Academic Planning Committee: Final Report
Academic Year: 2012-13
Committee Membership
Georges Cravins
Thomas Greiner, Chair
Kareem Shabana
Ann Epstein
Heather Hulett
Joyce Shanks
Tom Gendreau
Robert Jecklin
Heather Schenck, Secretary
Committee Activity
The Academic Planning Committee (APC) met during the fall organization meeting, during which
we discussed the committee charge and convenient meeting times for the Fall semester, bylaws,
and overall role. Thomas Greiner was elected committee chair and Heather Schenck was elected
secretary.
Meetings of 13 September 2012 through 1 November 2012. :
Evaluation and Review of the Board of Regents new policy on academic program planning and
review. The committee used this review to update on campus expectations and requirements for the
submission of new program documents.
Meeting of 1 November 2012
Reviewed the report from UW-Systems concerning the creation of three new Associate Degrees.
The committee recommended against adopting these new degrees as they would provide no new
academic value to our campus. However, the committee also recommended that these new degrees
not be opposed for academic reasons.
Meetings of 8 and 20 November 2012
Review four certificate programs proposed by the Institute for Professional Studies in Education. The
committee recommended approval of these programs. However, the committee also encountered what
appeared to be a contradiction in the Faculty Senate’s interpretation of the academic independence of this
institute. The committee recommended that the Senate reconsider this issue to avoid similar contradictions
in the future.
Meeting of 1 February
Review of a proposal for a Minor in Health Information Systems from the Department of
Information Systems, which the committee recommended for approval. A review of a proposal for
a Minor in Sustainable Business from the College of Business raised a few concerns dealing with
currently non-existing course requirements and potential overlap and competition with the
Environmental Studies Minor.
Meeting of 15 February
Review of a proposal for a Statistics Major proposed by the Mathematics Department. The
committee recommended approval of this program. There was further discussion of the Minor in
Sustainable Business, focusing more on the perceived overlap with the Environmental Studies
minor.
Meeting of 8 March
Final evaluation of the Sustainable Business Minor that resolved issues of overlap and dual credit
with the Environmental Studies Minor. The committee then recommended approval of the
Sustainable Business Minor.
Meeting of 26 April.
Review of a proposal for a Chinese Studies Minor from the Department of Modern Languages,
which the committee recommended for approval. The committee then reviewed and recommended
approval for a proposed development of a History Major with Topical Emphasis from the History
Department.