UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

Minutes

September 24, 2007

1. The minutes of the May 4 meeting were accepted pending changes. The Annual Report for 2006-2007 was accepted pending receipt of a revised version. Ms. Shana Gass emailed revised versions of the Annual Report and May minutes to the Committee, which were satisfactory to the Committee. Ms. Gass also emailed the UCC Attendance Summary to the committee, which was accepted with slight revisions and forwarded to the University Senate with the Annual Report. Professor Zimmerman suggested appending the Reporting Committee’s Annual Report to the UCC Annual Report.

2. Professor Toni Marzotto was voted chair. Professor Marzotto appointed Ms. Shana Gass as Secretary for the Committee. New members were welcomed: Professor Greg Faller of EMF and Kevin Stubblefield of SGA.

3. Professor Marzotto noted that the University Curriculum Committee web page would be updated with minutes as well as the Annual Report. She reviewed the distinction between the main Committee (reviews Form C: program changes) and the Course Approval Reporting Committee (reviews Forms A & B: new courses and course changes). Please have Program change proposals in to Jayne French, Cook Library, by the Monday morning the week prior to the UCC meeting, so that packets can be distributed. The UCC has a no walk-ins policy.

4. Professor David Vanko, Chair of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences, presented a proposal to change the Geology major. Some of the changes are inspired by a recent program review. Professor Vanko explained that to this point two tracks have been offered: a general track (intended for those intending to go on to graduate study) and an environmental geology track. It was becoming difficult to offer the coursework required for two differentiated tracks, and the department wished to offer more flexibility and a personalized approach to the major. The math requirement has been lightened, with a change in the Calculus course. The obsolete COSC 165 has been dropped. Mineralogy and petrology, which has not been recently offered, has been dropped. Students will have a choice of a Capstone or a 1-2 credit course, according to how much effort they wish to expend. An electives list has been added, to allow students to pursue areas of interest. The tracks are reduced to 63-67 credits, which is not out of line with other science majors.

Would it be problematic for graduate preparation to drop statistics as a requirement? Professor Vanko replied that the Department would evaluate coverage in other coursework. The Introduction to Research class does not include statistics. It was recommended that full titles be used in the descriptions for PHYS 211-212 and PHYS 241-242 to avoid confusion. Have students gravitated to non-“hidden-prerequisite” electives? This is difficult to ascertain and should be addressed through advising. Ms. Sides asked whether it would be necessary to grandfather current students on the two tracks. Professor Vanko stated that the two “old” tracks could be hidden in PeopleSoft but kept active until all students on the old tracks have graduated.

Professor Greg Faller moved and Ms. Tracy Miller seconded the motion to eliminate the two separate tracks in the Geology major and to make the other changes put forward. The motion carried unanimously, with eight votes in favor.

5. Professor Linda Mahin of the English Department presented changes to the Business, Communications, and the Liberal Arts minor on behalf of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department. The Department would like to add IDIS 495, the Internship in Interdisciplinary Studies, as an elective, to provide an opportunity for students to make connections between business and the liberal arts within the workplace. Professor Leneida Crawford moved and Professor Zimmerman seconded the motion to accept the change. The motion carried unanimously, with eight votes in favor.

6. The UCC meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Shana M. Gass

Secretary, University Curriculum Committee