Minutes of the Educational Policy Committee January 24, 2007
Approved 2-7-07
Educational Policy Committee
January 24, 2007 (Meeting #6)
Present: Katie Best, Judy Bromen, Ashley Brown, Robert Carlson, Richard Davis, Bill Fleischman, Steve Hedman, John Hiller, Jill Jenson, Rod Lievano, Vince Magnuson, Mary Ann Marchel, Robert McFarland, Mary Jean Menzel, Elizabeth Nelson, Richard Seybolt, Terrie Shannon
Excused: Gloria Brush, Jannifer David, Rudy Perrault
The minutes of the 12-13-06 meeting were approved.
EPC subcommittees
At the beginning of the semester it was recommended that EPC initiate a systematic review of the charge and membership of its standing subcommittees. In relation to this, it was recently suggested that this group review the current status of each of its subcommittees to evaluate if the needs for which these subcommittees were formed are being met. Some EPC subcommittees are standing committees with ongoing work, such as the Liberal Education subcommittee, the Admissions, Retention and Graduation subcommittee and the Information Technology and Library subcommittee. Other subcommittees were formed as task-based committees, charged with a specific project. The Academic Integrity subcommittee was originally formed with the charge of drafting an Academic Integrity policy, which was completed and implemented in 2005. This subcommittee has remained in existence since that time to review the implementation and effectiveness of the policy. Beyond this, a continuing role for this subcommittee was unclear. Considering that there is an Academic Integrity Officer to handle ongoing issues that may arise, it was questioned whether this subcommittee was still necessary. The Academic Integrity subcommittee was asked to discuss this issue and to make a recommendation back to EPC.
Significant changes have happened in international education since the EPC subcommittee on International Education was first formed. A full time director was hired last year and the reporting line for this office has been moved from CLA to Academic Administration. Concerns were raised over how faculty participation would guide the efforts of the International Education office without an advisory board. With the increasing focus on international education the work of this office is more important than ever before. It was clarified that the question here is not so much whether or not International Education should have an advisory committee, but rather, what is the role of this subcommittee in relation to EPC? The International Education subcommittee was asked to discuss this issue and to make a recommendation back to EPC. A decision on the status of these subcommittees will be tabled until later in the semester.
Instructional Development Services Advisory Board was initially under the purview of EPC governance when it was housed in Academic Administration. It is now housed in the College of Education and Human Service Professions. Moving this advisory committee out of EPC governance and creating a smaller, less wieldy board would provide IDS the opportunity to get the feedback that they need. A motion was made and seconded to remove the IDS Advisory Board from under EPC governance. A vote was taken and the motion was approved. Academic Administration will work with IDS to appoint a new Advisory Board with a representative from each collegiate unit and a student rep. This board will be asked to submit an annual report to EPC.
Liberal education
The Liberal Education Task Force has been invited to the next EPC meeting for a general discussion of UMD’s liberal education program, present and future. In the spring of 2005 a survey was sent to UMD faculty regarding liberal education and the results of this survey were sent with the agenda for review. Suggestions for improvement varied widely, but included streamlining the process, offering more flexibility within the lib ed program, and having smaller class sizes for lib ed courses. It was suggested that issues of class size also be considered in relation to enrollment. In addition to these data, extensive student surveys have also been conducted and are being reviewed by the task force. Members of the task force have been charged with collecting information from their college faculty to bring back to the task force for discussion and review. The discussion at our next meeting is an opportunity to present feedback to the task force. Members were asked to raise this issue with their constituents and come prepared for continued discussion at our next meeting.
Meeting adjourned 3:55 p.m.