Approved 10-23-03

Thursday
October 9, 2003
2:00 p.m.
MA 211K

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESENT
Tony Allred, Michelle Heward, Sue Harley, Becky Johns, Diane Kawamura, Wade Kotter, Diane Krantz, Kathleen Lukken, Laura MacLeod, Ann Millner, Molly Smith, Kay Brown - Secretary

MINUTES 
Becky Johns: Moved to approve the minutes from the September 25, 2003 meeting.
Second: Kathleen Lukken
Outcome: The minutes were approved.

ONLINE AD HOC CMTE 
Cheryl Hansen, Chair of the Online and Distance Learning Ad Hoc Committee reporting - The Executive Committee reviewed and discussed the Standards for Good Practice & Review of Online/Hybrid Courses. This document reflects the work of the Online and Distance Learning Ad Hoc Committee. The E-Learning Team is continuing to work on the Standards for Good Practice & Review of Online/Hybrid Courses. The process outlined in this document for course review is taken from the recommendation of the Online & Distance Learning Ad Hoc Committee document that was presented to the Faculty Senate and approved at the April 24, 2003 meeting. This review process will be used Fall semester 2003 on a trial basis with faculty teaching in Web CT.

The Executive Committee questioned if there were duplicating efforts between the Online & Distance Learning Ad Hoc Committee, the Web CT Steering Committee and the E-Learning Management Committee. Kathleen Lukken assured the Executive Committee that these three groups have not been duplicating work, but have been building upon the efforts of each committee.

Members of the Online & Distance Learning Ad Hoc Committee have discussed the sunset clause on the course evaluation. In the April 24, 2003 Faculty Senate meeting a sunset clause was added to the motion approving the course evaluation process. This is the evaluation of the course by the students. The sunset clause stated that "the course evaluation process expires one year from now (April 2004). Cheryl Hansen requested that the course review process be revisited by the Faculty Senate at the April 2004 meeting.

The Executive Committee expressed their thanks to Cheryl and the committee members for the work they accomplished. The work they have started will continue as other groups continue to build on the foundation they have set.

CGE 
Curriculum and General Education Committee – Rob Reynolds, Chair

GEOGRAPHY 
Program changes from geography. Ethnic Studies and European Studies are added as new emphases. Two new geography courses, Arid Lands - Geogr 3080 and Arctic and Alpine Environments - Geogr 3090 are added to the selection of courses for student to choose from. The Environmental Studies concentration has added to its selection of courses Plant Geography Botany 3473, Marine Biology, Botany 3523, and Quaternary Environmental Change - Geosc 3210. It is also proposed that the department’s regular major be accepted as the equivalent of the geography teaching major. No change in credit hours for the geography program.

Suggestions were made to rewrite the justification for the changes to the geography program.

HISTORY 
Course proposal from History for Teaching Social Studies in Grades 5-12 - Educ 4500.This course has been taught through the Education Department. It is a required methods course for those seeking secondary licensure. At the request of the Education Department, the course is now seeking approval to be housed in the History Department. Their request also includes making the course a 3 credit hour course instead of the current 2 credit hours. Content and depth of course requires more instruction time.

From History, a new course proposal for Investigating History - Hist 3000, a course deletion for The Nature of History - Hist 2000, and a program change

In compliance with the State Board of Regents Articulation Project, the History Department is eliminating the Nature of History - Hist 2000 course.

MOTION 
Becky Johns: Moved to forward to the Faculty Senate the Geography program changes, the History course proposals for Teaching Social Studies in Grades 5-12 - Educ 4500 (changing to Hist 4500 and changing credit hours from 2 to 3), Investigating History - Hist 3000, the course deletion for Nature of History - Hist 2000, and the program changes for History. The History courses and program changes are contingent upon authorization from the Teacher Education Department stating that these changes do not need to be reviewed by the University Council on Teacher Education. If they need to be reviewed by the University Council on Teacher Education, they will come before the Faculty Senate in November.
Second: Wade Kotter
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

PREFIX CHANGES 
Rob Reynolds asked the Executive Committee if they felt a course moving from one college to another college was a substantive change that needed review at all levels (department, college, University Curriculum & General Education Committee, Executive Committee, Faculty Senate). The course title, number, and content would not change, just a change in the prefix, i.e. Educ to Hist. It was suggested that this be discussed with members of the Curriculum & General Education Committee. Rob Reynolds, Chair of the Curriculum & General Education Committee could then come back to the Executive Committee with the recommendation of the committee.

UCFSL 
Gary Dohrer presented a request from the Utah Council of Faculty Senate Leaders asking for WSU Faculty Senate support of their request to the Governor and Utah State Legislature regarding funding priorities. The two top funding priorities are funding for enrollment growth and compensation.

MOTION 
Becky Johns: Moved to forward to the Faculty Senate the letter of support for the funding priorities stated above.
Second: Diane Krantz
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

TLA 
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Mission Statement:

"The Committee on Teaching, Learning and Assessment shall endeavors to enhance the learning environment at Weber State University. When the opportunity and need arise, and as charged by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, the Committee It shall study, evaluate, and make studies, evaluates, and makes recommendations on issues affecting the teaching environment and the assessment of student learning at Weber State University. It shall also advises the Chair of the Committee (who directs the Teaching and Learning Forum) and coordinate the activities of the Forum for Teaching and Learning and supports the faculty development activities of the Teaching and Learning Forum."

PPM 1-13 ARTICLE B-XIII. AMENDMENTS states: "These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Faculty Senate present and eligible to vote at a regular Senate meeting, but a proposal to amend the Bylaws may not be voted upon at the meeting at which it is first moved."

MOTION 
Becky Johns: Moved to forward to the Faculty Senate the proposed changes to the TLA Mission Statement for the first reading.
Second: Diane Krantz
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

TLA CHAIR POSITION 
Kathy Herndon’s second term as Chair of the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee and Director of the Teaching and Learning Forum will expire at the end of the 2003-2004 academic year. As departments will soon begin to draft course assignments and schedules for Fall Semester 2004, the Executive Committee felt it was important to send the position announcement out in the next few days with a deadline date for faculty to apply by November 10, 2003. Applications will be sent to the Faculty Senate Office.

MOTION 
Diane Krantz: Moved to have the TLA position application sent to all faculty in the next few days with the deadline date for applicants November 10, 2003.
Second: Becky Johns
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURN 
The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.