UCAP Meeting of 10/04/2012 2012-2013 agenda status: approved Agenda:
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY University Committee on Undergraduate Education AGENDA Thursday, October 4, 2012 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Boardroom, 4th Floor, Administration Building
minutes status: approved approved at meeting of 10/18/2012 UCAP Minutes for meeting held on 10/04/2012
University Committee on Undergraduate Education DRAFT MINUTES Thursday, October 4, 2012 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Boardroom, 401 Administration Building
Attendees: Eric Aronoff, Zarena Aslami, Mark Axelrod, Emily Bank, Jan Brady, Justin Droba, Doug Estry, Fred Fico, Seung Hyun Kim, Caroline Kinsey, Chris McClain, Helene Pazak, Ron Perry, Matt Pontifex, Lynmarie Posey, Anne Rabello, Ashton Shortridge, Ryan Sweeder, Cynthia Taggart, Abraham Wheeler
Absent: Henry Beckmeyer, Nicole Dandridge, Laura Dillon, Richard Miksicek, Coretta Patterson
The Agenda was approved.
Minutes of the September 20, 2012 UCUE Meeting were approved after changing the word neurology to neuroscience.
Comments from the Vice Chairperson Vice Chairperson Sweeder introduced the new ASMSU member.
Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education made no comments.
Request to Update the Requirements for the Integrative Studies Program Doug Estry, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
Associate Provost Estry said that he would discuss the request in lieu of Associate Provost Stanford. Associate Provost Estry explained that when MSU moved from quarters to semesters in 1992, two credits were added for the addition of planned transcollegiate university general education courses. No transcollegiate courses were developed. The catalog continues reflect twenty-six credits required with two under consideration. Since no courses were developed in the years since 1992, the request has been made to remove the reference to the two credits in the academic programs catalog.
Motion by Mark Axelrod was unanimously approved The University Committee on Undergraduate Education, in its consultative capacity to the Provost, has no concerns about the request to update the requirements for the Integrative Studies program.
Request to Change Policy for Enrollment in AL 201 Doug Estry, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
Associate Provost Estry explained that when MSU operated on the quarter system students were required to take three quarters of introductory writing. When MSU moved to the semester system in 1992, the requirement changed to one semester of introductory writing for four credits. Any student who earned a 1.0 to 2.0 grade in the course was required to retake the introductory writing course or progress to the writing intensive IAH 201 course with the addition of a linked remedial course, AL 201. There is no evidence that the students who took AL 201 developed better writing skills. Most students chose to retake the course in order to improve their GPA. In the meantime, the writing faculty revised the introductory writing program. As a result, less than 1% of students enrolled in the introductory writing course receive less than a 2.0 course grade. AL 201 is the only course at MSU that requires retaking the course or enrolling in a remedial course for receiving a 2.0 in the original course. Due to lack of enrollment, the AL 201 course has not been taught for two years. This is a situation of cleaning up the books.
Motion by Zarena Aslami passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Studies, in its consultative capacity to the Provost, has no concerns about the request to change the policy for enrollment in AL 201.
Roundtable
Associate Provost Estry Doug called attention to new sexual abuse laws now in place that require faculty to report child abuse or sexual abuse if they suspect it or become aware of it. Students often write about life experiences that reveal abuse that occurred prior to coming to MSU. MSU General Counsel and DPPS are reviewing these laws and the current interpretation is faculty are obligated to report these incidents to the police for further investigation.
Associate Provost Estry stated that representatives from the Office of the University General Counsel and the Office of Inclusion, the Director of the Counseling Center, and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate education would meet to discuss interpretation of the sexual abuse reporting law and syllabus language regarding reporting of sexual abuse. Dr. Estry asked members to forward any examples that might illuminate and inform these discussions.
Committee members expressed concern that this requirement will eliminate the students’ perception of being in a safe environment and possibly increase a student’s risk for more abuse or violence. It was suggested we look into ways other universities have found effective to handle the reporting issue.
ASMSU: Emily Emily Banks reported that the Grief Absence ad hoc subcommittee made good progress at its first meeting. The subcommittee will meet again on October 11.
Matt Pontifex reported that he knew of three instances of students with deaths in the family in the last week that illustrates the need for a policy regarding student grief-related absences.
Eric Aronoff asked about the committee’s duties and purview; for example, freshman writing courses. Although the committee may not question a narrow request such as the one considered at this meeting, it might be concerned about elements of the university-level writing requirements. Vice Chairperson Sweeder explained that a review of any policy matter that affects undergraduate education would be in the purview of the committee. Dr. Estry pointed out that any UCUE member could recommend a policy issue for consideration.
Matt Pontifex asked if there was a campus location for students to practice taking tests such as GRE, LSAT, etc., that are delivered online. Difficulty navigating the various formats should not be a barrier to student success. Dr. Estry stated he was assembling a small group of faculty to look at issues regarding testing center needs and resources.
The meeting adjourned at 11 am.
Respectfully submitted by Sandra Walther
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