Undergraduate Curriculum Forum (UCF)

Minutes 10/7/99

Present: B. Horn, C. Serchuk, J. Stenzel, G. Puerschner, P. Cascella, E. Aboelela, J. Fopiano, J. Mills, M. Macomber, M. Shea, L. Yacher, P. Beals, F. Harris, K. Swenson, D. Chevan, B. Madara, M. Tackett, R. Sewnath, J. Dolan, B. Gelbach, J. Abe, W. Sherman, P. Gallup, C. Mindell, J. Block, S. Garvey, C. McDaniels, L. Lancor, R. Cretella, L. Kohrn, R. Amenta, R. Gerber, M. Heidmann, S. LaRocco, K. Mauro

I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by C. Serchuk at 9:35 am.

II. Announcements:

There were no announcements.

III. Approval of Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the previous UCF meeting (9/23/99) were approved with two corrections: LaRocco for Lavocco (attendance listing); deletion of the word 'for' (announcements, bullet 1). Paperwork for today's meeting included:

UWIC minutes, 9/30/99

Three handout about freshman requirements for English

-Panel A, Students placed into English 100

-English backlog-as of Spring, 1999

-Status of UCF actions on bulleted items as of 9/23/99

IV. Committee Reports:

Steering Committee: The Steering Committee has hired a UA who will organize UCF paperwork and post information on the website. The Steering Committee has also started revisions to the UCF constitution.

Notifications Management: There was no report from this committee.

University Wide Impact: (see minutes, 9/30/99) P. Beals (chair) highlighted these minutes. M. Shea's role on the writing board was clarified. The minutes were accepted.

New Programs and Innovations: There was no report from this committee.

Program Review & Assessment: B. Madara reported that this committee has two tasks: to review previous assessments and to meet with previous outside reviewers.

Freshman Requirements Committee:

B. Horn highlighted the three handouts (Panel A ...; English backlog ...; Status

of ...), noting modifications to the document since the Spring, 1999. Discussion occurred on many topics from these handouts, including: the statistics in tables A, B, C; direct placement into ENG 100; the role of the English placement exam; the role of the ENG 100 instructor in reassigning students who are unable to manage that course content; and the 500 cut off score on the SAT.

Motion 1: A motion was made, seconded and passed with one abstention

to reduce the burden of administering placement examinations, it is recommended that students with a score of 500 or above on the verbal

SAT be placed directly into ENG 100 without a placement exam

beginning in Fall, 2000

Discussion followed regarding the student option of taking the placement exam to place into ENG 101; the amount of writing that is expected at the college level; the balance of placing students into Fall versus Spring ENG 100 courses; and student notification of newly adopted policies.

A recommendation was made to continue this discussion at the next meeting.

VI. Adjournment:

1. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded and passed unanimously.

2. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am.

Minutes recorded by:

Paul W. Cascella

Department of Communication Disorders