Council of Academic Advisors
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
8:30 AM, University Union Capital Room
Present: Bryan Barker (UAASC), Jane Coplan (UAASC), Angie Comrie (COEHS), Sue Dagit (Registrar’s Office), Stacy Dorsett (COEHS), Jennifer Grimm (Communication), Niall Hartnett (UASSC), Molly Homer (Honor’s College), Sharon Hunter (UAASC, Linkages), Anna James (CBT), Ember Keithley (CBT), Kim McDaniel (Study Abroad), Lisa Melz‐Jennings (Athletics), Kathy Meyers (VRC), Kim Moreno (Quad Cities), Caryn Morgan (CAS), Chris Ramsey (CBT), Jennifer Sandrik‐
Rubio (Physical Sciences), Jennifer Tibbitts (BA/BGS) Guest: Dr. Erik Brooks, Chair, African American Studies New AAS Courses Due to Michelle’s absence, Caryn Morgan chaired the meeting. Students often ask, “What do I do with a degree in African American Studies?” According to Dr. Brooks, the answer is, “anything you want … anything you can do with a degree in liberal arts you can do with a degree in African American Studies”. The degree is an interdisciplinary degree which systemically studies the black experience within the United States and other countries, integrating aspects of history, psychology, culture, society, literature, art, and politics. It prepares students to enter any career field they may choose or allow them to go on for graduate/professional study. There is a wide array of things that can be done with the degree. The AAS program was developed at WIU in 1970‐1971 and is one of the oldest AAS programs in the country. The program attempts to help students, among other things: Develop transferable skills Gain insight into international, state, and national governments Prepare for careers in education/higher education and performing/creative art With an undergraduate degree in AAS there are many prestigious universities where students can go to get a masters or doctorate degree. The Department is trying to build a relationship with a couple of these schools so students can transition easily from WIU to one of these programs. There are several well‐known people who have graduated with AAS degrees, such as Mae Jennison, Angela Bassett, Aaron McGruder, Vince carterCarter, Brian Harper, ____ Sanaa Lathamm. Michelle Obama graduated with a minor in AAS; Maya Steinbeck Stainback is a WIU student who is now studying abroad. Faculty in AAS take mentoring and guiding students very seriously and will give students the extra care they may not otherwise get in other departments. The Department would like to have more Caucasian students in AAS classes. Students live in a global society and if they have not interacted with all ethnic groups, they are at a deficit. Becoming involved in the AAS Department is where students can get that exposure here on campus. Dr. Brooks passed around a book he had written, A Guide to AAS Students, which gives practical advice to students through the application process to graduation. The AAS Ambassador Program is a select group of students who were chosen to be AAS ambassadors charged with the duty of introducing themselves to students, recruiting students to become AAS majors and/or encouraging students to take AAS courses (new courses are being offered, some of which partner with other departments). There are six core faculty in the department, but there are also individuals in other departments who teach AAS courses. It is truly an interdisciplinary department that recruits students, guides new majors through the process, and helps freshmen students who decide they want to become majors. If undeclared majors are interested in taking classes, they should take AAS 101 or 102 to gauge their interest in the major and then one of the ambassadors will talk to them afterwards. They want to make the transition to become an AAS major as smooth as possible. A question was asked about how to get freshmen Caucasian students to take AAS classes. If students are planning on going into law enforcement or want to be involved in some aspect of education, they should take at least one AAS class. Cultural diversity is something everyone has to be educated on, and that is a selling point for every student to take an AAS class. AAS does offer “Y” classes. There will be 10‐12 new courses offered over the next 1‐1 ½ years. AAS 281 has been eliminated from the core and an AAS literature class been added in its place which is cross listed with English. AAS 100 has been divided into AAS 1010 and AAS 102, since there was too much information to cover in one course. An honors course will be offered in the spring which involves traveling to Selma and Montgomery Alabama over spring break. Twelve students have applied; there are probably more Caucasian students than Black in the course. If you have a student who is interested in being an AAS major or minor, wants more information, or is interested in taking classes, you can send them to the department to see Dr. Brooks. Students have the opportunity to sit in on classes. Dr. Brooks will send a copy of his PowerPoint presentation to Caryn to be included with the minutes. I. November 20th NSR – Caryn The format has not changed from the one attached to last month’s meeting agenda. Andi Potter will pick up CBT students. Survey Update There will be no survey at the November 20th registration. Sarah is trying to find other ways of getting program information. Update on Registration Numbers As of yesterday, there were 35 students scheduled to come to registration on November 20. Landing Page It was unclear if there was a landing page for spring admits. II. Fire Victims Update ‐ Caryn Advisors raised $420; a $150 140 Chamber gift certificate was given to each student from the advising group. In addition, Julie secured a gift certificate from Hope Thrift Store and Dianne Bracey found out that the Macomb Rotary Club had donated winter coats to the Salvation Army and they could go there and get a coat as needed. This was a great gesture and everyone did a good job. III. Registration Update A student whose cat accidentally dropped her class was put back in the class by the Registrar’s Office. Jennifer asked about the type of mail going out to transfer students since she has had 6 students contact her about coming in the spring but none of them have chosen either advisor reg or a SOAR date. In the summer, students are admitted, receive a letter, and then a follow‐up phone call if they haven’t chosen a registration date, and it was assumed the same protocol was in place for spring matrics. There have been students who have said they can’t load STARS correctly with the wireless system in their residence halls but can connect with their cellular phones. It was suggested that maybe they have a pop‐up blocker or are using Safari, which does not always interface correctly with the WIU system. It was suggested that advisors tell students to contact UTech; in the meantime, Caryn will check with UTech to see if that is something that is being reported. IV. Standing Committee Reports Professional Development No report Campus Affairs and Public Relations – Caryn Morgan Tracy Scott will present Advising Students with Difficult Issues as a Brown Bag luncheon topic on December 4 from 12:00‐1:00 in the Capital Room. If the Quad Cityies campus would like to be included, please let Monica Eskridge know. Campus Affairs – Jane Coplan The committee is getting ready for their hot chocolate event. They have had some donations, but they still need $45 to be able to purchase the hot chocolate. Jane is in the process of preparing a list to send out to advisors to sign up for times. There will be lunch for whoever can come in the Corbin‐Olson cafeteria this Thursday. A note has been sent to faculty and staff thanking them for the increase in early warning grade responses. The committee is working on polo shirts and dress shirts with the WIU tower logo. There should be something coming out on that soon. Assessment Committee No report Awards and Recognition – Stacey Dorsett A recipient for the October Advisor of the Month Award has been selected and will be announced Friday afternoon. November nominations went out via TeleStars on Monday. A NACADA Region 5 nomination packet for Kari Allison for has been prepared and sent. Technology Committee – Bryan Barker The committee met last week where Julie presented the results from the survey. A list of suggestions from the survey will be sent out soon for advisors to rank in priority preference. V. CAGAS – Lisa Melz‐Jennings A subcommittee was appointed to discuss disruptive class procedures. Lisa will bring back more information on that as it develops. VI. Registrar’s – Sue Dagit 1. Dates: a. Monday, November 23 – Open Registration begins for SP16 b. Monday, December 7 – Final grade reporting is available on WIUP 2. Follow up on Early Warning Grades to Final Grade Analysis a. Of the students receiving Early Warning Grades*… i. Improved – EWG to Final Grade Worsened Earned EWG as Final Grade 1. FL13 = 70.65% 13.34% 16.01% 2. SP14 = 69.23% 14.09% 16.67% 3. FL14 = 71.08% 13.61% 15.31% 4. SP15 = 70.65% 13.49% 15.86% ii. Overall Averages 1. Fall = 70.86% 13.48% 15.66% 2. Spring = 69.94% 13.79% 16.27% *EWG data excludes I, N, P, U, W, X, FN, AND FW grades. Data represents individual grades, not individual students. 3.
There is a new interdisciplinary minor that will begin in Spring 2016 a. Emerging Design Technologies b. It is not yet programmed in WARD. VII. College/Area News Study Abroad – Kim McDaniel After the incident in Paris on Friday, the seven WIU students in European countries were contacted. All responded and are safe. They were advised to be more vigilant about personal security, current contact information was obtained from them, and where they will be and when was determined. Pre‐departure orientation for students going abroad spring semester will be changed to include this same type of information. They are still moving forward with plans for the spring; no students have cancelled for spring as of this morning. The current updated information for students studying abroad will be sent to the listserve. VIII. New Business No new business There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 am. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Carithers