ASCRC Minutes 5/2/06

 

Members Present: S. Derry, J. Eglin, V. Hedquist, J. Luckowski, D. McCormick, D. Potts,  M. Roscoe, A. Szalda-Petree, H. Thompson

Members Absent/Excused: J. Campana, C. Henderson, C. Johnston, J. Prongua

 

Ex-Officio Present: L. Carlyon, M. Hoell, A.Walker-Andrews

 

Chair Luckowski called the meeting to order at 2:14p.m.

 

The minutes from 4/25/06 were approved.

 

Communication
 

·          Associate Provost Walker-Andrews asked to be added to the agenda as she has another meeting to attend.  She then requested that ASCRC reconsider its response to the proposed BA in Communicative Sciences.  She shared excerpts from letters President Dennison has received requesting the consideration of the program.  One was from the President of the Montana Speech Language Association, another from a Speech Pathologist who graduated from the previous program, and another from two Regents.   The President would like ASCRC to approve the concept of such a degree program, if not the actual proposal.  The plan is to request that the state consider funding such a program. 

Members stated that these letters of support do not address the concerns of whether the state can pay the graduates to stay in Montana.  It seems it would cost less for the state to offer higher salaries for the speech pathologist positions than to fund a new program. 

The legislature responds to citizens.  If there is enough interest from citizens, the legislature can ask the University to consider developing a program that the legislature is willing to fund.
 
ASCRC would consider evaluating a revised proposal that has demonstrated support from campus and external entities, but is not dissuaded from its original assessment of the current proposal that has been delivered to ECOS.

·          Chair Luckowski informed the Committee of her meeting with ECOS regarding ASCRC’s decision on the proposed BA in Communicative Sciences.  Graduate Council set a memo to Dean Rowland with its decision:

The Graduate Council reviewed the proposal for a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. After review, the Graduate Council determined that the current proposal was not sufficiently complete to be able to assure that the proposed program meets current academic policy and standards.

 

Specifically the current proposal does not provide adequate details on the required courses nor does it address any potential linkages with existing faculty or programs on campus.

 

ECOS will now decide if it wants to take either proposal to the Faculty Senate or not.  She also informed ECOS that the issue of vocational technical credits is not going away.  The revisions to BOR policy 301.5 will be discussed at the May Board of Regents meeting.


New Business:

 

·          The Committee approved the September 29th curriculum deadline for next fall.  A letter will be sent to departments soon. 

·          Chair Luckowski is working on the annual report and will disseminate a copy to members.  The committee has been very busy this year.  Items pending for next year include: 

o       Oversight of online courses

o       Monitoring the efforts of the Assessment Advisory Committee

o       Transfer Credit Policy

o       General Education

Unfinished Business -General Education Models

Chair Luckowski reviewed the graphic submitted by the General Education Committee and thought that it showed the overall concept of general education.  Some in the committee did not find is as helpful. 

There was further discussion about various aspects of the working model (below).  It was agreed that this will be the model ASCRC will begin with in the fall.  At that time the committee will need to refine the draft charge to the General Education Committee and discuss the best way to bring the information to the Senate. Major issues remain the lack of clear, useful criteria and student learner outcomes and the growing number of courses that can satisfy the competencies and perspectives.  There will need to be recognition from the administration and departments in terms of supporting foundational courses, rotating general education assignments, and the possibility of limiting general education courses to 100/200 level courses.  There is concern that student credit hours will be disrupted and could have a negative impact on selected departments’ budgets.  A discussion will also need to take place regarding department-specified requirements, specifically with regard to the foreign language competency.

Competencies:

Composition and Writing Skills (English 101 and

at least one additional significant expository

writing course)                                                  6

Mathematics                                                                 3

 

Perspectives:

Creative Arts                                                                3

Literary Studies                                                            3

Historical & Cultural Studies                                         3

Social Sciences                                                 3

Natural Sciences                                                           6                                             

Ethical & Human Values                                               3

To be included in at least one of the above requirements:

*      Cultural Diversity/Indian Education for All

*      U.S. history or governmental institutions

                                      Total General Education:    30 semester credits

 

Department Specified:

Foreign language

Information/Technology literacy

Upper-division writing requirement

 

Direct the General Education Subcommittee to:

*      Draft a concise explanation of the purpose of each competency and perspective.

*      Review and revise, if necessary, the criteria for approval of courses for General Education.

*      Plan for ongoing review and assessment of General Education.

*      Plan for dissemination and full discussion across campus of proposed changes in General Education and for a vote in Faculty Senate.

 

Out-going committee members were thanked for their service and the chair was acknowledged for a job well done.  Professor Hedquist was given a Certificate of Appreciation for serving as chair of the writing committee. 


 The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.