Bryon Clark (Chair), Gleny Beach, Betty Clay, Jim Cunningham, Jane Elder, Steven Emge, Dick Hackett, George Jacox (proxy for Gene Hetzel), Linda Kallam, Brad Ludrick, Shannon McCraw, John Mischo, Sharon Morrison, Patty Pool, John Topuz, Judy Sexton (proxy for Cherrie Wilmoth).
Steve McKim, Charles Price
The meeting commenced at 3:35 p.m. The minutes from the previous meeting were presented. Brad Ludrick moved to accept them as written. Linda Kallam seconded. The Council approved.
The Chair informed the Council that he, Shannon McCraw, and Jessie Snowden had recently attended a conference in Indianapolis concerning civic engagement/service learning. The Higher Learning Commission has mandated this component for all universities at some unspecified point in the future. Vice President Snowden wants SOSU to meet the criteria through our General Education program. Shannon McCraw has agreed to take the lead in developing this initiative and spoke to the council about the need to help students be engaged with their surrounding community and environment. He pointed out that civic engagement is more that just volunteerism. It is the application of learning theory to real situations and developing an understanding of why service is needed.
The Council then moved to a consideration of recent departmental submissions for assessment procedures. First up was Music/Art. Steven Emge moved to accept and Patty Pool seconded. Dr. Emge told the Council his department will use a in-house developed pre and post test, as well as final grades for assessment. Gleny Beach noted that there will be an Art instrument added. She asked what would be considered a reasonable benchmark percentage on pre and post tests. It was suggested that we look instead at percent of increase on students’ scores. Patty Pool asked if we ok a document, is there flexibility for the department to make changes later? The Chair affirmed that there was much flexibility. To ok a document now simply means that the Council feels that the department is on the right track. If changes are made, must the Council re-approve? The Chair noted that we are ultimately approving an overall plan. Specifics are left up the each department as long as they are still meeting the stated goals. Patty Pool called for the question. The Council voted to approve.
Geography was the next area to be considered. Linda Kallam moved to approve. Gleny Beach seconded. It was noted that a 5th learning outcome had been added. Dick Hackett provided explanation. The Council voted to approve.
Economics was next on the agenda. Dick Hackett moved to approve. Linda Kallam seconded. The Council felt that the math essential skills must be reconciled with changes from the Math department. Linda Kallam moved to table. Gleny Beach seconded. Dr. Ken Chinn will be asked to come to the next Council meeting to discuss the proposed changes. The vote to table was 12 in favor, 1 opposed, and no abstentions.
After an examination of documents submitted by the History Department, Dick Hackett moved to accept and Jim Cunningham seconded. The Council felt there was a need to identify specific learning outcomes and to clarify the assessment process. Linda Kallam moved to table and send back to the department for revisions with instructions. Patty Pool seconded. The Council voted to table.
John Topuz moved to accept material from Political Science and Linda Kallam seconded. No outcomes could be identified. Gleny Beach moved to table and Linda Kallam seconded citing similar problems as identified in History. The Council voted to table.
There was some discussion regarding whether the Council would accept Microsoft tests for computer proficiency as sufficient to meet credit standards. Apparently many individuals take these tests as part of their military training. We are obligated to give credit but necessarily general education credit. The computer proficiency committee will look into incorporating these tests into the proficiency exam.
Linda Kallam had no report from the committee looking into the particulars of an exit survey.
The Council has not yet had assessment submissions from HPER and Communications.
The next meeting of the Council will be 19 April 2005 at 3:30 in UC 215.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.