September 6, 2005
September 6, 2005
ACADEMIC COUNCIL
Present: Athinarayanan, Bertrand, Buis, Cron, Curtis, Ferguson, Hathaway, Hinkle, Janzow,
Jones, McDougall, McGowan, Prater, Shaw, Shepard, Starrett, Stephens, and Syler.
Guests: Marcia Brown-Haims, Philip Crawford, and Gale McMahan.
A. Minutes of May 3, 2005. Upon a motion by McGowan; seconded by McDougall, the minutes were unanimously approved.
B. Action Items
1. Convert B.A. in Chemistry concentrations to options. McGowan moved to convert the B.A. in Chemistry concentrations to options. The motion
was seconded by McDougall. It was suggested to change the title of Option 2 to DNA
Analysis from DNA Analyst. A point of clarification was made that the pre-requisites
are in parentheses. After discussion it was decided that the 75 hour writing exam
would not be listed and that the University Studies core must include Living Systems.
Hinkle pointed out that the 60% rule was not met. Shaw moved that a waiver be made;
it was seconded by McGowan. The motion for the exception passed with one abstention.
The motion to convert the concentrations to options passed.
2. Management Curriculum Changes. McDougall moved to approve the curriculum changes in Management; Curtis seconded.
McDougall noted that program revisions were internal to the Harrison College of Business
because of Phase III. The motion passed unanimously.
3. M.A. in Communication Disorders. Janzow informed the Council that changes were being presented as a result of 8 course
revisions that have been approved by Graduate Council. Prater moved approval of the
changes; Shaw seconded. Drummond explained to the Council that these proposed changes
follow a site visit from their program accrediting body. The changes reflect new
accreditation standards by reducing the number of electives. No changes were made
in research or clinical requirements. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Certificate in Public Health Preparedness and Response. McGowan asked for this to be removed from the agenda as action item. Other certificates
will be presented at another time.
5. Off-Campus Program – Elementary and Early Childhood Education Programs. Shepard moved approval of off-site delivery of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Programs; Shaw seconded. Shaw recommended changing the specific sites listed to a
more general off-campus approval. Stephens indicated that the University Studies
curriculum should be added to the Form OS (Off-Site Delivery of an Existing Program)
and re-sent to the Provost Office. With these changes the motion passed unanimously.
6. Off-Campus Program Exceptional Child Education Program: Cross-Categorical (K-12)
and Certification in Elementary (1-6). Shepard moved approval of the off-campus delivery of the Exception Child Education
Cross-Categorical (K-12) and Certification in Elementary (1-6) program; Shaw seconded.
Shaw recommended changing the specific sites listed to a more general off-campus approval.
Shepard noted that there are no changes to the program currently offered. University
studies curriculum should be added to the OS form and re-sent to the Office of the
Provost. With these changes the motion passed unanimously.
C. Information Items
Certificate Program
The Certificate approval was taken off agenda. McGowan stated he will have others
and will bring all at one time. The CBHE definition of what constitutes a certificate
program is longer an issue. Stephens reported that she called Robert Stein at CBHE
for clarification of the approval process. There is no strict definition or approval
process.
D. Discussion Items
Writing Composition Placement
The Council discussed the current placement exam and the potential use of the ACT
essay exam for English placement. It was noted that Southeast gives a placement exam
with an overwhelming number of students placed in EN100. The question was raised whether
EN100 should be considered a pre-requisite for EN140 without testing. Concerned was
expressed that the additional 3 hours of EN100 would increase the 120 hour target
recently adopted for all degrees. Hinkle stated that EN100 is already included in
the 120 hours. The $75 fee for testing into EN140 was discussed. Stephens stated
that the fee has been eliminated.
Stephens asked for a committee to review the writing placement procedure; compare
our procedure with other institutions in the state; and look at the ACT essay as a
possible replacement. Deans Starrett, Ferguson and Jones were appointed. The three
(3) Deans are to suggest 2 faculty members and 2 chairs to serve on this committee.
Stephens suggested that Writing Center personnel and English faculty serve as resource
persons for the Committee.
60% Rule
Stephens announced that she was putting all new programs on hold until a decision
is made about the 60% Rule. For clarification Stephens asked if anyone knew the background
for the 60% rule. Hinkle stated that research of past catalogs went back to the 1980s
where it first appeared. Curtis stated that the rule seemed to follow the logical
order of course work taken in a field of study. Others questioned the necessity of
this rule.
After further discussion Stephens appointed Janzow, McGowan, Syler, Hinkle and Curtis
to investigate the 60% Rule. Academic Council will be on hold until clarification;
with a report, hopefully, by November.
