MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY University Committee on Undergraduate Education AGENDA Thursday, April 2, 2015 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor Administration Building
Teresa
Bitner, ASMSU
Matt
Pontifex, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology, and Vice Chairperson
Chris
Corneal, Chairperson, Dept. of Art, Art History, and Design
Rebecca
Tegtmeyer, Co-Coordinator, Graphic Design, Dept. of Art, Art History, and
Design
John
Wagner III, Associate Dean, Eli Broad College of Business
Bob
Wiseman, Chairperson, Management
Status of 4/30/15 UCUE Minutes: Approved
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY University Committee on Undergraduate Education MINUTES Thursday, April 2, 2015 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor Administration Building
Attending: Teresa Bitner, Patrick Crane, Doug Estry, Emily Katz, John Merrill, Richard Miksicek, Renata Opoczynski, Helene Pazak, Ron Perry, Jesenia Pizarro Terrill, Matt Pontifex, Fred Rodammer, Lorenzo Santavicca, Cassandra Shavrnoch, Ryan Sweeder, Cynthia Taggart, Abraham Wheeler Absent: Daniel Bergan, Giles Brereton, Kiki Edozie, Austin Jackson, Eli Kean, Peter Magyar, Debra Nails, Rachel Tate The agenda was approved. The minutes were approved from March 19, 2015. Comments from the Chairperson Chairperson Taggart stated that the policy on the Integrity of Scholarship and Grades was presented to University Council as an information item. The Steering Committee is waiting for the Grief Absence Policy so that it can be referred to the University Council. Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Associate Provost Estry stated that Writing, Rhetoric, and American Culture (WRAC) is putting through changes on the Tier 1 Writing Requirement. It is a significant request for a writing requirement and is expected to be on the April 30 UCUE agenda. The College Curriculum Committee is meeting on it April 7. Grief Absence Policy (Action Item) Teresa Bitner, ASMSU Matt Pontifex, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology, and Vice Chairperson Ms. Bitner reported on The Grief Absence Policy and distributed a document showing student testimonials. Faculty Affairs inquired about a name change for the policy; however it was determined the name would remain the same. Discussion followed concerning accommodations from professors for students experiencing an absence due to emergency-related reasons. It was noted that in some cases it is challenging to accommodate students, such as assignments needing to be done in Chemistry labs. In such cases, usually the syllabus provides special accommodations. Discussion took place indicating that this policy is designed for the loss of a close family member. However, the definition of “family” varies among students. Matt Pontifex agreed to summarize UCUE’s responses to the concerns posed by several of the other committees to include them in the document that will be forwarded to the University Council. It was moved to forward the Grief Absence Policy to the Steering Committee. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the Grief Absence Policy.
Request to Phase Out and Discontinue the Bachelor of Science Degree in Plant Pathology (Action Item) Kelly Millenbah, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Millenbah. Associate Dean Millenbah spoke about both requests on the agenda to phase out and discontinue programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources since the reasons supporting the requests are similar. However, the Committee determined that UCUE would vote on each request separately. No students are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degrees in Plant Pathology and Environmental Soil Science. Both programs are in moratorium. Effective Spring 2015, coding for the programs will be discontinued and the programs will no longer be available. The unit is requesting to discontinue the programs due to lack of interest by the students. Associate Dean Millenbah stated that plant pathologists need graduate degrees and their undergraduate degrees can be more general. Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Millenbah. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request to phase out and discontinue the Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Pathology. Request to Phase Out and Discontinue the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Soil Science (Action Item) Kelly Millenbah, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Millenbah for purposes of questions. There were no further questions. Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Millenbah. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request to phase out and discontinue the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Soil Science. Request for a New Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design (Action Item) Chris Corneal, Chairperson, Dept. of Art, Art History, and Design Rebecca Tegtmeyer, Co-Coordinator, Graphic Design, Dept. of Art, Art History, and Design The committee unanimously granted voice to Chairperson Corneal and Assistant Professor Tegtmeyer. Chairperson Corneal stated that the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is the industry standard and is consistent with what other universities are offering. The current concentration in Graphic Design will be removed from the BFA in Studio Art. Establishing this degree furthers the students’ competitiveness in the job market. In order to accommodate the program, the depth of upper level classes has been increased. It was stated that the process for evaluating the success of the program will be a combination of student evaluations, exit surveys, student enrollment, portfolio reviews and job placement. It was noted that some students who graduate in the program may go on to graduate school and may not work in the area, and therefore, the program must be flexible but at the same time meet national requirements associated with professional organizations in the industry. It was noted that internships are a requirement of the program providing growth and employment opportunities for the students. A discussion followed on the fact that accreditation is a requirement for degree programs in the medical field; however accreditation is often at the department’s discretion in regard to a degree in the art field. Voice was withdrawn from Chairperson Corneal and Assistant Professor Tegtmeyer. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. Request for a New Minor in Sports Business Management (Action Item) John Wagner III, Associate Dean, Eli Broad College of Business Robert Wiseman, Chairperson, Management The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Wagner and Chairperson Wiseman. Chairperson Wiseman stated that the new minor has been developed in cooperation with the department of Kinesiology; however it is positioned as a business degree and not a sports degree. The minor is administered by the Management Department of the Broad College of Business and is available to students admitted into the Broad College in either the Management or Marketing major. The degree is aimed at students who wish to work in the areas related to sports business management, including sports associations and leagues, intercollegiate teams, sports entertainment, media services, and firms that supply sports and entertainment industries. The minor will be able to offer numerous internships and will have a unique focus in the business area. Chairperson Wiseman stated that a review of other Universities who offer sports management programs indicates that none of these programs are housed in a business college. It was noted that non-business majors interested in the minor will be required to complete some business classes. Associate Dean Wagner stated the fact that the minor is being offered in the business college will be an advantage to MSU students. This will attract students who have a sports interest with a business sense. Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Wagner and Chairperson Wiseman. The following motion passed unanimously. The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a new minor in Sports Business Management. Roundtable Fred Rodammer provided an update on athletic council stating that athletic budgets are a challenge. He stated that football and men’s basketball are the only revenue sports. Meeting adjourned at 11:10 am. Respectfully submitted by Lynne Frechen. |
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