Foundational Studies Council 2012-13
Minutes of 1/14/13
Members Present: Leslie Barratt (NNL), Linda Behrendt (H & W), Herschel Chait (At-Large
SCOB), Cindy Crowder (At-Large COT), Chris Fischer (HIST), Brian Kilp (FPA), Rolland
McGiverin (At-Large LIB), Kit Murphy (LAB SCI), Rob Perrin (LIT & COMP), Linda Sperry
(GPCD)
Members Absent: Darlene Hantzis (COMM), Ralph Oberste-Vorth (QLIT & MATH), JaDora
Sailes (SBS),
Ex-Officio Members Present: Jerry Boyd (CAS), Liz Brown (CAS), Denise Collins (BCOE),
Melissa Froderman (COT), Stacy Hoag (ORR), Linda Maule (Coordinator), Yasenka Peterson
(NHHS)
Ex-Officio Members Absent: Susan Powers (AA)
The meeting was called to order at 2:50 pm.
I.
Approval of the Minutes of 12-3-12 with changes (Barratt, Maule)—(10, 0, 0)
II.
Coordinator’s Report
A. The proposal for AA, AS, AAS block credit was approved by CAAC. Specific
prerequisites still apply for particular courses, such as ENG 305 or ENG 305T. A
large number of students in the College of Technology are affected positively by this
policy.
B. The generic LLL 101 and 102 courses have been discussed at CAAC and will be
voted on at the meeting on 1/15/13.
C. The proposal CNST 101 will be reworked as an ESR course.
D. One of the Category 2 UDIE courses will be removed from the array. If any student
is graduating in May and in this particular course, this requirement will be waived.
III.
Chair's Report
A. The plan is to meet on Jan 28 and every other week thereafter.
B. For persons moving off of FSC, we will begin looking for their replacements. Terms
for the persons representing the following Ways of Knowing expire this year, but
there are no term limits. Interested persons may remain on the Council.
Representatives for Composition, Fine and Performing Arts, Global Perspectives and
Cultural Diversity, Health and Wellness, Literary Studies, Quantitative Literacy, and
Science need to notify Chris Fischer of their interest in continuing.
IV.
Old Business
A.
Science and Lab Requirement
If a student switches away from a major or a minor within which the student
attempted two non FS-designated lab courses to a major or minor that does not
require science courses, and if the student was successful with one of those courses,
the new advisor can petition the FS Coordinator that the one passed course will
suffice for the Laboratory Science requirement.
Discussion centered around the following issues:
Issue 1: Why not just change the Laboratory Science requirement to one science and
laboratory course?
Response: This issue rests on a balance between principles and pragmatism.
Issue 2: We need more effective advising of students into appropriate majors.
Response: We will eventually develop capacity for more effective major advising.
Issue 3: Are transfer students eligible for this benefit?
Response: Transfer students already get credit for one science lab, so this policy does
not benefit them directly.
Issue 4: Will the instructions for this policy be written into DARS?
Response: Advisors will be notified by the FS Coordinator, but it does not seem wise
to write this policy into DARS. Furthermore, DARS is being replaced by Degree
Works.
Issue 5: Perhaps the instructions could be written into the new electronic change of
major form.
Response: Not all colleges are using this electronic change of major form yet. It is
best to leave the dissemination of this policy in the hands of the FS Coordinator.
Motion (Fischer, Barratt): Direct the FS Coordinator to inform associate deans,
academic coordinators, and academic advisors about the new rule for Laboratory
Science category. Motion passed (10, 0, 0).
B. By-Law Changes
The Provost has recommended to the Trustees the plan for the University College.
He officially pointed out the importance of the role of the Foundational Studies
Council, the degree to which the University College needs a dedicated faculty body,
and recommended that debate occur within faculty governance regarding workload.
The workload issues at stake include assigning FSC the additional UC duties vis a
vis empowering another faculty committee to serve as the UC advisory council.
Issue: With the move of the FS Coordinator role to the UC Dean, the faculty chair of
FSC needs a half-time fellowship.
C. International students will need distance courses in summer.
D. Brian Kilp asked for a show of hands of the individuals assigned to the Faculty
Development subcommittee.
E. Linda Maule announced that several new course proposals were in the pipeline.
The meeting adjourned at 3:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Sperry,
FSC Secretary 2012-13