MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

University Committee on Undergraduate Education

DRAFT MINUTES

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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

Board Room, 4^th Floor Administration Building

Attending:  Eva Almenar, Rich Bellon, Giles Brereton, Andrew Corner, Jan Eberle, Doug Estry, Kathy Forrest, Gary Hoppenstand, Austin Jackson, Peter Magyar, John Merrill, Richard Miksicek, Jill Morningstar (attending for Jessica Sender), Helene Pazak, Matt Pontifex, Fred Rodammer, Lorenzo Santavicca, Cassandra Shavrnoch, Emily Tabuteau

Absent:  Wayne Askew, Walter Buhro, Michael Giles, Jessica Sender, David Shaft, Colleen Tremonte

The agenda was approved with the addition of agenda item #12, Subcommittee Report regarding Fall Semester Study Break.  

The minutes were approved from January 28, 2016. 

Comments from the Chairperson

Chairperson Hoppenstand stated that at the February 2 Steering Committee meeting, UCUE was asked to do the following:

• Review and comment on the adoption of the Spartan Honor Code.  Implementation of the Spartan Honor Code would take place at a later date.

• Establish an ad hoc committee for the discussion of the issue of inclusiveness in the classroom.

   

  Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

  Associate Provost Estry had no comments.

   

  Request for a New Minor in Forestry (Action Item)

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

  Dave MacFarlane, Associate Professor, Department of Forestry

  Bert Cregg, Associate Professor, Horticulture

   

  The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Millenbah, Associate Professor MacFarlane, and Associate Professor Cregg.

   

  Associate Dean Millenbah, Associate Professor MacFarlane, and Associate Professor Cregg spoke about the three Requests from the Department of Forestry since the reasons supporting the requests are similar.  However, the Committee determined that UCUE would vote on each request separately.

   

  Associate Professor MacFarlane gave a brief history of the Forestry department stating it was established in 1902 and is currently the oldest forestry degree program in the United States.  As new majors became more popular, enrollment has dropped over the years.  After a review of current programs, undergraduate enrollment is now up to approximately 60 students.  The programs being offered have become more interdisciplinary which allows non Forestry students to take classes in Forestry Majors. 

   

  The proposed Minor in Forestry is designed to serve students in other fields who desire additional training related to understanding the nature of trees and forests and the aspects of managing forest ecosystems.  Students in other departments such as Animal Science and Plant Biology have expressed an interest in a Minor in Forestry.

   

   

  Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Millenbah, Associate Professor MacFarlane, and Associate Professor Cregg.

   

  The following motion passed unanimously.    

   

  The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a new Minor in Forestry.  Assurances were provided by Associate Dean Millenbah that an enhanced plan of learning outcomes assessment was being developed.  UCC should follow up to ensure it is submitted.

Request for a New Minor in Urban and Community Forestry (Action Item)

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

Dave MacFarlane, Associate Professor, Department of Forestry

Bert Cregg, Associate Professor, Horticulture

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Millenbah, Associate Professor MacFarlane, and Associate Professor Cregg.

Associate Professor Cregg stated that the proposed Minor in Urban and Community Forestry is designed to provide students with an understanding of the social, biological, and administrative aspects of managing urban and community forests.   UCUE expressed concern regarding the number of faculty available to teach courses across all these minors.  Associate Professor Cregg noted that due to low enrollments in Forestry classes, existing faculty can easily support the demand with no new sections.

Discussion continued about the pros and cons of a concentration versus a minor as well as the learning outcomes and assessment plan for all the proposed Minors.  Associate Dean Millenbah indicated that the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources began increased efforts on their learning outcomes and assessment plans.  The College has monthly sessions for faculty focused on learning outcomes and feedback has been positive.

Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Millenbah, Associate Professor MacFarlane, and Associate Professor Cregg.

The following motion passed unanimously.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a new Minor in Urban and Community Forestry with the following recommendations for UCC consideration: on Page 1 of the Academic Programs Catalog Text  1. b., remove the words, “as an elective.”  UCUE also recommended to UCC to consider the question of the number of credits of overlap between the Forestry Major and the New Minor in Urban and Community Forestry as the intent is to allow Forestry Majors to complete this Minor.  Assurances were provided by Associate Dean Millenbah that an enhanced plan of learning outcomes assessment was being developed.  UCC should follow up to ensure it is submitted.

Request for a New Minor in Forestry Field Applications (Action Item)

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

Dave MacFarlane, Associate Professor, Department of Forestry

Bert Cregg, Associate Professor, Horticulture

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Millenbah, Associate Professor MacFarlane, and Associate Professor Cregg.

Associate Professor MacFarlane stated the Minor in Forestry Field Applications will expose students from majors outside of Forestry to hands-on course work in forestry field methods providing enhanced job opportunities for students. 

Voice was withdrawn. 

The following motion passed unanimously.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a new Minor in Forestry Field Applications.  Assurances were provided by Associate Dean Millenbah that an enhanced plan of learning outcomes assessment was being developed.  UCC should follow up to ensure it is submitted.

Request to Add an Admission Requirement to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Actuarial Science (Action Item)

Albert Cohen, Academic Director, Actuarial Science

Kevin Clinton, Program Director, Actuarial Science

The committee unanimously granted voice to Dr. Cohen and Mr. Clinton.

Discussion ensued regarding the admission requirements requested:

• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 overall

• Minimum grade of 3.0 in both MTH 132 and MTH 133 or equivalent for transfer students

• GPA of 3.0 in MTH 360 and STT 441

   

The primary reasons for the request was based on the desire to become a Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE) which requires that a minimum percentage of students in the major take and pass the actuarial exams.  They felt that the minimum grade requirements being requested would help ensure this.  They could not provide data on what the pass rate is currently as they can only find out who passed not how many total have taken the test and among those who failed.  UCUE was trying to determine whether there was empirical evidence for selecting the grades/grade point averages being requested.

UCUE members noted that:

1. Requiring a minimum grade in a course prevented access for the student who may receive a 2.0 or 2.5 and therefore could not repeat the course in order to meet the standard.  They pointed out that some students who realize they are not going to achieve a 3.0 would choose to fail the course just so they could repeat it.

2. It was pointed out that there are a number of “hidden” prerequisites for MTH 360 and STT 441 making it highly unlikely that a student could complete these courses prior to required admission to major at 56 credits.

3. It was noted that although the “professional” colleges have minimum requirements for admission, the three core colleges generally do not and therefore are open enrollment.

    

Although UCUE appreciated the desire to become a CAE, they asked that the faculty associated with Actuarial Science reconsider the request for admission standards.  One option would be to require a minimum GPA in selected courses.  In this case students could have the option of repeating an unsuccessful attempt.  However, this did not solve the problem of the “hidden” prerequisites for MTH 360 and STT 441 that could prevent students from completing the courses prior to the required admission to major at junior standing.  UCUE also recommended that they look at other limited enrollment programs in CNS, CANR, or CAS to consider standards they had in place.

Voice was withdrawn from Dr. Cohen and Mr. Clinton.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education tabled the request and asked Dr. Cohen and Mr. Clinton to consider alternatives to the proposed admission requirements that would address committee concerns and present to UCUE at a subsequent meeting.

Request for a New Linked Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy (Action Item)

Fred Rauscher, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Letters

Lisa Schwartzman, Associate Chair, Philosophy Department

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Rauscher and Associate Chair Schwartzman.

Associate Dean Rauscher stated the proposed linked BA/MA degree would enable students to complete both degrees in a total of five years.  Students can apply to the proposed linked program in their junior year and can count 9 credits from the BA degree toward the MA degree.  Associate Chair Schwartzman stated there is a demand for the linked degree program and space exists in the courses.  Some undergraduates are already taking graduate level courses.

Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Rauscher and Associate Chair Schwartzman.

The following motion passed unanimously.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for a new linked Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy.

Spartan Honor Code (Discussion Item/Recommendation)

Lorenzo Santavicca distributed a revised handout on the Spartan Code of Honor and gave background information stating it is an educational campaign and a way for students to adhere to a code of honor.  He felt that with students taking the lead on the Code, they are more likely to hold each other accountable.  The hope is that the Honor Code will be included in syllabi, displayed in residence halls on posters, and become a part of the Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Discussion ensued among UCUE members regarding a timeline for implementation, and general concerns regarding wording, particularly as it related to the implementation part of the document.

UCUE recommended moving ahead with the Spartan Honor Code and supported moving quickly on the implementation plan.  UCUE would like to see final drafts of the implementation plan as soon as possible.  It was noted that most Honor Codes that have an impact clearly articulate the responsibility of students who witness acts of academic dishonesty.

Ad Hoc Committee on Inclusiveness in the Classroom (Discussion Item)

Associate Provost Estry distributed a Draft document regarding creating inclusiveness in classrooms which included background information from the 1988 CRUE Report (Council to Review Undergraduate Education). 

Associate Provost Estry stated that UCUE has been asked to establish an ad hoc committee for the discussion of the issue of inclusiveness in the classroom.  The ad hoc committee should be made of faculty and students, not only those in governance.  UCUE will develop the charge for the committee and establish targets for actions.  He estimates the committee will be made up of ten or eleven individuals.

Due to time limitations, no discussion took place.  This agenda item will be moved to the next UCUE meeting.

Subcommittee Report regarding Fall Semester Study Break (Discussion Item)

Due to a lack of time, this agenda item will be moved to the next UCUE meeting.

Roundtable

There were no items reported at Roundtable.

Meeting adjourned at noon.

Respectfully submitted by Lynne Frechen.