MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

University Committee on Undergraduate Education

MINUTES

Thursday, February 26, 2015

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

Board Room, 4^th Floor Administration Building

Attending:  Daniel Bergan, Teresa Bitner, Patrick Crane, Kiki Edozie, Karen Klomparens, Eli Kean, Peter Magyar, John Merrill, Debra Nails, Renata Opoczynski, Helene Pazak, Ron Perry, Jesenia Pizarro Terrill, Matt Pontifex, Fred Rodammer, Cassandra Shavrnoch, Ryan Sweeder, Cynthia Taggart, Rachel Tate, Abraham Wheeler

Absent:  Giles Brereton, Doug Estry, Austin Jackson, Richard Miksicek, Lorenzo Santavicca

The agenda was approved.

The minutes were approved from February 12, 2015.

Comments from the Chairperson

Chairperson Taggart stated that faculty should have received information recently via email on mandatory Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy training for all faculty.  She asked UCUE members to make sure faculty are completing the training.  The Faculty Affairs Committee has requested a more precise definition of “family” in regard to the Grief Absence policy and chose not to vote on the policy until this is determined.

Comments from the Associate Provost for Graduate Education

Associate Provost Klomparens had no comments.

Request for an Extension on the Moratorium on Admission to the Specialization in African American History and Culture (Action Item)

Steve Kautz, Associate Dean, College of Social Science

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Kautz.

Associate Dean Kautz stated that the reason for the request is to continue department discussions and decide whether the specialization should continue to be offered in the form of a minor, and, if so, whether courses exist to offer a viable program. The request for the extension is through Fall, 2015.  It was noted that soon all specializations will be converted to minors. Discussion took place on whether to eliminate the specialization now, with the assumption that a request for a new minor will be submitted to UCUE.  UCUE felt it would be better to extend the moratorium rather than eliminate the specialization at this time.

Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Kautz.

The following motion passed unanimously. 

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for an extension on the moratorium on admission to the specialization in African American History and Culture with the recommendation that no further extension beyond this one be granted.

Request to Change the Admission as a Junior in the College of Social Science to Admission to the College in the College of Social Science (Action Item)

Steve Kautz, Associate Dean, College of Social Science

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Kautz.

Associate Dean Kautz stated that this request is related to the change in University policy with the option to admit students to a major at 28 credits, effective Fall, 2015.  Students not ready to declare a major at 28 credits can remain in “no preference” status until they reach 56 credits.  No staffing issues are anticipated.

Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Kautz.

The following motion passed unanimously.

The Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request to change the admission as a junior in the College of Social Science to admission to the college in the College of Social Science.

Request to Change the Course Listing that requires a Grade of 2.0 in each Agribusiness Management (ABM) and Food Industry Management (FIM) Course in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Industry Management to also include each Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) Course (Action Item)

Jim Hilker, Associate Chair, Agricultural, Food & Resource Economics

Kelly Millenbah, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Chair Hilker and Associate Dean Millenbah.

The committee chair invited Associate Chair Hilker to provide his rationale for all three proposals although the committee would vote on them separately and ask questions of each. 

Associate Chair Hilker stated that the bachelor’s degrees offered within the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) are Agribusiness Management (ABM), Food Industry Management (FIM), and Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP).  Currently, a grade of 2.0 is required in each ABM and FIM course in the bachelor of science degree in FIM.  Since environmental economics has become an important and growing issue within companies, this request also would require a grade of 2.0 in each EEP course for the bachelor of science in FIM.   The requirement of a 2.0 assures companies that there is a minimum requirement.   It was stated that students who start out pursuing a business degree often switch into one of the programs within the Department of AFRE and bring with them a strong background in business.

Voice was withdrawn from Associate Chair Hilker and Associate Dean Millenbah.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and approved the grade requirements and endorsed the request to change the course listing that requires a grade of 2.0 in each ABM and FIM course in the Bachelor of Science degree in Food Industry Management to also include each EEP course.

Request to Change the Course Listing which requires a Grade of 2.0 in each Agribusiness Management (ABM) and Food Industry Management (FIM) Course in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness Management (ABM) to also include each Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) Course (Action Item)

Jim Hilker, Associate Chair, Agricultural, Food & Resource Economics

Kelly Millenbah, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Chair Hilker and Associate Dean Millenbah for purposes of questions.

Voice was withdrawn from Associate Chair Hilker and Associate Dean Millenbah.

The following motion passed unanimously.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and approved the grade requirements and endorsed the request to change the course listing which requires a grade of 2.0 in each ABM and FIM course in the Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management (ABM) to also include each EEP Course.

Request to Require a Grade of 2.0 in each Agribusiness Management (ABM) and Food Industry Management (FIM) and Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) course in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Economics and Management (Action Item)

Jim Hilker, Professor, Agricultural, Food & Resource Economics

Kelly Millenbah, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The committee unanimously granted voice to Professor Hilker and Associate Dean Millenbah for purposes of questions.

Voice was withdrawn from Professor Hilker and Associate Dean Millenbah.

The following motion passed unanimously.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and approved the grade requirements and endorsed the request to require a grade of 2.0 in each ABM and FIM and EEP Course in the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Economics and Management.

Roundtable

Debra Nails made an inquiry regarding the outcome of the issue of students being able to enroll for more than one class even though they may be offered at the same time.

Teresa Bitner reported that a letter about mid-semester feedback was published in the February 25^th State News.

Kiki Edozie asked the outcome of agenda item #1 since she was not present at the meeting at that time.  She asked the rationale for continuing as a specialization. 

Meeting adjourned at 10:50 am.

Respectfully submitted by Lynne Frechen.