May 4, 2010

May 4, 2010

Academic Council (approved September 7, 2010)

Present: Athinarayanan, Baker, Barrios, Dickson, Hinkle, Janzow, Kraemer, McDougall, McGowan, McMillan, Noe, Parker, Prater, Ray, Rosati, Ruediger, Shaw, Starrett, Ustinova, and Willi Hooper

Guests: Philip Crawford, Andrew Fulkerson, Chris Goeke, James Stapleton, Rhonda Weller-Stilson, and Judy Wiles

A.  MINUTES:
Upon a motion by McGowan; seconded by McDougall, the minutes of April 6, 2010 were unanimously approved.

Rosati welcomed Michaela Willi Hooper as the Interim Director of Kent Library.

B.  ACTION ITEMS:

1.  Three-Year Degree Equivalency Policy
Janzow explained that a year and a half ago, the Graduate Council talked about the process of evaluating, for admission, how to handle 3 year degrees. He said the Council reviewed similar institution’s policies and found that most had some sort of equivalency policy. He asked the Academic Standards Committee, a subcommittee of Graduate Council, to review other institutions policies, and come up with a policy. National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is a body similar to an accrediting body; they have members that evaluate foreign degrees for equivalency. The text in bold type on the “Admission of International Students” page is what Graduate Council approved to be added to the Graduate Bulletin Admissions Policy. McDougall stated that WES is a major provider of this service; he expressed his hope that we could take WES’ recommendation for Indian degrees, and spare the students the expense of an additional review by NACES. Janzow asked that the Council approve the revision to the Admissions policy as he brought it forward, and let the Graduate Council approve exceptions, such as those with a WES evaluated degree. Athinarayanan suggested that the structure of the institutions be reviewed, as well as the transcripts. McGowan questioned how happy other institutions are with their policies; Janzow wasn’t sure, but he assumes they’re happy with the review process, but can’t speculate on their feelings on the quality of students they admit through the process. Further discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

2.  Early Admission Accelerated Graduate Programs Proposal
Janzow explained that Graduate Council did a trial run with early admission to graduate programs; the trial programs were Polytech and MBA. The students’ performance was evaluated; they were also asked if they had planned to go with that particular graduate program anyhow. Overall, students were successful, and for some, that was a deciding factor on choosing that graduate program. Further discussion followed. Janzow will bring a formal proposal forward in September.

3.  Management Curriculum Changes
McDougall moved approval of Management Curriculum Changes, items a-h (see list below) as one body; seconded by McGowan. McDougall explained how items had been changed:

a. Revision to Management Core - Added entrepreneurship course, as well as real world experience.

b. Redesign of Entrepreneurship Option - Made the optoin more contemporary; focused on innovation and creativity. McGowan asked if the prerequisite for BA361 is any 45 hours; McDougall and Dickson both confirmed that it is any 45 hours. Shaw asked if the additional four hours required will be offered without adding extra faculty; McDougall said the extra courses will be handled through rotation, and with one new faculty member that's been hired.

c. Redesign of Human Resource Management Option.

d. Redesign of Management Option.

e. Redesign of Entrepreneurship Option in the MBA – Follows general structure under MBA.

f. Redesign of Entrepreneurship Minor – Made an effort to broaden the scope; Minor is open to all students on campus.

g. Redesign of Human Resource Management Minor.

h. Redesign of Management Minor.

McDougall reiterated that items a-h do not need Board of Regents approval. Motion passed unanimously.

McDougall moved approval of the new minor in Fine Arts Entrepreneurship; seconded by Noe. He explained that the proposal had passed by both the Business College Council and the Liberal Arts College Council. Rosati commented that the minor is an excellent model. He feels parents in the community will be pleased to see the minor. Further discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

4. MBA Admissions Requirements
McDougall moved approval of the proposed revisions to the MBA Admissions requirements; seconded by McGowan. McDougall explained that the changes allow students admitted at the probationary level to understand that they must focus on their academic performance right away. Regular admission requires a GMAT score of at least 450; probationary admission requires a GMAT score of at least 400, yet below 450. Further discussion followed. Spelling revision was made to the proposal paragraph – rational should be rationale. Motion passed unanimously.

5.  MS in Criminal Justice Program Changes
Prater moved approval of the MS in Criminal Justice program changes; seconded by Noe. A. Fulkerson explained that new core course requirements were added. There are twelve hours of electives. The remaining six hours of the curriculum are either: a) internship, which has been changed to be done over the course of the semester, rather than a full three weeks; b) capstone seminar – similar institutions were looked at for this option; felt that this option will be attractive, as it’ll provide opportunities to do program reviews and synopsis; or c) non-capstone option, which consists of six hours of graduate level courses and a comprehensive exam. Motion passed unanimously.

6.  Fine Arts Entrepreneurship – New Minor
See Action Item 3 for discussion and motion approval.

7.  Deletion of Program – Masters of Music Education
Barrios moved approval of the deletion of the Masters of Music Education program; seconded by McGowan. Barrios explained that the proposal has passed both the Liberal Arts College Council and the Graduate Council. Rosati asked C. Goeke to remind the Council about the proposal. Goeke explained that the MME program has had low enrollment for several years, while the undergraduate program has had increased enrollment; therefore, there’s a lack of faculty to teach the graduate classes. Also, there isn’t as much need for the MME in the job market. Goeke also explained that the NASM accreditation consultant advised that the MME program be dropped in order for the full music program to be accredited. Goeke plans to bring back a new graduate degree in the future. Shaw questioned why the proposal was for deletion of the program, rather than an inactive status; McGowan concurred. Goeke explained that when they do propose a graduate degree in the future, it will not be like this degree. Further discussion followed, with Rosati making the amendment that the motion for approval be to eliminate or deactivate the Masters of Music Education program. Motion passed unanimously.

8. Chemistry Curriculum Changes
McGowan moved approval of the Chemistry Curriculum changes; seconded by McDougall. McGowan explained that one Chemistry program has been ACS certified for years. Recently ACS guidelines changes, and the Chemistry Department has made programs revisions based on those. The changes are additions and deletions of options under the BA and BS in Chemistry, and are reflected in the table below:

BS Chemistry (current)		BS Chemistry (proposed)
Chemistry Option		ACS Certified Chemistry Option
ACS Certified Chemistry Option		ACS Certified Biochemistry Option
Biochemistry Option		ACS Certified Forensic Chemistry Option
Business Option		ACS Certified DNA Analysis Option
Forensic Chemistry Option
BA Chemistry (current)		BA Chemistry (proposed)
Chemistry Option		Business Option
Forensic Science Option		Chemistry Option
DNA Analysis Option		Forensic Science Option

Implementation will be Fall 2011, because current students need to complete the program under the present catalog. Further discussion followed, with P. Crawford addressing questions from Council members. Motion passed unanimously.

C.  DISCUSSION ITEMS

1.  Fall 2010 General Education Seats
Starrett distributed a handout showing numbers for Fall 2010 General Education courses. Starrett explained that there are 1,900 students coming in, with at least 900 yet to enroll. He will be sending out notes to chairpersons for increasing caps in some classes. Prater asked that the deans be copied on notes to chairs. Rosati asked that deans do what they can to help increase numbers in classes.

2. Course Redesign Task Force
Rosati distributed the most recent draft of the Course Redesign Task Force charge and gave an update on the progress of setting up the committee. He explained that some faculty are being called to determine their ability to serve. Nominations for membership have been received and the membership has potentially grown. He hopes to announce the membership by tomorrow. The charge of the committee has changed somewhat. He explained that a website for Course Redesign has been set up and is active (cstl.semo.edu/redesign); everything except the membership is on the website. The Task Force will work through the summer, and will have ideas in the Fall 2010 semester, which will be phased in.

Motion to adjourn was made by Prater and Janzow; seconded by McDougall. Meeting adjourned.