UCAP Meeting of 09/16/2010 2010-2011 agenda status: approved Agenda: University Committee on Academic Policy AGENDA Thursday, September 16, 2010 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor, Administration Building
minutes status: approved approved at meeting of 09/23/2010 UCAP Minutes for meeting held on 09/16/2010 University Committee on Academic Policy MINUTES Thursday, September 16, 2010 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor, Administration Building Attendees: Paul Abramson, Gillian Bice, Crystal Branta, Lisa Cook, Doug Estry, Abdol Esfahanian, Anita Ezzo, Fred Fico, Kathleen Hoag, Matthew McKeon, Tom Morse, Mary Noel, Justin O’Dell, Helene Pazak, Ron Perry, John Reifenberg, Christopher Scales, Jim Smith, Mary Kay Smith Absent: Laura Dillon, Chris Noffze, Mike Shields, Chenguang Wang The following motion passed unanimously:
Comments from the Chairperson Chairperson Bice welcomed new and returning members to the committee. Members introduced themselves. Dr. Bice reviewed UCAP’s bylaws and the committee’s role within the academic governance structure. Dr. Bice reviewed the elected committee positions and introduced the
incumbents. She reported that the SIRS subcommittee from the year prior
was still an active subcommittee. As two of the members of the
subcommittee were no longer representatives to the committee, she asked
volunteers to replace them. Ron Perry and Tom Morse volunteered to serve
on the SIRS subcommittee. She further encouraged formation of
subcommittees when appropriate topics arise in order to move business
along more effectively.
In the past, UCAP had adopted a streamlined procedure for the chairperson to grant and remove voice for visitors. Chairperson Bice requested that the committee allow the chair to grant and take away voice without a formal committee vote, hearing no objections; permission was granted. Motion by Ron Perry to continue to use the Public Comment Procedures as adopted by the committee on November 19, 2009 passed unanimously. UCAP Business Review and Preview Chairperson Bice recalled that the Course Repeat Policy proposed by UCAP should come before academic governance committees for comment this year. Professor Jim Smith provided his report on the recent ECAC meeting. President Simon discussed the Neighborhoods concept of consolidating services in the dorms. She also remarked that it would be important to figure out how the next governor would prioritize education. David Gift presented a new University data policy, which does not apply to research or academic work that will be sent to UCAP for review and comment. There was also discussion of University Anti-Discrimination Policy, which will be reviewed by academic governance committees this year. A motion by a faculty member to require that student instructional ratings be statistically valid was rescinded. Dr. Smith provided ECAC with an informal account of the SIRS pilot conducted over the summer. ECAC members expressed interest in hearing the results of the pilot. Additionally, a proposed reorganization of several medical science departments will be sent to UCAP for comment. Professor Abramson requested further explanation of the Neighborhood program. Associate Provost Estry responded the Neighborhoods would better connect students with resources available on campus by making the resources available in the students “neighborhood” dormitory complex. A pilot Neighborhoods program has been established in Hubbard Hall for fall 2010. The MSU Neighborhood concept is modeled after the residential colleges that are known for successfully connecting students with support and resources. Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Associate Provost Estry reviewed committee responsibilities (scope and purview) for moratoriums and discontinuances. He noted that consideration of new programs, although always in the purview of UCAP, began being sent to UCAP for consideration in 2009-10. Dr. Estry announced that the moratorium on the Veterinary Technology program had been lifted by the Provost. He noted that changes recommended to the integrative studies policies should be forwarded by the Provost for consultation by the committee in the next few weeks. He noted the Course Repeat Policy would be forwarded to ECAC when an associated implementation plan to be proposed by the Office of the Registrar was completed. The minutes of the April 29, 2010 were approved. Request for a New Linked BA Degree in Economics and Master of Public Policy in Public Policy Request for a New Linked BA or BS Degree in Political Science (General) and Master of Public Policy Degree in Public Policy Tom Summerhill, Associate Dean, College of Social Science Paul Menchik, Professor, Department of Economics Saundra Schneider, Professor, Department of Political Science The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Summerhill and Professors Menchik and Schneider. Associate Dean Summerhill prefaced the presentation of the rationale stating that Economics and Political Science were two of the College of Social Science’s most internationally prestigious programs. The Design of the linked programs was very selective and fit with the University’s goal of allowing students to the degree strong preparation in the field but fewer credits. Dr. Schneider, the current director of the Masters in Public Policy program indicated that the department decided to pursue the linked undergraduate/masters program when University first created procedure and the department was developing MA in Public Policy program. It was clear to them that they were in danger of losing the top undergraduate students to other universities because students could move more quickly through those programs to a master’s degree. The overall goal of the linked programs would be to train students to pursue careers in policy analysis, advocacy, and leadership. The 3.5 GPA admission requirement mirrors that of other linked programs at MSU. The GRE would not be required for students going into the linked programs and a high GPA would be a good indicator that students could pursue master’s level work. Dr. Menchik indicated that allowing the 400 level courses in Economics and Public Policy provides a breadth of courses that the small masters program had been unable to provide, making the MSU master in Public Policy more competitive with large programs at other universities. Questions from the committee centered on the availability of an appeals process for students who had not achieved a 3.5 at the time of requesting admission to the linked program and the type of program guidance available to students. Professor Schneider responded that an admissions appeals process was already in place for students who are almost at established levels of admittance as well as for the regular MPP program. If students don’t have the appropriate GPA or high enough GRE scores, they can ask the admissions committee to review prior coursework or other information that would mitigate the GPA or GRE difference. This admissions committee would review applications to the linked program as well. Students would work with advisors to plan their linked BS/MA program. The committee withdrew voice for Associate Dean Summerhill and Professors Schneider and Menchik. Motion by Ron Perry passed unanimously.
Request to Phase Out and Discontinue the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriscience. Eunice Foster, Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Matt Raven, Professor, Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies The committee unanimously granted voice to Professors Foster and Raven. Professor Raven stated that the Agriscience undergraduate degree was one of the majors folded into a new major with 4 concentrations when several departments were merged into the CARRS. The Agriscience degree has been replaced by a concentration. The Agriscience degree remained as a legacy while new the degree program underwent the State of Michigan Department of Education certification process. The new major and its concentrations were recognized and certified in 2009. Currently, there are nine legacy majors. Five are on track to graduate spring 2011 and four will graduate in spring 2012. If a current Agriscience student should fall behind the current estimated graduation date, they will have until fall of 2014 to complete the major.. New students wishing to be certified are advised into the new concentration. The committee withdrew voice from Professors Foster and Raven. Motion by Lisa Cook passed unanimously.
Roundtable Kathleen Hoag reported that the University Committee on Liberal Learning had its first meeting. The committee discussed proposals for its focus for 2010-11. Lisa Cook recommended that the UCAP website be updated to include UCAPs procedures for public comment as a tab, making it easier to find. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted by Sandra Walther |
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