UCUE Minutes for meeting held on 1/9/2014

University Committee on Undergraduate Education

MINUTES

Thursday, January 9, 2014

10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

Board Room, 4th Floor Administration Building

Attending:  Henry Beckmeyer, Jan Brady, Laura Dillon, Rita Kiki Edozie, Doug Estry, Mitchell Goheen, Bradley Hammond, Richard Miksicek, Debra Nails, Renata Opoczynski, Coretta Patterson, Matt Pontifex, Lynmarie Posey, Evan Schrage, Cynthia Taggart, Abraham Wheeler

Absent:  James Conwell, Amanda Holmstrom, Rob LaDuca, Calvin Manitowabi, Frederick Rodammer, David Schweikhardt, Anita Skeen, Jesenia Terrill, Veronica Thronson

Approval of the Agenda

Chairperson Taggart requested switching items 8 and 9 on the current agenda in order to discuss the Grief Absence Policy prior to discussing the Associate Provost Review Process.  The change was approved.  Matt Pontifex made a motion to approve the agenda.

The minutes of the December 5, 2013 were approved with minor edits.

Comments from the Chairperson

Cynthia Taggart is working with the Acting Provost Youatt and Terry Curry to find a time for them to meet with UCUE in January or February.  

Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

Associate Provost Estry stated that as a result of the cancellation of classes on January 6th and 7th, the drop/add period has been extended to January 14, 2014 at 8 pm.  This announcement was distributed to the Advisor Listserve and posted in residence halls.  It does not affect the middle of semester withdrawal dates posted on the academic calendar.  

Request for a New Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education
Kelly Millenbah, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Voice granted to Kelly Millenbah, John Kerr, and Mike Everett.  

Dr. Kerr stated that the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education (AFNRE) is being presented as a new major.  AFNRE enrollment is down 75%.  There are three majors in the department and they are bound by a sustainability core.  This allows the department to move from an agriculture focus to a sustainability focus.  Associate Provost Estry asked what areas of employment students can pursue if they can’t get into the College of Education.  Dr. Everett responded that students are employable at Michigan Farm Bureau, Chemical companies, and areas of sustainability.  This background also prepares undergraduate students for Graduate Education.  Associate Provost Estry asked how the committee will evaluate learning.  Dr. Everett responded that assessments for internships will be created on D2L.  Associate Dean Millenbah indicated that all units have been directed to have intended learning outcomes and must have assessments in place.  

Voice Removed.

Motion by Debra Nails, and seconded by Laura Dillon.

In its consultative capacity UCUE has no substantive concerns with the new Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education.  Editorially, UCUE recommends the following:  1) In the second paragraph of item #1 under Requirements, the word “complete” be changed to “completion.”  2) Make clear what portion of the degree requirements apply to TE students vs. those not in a TE program.   

Request for a New Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Gary Hoppenstand, Associate Dean, College of Arts & Letters
Professor Charlene Polio, Associate Chair of Linguistics and Languages, College of Arts and Letters 

Voice granted to Professor Polio and Associate Dean Hoppenstand

Dr. Polio stated that the new Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages would be for students who want to teach in community programs and who would like to pursue graduate work.  In order to provide students experience with adults, the TE 496 Practicum has been added.  Associate Provost Estry inquired if the new course been through a curriculum process yet.  Dr. Polio stated that the new course has not yet been officially added.  Dr. Pontifex asked what population is targeted for the new Minor.  Professor Polio responded that the new Minor is targeting language majors, romance classical students, residential colleges, and JMC students who would like to study abroad.  Chairperson Taggart added that TE 150 and 250 field experiences tend to be in K-12 settings rather than with adult learners, and many are in elementary settings.  Associate Provost asked Drs. Polio and Hoppenstand to talk about assessments.  Dr. Polio stated they will focus on new students and will inquire what a student’s focus is.  Students will do an open ended survey when they finish the course.  A portfolio would be done in class that students can use when applying for a job.  

Remove voice.

Forward the new minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages to the Provost, without reservation, but with the recommendation that the unit consider either: a) requiring TE 150 and 250 or b) incorporating the relevant principles from these courses into the newly developing course LLT 496.

The motion was approved.

UCUE did question whether LLT 496 has been submitted for approval.  If not, that will have to be done prior to implementation of the minor.

Request for an Admission requirement for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban and Regional Planning 
Scott Witter, Chairperson, Department of Urban and Regional Planning (absent) 
Michael Connelly, Director of Undergraduate Affairs, College of Social Science
Pat Crawford, Associate Professor, Planning, Design & Construction (representing Scott Witter)
Zenia Kotval, Professor, Planning, Design & Construction

Voice granted.

Debra Nails spoke about there being a change in admission and that students are now required to take statistics and take math as a pre requisite.  Prof. Nails also asked why there was a competitive application process if the minimum gpa is 2.0.  Mike Connelly commented that there is an application process.  Regarding the cognate area, detail has been taken out, and committee members wondered whether students need an idea of what to expect for the cognate.  Mike Connelly indicated that students have to sit down with an advisor to declare their cognates, and that they get all relevant information through that process, which has been streamlined to make it less confusing.   Associate Provost Estry asked for a description of the admissions process and if it is purely gpa driven.  Professor Crawford indicated that, based on current faculty, the program can admit 75-80 students.  Professor Crawford also indicated that, although the admissions process has not yet been worked out, an essay will be required and an admissions committee will review applications.

Voice removed.

Exercising the faculty’s delegated authority on the use of grades and grade point averages, UCUE approves the minimum GPA requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.  The committee noted the following correction in the catalog language:  As STT 201 is listed as an entrance requirement the catalog statement on page 4 of 6 should read “The completion of Statistics and Probability 201 may be used to satisfy the University mathematics requirement.”  The word “….referenced in item 3.b. below may also….” should be stricken as it no longer applies.

Motion approved.

A discussion took place regarding the Grief Absence Policy including a suggestion for creation of a web page that included a form for a department to fill out with drop down menu showing possible reasons for an absence.  Completion of this form could generate an email that would be sent directly to the College Dean as opposed to the student having to visit each their professor.  Professors would get notification from the system that the student is out on a grief absence.  Debra Nails commented that it would make sense to consolidate grief absence with the emergencies related to illness & accidents policy.  Currently, the policy is flexible in that students can go to each professor to let them know they will be absent or they can email their Dean of Undergraduate Education.  Associate Provost Estry suggested that UCUE will need to make a recommendation to the Provost after the policy language is complete and agreed upon by UCUE.  Associate Provost Estry asked if there are other language changes in the statement.  A determination needs to be made if the policy can be used only in the event of a death or does it also include a serious debilitating illness.   It is recommended that severe illness or injury be added.  It was determined that the Grief Absence Policy subcommittee should make recommendations, as well as suggestions for implementation, and report back to UCUE for a vote on the Policy.

Associate Provost Review Process (Discussion Item) 

Chairperson Taggart gave an overall review to UCUE of survey results for Dr. Estry’s 5-year review.  

Roundtable:  There were no items reported during Roundtable.

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted by

Lynne Frechen