Faculty Senate University Curriculum Committee

November 16, 2006

3:30 PM

MAR 128 

A regular meeting of the Faculty Senate University Curriculum Committee was convened at 3:30 p.m. on November 16, 2006, in Martin 128 with Chair Stefan Cairns presiding and Donna Mayeux serving as secretary.  Members present:  Renee Cole, Nicholas Fesser, Mike Grelle, Mary Kelly, Clint Orr, Mary Ellen Rowe,

Dan Schierenbeck, Doug Short, Jim Taylor, Christine Wright and Xiaodong Yue.

Absent:  Lori Cochran, Doug Couch, Scott Keifer, Tony Shaffer, Stephen Walker and Yuankun Yao.

I.                    Minutes:

The March 16, May 18, September 14 and October 19, 2006 minutes were approved as circulated.  Stefan addressed the question marks in the October minutes concerning FSUCC representation on the Assessment Committee.  It was decided that Michael Grelle and Renee Cole can be the common link as they serve on both committees.

II.                  Discussion Items:

• Introduce - Dan Schierenbeck, Chair GEC.  Stefan Cairns introduced Dan Schierenbeck as a new ex officio member of FSUCC to represent the General Education Committee.  His serving on FSUCC and Cairns’ is serving on GE.  This will allow a common thread in both committees since they are dealing with common topics.

• Provost's degree questions:  Major limits, Minor required.  Stefan Cairns reported that additional feedback is needed before he can draft any scenarios along these lines.  He asked Mike Grelle if he had any updates from Provost Shah.  Mike Grelle stated that the provost wants to make minors optional rather than required and cap program hours at 124 regardless of whether it's named functional or otherwise.  He wants to allow more flexibility.  There was concern by the committee as to how students will be able to put together combinations of majors, minors and electives to get the degree they need.  It was suggested that perhaps addressing policy could assist as well as having advisors recommend the minor that compliments a student's program of study.

          Stefan Cairns asked if the committee agrees to remove the word "required" from minors.  The group consensus was yes.

          Cairns advised the committee to discuss these issues within their colleges and departments to find out any problem areas.  At the next meeting he'd like to have a

          recommendation about adjusting the policy to alleviate the problem of double majors.

• Functional major name.  Delayed.

• Decrease in General Education requirements (48 to 42 hours) from GEC.  Dan Schierenbeck reported that General Education is working on a proposal to bring to FSUCC.  The proposal removes IGEN and ICAP courses from General Education and has them re-prefixed within the departments.  GE is still working on the wording before bringing the proposal forward. If approved, it will likely not make it into the 2007 catalog, but rather the 2008 issue.  Mary Kelly asked if this change occurs will each one have to go through the entire curriculum process.  Stefan Cairns responded that they can all come forth as one proposal.  Xiaodong asked where GE plans to take off the other hours to reduce them to 42.  Schierenbeck responded that GE has not come up with a solution yet.  They don’t want to rush to any decisions so they are working on a time line. 

• Dual Listing.   Stefan Cairns reported that a few departments have asked about the ability to dual list courses at the 4000 and 5000 levels.  He gave a history of trying to get this approved through the Graduate Council and some of the perceived benefits and problems of the change.  Benefits include fulfilling the 5000 level 15 hr requirement and competitive transcripts for jobs and PhD programs.  Problems have been the existing difference in the 4000 level for graduate or undergraduate credit translating into a stated difference in dual listed courses.  Mike Grelle stated that his and Academic Standards Council's concern has been what differentiates between the content of the 4000 and 5000.  It was suggested that we clearly define what it takes to make it a graduate level course and that it should be the determination of the department as to what functions as graduate or undergraduate.  Mike Grelle offered to get the Provost's opinion on this and bring it back by the December meeting.

• Faculty load/credit for labs.  Delayed as presenter was unable to attend today's meeting.

III.                New Program Proposals:  None

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Mayeux

The next meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2006, 3:30pm in Martin 128.

Any questions, please contact Stefan Cairns, FSUCC Chair at ext. 8291.