February 7, 2012

February 7, 2012

Academic Council (approved March 6, 2012)

Present:  Aguinaga, Barrios, Bruns, Eddleman, Gathman, Hinkle, Jung, Lilly, McDougall, McGowan, McMillan, Randolph, Roeder, Rosati, Ruediger, Scott, Starrett, Timlin, Ustinova, and Weller-Stilson  

Guests:  Wayne Bowen, Simin Cwick, Erika Hosselkus, Julie Ray, and Susan Swartwout

A.  MINUTES:
Upon a motion by McGowan; seconded by Gathman, the minutes of December 6, 2011 were unanimously approved.  

B.  ACTION ITEMS:  

1.      Latin American Studies – New Minor
Barrios moved approval of the new minor in Latin American Studies; seconded by Gathman. Wayne Bowen and Erika Hosselkus were present to explain the new minor and answer questions. Bowen explained that there has been rising interest in Latin American Studies with the hiring of Hosselkus. They have doubled sections in that area and all have filled. McDougall questioned whether this could be an option and/or a minor under the recently approved BA in Global Cultures and Languages; Bowen explained that Global Cultures and Languages could look into that area for an option and/or minor, but this particular minor will be delivered by the History Department, with the support of the Global Cultures and Languages and the Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion Departments. Rosati asked Bowen to follow up with Jedan about the concept of an option for the BA in Global Cultures and Languages. Motion passed unanimously.  

2.      MA English – Addition of Options: English Studies; Professional Writing
Barrios moved approval of the addition of options to the MA in English: English Studies, and Professional Writing; seconded by Lilly. Susan Swartwout explained that the department didn’t want to do tracks under the MA as other schools do. The current MA was revamped to become the English Studies option, while the Professional Writing option requires three new courses, and elimination of four courses. The new courses have already passed the 30 Day Review process. There is no impact on resources, as the department already has the faculty to teach the courses. McGowan questioned the number of hours in the core, and whether the core is required to be 50% of the curriculum. Discussion followed. McDougall moved to table the motion until the question of the required core hours could be resolved; seconded by McGowan. Motion to table passed unanimously.  

3.      Teaching Assistant Preparation Certificate – Program Revisions
Randolph moved approval of the program revisions to the Teaching Assistant Preparation Certificate; seconded by McGowan/Scott. Randolph explained that the certificate started out as a way for students to get their Substitute Teaching Certificate, but wanted to revamp it to be more geared toward teacher preparation. Simin Cwick and Julie Ray were present to further explain the program revisions and to answer questions. Cwick explained that the they took the existing certificate program and aligned it with their teacher preparation curriculum. Ray added that this certificate is not a Substitute Teaching certificate; that certificate is a separate application process and is given by the state. Randolph explained that some school districts don’t require the state Substitute Teaching certificate and will accept this certificate. Cwick added that the certificate was originally geared to help displaced workers to be able to substitute teach. McDougall questioned whether degree-seeking students automatically received this certificate once they’ve completed the required courses; Randolph explained that they do not, as until this program revision, the certificate wasn’t highly advertised. She expects the revised certificate to be more heavily advertised, with encouragement toward getting the state Substitute Teaching certificate as well. Hinkle questioned why EN100 wasn’t listed as a required course; she also added that CL002 should be added as a prerequisite for UI100. Discussion followed. The Council suggested the following amendments to the revisions: 1) Add EN100 to the required courses for both focuses; 2) Add CL002 to the prerequisites for UI100 for both focuses; 3) For the Middle or Secondary Education focus, change the Biological Science requirement to Living Systems; 4) For the Middle or Secondary Education focus, change the Literary Expression requirement to read “with LI prefix”; and 5) For the Middle or Secondary Education focus, change the Physical Science requirement to Physical Systems. Motion, with changes, passed unanimously.  

4.      BSED Business Education – Program Title Change from Business and Marketing Education; Programs Revisions
Randolph moved approval of the program title change from BSED Business and Marketing Education to BSED Business Education and program revisions; seconded by Eddleman/McDougall. Cwick explained that the program title change was necessary with the program revisions that were made. Those revisions were made to better align the program with the Middle and Secondary Education course numberings, class sequences, and DESE certification. Cwick explained that Carolyn Rainey (Department of Accounting, Harrison College of Business) polled several local Business Education teachers and found the needs that were implemented in the revision. She explained that most of the “AD” courses were removed, and those needs courses were substituted, including GM180, and intro to graphics course, as well as some Computer Science courses. Gathman questioned the wording for the General Education requirements in the curriculum. The Council suggested the following amendments to the revisions: 1) For the Living Systems requirement, change the requirement to read “Any BI/BS Living System course”; 2) For the Physical Systems requirement, change the requirement to read “Any CH, PH, or GO150 Physical Systems course”; and 3) For the Economic Systems requirement, eliminate EC225 from the requirement. Discussion followed on updating all the BSED Secondary Education programs to make the wording correct for the General Education requirements; Rosati asked Randolph to follow up on that. Motion, with changes, passed unanimously.  

C.  DISCUSSION ITEMS  

1.      SLO Q2 – Feedback on Process
Starrett explained that the Student Learning Outcomes Q2 Committee reports to the AQIP Steering Committee. The SLO Q2 Committee has been meeting and considering recommendations and needs feedback on three issues: 1) Regarding the syllabus template currently on the Provost website, they’re suggesting changing the template to include SLO’s, and are seeking feedback on the process to make that change; 2) For the AQIP Check-up visit coming up in 2013, in order for Southeast to be in compliance with HLC criteria for accreditation, we need to get SLO’s into the syllabi now; seeking feedback for the process to get the syllabi updated quickly; and 3) Need feedback on the Committee’s question as to whether faculty job descriptions should include ongoing assessment as part of the duties. Discussion on issues 1) and 2) followed, with the Council agreeing that because of the time sensitivity in getting the syllabi updated and in compliance with HLC criteria, that all syllabi should be appended with student learning outcomes that are approved at the department level and at College Council level, with the expectation that all syllabi will be revised to include the SLO’s as part of the syllabus (rather than an addendum) and any content revisions made within a two year period. McGowan expressed concern that a majority of faculty do not fully understand student learning outcomes, and would have difficulty in appending or revising syllabi to include them; Starrett explained that the SLO Q2 Committee will come up with guidelines for SLO’s, including examples. Further discussion followed. McDougall moved a moratorium be placed on approval of new courses until we are in compliance with current syllabi; seconded by Lilly/McGowan. Motion for moratorium passed unanimously. Discussion continued on the third issue, whether faculty job descriptions should include ongoing assessment as part of duties. McDougall suggested that this should not be included in job descriptions, as it is University policy. The Council generally agreed. Starrett will seek feedback from other groups and keep the Council updated.  

2.      Proposal to merge the College of Science and Mathematics, and the School of Polytechnic Studies
Rosati explained that a proposal to merge the College of Science and Mathematics, and the School of Polytechnic Studies, is working its way through the steps, and noted that the proposal could evolve as it moves through. McGowan stated that the affected departments have submitted responses. The College of Science and Mathematics College Council meets on Wednesday, February 8th, and the School of Polytechnic Studies School Council meets on Monday, February 13th to review the responses, and McGowan expects both to be approved. Rosati added that he’s asked the departments to expedite their process. McGowan expects that the proposal could be ready to come forward to Academic Council by March. Hinkle questioned how the UG Bulletin would read; Rosati stated that as of now, the Board of Regents have approved the title change for the School of Polytechnic Studies to the College of Polytechnic and Agricultural Studies, effective July 1, 2012, and the Board approved change should go into the UG Bulletin.    

Motion to adjourn made by Eddleman; seconded by Gathman. Meeting adjourned.