December 6, 2011

December 6, 2011

Academic Council (approved February 7, 2012)

Present:  Aguinaga, Barrios, Eddleman, Gathman, Hinkle, Koch, Lilly, McDougall, McGowan, Prater, Roeder, Rosati, Ruediger, Starrett, Timlin, Ustinova, and Weller-Stilson  

Guests:  Diana Bruns, Michael Brown, Hilary Peterson, Kenn Stilson, and Janice Ward (for Don Jung)

A.  MINUTES:
Upon a motion by McGowan; seconded by Starrett, the minutes of November 1, 2011 were unanimously approved.  

B.  ACTION ITEMS:  

1.      Program/Curricular Revisions in Theatre and Dance
a.  Revision: Program Title Change from BFA in Performing Arts to BFA in Theatre, Option Title Change from BFA in Theatre: Acting/Directing to BFA in Theatre: Acting, and Deletion of BFA in Theatre: Dance Option
b.  Revision:  Program Title Change from BA in Theatre to BA in Theatre and Dance
c.  New Program: BFA in Dance
d.  New Program: BA in Dance
Barrios moved approval of the program revisions to the BFA in Performing Arts consisting of a program title change to BFA in Theatre, option title change from Acting/Directing to Acting, and the deletion of the Dance option; program revision to the BA in Theatre consisting of a program title change to BA in Theatre and Dance; a new BFA in Dance program; and a new BA in Dance program; seconded by McGowan. Weller-Stilson explained that the proposal is to separate Dance and remove “performing arts.” The proposal is based on recommendations from two consultants with the NAST and NASD accrediting bodies and allows for better advising, retention, and will allow the programs to meet accreditation standards. The programs are already offered and will not require new faculty. “Directing” was removed from the option title because the accrediting body doesn’t recognize directing as an undergraduate program. Finally, the proposal calls for one CIP code to be used for all four programs, and will strengthen the numbers of majors and completers. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.  

2.      Certificate in Law Enforcement
Prater moved approval of the proposal for a new undergraduate Certificate in Law Enforcement; seconded by Gathman. Diana Bruns explained that the new certificate is based on the current Law Enforcement Academy. The new certificate will expand the Academy offerings to the Kennett campus, and will make financial aid available for law enforcement students. Bruns further explained that the program will have assistance from the Departments of Criminal Justice and Sociology; Social Work; Health, and Human Performance, and Recreation in teaching the courses, while the Department of English will supply a graduate assistant to help with writing. The goal is to make the offering more college-based. Bruns also explained that the Certificate will allow 24 hours of credit toward the Criminal Justice program, as elective hours. Further discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.  

3.      BS Biology – Deletion of General Biology Option
McGowan moved approval to delete the General Biology option from the BS in Biology; seconded by Eddleman/Lilly. McGowan explained that the option is not popular, and that students are better served by other options. Motion passed unanimously.  

4.      Guidelines for Awarding of Posthumous Degrees
Rosati distributed copies of the Guidelines for Awarding of Posthumous Degrees. He pointed out that the guidelines were written by the Registrar’s Office and revised in 2005. The guidelines were distributed at Administrative Council that morning, and were scheduled to go to the Board of Regents the next week. Administrative Council suggested the following changes to the guidelines:
#2) …the undergraduate student has completed  75% 50%  or more of degree requirements (90 60 credit hours for baccalaureate students, 59-63 30 for associate degrees)…, and that the student be in good standing;
#3) …the graduate student has completed 75% 50% or more of the degree requirements…

Rosati explained that for the Fall semester, there were two students who passed away and are being recommended for awarding of posthumous degrees to their families. Hinkle questioned what the definition of “good standing” would be; Rosati answered good standing in both conduct and academically. Rosati noted that the awarding of such a degree is left up to the family to accept or not. Academic Council agreed with the changes made to the Guidelines.  

5.      HLC Accreditation Requirement on Credit Hours in Residence – MOVED TO ACTION ITEM
Starrett distributed copies of the HLC Criteria for Accreditation handout. He explained that our next quality checkup is coming up in the 2012-13 year. The handout is the Assumed Practices, which are very objective. Starrett pointed out that B1 on the handout discusses credit hour definition. Specifically, B1b states, “The institution requires that 30 of the last 60 credits earned for a bachelor’s degree that the institution awards and 15 of the final 30 for an associate’s degree it awards be credits earned at the institution. * Institutions that do not maintain such a requirement, or have programs that do not, are able to demonstrate structures or practices that ensure coherence and quality to the degree. (Consortial agreements are considered to be such structures.)      
*Note: For examples, for a bachelor’s degree requiring 120 credits, the instruction accepts no more than 90 credits in total through transfer or other assessment of prior learning, and the remaining 30 must fall within the last 60 credits awarded the student.” Hinkle stated that our current residency requirement is 30 hours, with 12 of the final 18 hours in residence. Discussion followed. McGowan moved a motion to recommend development of a rule stating that 30 of the last 60 credits for a bachelor’s degree, and 15 of the last 30 credits for an associate’s degree be in residence. Motion passed unanimously.  

C.  DISCUSSION ITEMS  

1.      UI100 Course Redesign Proposal
Starrett distributed a UI100 Course Redesign Proposal handout. He explained that the UI100 Advisory Committee has been working for the last year and a half on course redesign. UI100 has undergone the first phase of course redesign. The Advisory Committee has come up with suggestions under the proposed Fall 2012 Phase II Pilot, including an NCAT Replacement model (blended, with 1/3 lecture, 1/3 breakout, 1/3 online); class size of 30 for non-traditional, honors, web, night, and off-campus sections; class size of 60 for on-campus sections; two new course objectives; a reduced number of themes; etc. Discussion followed. Starrett explained that the proposal would go to the General Education Council the next week, and then on to Executive Staff.  

D.  OTHER  

1.      Hinkle reminded everyone that grades were due the Monday after finals.  

2.      Eddleman stated that graduate students graduating in Spring 2012 need to apply for graduation by the end of the next week.  

Meeting adjourned.