Undergraduate Academic Council
Meeting Date:
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 12:00 Noon-1:00 PM
Present:
J. Philippe Abraham, Scott Barclay, Maria Brown, Ivan Edelson, Sue Faerman, Susanna Fessler,
Carolyn MacDonald, Carolyn Malloch, John Monfasani, Karin Reinhold, Dan Smith, Greg
Stevens, Lisa Trubitt, Daniel Truchan. Guests: Anne Hildreth, Sue Phillips
Minutes:
Minutes from the March 6, 2007 meeting were reviewed and corrections acknowledged. Those
minutes, with required updates, were approved.
Curriculum and Honors Committee’s Report:
The Council heard from a member of the Committee on Curriculum and Honors regarding three
proposals distributed last week: (1) revisions to Medieval and Renaissance Studies major and
minor, (2) termination of the Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Meteorology, and (3) a proposal to
establish a combined degree involving the BA in History and the Master of Arts degree in Public
Affairs and Policy.
- Revisions to Medieval and Renaissance Studies Major and Minor:
There were a couple of concerns. Since it would be difficult to program some changes into
DARS, Maria Brown recommended these changes be mentioned in the Undergraduate Bulletin
but DARS not be programmed for changes. This would ensure a student’s advisor approves
required courses. The second concern was of the honors description being difficult to follow.
Maria agreed to follow-up via e-mail with a more distinct description which would be utilized
in structuring the DARS profile. A rewrite for the Undergraduate Bulletin is required. The
Council agreed to table this proposal until the rewrite is available at a later date.
- Termination of the Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Meteorology:
Vince Idone, Chair of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, presented a convincing argument to the
Committee on discontinuing the Broadcast Meteorology major. The only alternative offered
was creating a minor in Broadcast Meteorology available only to students pursuing the
Atmospheric Science BS. Several factors led to the proposal of eliminating the major: “funds
to create and sustain the in-house TV meteorology studio proved to be unattainable”, local TV
station internships have dwindled to only one this semester, the major is attracting weaker
students, potential employers apparently prefer a minimum of a BS degree, the only faculty
member (Mike Landin) with broadcast experience retires in 2008 and an equivalent
replacement is not anticipated, etc. The Council voted ten for and one against passing the
proposal to drop the major and convert it to a minor for those already enrolled in the major.
- Establish Combined Degree: BA in History & the Master of Arts in Public Affairs and Policy:
The Committee found no obvious problems with establishing this combined degree but
suggested an advisor be available from within undergraduate and graduate studies to ensure
students receive what is required within a timely manner. The Council voted to approve the
combined program. This proposal will need to be co-written with GAC participation and then
presented to the Senate for passage.
UAC Minutes, 3/13/07
Page 2 of 3
Changes in the Gen Ed Program:
The Council had requested the Gen Ed Committee review the general education requirements
with a view to reducing the course load for students within the bounds of the SUNY mandates.
The Gen Ed committee recommended the following four changes. The committee suggested the
proposal be sent to all departments to obtain feedback before it is presented to the Senate. The
committee noted that it did not investigate changes in writing requirements pending a report from
the “blue ribbon” committee.
- Social Sciences:
This recommendation is to reduce Social Sciences requirements from the current six to the
SUNY-mandated three credits requirement. The majority of transfers and freshmen students
have completed the social sciences requirements. Reducing the required amount would
provide greater student flexibility.
- Regions Beyond Europe: (3)
This recommendation suggests revising language to include comparative and contemporary.
This category required “knowledge of the distinctive features…..of ONE region”. The
proposal is to broaden the local definition of this category to include the broad world history
classes as allowed by the SUNY definition.
- Global and Cross-Cultural Studies and U.S. Diversity & Pluralism: (3)
The remainder of courses in the “Global and Cross-Cultural” category are mostly more cultural
or diversity-oriented rather than world historical.
A new “Global and Pluralism” category would be created with a requirement of three credits.
The new category would include both US and Global diversity, pluralism, and cross-cultural
analysis as well as globalization issues.
- Foreign Language:
The recommendation was for a second semester course, or any two courses, or Regents 85.
Any one course is required for students with Regents scores between 65 and 84.
Students receiving 85 or above on the Regents are not required to take another course. Scores
below 85 on Regents requires students to take a second semester language course. Three years
of language in high school prevents a student from taking the first semester course. Poorly
performing students could increase the demand for second semester language courses in the
popular French and Spanish courses. A second semester requirement may discourage students
with poor grades from attempting a new foreign language. The proposed change could
encourage students having performed poorly in foreign language or ones not having taken a
first language course to complete the first semester of another language. This potentially could
lead to a student’s attitude towards languages being reinvigorated.
The University is trying to increase out-of-state and international student enrollment. An
expressed concern is having to inform out-of-state students, that have no option of taking
regents, as well as international students they are required to take a second semester of
language. The SUNY-mandate is for one course.
UAC Minutes, 3/13/07
Page 3 of 3
Foreign Language (continued)
The Council voted to change the proposal to a one semester language requirement or Regents
85 exemption. Ten members voted for, and one member voting against the proposal.
The Vice Provost read a statement from The State University of New York’s website for the
General Education Requirement Plan, II. Community Colleges and Transfer Implications:
“Since community colleges are not bound by the 30-credit hour requirement of the University
Board of Trustees Resolution 98-241, the purpose of such submissions is to enable the
certification of specific courses as satisfying particular General Education Requirement student
learning outcomes. In accordance with the University Provost's Advisory Task Force Report on
General Education and the University’s transfer policy, any course certified as satisfying a
particular General Education learning outcome at any University campus will, without the need
for any further articulation agreement, satisfy that learning outcome at all other University
campuses.”
A 30 credit general education course load is still required, even though the recommendation is
being made to reduce the number of individual requirements.
S/U Listing Question:
The Chair mentioned an inquiry from a Theatre Department faculty member on whether the
Theatre Department can be provided a student S/U listing. Maria mentioned a grade roster will
be produced the first week of May at which time S/U options will shown. A grade roster is
produced after the last day of add/drop.
Next Meeting:
The next Undergraduate Academic Council meeting will be held Tuesday, 3/20/07, 12:00 Noon,
LC-31J.
Minutes Taken:
Notes taken by Joanne Baronner, Undergraduate Education.