UCAP Meeting of 02/23/2012 2011-2012 agenda status: approved Agenda: University Committee on Undergraduate Studies AGENDA Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor, Administration Building
minutes status: approved approved at meeting of 03/15/2012 UCAP Minutes for meeting held on 02/23/2012 University Committee on Undergraduate Studies Minutes Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor, Administration Building Attending: Zarena Aslami, Mark Axelrod, Henry Beckmeyer, Jan Brady, Crystal Branta, Laura Dillon, Doug Estry, Fred Fico, Milan Griffes, Kathleen Hoag, Seung Hyun Kim, Daniel Keathley, Nicole McCleese, Patricia Rogers, Michael Scott, Ryan Sweeder, Abraham Wheeler Absent: Evan Martinak, Chris McClain, Tom Morse, Mary Noel, Justin O’Dell, Ron Perry, Zachary Taylor The agenda was approved. The minutes of the February 9, 2012 meeting were approved as amended. Comments from the Chairperson The Chairperson made no comments. Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Following up on the committee’s request for further information on its role in evaluating linked Bachelor’s/Master’s programs, Associate Provost Estry reported that UCUS does not have authority over grades that serve as admission to graduate programs. According to Karen Klomparens, Dean of the Graduate School the intent of the Graduate Council was to help assure that linked programs focused on high achieving undergraduate students. The Graduate Council determined that a 3.5 GPA would be an indicator of students who should be able to take advantage of a linked Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Therefore, if UCUS has concerns about GPA admissions requirements for linked programs they should be communicated to the Graduate Council. Request for a New Minor in Materials Science and Engineering Tom Wolff, Associate Dean, College of Engineering Tom Bieler, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Wolff and Professor Bieler. Associate Dean Wolff stated that materials design is now as much a part of engineering as designing products from them. A minor in Materials Science would enhance the vita of students in other engineering majors planning to work in a materials intensive field or to work with those in one of these fields. He noted that a minor in Materials Science would differentiate MSU from other engineering programs and would serve as a great recruiting tool. Responding to questions from the committee, Professor Wolff stated that the minor initially would be open only to Engineering students but could be opened to other majors in the future. At this point, the College of Engineering estimated that 10% of its students would elect this minor. He noted that the minor would require 12 credits beyond the Engineering major requirements and could impact time to degree. Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Wolff and Professor Bieler. Motion by Kathleen Hoag was unanimously approved.
Request for a Policy Change to Dual Enrollment by High School Students Linda Stanford, Associate Provost for Academic Services The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Provost Stanford. Associate Provost Stanford stated that the current policy had been in place for approximately 10 years. Previously, high school students were allowed to count college or community college courses toward their degree programs and their high school graduate requirements. The current policy was created in order to make certain that students entering MSU were academically qualified for college level work. Since that time, the MSU entering student profile is much stronger and the old argument no longer seems viable. Additionally, a change in societal concerns about the cost of post-secondary education and universal access to higher education makes it important for MSU to appropriately recognize student effort that advances college education. Dr. Stanford noted that the number of students who will avail themselves of the opportunity is relatively small and will have no impact on admissions. Currently admissions looks at core courses in high school GPA, rather than all courses, to determine whether a student is admissible. Dr. Stanford, in response to the committee’s questions, stated that remedial courses taken at a community college would not count toward a degree. She noted that changes in this policy would not impact MSU transfer policy. Voice was withdrawn from Associate Provost Stanford. Motion by Mark Axelrod was unanimously approved.
Provost Review Questions The committee discussed the Provost Review comments provided by its members prior to the meeting. UCUS members recommended that additional comments be made regarding issues of time-to-degree (looking at structural barriers and earlier admission to majors) and the Provost’s leadership role in managing significant budget reductions to compensate for a major decrease in State funding Motion by Crystal Branta to forward the document with the additional comments discussed by the committee was unanimously approved. University Research Organizations – Committee Feedback to the Steering Committee The committee reviewed the draft response provided by Chairperson Dillon. After brief discussion, a motion by Ryan Sweeder to forward it, without change, to the Steering Committee passed unanimously. Energy Transition Plan Chairperson Dillon indicated that the Steering Committee had asked for academic governance committee response regarding the proposed MSU Energy Transition plan by mid-March. After brief discussion, the committee decided it would be best to invite a member of the committee that had worked on creating the plan to provide a briefing on the comprehensive plan with a specific focus on the impact this proposal would have on undergraduate students—such as costs that might be passed on to students --and opportunities for undergraduate student engagement. After Roundtable, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted by Sandra Walther |
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