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MINUTES - MEETING OF March 30, 2006
NPIC - New Programs and Innovations Committee


Members Present: Debbie Weiss (Chair), Adam Abugri (Co-Chair), Nancy Bobrek, (Recorder),  Charlie Dellinger-Pate, Tom Fleming, Joe Goralski, Jessica Kenty-Drane, Doris Marino, Kim Laing (guest).


Debbie Weiss, NPIC Chair, called the meeting to order and noted that there were 2 items on the agenda:


I.   Notification of New Special Topics Course.

II.  Prerequisites for Special Topics shell courses


     I. Notification of New Special Topics Course - One new Special Topics Course  was presented for logging: 
 
Crse. Title          Crse. #      Sem. to be taught  Times prev. taught   Date apprvd by NPIC

History of Roman Art   ART 398     Fall 2006           2                        03/30/06
 
     

Description:  A survey of Roman art from Romulus to Constantine (8th c. BCE-4th c. CE) presented in its historical and social contexts.


A motion was made by Adam Abugri to approve the Special Topics course, and the motion was seconded by Tom Fleming. The vote was unanimous.

    II. Prerequisites for Special Topics Shell Courses  - Kim Laing, Assistant to the Registrar, joined us in a discussion of our second major agenda item, which involved the issue of prerequisites for Special Topics (ST) shell courses. As it currently stands, there are shell courses that are approved for the ST courses. Sometimes these courses have prerequisites listed and sometimes they do not.  Kim had questioned whether or not a prerequisite for a shell course supersedes (or must be applied) to the ST course. When information relating to Special Topics courses and their prerequisites is presented in the front of the Schedule Bulletin, we would like to ensure that it is accurate. Kim pointed out that some inconsistencies have been noted with respect to several ST courses previously approved this year, which may cause confusion for those trying to register.

Committee members engaged in a lengthy discussion on this subject, which centered on the following major issues:

1.       Should the shell courses have prerequisites, or should these be determined by the Special Topics Course instructor?
2.       Should we consider eliminating all the shell course prerequisites in order to give the faculty more latitude, and how much work would be involved in doing this?
3.       If we remove the prerequisites from the shell courses, what will determine the level of the ST course, other than the discretion of the instructor?
4.       What kinds of issues are raised by those ST courses that are cross-listed?

Adam Abugri expressed his belief that the ST faculty members should not have full say regarding the prerequisites; however, he acknowledged that this safeguard is already in place because both the DCC and the Chair have to sign off on proposed ST courses before they are presented.

Motion #1: Charlie Dellinger-Pate moved that the prerequisites for special topics sections be determined at the time of individual section approval; subsequently, generalized prerequisites for Special Topics shell courses should be removed. Second Nancy Bobrek.

Doris Marino called the question, and the vote to approve the motion was unanimous.

III. Revision of the Special Topics Course Notification Form

The issue was raised regarding approval of cross-listed courses. Currently, they are submitted for approval with the signatures of only one of the departments presenting the course.   After some discussion, it was suggested that NPIC revise the current form slightly, and require the submission of two forms for cross-listed courses. Both departments will be required to complete a form at the same time for ST courses, with the appropriate prerequisites and signatures. Forms will be checked carefully to ensure that the course titles match.

Motion #2: Adam Abugri moved that each department submit a separate Special Topics Section Notification Form. when cross-listing a Special Topics course.

Doris Marino seconded the motion and the vote to approve was unanimous.

Debbie Weiss, NPIC Chair, asked that each member of NPIC review the committee's current by-laws prior to the next scheduled meeting.  Adam Abugri made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Jessica Kenty-Drane.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Nancy J. Bobrek, Recorder