CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Salem State University
MINUTES
Meeting: 14/15:03
Date: October 15, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rebecca Hains, Elizabeth Coughlan, Francesca Pomerantz, Gretchen
Sinett, Joseph Kasprzyk, Amy Sprenkle, Christopher Schoen, Donna Hills, Mary-Jo Grenfell,
Megan Miller, Neal DeChillo, Regina Flynn, Rory McFadden, Sami Ansari, Zachary Newell
GUESTS: Vickie Ross, Chuck Gould, Steve Dion
I.
Chair’s Report
Rebecca Hains announced that a quorum had been reached and called the meeting to order
at 3:07 PM.
II.
Subcommittee Reports
No reports
III.
Special Business
A. Recommendation to Discontinue Computer Competency Requirement
15:100
B. Degree Map Proposal
C. Exceptions to Degree Credit Limits: Review Cycle
D. Review of Gen Ed Subcommittee procedures
We need to look closely at procedures on general ed. sub-committees and ensure consistency in
procedures. We need to bear in mind that the general ed. sub-committee members act in an
advisory capacity to give feedback to CC members. Discussion ensued about need for more
members to populate CC and sub-committees. Rebecca discussed issues with recruiting people
to serve on the committee. Committee is at the heart of shared governance on the campus.
Possible recruiting strategy would be to reach out to chairs and Deans to make
recommendations.
One CC member is required as a minimum for a general ed. sub-committee. Non-CC members
are invited to serve on an advisory basis. The sub-committee needs to focus on the published
criteria for the appropriate general education category. The sub-committee makes
recommendations to the CC liaison; they do not vote to approve or not approve. The CC liaison
needs to bring the recommendations to the sponsor and be an advocate for the package and the
academic goals of the department. The feedback should be given in the spirit of peer review;
feedback should be helpful and constructive.
Discussion ensued about need for general ed. sub-committees. Elizabeth moved to table the
discussion until next week’s meeting; Megan seconded.
IV. Old Business
A. SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT (11/1/13) (CRS C, Zach N., 11/22/13)
(14:268 - 14:274 are Existing Course, gen ed)
SOC201-Introduction to Sociology (WC)-Tabled
SOC202H-Introduction to Sociology-Honors (WC) Tabled
SOC340-Social Problems in the U.S.-Change in Course (WC)-Tabled
14:268
14:270
14:273
Changes in courses above submitted for world cultures designation. Course number
and pre-reqs staying the same so change in course change form not needed.
Designation will be effective in Fall 2015. Discussion ensued about need to vet
proposals with general ed. sub-committees to compare courses to criteria for the
general ed. category designation. World cultures sub-committee made
recommendations last year about these proposals and the recommended changes were
made in response. Discussion ensued about when a change in course form is needed.
Megan clarified that the form is to be used when substantive changes in use of course
or pre-requisites are made.
The vote to approve was unanimous.
B.
SPORT AND MOVEMENT SCIENCE DEPARTMENT (1/31/14) (CRS D, Sam A.
2/24/14)
SMS572-Walt Disney World College Program-New Course-Tabled
This course was proposed last year. The problem was the title so the proposal was
tabled. The All University committee recommended that no title of corporations
appear in the course title but a corporate title can appear in the course description as
possible places where the internship might take place. The new title is now Leisure
Services Internship. Discussion ensued about the difficulty in getting 12 credits for
internships documented in portfolios. The Walt Disney World College Program in
particular requires a "home" in a particular department, and SMS is volunteering to
be that home. It requires a home department because the program has a dedicated
liaison from Salem State University who ensures high quality placements at WDW
for our students, and it is in our students' best interest to have a dedicated course
through which all students engaging in the Walt Disney World College Program
receive support from the dedicated SSU liaison. This administrative function is best
served by a dedicated course, rather than a scattershot assembly of credits from
various departments, as has been the case in the past.
The vote to approve was unanimous with one abstention: Gretchen Sinnett.
14:348
There being no time for other business, Neal moved to adjourn the meeting; Megan seconded.
The vote to adjourn was unanimous, and the committee adjourned at 4:34 PM.
Submitted by __________________________________
Francesca Pomerantz