CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Room C243
Attendees: Rick Bennett, Ann Branchini, James Copeland, Jeff Crouch, David Ferreira, Ellen Freeman, Christine Hammond, Mildred Hodge, Brian Kennedy,
Christine Languth, George Rezendes, George Volkov, Kacey McCarthy-Zaremba, Carole Lee (Recorder)
Guests: Diba Khan-Bureau; Karin Edwards; Peter Patsouris (for S. Jeknavorian)
Fall Enrollment Discussion
Dean Edwards was invited to speak to the Curriculum Committee to garner their thoughts/ideas regarding a mandate to cap fall enrollments due to expected budget deficits. Dean Edwards explained that we are not able to sustain the growth we’ve attained within the last few years and stay within the budget allocations. We certainly don’t want to shut anyone out from enrolling, but need to cut enrollment somehow. As of last week, 700 students have already applied for the Fall semester. A list of suggestions were provided for consideration.
Dean Edwards suggested we look at FTE instead of headcount. Some suggestions from the Department Chairs were shared: Jeff Crouch suggested better representation of the student body is FTE with priority given to graduating and continuing students. Rick Bennett suggested that we bring in students most likely to succeed; Peter Patsouris also agreed that we should focus on students who will succeed. Dean Branchini suggested that we exhibit caution in saying what students will or will not succeed.
Christine Hammond stated that we shouldn’t eliminate/cap the transfer and non-degree students; perhaps we could establish a percentage. Jeff Crouch noted that perhaps non-degree students can be deemed low priority and registered on a seat availability basis toward the end of the registration period. Christine Languth reported that there are 391 non-degree seeking students currently registered. Dave Ferreira noted that we should do some sort of outreach to continuing students who might wait to register for financial or other reasons.
Dean Edwards stated that we need to cut approximately 340 students. Kacey McCarthy-Zaremba asked if it would help to increase the caps on existing sections. Dean Branchini responded that it may be helpful to decrease online offerings rather than on ground offerings. Dave F. asked how many students we regain after they have been on academic suspension. There was no data available for that, but it was suggested that perhaps we could be more rigid about the appeal procedure suggesting that the students sit out a full semester before being allowed to return.
Dean Branchini asked the Department Chairs to share this information with their members and explain to them what is happening as this will affect the whole college. Ann was asked if there were a plan for an increase in tuition costs as this may have an effect on the number of students coming in. BOT is looking into it as a possibility. Christine L. noted that approximately 47% of students return the following semester.
Dean Edwards acknowledged that area high school Guidance Counselors met here at TRCC recently and have been informed about what is going on. As soon as a decision is made, a Press Release will be sent out. There is a genuine concern for those who want to register but may not have the funds available at this time. George Rezendes stated that the decision needs to be data driven and perhaps we could be more restrictive in April rather than in August if the numbers aren’t where they should be.
Dean Edwards stressed that we don’t have the rest of the semester to ponder this; it needs to be resolved relatively quickly; more like within the next couple of weeks. Please discuss with other faculty and get back to her as soon as possible.
Acceptance of Minutes
Motion made and seconded to accept minutes of previous meeting (Hammond/Freeman) with wording changes to Environmental Engineering Technology to read: A change required to proposal to include Technical Elective. Also more information to be included under Academic Calendar to clarify that draft calendar is for the 3-5 week module classes. Kacey appealed to Dept. Chairs for more courses to be offered during this time. With these changes noted, the motion was passed and unanimously approved.
1. Curriculum
Ø New Course Proposals
CST K153 – Web Development and Design I (Online) – Proposed to be taught online by Allan Anderson effective Summer 2011.
Moved and seconded (Copeland/Kennedy) to approve proposal; unanimously approved.
CJS 298 – Special Topic: Introduction to Victimology (Information Only) – This course can be used by a CJ major as a CJ elective and for non-majors as a general elective. Proposed date of implementation is Fall 2011 semester.
ART 167 – Printmaking - This course is an introduction to the materials, design, and techniques of monotype, monoprint, and relief printing. This course can fulfill one of the two art electives that are part of the Visual Fine Arts degree. It can also be used as a fine arts elective on those degrees that require on e with the exception of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It is proposed to be offered beginning Summer 2011 and subsequent summers only.
Motion made and seconded (Hammond/Copeland) to approve this course proposal; unanimously approved.
PHL K112* – Medical Ethics – Question raised about pre-requisite being contradictory, will be corrected to be consistent. Proposed date of implementation of this course will be Fall 2011 semester.
Motion made and seconded to approve (Hammond/Ferreira) with noted correction to pre-requisite; unanimously approved.
New Degree/Certificate Proposals
Ø Women’s Studies Certificate Program Jeff Crouch presented this proposal for Sandra Jeknavorian in her absence. Question was raised regarding courses required…why was ENG 101 not included in required courses, but ENG 102 is with ENG 101 as a pre-requisite. Other language in proposal needs to be changed (program coordinator rather than curriculum leader). Suggested it be returned to Sandra to tweak language.
Dean Branchini stated that she is trying to limit the meetings and having to resend proposals to the Board for approval. Asked Department Chairs to “tighten up” approval processes before it comes to Curriculum. Kacey and Carole are working to help expedite this process as it tends to get bogged down; a copy of various approval processes (degree, certificate, etc.) were distributed to assist in preparing “Board ready” proposals.
Program/Catalog/Course Changes
ANT 207 – Traditions, Anthropology, Folk Culture – COURSE DELETION (Information Only)
ENG 276 – History Through Literature – COURSE DELETION (Information Only)
HIS 252 – History Through Literature – COURSE DELETION (Information Only)
MAT 253 – Math for Technologies – Proposed for deletion TABLED
Early Childhood Education Degree Program – Addition of IDS 105 FYE course - Approved
Environmental Engineering Technology – Humanities and Social Sciences electives added to program; Technology elective deleted as it is not required due to number of technology courses already in program. Other proposed changes as previously noted.
Motion made and seconded (Copeland/Patsouris) to approve proposed changes; unanimously approved.
Additional Items/Announcements
· NEASC – Dave Ferreira stated that there is a need for public disclosure in our NEASC report, therefore he asked each Department Chair to supply a list of courses and how often they are offered . Kacey noted that 2-year plans should be out on the scheduling website. A request has been made to Institutional Research for a current list of courses. Lists from DCs should be sent to Kacey. DCs were asked to pass along to Curriculum Leaders that if they want adjunct course evaluations, they need to get them from them.
· Dean Branchini stated that she sent out a new list of adjunct seniority and asked that the DCs please double check it for accuracy. If an adjunct has not taught in three semesters, they need to come off the list. If an adjunct has received an unsatisfactory evaluation, they need to come off the list as well. Please acknowledge that you have read the list and return the updated list to Dean Branchini.
· Christine Languth reported that the Registrar’s Office is retaining wait lists for CHE !!!, BIO 121 and BIO 211. Registration begins on Monday, April 4th. No more changes to degree programs are being accepted.
There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Next Curriculum Committee meeting scheduled for May 6, 2011.