MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY University Committee on Undergraduate Education Agenda January 14, 2021 10:15am to 12:00pm, via ZOOM
https://msu.zoom.us/j/96531712347 Passcode: 849464
Mike Everett, Department of Community Sustainability, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Kirt Butler, Associate Professor of Finance, Eli Broad College of Business
Aaron McCright, Chair, Department of Sociology, College of Social Science
Rich Bellon
Justin Micomonaco and Emily Tabuteau
MINUTES - APPROVED MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY University Committee on Undergraduate Education MINUTES Thursday, January 14, 2021 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., via Zoom
https://msu.zoom.us/j/96531712347 Passcode: 849464
Present: Rich Bellon, Andy Corner, Corey Drake, Jan Eberle, Richard Enbody, Kathleen Gallo, David Gilstrap, Sejuti Das Gupta, Aubrey Hanes, Kionna Henderson, Nick Knowles, Mark Largent, Sheng-Mei Ma, Chloe Majzel, Dan Manville, Helen Mayer, Justin Micomonaco, Steve Shablin, Tyler Silvestri, Emily Tabuteau, Antoinette Tessmer, Elizabeth Webster, Patty West, Scot Yoder Absent: Brianna Aiello, Glenn Chambers, Aaron Iturralde, Gina Leinninger, Chloe Majzel, Helen Mayer, The agenda was approved. The minutes were approved for January 7, 2021.
Comments from the Chairperson Chairperson Corner provided brief remarks reminding UCUE that although MSU has applied to be a vaccine distributor, MSU is currently not a distributor. MSU is a site for vaccine administration in cooperation with the Ingham County Health Department. Provost Woodruff announced at a recent Steering Committee meeting that the Provost’s office is taking time to review all MSU policies. This review will incorporate the elimination of binary pronouns.
Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Associate Provost Largent provided an overview of the number of students currently living on classes and the number of classes being taught in person. A reminder was shared that students will not be allowed to attend an in-person class without wearing a mask.
Request for a Moratorium on Admission to the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education Disciplinary Teaching Minor for Secondary Teacher Certification (Action Item) Mike Everett, Department of Community Sustainability, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources The committee granted voice to Dr. Everett. Dr. Everett stated that the moratorium is being requested since it is no longer compatible with the State of Michigan teaching requirements. He added that the request will not disadvantage any current students. Voice was removed from Dr. Everett. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a Moratorium on Admission to the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education Disciplinary Teaching Minor for Secondary Teacher Certification.
Request for a New Minor in Financial Planning and Wealth Management (Action Item) Kirt Butler, Associate Professor of Finance, Eli Broad College of Business The committee granted voice to Dr. Butler. Dr. Butler stated the Minor is in parallel with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) board which is the major accrediting body. The six classes required for the minor are currently being taught and are in either finance or estate planning. He stated that no additional resources are needed. A discussion was held with concerns that a student majoring in finance would not have to take any additional classes to fulfill the requirements for the minor. Dr. Butler noted that the intention is not to have students complete a major in finance and add the minor with no additional classes or cost. Discussion continued noting two options: 1) Do not allow finance majors access to the minor; or 2) create a concentration in the finance major rather than a separate minor however that would exclude students who are not finance majors. Due to the overall concern about a student being able to complete requirements for the minor by completing a finance major, UCUE determined this request should be sent back to the department for clarification. Voice was removed from Dr. Butler. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a New Minor in Financial Planning and Wealth Management with a statement indicating that at least 9 of the credits completed toward the minor cannot be used toward the finance major.
Request for a Moratorium on Admission to the Sociology Disciplinary Teaching Minor for Secondary Teacher Certification (Action Item) Aaron McCright, Chair, Department of Sociology, College of Social Science The committee granted voice to Chairperson McCright. Chairperson McCright provided background stating that he was contacted in 2017 to put this minor in moratorium per changes in the Department of Education’s phasing out sociology as a teaching endorsement. Associate Provost Largent reminded members that a program must first go into moratorium before it can be discontinued. Chairperson McCright will plan to come back to UCUE in Fall, 2020 to request a discontinuance. Voice was removed from Chairperson McCright. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a Moratorium on Admission to the Sociology Disciplinary Teaching Minor for Secondary Teacher Certification.
Video Conference Policies for Webcam Use (Subcommittee Report) Rich Bellon Rich Bellon thanked subcommittee members Aubrey Hanes and Corey Drake. Dr. Bellon summarized the committee’s written report stating that information was gathered from discussions with specialists at the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, the MSU Coordinator of the Americans with Disabilities Act and participation in an MSU Accommodating Technology Committee meeting. Dr. Bellon stated that the rationale behind this policy is that instructors cannot mandate webcam use except in special circumstances. After discussions with the above-mentioned groups, the committee didn’t find any compelling reasons why MSU should revisit the policy.
Dr. Bellon recognized that webcam use can be good at providing better avenues for communication and participation, however there are privacy and technology issues for some students that would prevent them from being able to use a webcam. Dr. Bellon reported that the subcommittee concluded that current policy does well in balancing the competing interests. Outreach to instructors would be helpful to implement the policy in flexible and creative ways. It was noted that the policy should acknowledge that the implementation is not a substitute for RCPD visas. Chairperson Corner restated that the subcommittee’s charge was to review the current policy in light of RCPD and other accessibility concerns and determine the policy is acceptable as is, or to recommend that a new policy be developed. Chairperson Corner requested that Dr. Bellon forward the subcommittee report to him so he can forward to the correct Academic Governance unit. It was determined that the current policy is best serving the majority of the students and a new policy is not needed. A vote was taken and unanimously passed to accept the report from the Subcommittee.
Code of Conduct for Academic Advising (Subcommittee Report) Justin Micomonaco and Emily Tabuteau Dr. Micomonaco stated that the subcommittee has convened twice. One meeting included University advising leaders as well as a representative from the Ombudsperson’s office. The group is currently identifying how to develop the report and establish a structure while noting the many different advising structures that exist on campus.
Roundtable David Gilstrap reported that the Athletic Council will be meeting today for the first time this semester. Sejuti Das Gupta commented on SIRS results and the importance of colleges not using SIRS results as it relates to RPT. Jan Eberle stated the complications that students are having trying to use the Music Building for practice. The Military Education Advisory Committee (MEAC) will be meeting this semester. Elizabeth Webster stated that the library is trying to open up more of the first-floor study space in February. Patty West reported that the College of Nursing is working with local officials in regard to the COVID vaccine administration. Associate Provost Largent reminded members that SIRS will not be used as an evaluation tool. Associate Provost Largent stated that a recent survey was sent to students asking about their experiences from last semester and he noted some important items from the survey. - Faculty are receiving high ratings for their efforts in helping students; - More than 96% of students have indicated stress, anxiety and sadness is impacting their ability to be successful; - Students have indicated the number one thing they need from faculty is for faculty to organize courses in a way that students can easily see what is being asked of them; - Students are asking for study spaces in and around campus.
Respectfully submitted by Lynne Frechen. |
2020-2021 >