Thursday

Thursday
February 4, 2010
SS 343
2:00 p.m.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Approval of the minutes from the January 14, 2010 meeting

2. Environmental Issues Committee – Hal Crimmel, Chair

3. BA/BS Degrees – Laine Berghout

4. Faculty Governance Award

5. Online Ballot for 2010-11 Executive Committee Members – Ron Jensen, Stephen Guzzetti

6. Other Items

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Approved 2-11-10

Thursday
February 4, 2010
MA 211K
2:00 p.m.

AGENDA SETTING

PRESENT
Laine Berghout, David Ferro, Colleen Garside, Azenett Garza, Doris Geide-Stevenson, Ed Hahn, Sue Harley, Peggy Saunders, Kathleen Sitzman, Mike Vaughan – Kay Brown, Secretary

EXCUSED
Ann Millner

MINUTES
Colleen Garside: Moved to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2010 meeting.
Second: Kathleen Sitzman
Outcome: The minutes were approved.

BS/BA
The modified language to the BA/BS proposal is highlighted below. The document with the new language was approved by the Curriculum Committee.

We further propose that the SI requirement be removed and that it be replaced by substantial emphasis on experimental, analytical, or statistical methods in required lower and upper division coursework within the major program of study leading to a BS degree. This coursework must emphasize analysis of data, application of evidence based investigation, formulation and testing of predictive models through fieldwork or laboratory inquiry, or must address quantitative methods at a level that requires quantitative literacy. Majors leading to a BS degree will require a minimum of twelve semester-hours of coursework meeting these requirements, at least half of which must be at the upper-division level. By defining this coursework as part of the major, it is expected that the coursework will specifically complement and strengthen the major field of study and thus be of greater benefit to the student pursuing a BS degree. Departments have the option to specify coursework satisfying both the major requirements and general education requirements.

In implementing these changes, each department should review its major programs and determine, based on the above criteria, which degree is more appropriate for that major. The department should consider the most common degree awarded in the major across the state or the nation. If there is a common degree awarded in the major across the state or nation, and the department is content awarding this degree then the department should propose that the common degree be awarded and no additional justification is necessary. If a department wishes to award a BS related to a major that more commonly receives a BA across the state or the nation and coursework fitting the description in the previous paragraph can be identified in the current major requirements, then the department should propose that the BS degree be awarded and no additional justification is necessary. If a department wishes to award a BS related to a major that more commonly receives a BA across the state or the nation and coursework fitting the description in the previous paragraph cannot be identified in the current major requirements, then the department should consider ways to include coursework, either from within or outside the department, that will address the BS coursework requirements, and make the corresponding changes to the major requirements. If a department wishes to offer a major leading to a BS and a similar major leading to a BA, then each degree track must be designed to emphasize the corresponding degree requirements and should allow for fulfillment of the degree requirements without introducing a significant credit-hour difference between the tracks. A department's determination to assign BS or BA degrees to major programs will be reviewed by Faculty Senate.

Discussion

What does it mean "If there is a common degree and the department is content awarding that degree then no additional justification is necessary?" If the coursework in the degree emphasizes "analysis of data, application of evidence based investigation, formulation and testing of predictive models through fieldwork or laboratory inquiry, or must address quantitative methods at a level that requires quantitative literacy" then no additional coursework is required.
Bullets could be added to the document to break up the last paragraph and make it clearer.
Who determines efficacy of course requirements? Faculty Senate needs to decide the process.
There should not be a significant credit hour difference between the BA and BS degrees. Departments could specify the language or the literature courses for the major or they could choose not to specify those courses.
It was felt that out of roughly 100 programs on campus there will only be around 10 that would have concerns.
All BA degrees require 12 hours of a language or 6 hours of language and 6 hours of language arts courses.
Departments would need to bring forward evidence of the common degree.
Department have some latitude.
The document has been approved by the Curriculum Committee fulfilling their charge.
Process? Create a check list; put together a small team to address those programs that need clarification; subcommittee of the Senate. The check list could be brought to the Senate.
An ad hoc committee could be formed with representation from the Chairs of the College Curriculum Committees. This would give a good communication channel.
The BA/BS proposal could go to Dean’s Council on February 17. The Deans could be asked to come back in two weeks with regard to intent for their programs (which programs will choose a BA degree and which program will choose a BS degree).
The BA/BS proposal can go to the Senate in March as a discussion item.
Laine Berghout will draft a flow chart.
The Education Department is not in favor of pursuing this at this time and voted to table the proposal.

FACULTY GOVERNANCE AWARD
The announcement for nominations for the Faculty Governance Award was discussed. Changes to the announcement were proposed. The document will be sent to faculty next week with a February 25 deadline for nominations.

MOTION
Mike Vaughan: Moved to approve the revised wording to the announcement for nominations for the Faculty Governance Award.
Second: Colleen Garside
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

ONLINE BALLOT
The Executive Committee moved to the computer lab to test the newly developed online ballot that faculty will use to vote for 2010-11 Executive Committee members.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Environmental Issues Committee – Hal Crimmel, Chair

Idle Reduction

Air pollution along the Wasatch Front.
Exposure to air pollution is equivalent to exposure to secondhand smoke There is a direct collation that shows up in pregnant women who live a few blocks to a freeway to have children that have developmental problems, both mental, and psychological, and a tendency for pediatric asthma.
The markers that show up in people who smoke also show up in people who are exposed to pollution in the air.
There is a non-binding resolution before the Legislature to have Utah be an "idle free state."
There is precedent for a no idle policy on campus as there is a no idle policy for delivery trucks.
David Ferro will discuss this issue with the Utah Council of Faculty Senate Leaders meeting in St. George next week. He will also discuss this issue with President Millner.
There are currently 3 or 4 classes for sustainability in the MBA program.
Would the Senate support an ad hoc committee to look at sustainability issues?

Sustainability Curriculum

Weber State needs to think about getting sustainability issues into curriculum. Could this be incorporated into the Gen Ed requirements? Grants are available for education to address sustainability across the curriculum.

Students need to be exposed to the science behind global warming.
Sustainability across the curriculum could be a charge for next year.
The University of Utah has a Sustainability Curriculum Development Committee.
Colorado State has announced a new school of Global Environmental Sustainability.
The University of Nevada Reno has a sustainability committee.
University of Montana is beginning to infuse issues of ecological, social and economic sustainability into courses across their curriculum.

MOTION
Azenett Garza: Moved to have the Environmental Issues Committee investigate sustainability across the curriculum and report to the Faculty Senate in March.
Second: Doris Geide-Stevenson
Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

Possible members for an ad hoc committee: Cliff Nowell, Therese Grajilva, Ann Bialowas.

ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.