NPIC Committee Minutes
Nov 15, 2001

Present: T. Paddock (chair), C. Wieder, P. Hawley, T. Fleming, C. Lukinbeal, D. Pettigrew, B. Elwood, M. Spence

The 'Directions for the Preparation of New Program Proposals' was discussed at length in response to the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences requesting to be apprised of new proposals early on in their conception.

In the course of discussing how the addition best be realized, it became apparent that the document in its current form has several inconsistencies, including contradicting the check-listed instructions.

A motion was passed that we table the current discussion to a later date when the actual procedures could be clarified. The goal is to make the forms reflect practice.

For tabling the issue 7
Against 0
Abstentions 0
(1 non-voting member present)

Jim Tait asked us to consider whether or not shell courses should be listed in the catalogue. At this time some departments do (e.g. Geography) and some do not (e.g. History). The reason for doing so would be to inform students of the fact that special topics courses do exist and can count toward the degree. Also a degree of consistency would not be a bad thing.
The committee decided (6-0, with one abstention) to recommend that departments include shell courses in their catalogue descriptions.
It was further recommended that the listing follow the current practice: e.g. GEO 298:  "Examination of developments, issues, and/or creative work in the field of __________." Then list the prerequisites appropriate to the 298, 398 or 498 level. This is merely a recommendation. Obviously, departments can write their own course descriptions.

Submitted by P. Hawley

amended