2010 Minutes

September 10, 2010

PRESENT (voting): Jasbir Dhaliwal (MIS), Linda Finch (NURS), Sutton Flynt (EDUC), Jim Lukawitz (ACCT), Deborah Hochstein (ENGR), Wade Jackson, (Faculty Senate), Jeffrey Marchetta, (ENGR), Broderick Nichols (UNIV), Susan Popham (ENGL), Laurie Snyder (CCFA), Barbara Taller (BIOL), Will Thompson (CAS), Sandy Utt (JOUR), Joe Ventimiglia (SOCI), Stan Walls (HSS)

PRESENT (ex officio): Shannon Blanton (VPUP, Chair), Carl Chando (AAC), Melinda Jones (Honors), Tom Nenon (AIR), Dan Poje (AA), Cathy Serex (Curr), Donna Van Canneyt (Registrar), Barbara Kyker (Recorder).

The meeting was called to order by Shannon Blanton, Chair at 1:00 p.m. when a quorum was achieved.

Dr. Blanton welcomed the council to the 2010-2011 UUC and everyone introduced themselves

Dr. Will Thompson recognized Dr. Joseph Ventimiglia as the winner of the W. Russell Smith Award for Teaching Excellence, awarded by the College of Arts and Sciences based on student nominations.

Dr. Blanton then announced that the forms for the late add procedures have been streamlined so that it will no longer be necessary for the Registrar's office to verify faculty signatures. This will be handled at the college level. New forms are available online.

Cathy Serex discussed the need for TN eCampus (formerly RODP) and University of Memphis courses to be equated correctly. At the UUC Directors' Meeting, college representatives were asked to review their courses and to determine which TN eCampus (formerly RODP) courses are equivalent to UofM courses. If there is no equivalency, that should be noted as well. Cathy asked that this information be returned to her no later than December 1. She explained that as Admissions counselors are evaluating transfer work and advisors are talking with transfer students, it is becoming more important that they have up to date information. There is a form in Banner, SHATRNS, which advisors might access for this information; however, this form is not very intuitive. Instructions for SHATRNS are on the Registrar's webpage, though.

Dr. Blanton reminded the Council of the curriculum proposal deadline, October 29. Because this group needs time to review the documents, the deadline should be met, except in extenuating circumstances.

Curricular forms are now available online as pdf files which may be saved and revised. Since some of the files will be quite large, Cathy asked that the proposals be uploaded to her UMDrive folder.

Shannon and Tom felt that this is a process which could possibly be streamlined and suggested that this should be submitted to the Process Improvement Committee. Tom said that this committee is currently reviewing and prioritizing requests.

Followed was a discussion of the Articulation Task Force which will begin meeting mid-September. The purpose of the task force, an initiative of the Complete College Tennessee Act, is to bring together representatives from universities and community colleges in the TBR system along with representatives from the UT system to look at common curriculum so that students can have a seamless transfer from/between institutions.

Barbara Taller, Linda Finch, Jeff Marchetta and Susan Popham, who attended the meetings during the summer, gave brief reports. Shannon said that she had been advised that most of the task force came to agreements, and this will go before the sub-council at TBR.

Barbara Taller requested an update on the status of the Admissions and Retention Committee. Shannon replied that Don Wagner is chairing that committee and she will report back to the UUC at a later date.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Kyker

October 8, 2010

PRESENT (voting): Jasbir Dhaliwal (FCBE), Linda Finch (NURS), Deborah Hochstein (ENGR), Wade Jackson, (Faculty Senate), Jim Lukawitz (ACCT), Jeffrey Marchetta, (ENGR), Broderick Nichols (UNIV), Susan Popham (ENGL), Laurie Snyder (CCFA), Barbara Taller (BIOL), Will Thompson (CAS), Sandy Utt (JOUR), Joe Ventimiglia (SOCI), Stan Walls (HSS)

ABSENT: Sutton Flynt (EDUC)

The meeting was called to order by Shannon Blanton, Chair, at 1:00 p.m. when a quorum was achieved.

Approval of April 2010 minutes: Moved by Jim Lukawitz, seconded by Will Thompson and approved.

Approval of September 2010 minutes: Moved by Jim Lukawitz, seconded by Will Thompson and approved.

General Education Assessment: Dr. Blanton began the discussion of the General Education assessments by reminding the group that TBR had requested that three areas be reviewed. The English assessment was completed during the summer and the deadline for Mathematics and Communications was extended.

There were no comments or questions concerning ENGL 1020 or COMM 2381 assessments. Shannon said that there had been some reservations about the assessment of MATH 1530 because few students are enrolled in this class. In the future, the Mathematics department would like to assess MATH1420 and MATH 1710, which enrolls over 3000 students each term. Susan Popham had questions about how the course was assessed. She felt that it needed to include a paragraph about the rubric and methodology. Cathy Serex said that 2 sections in 2 semesters were assessed, and the rubrics for MATH 1420 and 1710 are being developed.

Sandy Utt requested that the general education assessment documents be available to departments who are conducting self-studies in preparation of accreditation visits. It was decided that the documents would be loaded to the UUC website.

Dan Poje said that this year's Senior Test will cover English, math, humanities and reading, and for the first time, we will be testing a group of freshmen students as well. He also noted that these scores will be made public; parents and prospective students will now have access to accountability issues.

New General Education Course Proposals: There were two proposals for courses to be added to the UofM General Education list: RLGN 1100 and JOUR 1700. Will Thompson said that this semester there has been a great deal of interest in RLGN 1100. He noted that there are already two other TBR institutions that have a religious studies course as a humanities that satisfy general education requirements. He believes that this course easily meets the goals of gen ed humanities category. Dr. Blanton raised a question about who should be the administrative authority over interdisciplinary courses, and Will replied that Joy Clay is the Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Studies. Jim Lukawitz made the motion to accept RLG 1100 and Will seconded.

Sandy Utt presented JOUR 1700 as a social science general education course. She said that this course is offered each Fall, Spring and Summer terms.

Based on JOUR 1700 course objectives, Tom Nenon expressed concerns that this course does not seem to include the empirical research needed in a humanities gen ed course. Because the syllabus includes nothing about research methods, Tom felt sure that questions would be asked by the TBR social science committee.

The proposals are due to TBR by October 22, and with fall break bring coming up soon, it was decided that, if changes are to be made, this would need to happen rather quickly. Jeff Marchetta asked if the department could hold off until next year. So that the proposal could be sent to TBR before the deadline, Tom felt the best plan would be to "tweak" the proposal to show how using research principles, methods and technologies can be addressed in the course.

It was decided that a special meeting would be called to vote on this one issue, and Cathy would attempt to get a quorum as quickly as possible. It was decided that October 20 at 1 pm would be a good time to meet.

TBR-UT Articulation: As a result of the TBR-UT articulation meetings, documents were presented which outline courses of study at 2 year institutions (60 hours), ensuring that students transferring to a 4 year college from a two year institution will be able to complete their degree with an additional 60 hours.

Will Thompson said that his faculty were really confused by this. He used English as an example – two lower division courses look very much like our upper division courses. Dr. Blanton reminded him that 2 year schools can only offer lower division courses, and we have never had an articulation agreement to bring in a lower division course as upper division credit. The purpose of this articulation agreement is to allow students who complete 60 hours at a 2 year school, to seamlessly transfer to a four year school, and complete requirements for the major in order to graduate. Exceptions to the general guidelines were noted, i.e., Biology, which requires 62 hours, and Engineering.

A series of questions and comments followed, but, according to Dan Poje, state and federal governments are pushing for students to graduate from community colleges with sixty hours.

Dr. Blanton suggested to Susan Popham that she express her reservations about the English articulation plan as quickly as possible to Kay Clark.

Lastly, Cathy Serex presented information on the four new "Continuing Communities" for Spring, 2011.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Kyker

October 20, 2010

PRESENT (voting): Jasbir Dhaliwal (FCBE), Linda Finch (NURS), Sutton Flynt (EDUC), Jim Lukawitz (ACCT), Deborah Hochstein (ENGR), Wade Jackson, (Faculty Senate), Jeffrey Marchetta, (ENGR), Broderick Nichols (UNIV), Susan Popham (ENGL), Laurie Snyder (CCFA), Barbara Taller (BIOL), Will Thompson (CAS), Sandy Utt (JOUR), Stan Walls (HSS)

PRESENT (ex officio): Shannon Blanton (VPUP, Chair), Carl Chando (AAC), Tom Nenon (AIR), Dan Poje (AA), Cathy Serex (Curr),

ABSENT (voting): Joe Ventimiglia (SOCI)

ABSENT (ex officio): Melinda Jones (Honors), Donna Van Canneyt (Registrar), Barbara Kyker (Recorder).

JOUR 1700: Shannon Blanton called a special meeting to discuss the proposal from Journalism to include JOUR 1700 Survey of Mass Communication as a Social/Behavioral Science general education course.

Sandy Utt explained that this course is required for Journalism majors, but other students would gain general knowledge about mass communication.

The motion was passed. This proposal will be sent to TBR for its review.

Program Articulation with Community Colleges: Shannon contacted Kay Clark at TBR to clarify one point. If the program requires 62 hours at the community college, then the senior institution can only require an additional 58 hours for a total of 120 hours. Students must follow the program exactly at the community college in order for the hours to transfer and be counted toward the undergraduate degree at the senior institution.

Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted: Cathy Serex

December 10, 2010

PRESENT (voting): Jasbir Dhaliwal (MIS), Linda Finch (NURS), Deborah Hochstein (ENGR), Wade Jackson, (Faculty Senate), Jeffrey Marchetta, (ENGR), Broderick Nichols (UNIV), Susan Popham (ENGL), Laurie Snyder (CCFA), Barbara Taller (BIOL), Will Thompson (CAS), Sandy Utt (JOUR), Joe Ventimiglia (SOCI), Stan Walls (HSS)

PRESENT (ex officio): Shannon Blanton (VPUP, Chair), Carl Chando (AAC), Melinda Jones (Honors), Dan Poje (AA), Cathy Serex (Curr), Donna Van Canneyt (Registrar), Barbara Kyker (Recorder).

ABSENT: Tom Nenon (AIR), Jim Lukawitz (ACCT),

GUESTS: William Zachry (PSYC), Nathan Martin (HSS)

The meeting was called to order by Shannon Blanton, Chair, at 1:05 p.m. when a quorum was achieved.

Approval of October 8 and October 20 minutes: Moved by Will Thompson, seconded by Broderick Nichols, and approved.

Dr. Blanton began the meeting by reminding everyone that TBR has planned additional articulation meetings, and those departments affected have been notified and asked to submit representatives' names and contact information. The sub-council meets in January, so all comments and feedback from previous meetings should be submitted as quickly as possible. The agreements will go into effect beginning Fall 2011. Discussion followed as to why junior colleges are teaching junior level courses, and why accreditation is so important when courses cannot be accurately validated. Donna Van Canneyt said this agreement has major implications for her area. Dan Poje said that whenever changes such as these are being discussed, a strong argument to be given is what other states are doing.

REVIEW OF CURRICULUM PROPOSALS

ARTS & SCIENCES

Will Thompson began the review of curriculum proposals by saying that most of the changes for Arts and Sciences were "clean-up" issues and there are several new courses. Bill Zachry presented his argument that PSYC 3010 should have several prerequisites, including a score of 40 or higher on the ALEKS test. Several issues to this suggestion were raised, including how to handle students who transfer in college math and are not required to take the ALEKS. Carl Chando said that some of the SUB-scores of the test would be a better predictor of success in the course, and Dan Poje suggested that perhaps an in-house test would be more appropriate. Shannon Blanton also reminded him that ESP offers tutoring for students identified as weak in math. Bill Zachry agreed to omit the ALEKS score requirement as one of the prerequisites.

Following a discussion of the termination of the B.S. degree in Earth Sciences, Deborah Hochstein suggested that Scott Southall be contacted to be sure that MATH 1730 title change does not jeopardize Engineering Technology ABET accreditation.

After some discussion it was decided that AS 70 would be tabled. Sutton Flynt moved that all other changes be approved, and Sandy Utt seconded.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Jasbir Dhaliwal reviewed curriculum changes with little discussion. Will Thompson moved to accept, and Wade Jackson seconded. The revisions were approved.

COMMUNICATION AND FINE ARTS

Laurie Snyder said that most of the revisions for her college were title changes, deletions, new courses or changes to prerequisites. Sandy Utt said that due to changes brought about by internet news, they are proposing a new concentration in JOUR. Laurie added that Theater and Dance is adding a Musical Theatre option to the Performance concentration in in preparation for the department's production of "Phantom of the Opera."

Broderick Nichols moved that all changes be approved and Jasbir Dhaliwal seconded. All revisions were approved.

EDUCATION

Sutton Flynt began by asking that ED 3A be withdrawn. He then reviewed plans for the new track for those students who are interested in physical education but may not be interested in going through the licensure program

Nathan Martin, Health and Sport Science, requested that sophomore status or above is needed for students registering for SLS 2105. His arguments were that (a) 16% of freshmen fail this course, compared to 9% of sophomores, (b) there is a precedent for this, and (c) field work is required and freshman students have not yet made the necessary connections.

Carl Chando asked how this is managed in Banner, because students do not have sophomore status until all freshman year courses are graded. Sandy Utt said that her students do have to wait until all their work has been completed before they can register for her course which requires Junior standing.

Shannon Blanton addressed Nathan's request by asking why would we want to create barriers to exclude the 84% of the freshman students who are passing his course. She also questioned how having one year of college and sophomore status would make a difference, especially since often transfer students begin UM as sophomores, and many students have hours of AP credit, and these students would have no more contacts here than a beginning freshman. Shannon said that she did not believe that a student who has thirty hours of college credit is necessarily in a better position to do well in this class.

Nathan said that his data were not complete because only those students who are identified as majors in this area were included. Carl Chando suggested that perhaps new data should be reviewed which would include all students. Jeff Marchetta suggested that the issue be tabled until more data were available. Jasbir Dhaliwal noted that we should not be using the catalog for enrollment management, and Carl Chando said that advisors could assist by not recommending this course for freshmen. Susan Popham said that field experience courses are intense and the instructor may need help from perhaps a graduate assistant. Stan Walls said that he fears they might be chasing away possible majors. The decision was made to table ED 8A until more data is available.

Sutton reviewed the UTeach program, which prepares majors in math and science to teach, and the curriculum and courses are set by the UTeach program. He also explained that the UM has freshman students who are assisting in the city schools.

Laurie Snyder moved that the other revisions be approved, and Sandy Utt seconded. Revisions were approved.

ENGINEERING

Deborah Hochstein reviewed several "clean up" issues, and with little discussion, Wade Jackson moved that revisions be approved and Will Thompson approved. All revisions were approved.

NURSING

Linda Finch said that most of her changes were simply editorial-type changes or were for clarification. Will Thompson motioned that revisions be accepted and Wade Jackson seconded. All revisions were approved.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Broderick Nichols said that most of his changes were minor and self-explanatory. Discussion followed concerning UNIV 3450, Legal Research and Writing II, and which writing course would best prepare students. Susan Popham felt that since ENGL 3500, Practical English Grammar, is not a writing course, that perhaps ENGL 3604, Persuasive Writing, might be more appropriate. The decision was made to table UNIV 8. Wade Jackson moved that all other revisions be approved, and Sutton Flynt seconded. All revisions were approved.

Dr. Blanton ended by announcing that the January 13 UUC may be cancelled, and if so, our next meeting will be in February.

A "shout-out" was given to Cathy Serex for organizing all the curriculum information and uploading it to UMDrive, which most agreed was a much better system

The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Kyker

February 11, 2011

PRESENT (voting): Jasbir Dhaliwal (MIS), Linda Finch (NURS), Deborah Hochstein (ENGR), Lawrence Pivnick, proxy for Wade Jackson, (Faculty Senate), Jim Lukawitz (ACCT), Broderick Nichols (UNIV), Susan Popham (ENGL), Laurie Snyder (CCFA), Barbara Taller (BIOL), Will Thompson (CAS), Sandy Utt (JOUR), Joe Ventimiglia (SOCI), Stan Walls (HSS)

PRESENT (ex officio): Shannon Blanton (VPUP, Chair), Carl Chando (AAC), Melinda Jones (Honors), Dan Poje (AA), Cathy Serex (Curr), Donna Van Canneyt (Registrar), Barbara Kyker (Recorder).

ABSENT: Jeffrey Marchetta, (ENGR), Tom Nenon (AIR)

The meeting was called to order by Shannon Blanton, Chair, at 1:05 p.m. when a quorum was achieved. Dr. Blanton introduced Dr. Lawrence Pivnick, the President-Elect of the Faculty Senate, who was representing Dr. Wade Jackson.

Recommendation for correction to December 2010 minutes – Barbara Taller

Approval of corrected December 2010 minutes - moved by Will Thompson, seconded by Susan Popham, and approved.

Dr. Blanton began the discussion of curricular issues which were previously tabled:

AS 70 – PSYC prerequisites

Following a discussion between Dr. Frank Andrasik and faculty, and after conferring with Dr. Blanton , the decision was made to officially withdraw the proposal for prerequisites to all upper division courses.

ED 8A – SLS

Additional analysis did not support the need to require sophomore status as a prerequisite for SLS 2105, so that proposal was withdrawn

UNIV 8 – LEGL 3450

Proposal of prerequisite writing course for LEGL 3450 was withdrawn.

A discussion followed concerning TBR's decision to terminate the BS degree in Earth Sciences, which was a low-producing program. The department is in the process of revising the current BA in Geography to be a BA in Earth Sciences. When the proposal gains approval at the college level, it will come to the UUC for its approval. The final approval at the TBR level could be obtained as early as June or July.

Will Thompson said that the Political Science Department would like to encourage students interested in applying for Master's to do a 3 + 2 program. Barbara Taller questioned the phrases "carefully tailored course of study" and "may begin the program the first semester of their senior year." Discussion followed as to whether students would be required to pass the GRE and/or be fully admitted to Graduate School to participate. Barbara Taller felt that the wording was somewhat confusing, so Will agreed to ask the department to revise the statement.

It was agreed that the text concerning the required GPA for transfer students be corrected to include the wording "college-level."

"To receive a bachelor's degree from any of the colleges in the University, students must have a grade point average of at least 2.00 for all college level courses. Students with transfer credit are required to maintain an average of 2.00 on all college-level courses taken at the University of Memphis."

Cathy Serex reviewed changes to text for Navy courses to award credit to those students in active military duty who are completing the Naval Science Institute curriculum. This will also facilitate those students who want to earn a minor in Naval Science and it will make it clearer to students interested in ROTC.

Concerning TBR's requirement for common course numbering, Donna Van Canneyt said that, for a number of reasons, some of our courses will not be changed, but we have been asked by TBR to give "good faith" consideration to other changes.

Due to time constraints, discussion of the TN eCampus (formerly RODP) equivalencies project was postponed to the next council, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:55.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Kyker