Undergraduate Curriculum Forum (UCF)

Minutes 3/10/05

Present 

B. Phelan, R. Vaters-Carr, J. Feng, G. Kowalczyk, G. DeJarnette, R. Glinka, S. DiFransesco, H. Podnar, K. Barrett, C. Coron, A. Abugri, B. Achhpal, N. Marano, M. Shea, E. Schmitt, L. Yacher, N. Chrissidis, N. Disbrow,  L. Bier, J. Fields, R. Mugno, K. Burke, C. Dellinger-Pate, R. Page, R. Kustin, M. Moss, K. Gatzke, K. Cummings, K. Buterbaugh, C. Novosad, M. Vancour, R. Hunter, S. Jackson, J. Tolis, J. Tait,  C. Barrett, J. Mielczarski, K. Laing, M. Heidmann, K. Mauro, D. Sonenson (guest), D. Fredeen  (guest), D. Pettigrew (guest), R. Paige (guest)

I.          Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m.

II.        Announcements

Cinema du Monde will be showing "Casablanca".
There will be a symposium in health and medicine sponsored by the school of Public Health on March 11.
There will be an Assessment workshop on Wednesday March 16.
Heidmann clarified that he does not vote on UCF matters as he is a representative from the vice-president's office.
 

III.       Approval of UCF Minutes of 2/10/05
The UCF minutes of 2/27/05 were approved unanimously, except for 1 abstention.

IV.       Reception of Standing Committee Minutes and Approval of Standing Committee Motions
Steering Committee

No report.

Notifications Management (NMC) 

NMC Minutes of 2/17/05 received with an oral report.

 

Motions:

Revised course Mat 139 be approved.
Revised course PSY 370 be approved.
Revised course PSY 371 be approved.
Revised course MKT 330 be approved.
New course MKT 334 be approved.
New course MKT 450 be approved.
Motions approved.

New Programs and Innovations (NPIC)

No report

Program Review and Assessment (PRAC)

PRAC minutes of 3/03/05 were received with an oral report.

University-Wide Impact Committee (UWIC)

UWIC minutes of 3/03/05 were received with an oral report.

Writing Across the Curriculum (WACC)

No Report.

V.        Discussion of the draft document from the General Education Task Force

Shea presented an argument that the document submitted by Gatzke at the February 27 meeting was misleading. The document submitted by Gatzke critiqued the outline for general education reform submitted by the General Education Task Force. Specifically, Shea cited lines from the last paragraph of the document. Tait suggested that the body change the subject. Gatzke defended his document briefly but agreed with Tait that the body should change the subject.

Tait supported the General Education Task Force document. He commented that the current All University Requirements do not give enough respect to general education. He contended that general education needs articulated goals and regular evaluation. He added that focus should be on areas of study and competencies over disciplines. He further added the general education requirements should have horizontal and vertical agreement, saying students should not be able to take all 100 level classes. He concluded by saying it is the faculty's charge to create the goals and the administrations goal to implement them.

Soneson remarked that this is the beginning not the end. He also urged that the question be called. Burke called the question. There was an objection.

Pettigrew expressed concern about the discussion being politicized and a desire for the discussion to be ongoing. He added that he wanted the UCF to be involved in the Academic Strategic Plan.

Burke suggested again that the body vote and move forward. Gatzke asked for clarification on exactly what was to be voted on. Fields informed the body that it was voting to endorse the Task Force Document.

Cummings seconded (Burke's) motion to vote. The motion to endorse the Task Force Document carried 31 in favor, 4 against, and 1 abstention. Soneson thanked the UCF. Paige commented that he wants the Task Force Document to be used and have most of the faculty support it.

VI.       Discussion of Standards Document

NMC was charged to investigate cross listing issues.

UWIC was charged to investigate credit issues.

Laing commented that the registrar does not have a written rule that after 10 years of non-use a course number can be used again for a new class, but it was a good rule in practice.

Burke commented that there are rules on the UCF website for course proposals and that course proposals should not be rejected, by UCF or the School Curriculum Committees for rules that are not listed. Stanton noted that the rules are out of date.

Heidmann clarified a constitutional issue that the school curriculum committees may not make additional requirements for course proposals. He explained that the school curriculum committees are pre-screening agents of the UCF.

Burke suggested that NMC update the requirements list for course proposals.

Coron noted that in reality proposals go to the school curriculum committees first and that PRAC is currently meeting with the school curriculum committees to review their guidelines. She added that a mutual agreement would be the best solution.

Shea commented that he was confused about the terms "outcomes, goals, and objectives" and added that in the guidelines there should be examples of each.

Heidmann remarked that what UCF has been charged to do by the Senate rules committee goes beyond NMC. Fields was hopeful that all subcommittees could come up with a draft by the next meeting.

Burke motioned to adjourn.

VII.     New Business

None.

VIII. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

Minutes recorded by Raymond Mugno, Temporary Secretary for UCF