Date Approved: __9/04/2007_

Minutes

Academic Council

May 1, 2007

Present: Aide, Beard, Buis, Cron, Hathaway, Hinkle, Janzow, McDougall, McGowan, Prater, Shaw, Shepard, Starrett, Strange, and Syler

Guests: Dieter Jedan, Daniel MacLeay, Cheryl McAllister, Simin Cwick, and Debbie Howey

On behalf of the Provost, Janzow thanked Academic Council members whose terms will expire at the end of the semester: Syler, Hathaway and Reinheimer. He also thanked Dr. Sarah Cron who has accepted a position at another university.

A. Minutes of February 13, 2007

Upon a motion by McDougall, seconded by McGowan, the minutes were unanimously approved.

NOTE: The order of agenda was changed to accommodate schedules of guests speaking in support of proposals and/or discussion items.

B. Action Items:

1. Program Changes

a. Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies

McGowan moved approval of the Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies; seconded by McDougall. Dr. Dieter Jedan, Chairperson of the Department of Foreign Languages and Anthropology informed the Council that this proposal had been materializing over the past ten years with broad in-put across campus and was intended to support the University’s commitment to globalization of the curriculum. Students in the program will study language, history, culture and politics of particular areas of interest represented by the area emphases. Students will be required to complete a common core of courses intended to give them the knowledge and skills to understand global issues. He stated that the hope of global studies would encourage other departments to internationalize. It is envisioned that students will want to use this program as a second major to complement existing major programs, but could also stand alone. McDougall expressed concern that some resources should be reflected on the Form FP (Financial Projections) instead of showing zero expenditures/resources. He noted that with the University commitment of resources it would bring value to the program and a greater possibility to attract visiting professors from Asia. Council asked that the statement “one additional upper division course from the additional course list” be added to the Japanese and Chinese option. With the few editorial revisions, the motion was unanimously passed. McGowan stated he will have a conversation with the Provost in regard to resources/position for this program.

C. Discussion Item:

1. International credential evaluation

Hinkle introduced Debbie Howey, Assistant Registrar, who had recently attended a conference on international credential evaluation and asked her to share that information with the Council. Howey explained the changes in European degrees with many institutions offering a 3-year degree. She stated that the big difference is that students receive most of their general education requirements in high school and not at the college level; by the time they are in college, students have decided on their majors. Graduate level credential evaluation was discussed first. She stated that the question used to be: is it equivalent; now, it is: is the 3-year degree suitable as a 4-year degree. She suggested that type of grades and test scores be considered when reviewing transfer transcripts. Howey also stated that the consensus of the conference was not to make a blanket policy to accept all 3-year degrees, because not all European countries accept a 3-year degree, but to evaluate them country-by-country and rather make exceptions. Janzow stated that other means of evaluation should be competencies after arrival; evaluation of transcript; and articulation agreements. He commented that if policy needed to be changed, it would need to be done through the Graduate Council. On the undergraduate level Howey noted that the general education component is the most concern. Also, a suggestion from the conference was to require the student to take additional exams; and if an institution does not accept a course or courses as high school credit, they should not be accepted on an international level. Janzow will have a follow-up discussion with the Provost regarding information presented to the Council. He stated he would expect to bring forward a policy proposal near the end of the fall semester with regard to 3-year degrees and the general way to handle them. Janzow thanked Howey for the information presented.

B. Action Item:

2. UI100 24-hour rule change

Starrett moved approval of the changes associated with the UI100 24-hour rule; Aide seconded. Starrett presented the background for the proposal. The presented proposal: all students be required to take UI100 unless they 1) had the 42-hour core general education courses; 2) an AA degree from a college with relevant articulation agreement; 3) or students with 60 hours or more having the option of taking additional upper division University Studies courses (300, 400, or 500 level). The pros and cons were discussed by Council. Shaw suggested not having every student take UI100 but proposed that transferring students take a 300 level University Studies course with interdisciplinary core competencies. After concerns were expressed; Starrett withdrew the motion.

C. Discussion Item:

2. Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

Starrett presented a handout for discussing the BSID and the questions that had arisen during the updating of the advising sheets and other materials that support the degree. After discussion and concerns were expressed, Starrett informed the Council that he will return the item to the University Studies Advising Council and bring back another time.