Baccalaureate Core Committee

Baccalaureate Core Committee
April 1, 2015

Minutes

Voting members present: Robert Brudvig, Linda Bruslind, Susie Dunham, Kevin Gable, Lori Kayes, Bob Paasch, Kirsi Peltomaki

Ex-officio members present: Academic Affairs (Stefani Dawn), WIC Director (Vicki Tolar-Burton)

Guest: Heath Henry

Synthesis Follow-up

Review form of request to unit/faculty for follow-up from the 2012-13 category review. 

• Discussed taking specific feedback and incorporating the unit comments into the form. Because a generic letter was previously sent to units for Synthesis courses, the above method can’t be used. Stefani distributed a proposed Synthesis document that units would complete and enter via Drupal (the prior form can’t be used because it was created in Qualtrics); the interest is in changes made since the review and impacts resulting from those changes. All of the 38 courses on the list projected by Kevin have been taught since the review; most of the courses were not offered in 2011-12 and were provisionally certified.
• Timing – Stefani suggested that, for those courses reviewed and provisionally certified, units be invited to complete the form and give them a couple of weeks to respond; for those courses not offered, units can generate data this term.
• Vicki noted that, in the past, the BCC had two sub-committees and each were designated specific projects related to the Category Review – it may make sense during Fall term to have one group review new proposals, and another group to do follow-up.
• Stefani questioned whether to also handle Skills and WIC in the Fall. Kevin felt that the Skills workload will be less. Kevin suggested that units could have the option of either responding to the questions or completing a table; Stefani felt options may result in confusion for those responding – she recommended requiring one or the other.
  • Stefani will include writing instructions and specify that responses are not to be copied and pasted on the form she distributed. Kevin felt that verbiage for the second question on the form needed work.

Skills Category Follow-up 

Several provisional recertifications were issued, and we need to decide what to ask in a follow-up.

• The Synthesis due date will be early summer, and APAA will assemble review materials in preparation for the Fall.
• Stefani suggested that Kevin contact LeeAnn Garrison in regard to Comm courses.

Web Sites

What would we like on the Academic Affairs site about the Baccalaureate Core, and what links from the Senate committee site are desirable/appropriate?

• Kevin noted that BCC materials are posted both on the Faculty Senate and Academic Affairs websites. Kevin has discussed the latter website with Jeff Malone to suggest revisions, i.e., need to add syllabus requirements. Need to reorder, and possibly retitle, the Resource Materials on the Senate’s BCC website. It would be helpful to have a section related to course assessment, with examples, and to add definitions of terms. APAA can assist with posting some BCC materials. Vicki noted that the Center for Teaching and Learning may be a repository for some BCC materials. Kevin suggested that BCC members review sections of the website(s) and suggest revisions or provide verbiage in the next month, and discuss proposed revisions in May – Kevin will distribute a proposal to this effect to the BCC members.

Schedule for the Term

WIC category reviews, other items

• New course proposals have been distributed and will be dealt with in the next few weeks. Kevin, Stefani, and Vicki will meet to determine how to approach Engineering WIC Category courses. Synthesis follow-up reviews will occur this term.
• Kevin mentioned the issue of moving programs online, and students’ expectations to complete the entire program online. There are some Bacc Core Categories where no courses are available, which becomes a challenge for students. Kevin wants the BCC to discuss what can be accomplished to serve the students’ needs.
• Stefani noted that Chrysanthemum Hayes has uploaded BCC learning outcomes into Canvas and is building rubrics for faculty use, and suggested inviting her to meet with the BCC to share this information.

Minutes recorded by Vickie Nunnemaker, Faculty Senate staff