DATE:
April 24, 2000
TO:
Julie Furst-Bowe
FROM:
John Murphy, Dean
College of Arts and Sciences
Eileen Zito, Chair
Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Department
SUBJECT:
Response to Program Review to Analytic Reasoning General Education Component
Dean’s Response:
The Program Review Committee made three recommendations regarding the analytic reasoning
component. The committee first suggested that the dean work with the Mathematics, Statistics and
Computer Science Department chair to improve facilities. There is no question that current facilities need
improvement. The proposed Science Wing remodel will, hopefully, address this issue. As an interim
solution the university is planning to purchase portable units for general classroom use. Unfortunately,
university, college and department budgets are not able to immediately address all classroom needs.
Some Harvey Hall classrooms used by the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Department are
scheduled to be remodeled while others are not. The college will do all it can within its budget to help
alleviate this problem.
The second recommendation asked that the dean help obtain additional faculty allocations to help reduce
class sizes. The college was recently given two FTE allocations. One of these has been allocated to the
Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Department and has been filled with a faculty hire. The
department has warmly received this. However, it is not certain that this will reduce class sizes by the
needed amount. More allocations are needed and this issue will again be addressed when allocations are
made available.
The third recommendation was that the department chair should work to develop a formal assessment
process in preparation for the next NCA visit. The chair is currently creating a departmental committee to
work on this task.
Department Chair’s Response:
The Planning and Review Committee made three recommendations regarding the analytic reasoning
component of general education. Here is my feedback for you to use in your response to PRC.
Recommendation #1 was for you to work with the MSCS department chair to improve facilities. I am
more than willing to do this. The need for computers in classrooms, along with the appropriate projection
units is an ongoing concern. Unfortunately, the MSCS Department budget is not sufficient to do this. The
cost per room for a computer, podium, and projection unit exceeds $11,000. While some of the rooms in
Harvey Hall used by the MSCS Department are scheduled to be remodeled, other rooms are not. Ideally,
all rooms used to teach mathematics, statistics, and computer science courses should be equipped with
computers and projectors in order to take advantage of technology in all classes offered by the MSCS
Department.
Recommendation #2 was for you to work with the department chair to obtain additional allocations to
further reduce class sizes. The additional allocation for next year should help with this problem.
However, it is not clear at this point in time that this allocation will reduce class sizes below the 40
student per section mark. Demand for general education courses offered by the MSCS Department is
increasing. The Construction program director recently informed me that in order to meet accreditation
requirements that all construction majors will be required to take Elementary Statistics, a course that is
not currently required for the major. The anticipated impact is the addition of one extra section of
Elementary Statistics per semester.
Recommendation #3 is that the department chair should work with the appropriate staff to develop a
formal assessment process. The department last year discussed assessment in all of the general education
courses. My recommendation in this area is to create a departmental committee assigned with this task.