Baccalaureate Core Committee

Baccalaureate Core Committee
April 15, 2015

Minutes

 

Members present: Linda Bruslind, Kevin Gable, Bob Paasch, Malgo Peszynska, Kirsi Peltomaki

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

Guest: Henry Heath

 

New/Changed Course Proposals

• 84810       PHL 440/540      Synthesis, Contemporary Global Issues
  • Not discussed

 

• 88259        ES 233              DPD
  • Proposal to change from 3-4 credits; resubmission. Proposal meets DPD requirements; problem is that they still didn’t address what is the change to the Ecampus version – two proposed syllabi were included, but the previous Ecampus syllabus was not included, so the two Ecampus syllabi can’t be compared. Justification for 4 credits is to add an online discussion board – what is Ecampus doing that is different? Discussion board requires 8 postings per week for on-campus and Ecampus requires 10 postings per week – this is not comparable.

Action: Kevin will request the prior syllabus.

 

• 89899        ES 452/552        DPD
  • Proposal to change from 3-4 credits; resubmission. They addressed what they were asked to do; demonstrated 124 hours of work and addressed contemporary issues. Additionally, the reviewer wishes they would fix typos that have been in the system for over 10 years. This is a course that is proposed for both Ecampus and on-campus, but only one syllabus submitted; most of the syllabus doesn’t differentiate between the two modalities. Is the fourth credit based on total workload, and is it true for both versions of the course? Does the material actually deal with contemporary issues? Is there more contemporary film material that is less than 20 years old?
  • Are there components in the syllabus that can’t be accomplished online? Regarding course requirements, there is 5% for in-class participation, which can’t be comparable for Ecampus. What accounts for in-class participation? Responses to Bacc Core questions consistently addressed the spirit of DPD, rather than providing specifics of what would occur.
  • Kevin noted that, if the proposal at least meets the minimum bar, the category review can be used to communicate other concerns.
  • The reviewer felt that the letter of the law has been fulfilled, and that the materials submitted are passable, but that leaves the issue of how the Ecampus version meets the 5% for in-class participation, as well as the (non)contemporary film materials.

Action: Pass with a request to clarify how Ecampus students will meet the 5% in-class requirement; Kevin will also note that this is included in the category review and other issues will be addressed during the category review. Kirsi will clarify her issues in writing and forward to Kevin.

 

• 92845        HSTS 451          Synthesis, Science, Technology & Society
  • Not discussed

 

• 93273        PS 374              Social Processes & Institutions
  • Not discussed

 

DPD Review Letters

The first batch of drafts is posted on the SharePoint site; it would help to review these as they come in. Recertifications, and a couple decertifications, are done; the provisional recertifications are taking longer.

• If you reviewed courses, please review what Kevin has written and provide feedback to him, if necessary. They letters will go to the college associate deans responsible for undergraduate affairs.

 

WIC Category Reviews

Please plan to begin discussion of WIC courses next week (April 21).

• ECE 441, 442, 443 are ready to discuss.

 

Ecampus Concerns

Members expressed frustration with Ecampus not providing current information because, in their opinion, ‘it’s just a change in modality’ in some cases. Additionally, when Ecampus is questioned about satisfying WIC requirements, Ecampus indicates that the syllabi are online, but Vicki noted that, frequently, the online syllabi are not current – she should be able to view the most current information. Whether extending a course or program to Ecampus, the proposal should be required to go through the CPS. It was suggested that Kevin take these issues to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.

Action: Vickie Nunnemaker will schedule Kevin with the Executive Committee.

 

3 to 4-Credit Discussion at Faculty Senate

• Kevin met with the Faculty Senate on April 9 and outlined the 3 to 4-credit issues facing the Baccalaureate Core. CLA was not supportive of change; there was support for a cap from other sectors. A creative idea was to use scheduling to alter availability and desirability; given where we are now, the BCC may wish to pursue this avenue, but it may not be a long-term fix. A challenge is that the open seat analysis shows a different set of problems than the count of the number of courses.
• Vicki noted that, if awareness of demand in certain academic terms was known (i.e., when COE is trying to push through first-year students), some units could offer more 3-credits when COE, or another college, needs Bacc Core courses. Bob was uncertain whether there was a flow in Engineering.
• Kevin but make it clear during the Senate meeting that the BCC is stuck on whether we’re now at equilibrium; CLA made it clear that they have every incentive to go in this direction, “don’t stop us”. Vicki heard that, if more courses are needed in certain categories, just ask. Kevin heard from some faculty that there must be incentive to offer 3-credit courses.
• It would be worthwhile to try to determine expectations of how many more courses will be requested to move from 3 to 4-credit courses. What units are left to change and how many courses have not changed to 4 credits? Vickie felt that the School of Arts and Communications does not expect to request many changes to 4 credits.
• Kevin will pursue with Marion Rossi how best to have the conversation. Perhaps also have a parallel conversation with Engineering.
• In regard to course impacts, Vicki received a suggestion to look at the availability of shortage of seats in physical science courses with a lab, which is impacting CLA students.

 

 

Minutes recorded by Vickie Nunnemaker, Faculty Senate Staff