MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

University Committee on Undergraduate Education

DRAFT MINUTES

Thursday, March 31, 2016

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

Board Room, 4^th Floor Administration Building

Attending:  Eva Almenar, Rich Bellon, Andrew Corner, Doug Estry, Kathy Forrest, Michael Giles, Gary Hoppenstand, John Merrill, Richard Miksicek, Helene Pazak, Matt Pontifex, Lorenzo Santavicca, Jessica Sender, Cassandra Shavrnoch, Emily Tabuteau

Absent:  Wayne Askew, Giles Brereton, Walter Buhro, Jan Eberle, Gary Hoppenstand, Austin Jackson, Peter Magyar, Fred Rodammer, David Shaft, Colleen Tremonte

The agenda was approved as amended by adding a discussion item for #7 to read, “Update on the ad hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Curriculum by Jim Lucas.

The minutes were approved from March 17, 2016.

Comments from the Chairperson

Chairperson Hoppenstand thanked UCUE members for their work on compiling the ad hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Curriculum.

Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

Associate Provost Estry had no comments.

Request for Revision of the MSU Graduation Requirement for Mathematics (Action Item)

Mark Voit, Associate Dean, College of Natural Science

The committee unanimously granted voice to Associate Dean Voit.

Associate Dean Voit stated that this request represents a fundamental shift in philosophy.  He stated that making quantitative literacy a major goal of the undergraduate curriculum has been discussed for over a decade on campus.  The 2005 Quantitative Literacy Task Force report was referenced which recommended the integration of quantitative literacy into the education of all MSU students. The proposed new courses, MTH 101 and MTH 102, helps students apply quantitative reasoning to real life problem solving.  These courses help prepare students to function in the real world who are not studying to be mathematicians.

Discussion took place on the future of MTH 1825 and MTH 103.  Associate Provost stated that if approved by the Provost, departments will have to work closely with the Registrar’s office to determine if MTH 101 or MTH 102 could become a prerequisite in the way that MTH 103 serves as a prerequisite. 

Voice was withdrawn from Associate Dean Voit.

The following motion passed unanimously.    

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request for revision of the MSU graduation requirement for Mathematics to include a quantitative literacy component.

Request to Change the Admission as a Junior Statement in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Packaging (Action Item)

Rick Brandenburg, Assistant Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sue Selke, Director of Packaging, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The committee unanimously granted voice to Assistant Dean Brandenburg and Sue Selke.

Associate Dean Brandenburg provided some background information on the Packaging program stating they have had limited enrollment since the early to mid-80s due to the high number of students applying to the program.

Sue Selke stated that MTH 124 is no longer required for admission to the major and this requirement needs to be removed from the catalog.  The cohort that this applied to has finished the degree.  Students should have completed MTH 133 by the time they become juniors.

Voice was withdrawn from Assistant Dean Brandenburg and Sue Selke.    

The following motion passed unanimously.

The University Committee on Undergraduate Education duly considered and endorsed the request to change the admission as a Junior statement in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Packaging.

Update on Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Curriculum

Jim Lucas, Assistant Dean, Global Education and Curriculum

Dr. Lucas provided an update on the ad hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Classroom.  He stated that the group has 23 members and they meet Friday mornings. The committee has reviewed the three aspects of the charge, which are:  general education, MSU learning goals, and campus climate/resources.  The committee’s final meeting is scheduled for April 29^th.    

Roundtable

Associate Provost Estry stated that the Higher Learning Commission will be at MSU on April 4^th and 5^th.  Seven open sessions will be held; five sessions will discuss specific criteria, two sessions are open forum conversations. All open meetings will be held in the Board Rm.  The meeting schedule is as follows: 

April 4th

1:30 - 2:30 pm:  Criteria 1

2:45 -  3:45 pm:  Criteria 2

4:00 - 5:00 pm:  Criteria 3

5:00 - 5:30 pm:  Open forum

April 5^th

9:00 – 10:15 am:  Criteria 4

10:30 – 11:30 am:  Criteria 5

Meeting adjourned at 10:50 am.

Respectfully submitted by Lynne Frechen.