High Impact, First Contact Committee
June 8, 2000
MINUTES
Present: Brenda Amenson-Hill, Ann Deprey, Scott Furlong, John Gerow, Cheryl Grosso,
Leanne Hansen, Aeron Haynie, Mimi Kubsch, Chuck Matter, Sarah Meredith, Marlene Regan,
Mike Stearney, Linda Toonen, Dave Lamers (guest)
Absent: Shannon Byrne, Nicole Suchomel, Georgeanna Wilson-Doenges, Joanelle Jackson,
Laura Sear
1. The meeting convened at 1:10pm
2. Scott Furlong discussed this year’s SOAR:
a. The student mentors did very well; perhaps this should be incorporated into Intro to
College.
b. SOAR/INTRO report to Jeff Entwistle received positive feedback
1. The report did not include new student seminar, or the incorporation with INTRO
2. The committee should pursue this incorporation and present it to the planning
committee by July 5th
3. The subcommittee on peer groups requested more time to think over feedback they received.
4. The committee discussed the recent email from Dave Galaty (planning committee) about the
new student seminars. Dave Galaty’s email suggested that one way the seminars could be
structured is around the current general education courses, but with a smaller class size.
5. The committee resumed its discussion of the components of the seminar (elements which
should be in every course).
a. components previously proposed were the following: portfolio learning plan; critical
thinking; communication; creativity; exploring underlying values; information
literacy
b. Other suggested components were: service learning, study skills, selfreflection/assessment
c. The committee had a lengthy discussion of whether “study skills” would best be
added as a component or as part of Intro to College, or as part of the instructor
training.
1. Some members of the committee felt that the term “study skills” would be
misleading, causing faculty to think we wanted them to teach study skills instead
of content.
2. Others argued that study skills, however termed, are vital to students’ success in
college.
3. It was mentioned that although students now do get tips on study skills in Intro to
College, they are often absent for this part. However, this may change when Intro
to College is offered for credit.
4. One proposal was that we give students study skills tips in Intro, the application
of these skills in the seminars, and teacher training on how to integrate the two.
5. The suggestion was made to rephrase “study skills” to “facilitating student
learning,” or “effective learning strategies.”
6. The committee voted NOT to add “study skills” to the components, but to address
it as an expectation of the course and part of instructor training.
d. The committee discussed community service as a requirement.
1. The goal of community service is to enhance students’ social context
2. The committee discussed the debate concerning mandatory volunteer work
3. The distinction was made between “service” and “citizenship”
4. The committee decided that faculty may choose to include a service component in
their courses if they wanted to emphasize that in their New Student Seminar
6. Some members of the committee volunteered to write hypothetical course descriptions for
seminars, in order to illustrate the committee’s ideas
7. The meeting scheduled for 6/15 was cancelled. The next meeting will be Friday, June 23 at
1pm. Location t.b.a.
8. The meeting was adjourned at 2:58pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aeron Haynie