MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

University Committee on Undergraduate Education

MINUTES

Thursday, April 28, 2016

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

Board Room, 4^th Floor Administration Building

Attending:  Eva Almenar, Rich Bellon, Andrew Corner, Jan Eberle, Doug Estry, Gary Hoppenstand, Peter Magyar, Richard Miksicek, Laura Nelson, Helene Pazak, Matt Pontifex, Fred Rodammer, Lorenzo Santavicca, Jessica Sender, Cassandra Shavrnoch, Emily Tabuteau

Absent:  Wayne Askew, Giles Brereton, Walter Buhro, Kathy Forrest, Michael Giles, Austin Jackson, John Merrill, David Shaft, Colleen Tremonte

The agenda was approved.

The minutes were approved from March 31, 2016.

Comments from the Chairperson

Chairperson Hoppenstand thanked UCUE members for their service over the academic year.  He also thanked Doug Estry for his invaluable service to the University and UCUE.  Chairperson Hoppenstand stated he will be serving as Secretary to Academic Governance in the upcoming academic year.  Academic Governance meetings are held once a year.

Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

Associate Provost Estry thanked UCUE members for serving on UCUE.  He stated that changes have been made in the University catalog regarding quantitative literacy and changes will take effect Fall, 2017.  A memo dated March 4, 2016 was sent out to all Deans, Undergraduate Associate and Assistant Deans, Directors of Undergraduate Affairs and advisors outlining the Quantitative Literacy Pilot and details about the next phase of the pilot program. 

Update on ad hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion 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 the committee of approximately 23 members has met five times and reviewed general education, MSU learning goals, and the campus climate in respect to diversity and inclusion in the curriculum.  The Committee has reviewed similar initiatives within the CIC.  Dr. Lucas reported the following findings:

• Faculty indicated changes may need to occur within SIRS since they will be doing diversity work. 

• Partnerships are needed with Student Affairs.  

• There are no formal definitions on campus and the terms should be defined and the communicated to faculty and students.

   

  The meetings have resulted in a set of draft recommendations.  A final report will be sent to Academic Governance.

   

  Associate Provost Estry and Chairperson Hoppenstand thanked Jim Lucas, Kirk Kidwell, and Lorenzo Santavicca for their work in a short period of time. 

   

   

  Election of 2016-17 Officers

   

  UCUE Chairperson:  Richard Miksicek, Approved.

  UCUE Vice Chair:  Matt Pontifex, Approved.

  UCUE faculty Liaison to Athletic Council:  Fred Rodammer, Approved.

  UCUE liaison to Military Education Advisory Committee:  Emily Tabuteau, Approved.

   

   

  Roundtable

   

  UCUE members thanked Chairperson Hoppenstand and Associate Provost Estry for their work on UCUE.

   

  Lorenzo Santavicca stated that the Spartan Code of Honor has moved through all approvals.  IPF will be installing signs in academic buildings and residence halls reminding students about the Spartan Code of Honor.  It will appear in the Spartan Life handbook.  Faculty have been encouraged to include the Spartan Code of Honor in their syllabi.  A website will be established: honorcode.msu.edu and should be live by June.  Lorenzo also stated that ASMSU is hoping to have a student speaker at Fall Convocation speak about academic values at MSU.

   

  Fred Rodammer congratulated Lorenzo Santavicca for being elected president of ASMSU next year. 

   

  Associate Provost Estry reminded UCUE members to review the accompanying memo regarding the new QL alternative for the University Mathematics Requirement that will take effect in Fall, 2017 as well as the memo from March 4^th on interim procedures for the 2016 – 17 academic year.

   

   

  Meeting adjourned at 10:45 am.

   

  Respectfully submitted by Lynne Frechen.