Undergraduate Curriculum Forum
MINUTES
Adanti Student Center, Room 301A
Thursday, May 5, 2011

Present: M. Hartog, K. McGill, M. Das, G. Kowalczyk, S. Felsenfeld, S. Kopaczewski, M. Bay, K. McNamara, M. McClain, J. Rumrill, C. Hannah, E. West, J. Liu, C. Simoneau, C. Dellinger-Pate, J. Irving, K. Lacey, M. Vancour, S. Bernard, K. Gatzke, H. Lockwood, P. Kahlbaugh, D. Smith, G. Adams, E. Keenan, S. Latorre, T. Lin, J. Mielczarski, K. Barnett, K. Burke, M. Shea, B. Glynn, P. Beals, S. Clerc, N. Moniello, S. Keller,

Absent: M. Narumanchi, B. Phelan, S. Grubacic, E. West, C. Dellinger-Pate, E. Kramer, R. Kustin, J. Irving, J. O'hara, K. Marsland, J. Tait, T. Abdulaziz, W. Elwood, J. Mielczarski, K. Burke, G. Cochenet, D. Bentley-Drobish

Guest: A. Marsoobian

I. The meeting was called to order at 9:38 a.m.
 Quorum (50% + 1) was reached at 9:45 a.m.

II. Announcements
a. T. Lin - 64 Days of Non Violence coming to an end - four speakers [Robert Jensen, Gary Holder-Winfield, Jack Hasegawa, and Grace Yun] scheduled for Friday, May 6th from 9am-2pm in the ASC Theater
b. M. Shea - Faculty retreat planned for Wed., May 25 at the Jewish Community Center from 9am-12pm, sponsored by AAUP with lunch provided.

III. Approval of UCF minutes of April 21, 2011
a. Minutes of April 21st approved unanimously

IV. Standing Committee Reports
a. NPIC
i. Discussion of 4/28 meeting
1. Special Topics Courses:
1) RUS 398 Advanced Russian
2) COM 298 Experimental Video Production
ii. Minutes of 4/28 accepted

b. NMC
i. Discussion of 4/28 meeting
1. Motion to accept the following new/revised courses and revised program proposals:
New Course Proposals
1) ARB 200 Arabic III**
2) PSC 210 American Political Experience **
3) PSC 230 War **
Revised Course Proposals
4) CSC 101 Introduction to Computers and Applications **
5) REC 301 Internship I
6) REC 390 Grant Writing
7) REC 401 Practicum II
8) PHY 231 Physics for Scientists & Engineers II
9) PHY 309 Modern Physics
10) SWK 200 Introduction to Social Work
11) PCH 440 Food Hygiene
12) PCH 441 Water Supply and Waste-Water Treatment
13) PCH 446 Environmental Hazards
Revised Program Proposals
14) BS; Athletic Training
15) BS; Business Administration/Concentration: Business Economics
16) BS; Public Health
2. Motion approved unanimously [** submitted to UWIC as LEP offerings]
ii. Minutes of 4/28 received

c. PRAC
i. Discussion of 4/28 meeting
1. Reviewed Public Health's assessment (expedited review due to external review) and recommend UCF grant continuing approval, which was approved unanimously by UCF.
ii. Minutes of 4/28 received

d. UWIC
i. Discussion of 4/28 meeting
1. Motion to approve the following LEP-Courses:
1) CSC 104 (T1 TF) Web Technology
2) ESC 201 (T2 NWII) Historical Geology
2. Motion approved with one abstention
ii. Minutes of 4/28 received

e. WACC
i. Discussion of 4/28 meeting
1. Resolution from WACC Regarding Maintaining W-Writing Intensive Course Caps at a Maximum of 20:
Whereas this number is derived from extensive research and statements of standards by the primary national organizations responsible for teaching writing,
Whereas in their "Statement of Principles and Standards for the Postsecondary Teaching of Writing," both the Conference on College Composition and Communication and National Council on the Teaching of English assert that "[n]o more than 20 students should be permitted in any writing class. Ideally, classes should be limited to 15", 
Whereas these standards are also affirmed and reinforced by the Association of Departments of English and the American Association of University Professors,
Whereas the Writing Across the Curriculum Committee supports these standards, all of which are based upon the extensive research on effective writing instruction,
Be it resolved that the university follow these guidelines and maintain caps for all writing-intensive courses at no more than 20 students.
2. Resolution supported with one abstention
3. Motion to approve the following W-Courses:
1) THR 415 Dramatic Criticism (K. Monroe)
4. Motion approved unanimously
ii. Minutes of 4/28 received

f. LEPC
i. Discussion of 4/13 and 4/20 meetings
1. Students need to pass Tier I courses to take Tier II courses.
2. LEPC working to define "influential primary expository text"
3. Petition requesting Senate conduct a referendum to stop LEP
4. How transfer students' courses will be accepted to SCSU
5. Discussion with UCF:
1) Incoming students will be pre-registered and advisement will be referred to the appropriate department if students have a major declared; first semester course schedule will be determined by:
• Handbook created by N. Henderson and L. Lancor that shows tables to determine MAT and ENG placement; INQ and CT placement will be based on surveys created by A. Marsoobian.
• Academic Advisement and FYE surveyed departments to determine appropriate "other" course options depending upon major-area of interest.
2) Students who are not satisfied with their pre-registered courses can seek resolution with advisors during New Student Orientation
3) Faculty advisement will begin primarily with second semester students.
ii. Minutes 4/13 and 4/20 received

V. Old Business
a. Senate Referendum to Recall the LEP
i. Possible concerns over the quick timeframe of decisions made regarding LEP.
ii. Referendum sent to full-time faculty, but not to part-time faculty yet.  S. Cusato, Senate President, is considering sending it to part-time faculty.
iii. S. Cusato convened a group to meet with S. Williams, which was held Tuesday, May 3rd.  D. Fredeen, B. Kalk, M. Hartog, P. Beals, S. Cusato, S. Williams and faculty from various departments, including NUR, ESC, PCS, HIS, PSY and EXS, who are in support of the referendum, met. Issues were discussed, such as concerns about transfer students, access to major courses in first semester/year, world language requirements for science majors (B.S. students will need 3 semesters of WLL), and resulted in six points, which have been shared with LEPC.  The LEPC and Director are listening to what people are saying and they consistently have been trying to address faculty concerns.
iv. Concern that people will vote on misinformation or feelings of discontentment with the university, in general, at this time.
v. P. Kahlbaugh stated she believes faculty support LEP as indicated by the initial vote, but some departments are struggling trying to implement LEP in a way that is best for them and their students.
vi. A. Marsoobian believes LEP will allow concessions to departments that need them, but requirements must be retained; LEPC cannot change the approved program.  WLL has lowered the requirement from what was planned, but faculty voted on this.  Some students will be able to "test-out" of the WLL requirements. 
vii. K. McGill - raised the issue concerning a policy for transfer students and transfer equivalency. 
viii. J. Rumrill - sought clarification on the exception for taking Tier II in the first semester and whether it is during the (3-year) transition period only.  Answer yes, but it will be continuously reviewed.
ix. H. Lockwood- regarding the "six issues" raised and how they will be addressed by LEPC; asked to whom do faculty apply for changes in the LEP that departments need?  Answer is that major issues should be brought back to the UCF.
x. M. Hartog - L. Lancor posted information on the LEPC website; requests that this information be shared with all faculty.
xi. Motion: "Requests that all UCF members inform their departments of the current status of the LEP as outlined in the LEPC Implementation Plan, dialogue with individual members regarding issues of concern about LEP implementation and urge voting faculty to vote on the referendum. Motion: S. Grubacic; Second: M. Shea; motion approved unanimously.

 Meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

 These minutes are respectfully submitted by Michele Vancour.