 Prater moved approval of the MSN Capstone requirement; seconded by Barrios. Prater explained that the thesis option is still available, but the change is that the non-thesis students will do a scholarly paper, rather than a research project. The nursing faculty felt the change was more appropriate for nursing students. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

C.  DISCUSSION ITEMS

None

D. OTHER

1.  EN099/EN100 Review Committee
 Stephens noted that in the September meeting, she asked that Barrios bring forward to the October meeting the EN099/EN100 Review Committee membership and charge. She asked if the committee had been formed; Barrios reported that Starrett has been working with Missy Nieveen-Phegley and Elizabeth Fleitz and a committee has been formed.

2.  Honors House Ribbon Cutting
 McGowan announced that the ribbon cutting for the new Honors House will be Saturday, October 10, at 11:30 am. Stephens reported that carpet was being laid and furniture would be moved in by the end of the week.