1. Approval of
Minutes of Academic Council Meeting from January 19, 2016
Dr. Bill Ross
moved approval of the minutes of January 19, 2016. Dr. Doug Winiarski seconded.
With no further discussion, the minutes were approved by voice vote.
2. Revised
Course Proposals
CHEM 300 was
brought to the floor as a revised course proposal. Dr. Jon Dattelbaum motioned
to approve. Dr. Sam Abrash seconded. With no further discussion, the revised
course proposal was approved by voice vote.
ENVR 322 and
ENVR 325 were then brought to the floor as a revised course proposals. Dr. Sam
Abrash motioned to approve. Dr. Mike Kerckhove seconded. With no further
discussion, the revised course proposals were approved by voice vote.
MUS 134 was
brought to the floor as a revised course proposal. Dr. Jeff Riehl motioned to
approve. Dr. Walt Stevenson seconded. With no further discussion, the revised
course proposal was approved by voice vote.
3. Report from
the Ad Hoc Committee on B.S. Degree Requirements – Dr. Todd Lookingbill
Dr. Todd
Lookingbill reported on the Ad Hoc Committee on B.S. Degree Requirements and
presented a Committee Update, which offered revisions to the “Proposed New
Language for the B.S. Degree Requirements” and “Current Language of the
Requirements for the Major.”
Following Dr.
Lookingbill’s explanation and summary, Dr. Bill Ross argued for the inclusion
of more explicit criteria to evaluate when courses are based on a “foundation
of calculus.” Dr. Ross suggested that these must be defined and met prior to
the approval of any new courses.
Dr. Linda Boland
echoed Dr. Bill Ross’s concerns, saying that the proposed new language is
imprecise and vague.
Dr. Matt
Trawick, speaking on behalf of the committee, responded that the committee has
deliberately left the criteria open. The committee would prefer to let the
departments state how their proposed courses meet the degree requirement of a
course based on a foundation of calculus.
4. Professional
Travel Expenses—New Per Diem Method
Dean Skerrett introduced
the new per diem method for requesting reimbursement of professional travel
expenses. She thanked Laurie Melville in the Accounting Office and Terri Weaver,
Director of Budget and Operations in the School of Arts & Sciences, and the
other budget directors for their vision and determination to create these new
guidelines. Dean Skerrett urged all faculty members to read the FAQ associated
with the policy. There will also be
training for administrative coordinators to aid with the implementation of the
new method.
5. A&S NEXT
Dean Skerrett reminded
the Academic Council that A&S NEXT takes place on Saturday, February 20,
from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. This is the second offering of a career workshop for
A&S students. After the initial pilot, Dean Skerrett considers the revised
program to be substantive and exciting. President Crutcher will be the keynote
speaker and A&S alums and faculty are planning to contribute to the
program.
6.
Tucker-Boatwright Festival – Dr. David Stevens
Dr. David Stevens,
Associate Professor of English, spoke about the upcoming Tucker-Boatwright
festival. This year the festival encompasses authors who blend literary
concerns with what have traditionally been considered genre fiction tropes. Dr.
Stevens also reminded Academic Council that all faculty members have brochures
for the Tucker-Boatwright Festival in their mailboxes. Programs associated with
the festival include a student writing competition and a book give-away for
faculty, staff, and students. Dean Skerrett said that, as part of the
Humanities Initiative, we are making an effort to elevate the significance and
impact of the Tucker-Boatwright Festival, to make it a signature and festive
event each year.
7. As a final announcement, Dr. Jon Dattelbaum
reminded Academic Council that there is a March 4 deadline for DAC proposals.
The meeting
adjourned at 11:45.
