March 6, 2012

March 6, 2012

Academic Council (approved April 3, 2012)

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

Guests:   Greg Boyd (for Doug Koch), Peter Hirschburg, and Susan Swartwout

A.  MINUTES:
Upon a motion by Eddleman; seconded by Gathman, the minutes of February 7, 2012 and February 21, 2012 were unanimously approved.  

B.  ACTION ITEMS:  

1.      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 Gathman. Barrios explained that the proposal was being brought back from being tabled at the February 7, 2012 meeting. The issue of having 50% of the curriculum in the core has been addressed. Swartwout reiterated that 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. Motion passed unanimously.  

2.      BS Criminal Justice – Addition of Option: Criminology
Bruns moved approval of the addition of a Criminology option to the BS in Criminal Justice; seconded by Eddleman/Lilly. Bruns explained that there are currently roughly 430 criminal justice majors and 250 minors, and the department receives questions from students frequently about what choices they have in the program if they’re not looking to be a cop. The Criminology option allows a choice for those students, as it is a proactive curriculum, while the other options are more reactive. The option has one new course, which has passed the 30 Day Review process (Bruns asked that pages 5-13 and 17-19 of the proposal be deleted, as those syllabi are not pertinent to the new option). No new resources are needed for the option. Motion passed unanimously.  

3.      MS Criminal Justice (Cooperative with MSSU) – Addition of Options: Community Policing; Criminal Justice Administration
Bruns moved approval of the addition of options to the cooperative MS in Criminal Justice with MSSU: Community Policing, and Criminal Justice Administration; seconded by Eddleman. Bruns explained that the Criminal Justice Administration option is merely the current curriculum, while the Community Policing option is a block of five new courses. There is no other program like it in the country. McDougall questioned why we are proposing to offer the Community Policing option only in the cooperative degree, as opposed to our main campus MS in Criminal Justice program, or offer it with both programs; Bruns explained that the Community Policing option needs to be completely online. Rosati asked if MSSU was in support of the new option; Bruns stated they are. Discussion followed, including Rosati recommending that the department have more discussions on offering the option with the main campus program. Eddleman moved to table the motion until the department could make a decision on the best offering of the option; seconded by Barrios/Lilly. Motion to table passed unanimously.      

4.      SLO Q2 Committee’s Recommended Revision to Syllabus Template
Eddleman moved approval of the revised Course Syllabus Template; seconded by Starrett. Starrett explained the template has been approved by Faculty Senate. He also noted that Faculty Senate is working on a resolution for an expedited process for revising and approving syllabi to includes SLOs. Discussion followed. Rosati stated that the moratorium for new classes is lifted. Motion passed unanimously.    

C.  DISCUSSION ITEMS  

1.      Online Learning Annual Report
McDougall reviewed the Online Learning Annual Report with the Council. The report includes discussion on expanding online programming (a university established goal); summaries of online activity, including degrees awarded, summer programming, and intersession programming; student and faculty perceptions of winter intersession; and strategic priorities and actions. Highlights included: question of expanding intersession beyond the number of courses offered; student and faculty perceptions of intersession is positive; Gathman is working on having the new LMS by the end of the month; implementation of the marketing plan; ensuring quality online programming with professional development activities through CSTL; and the possibility of some sort of faculty designation as a good online faculty.  

2.      Credit Hour Definition Proposal
Gathman explained that the proposal has been reviewed by several departments, and by Faculty Senate. For courses that are exceptions (i.e., online courses), that do not meet for the minutes required, we will have to show that the Student Learning Outcomes are comparable to the face-to-face course. Starrett suggested adding a column for “expected out-of-class time.” Rosati stated that the policy should be brought back to the Council at the April meeting as an action item, and will then go to the Board of Regents for approval.  

3.      SEM Committee Recommendation for Last Day to Drop Full Semester Class/Withdraw from all Courses
Hinkle explained that the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Committee has reviewed the last day to drop a full semester class versus the date to withdraw from all courses. At most universities, these two dates occur around week 10 to week 14. The SEM Committee is proposing to have one drop date for both, around week 13-14. Eddleman commented that having one drop date would help solve the problem with late drops. McDougall stated that dates will need to be strictly enforced. Hinkle explained that change may be in effect this Fall semester. Rosati suggested putting the change in the Newswire and announcing at Faculty Senate.    

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