January 20, 2015 Academic Council Meeting Minutes

The dean called the meeting to order at 10:30.

1. Approval of Minutes of December 2, 2014

Dr. Geoff Goddu moved approval of the minutes of December 2, 2014. Dr. Con Beausang seconded. With no further discussion, the minutes were approved by voice vote.

2. New Course Proposals

History 202, Math 209, and IDST 270 were proposed as new courses.

Dr. Bill Ross moved approval of the new course proposals. Dr. Dan Palazzolo seconded. With no further discussion, the new course proposals were approved by voice vote.

3. Changes to Majors, Minors, and Concentrations

Changes to the IS Concentration in Development and Change, the requirements for the Neuroscience Concentration in BMB, and to the Music major and minor were proposed.

Dr. Sam Abrash moved approval of the proposed changes. Dr. Con Beausang seconded. With no further discussion, the new course proposals were approved by voice vote.

4. Proposed Changes to the BS Degree—Dr. Malcolm Hill

Dr. Malcolm Hill reminded the Council of the requirements and expectations for the BS degree. He then went over the proposed changes.  

The proposed changes specifically hinge on the requirement of Calculus II, which Dr. Malcolm Hill does not believe should be a prerequisite for the BS degree.

Dr. Malcolm Hill proposed removing Calculus II from the BS degree requirement.

Dr. Sam Abrash objected to removing Calculus II from the BS degree requirement, as he believes this may undercut the philosophy of a BS degree.

Dr. Malcolm Hill respectfully disagreed.

Dr. Bill Ross said the Math Department is open to having other courses substitute for Calculus II.

Dr. Michelle Hamm returned to the philosophical nature of the proposed changes, and stressed that removing Calculus II from the BS degree requirement raises a fundamental question: what qualifies a degree as a BS rather than a BA?

Dr. Con Beausang seconded Dr. Michelle Hamm’s point.

5. Program-based Budgeting Process Outcomes—Dr. Kathleen Skerrett

Dean Skerrett presented the outcomes of the Program-based Budgeting Process. The PowerPoint is available for review through the Dean’s Office.

Dr. Jon Dattelbaum presented a flowchart showing the DAC timeline and asked the Council for suggestions.

Dr. Dan Palazzolo suggested moving the second deadline for faculty and staff requests from the Thursday before Spring Break to the Tuesday after Spring Break. 

Dr. Jon Dattelbaum agreed and said the DAC Timeline would be posted to a link on the Dean’s website.

6. Teaching Assignment Projection—Dr. Vincent Wang

Dr. Vincent Wang reminded the faculty that it was time to fill out the Teaching Assignment Projection spreadsheet, and demonstrated the process.

Dr. Vincent Wang mentioned that by filling out the Teaching Assignment Projection, department chairs accomplish three important things at once. It allows departments to use tenure-stream faculty across the curriculum, plan for full-time term replacements, and reduces the use of structural adjuncts.  

After Dr. Vincent Wang finished, Dean Skerrett reminded the Council that by using the Teaching Assignment Projection, departments are in line with the Contingent Faculty Reform Initiative.

The meeting adjourned at 11:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Oglesby