Faculty Senate Minutes October 7, 2004

SENATORS: Chad Grabow, Gayla Jo Slauson, Jill Cordova, Tom Acker, Ellie Baldwin, Larry Madsen, Barbara Borst, Tim Casey, Gary Looft (for Bill McCracken), Tony Schountz, Phil Kavanagh, Rich Cowden, Cindy Thomas

MINUTES SECRETARY: Jessica Cowden

GUESTS: Carol Futhey, Andrew Breckel, Jared Wright (ASG President), Kristy Reuss

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Curriculum Committee approved the AS in Nursing.

John Sluder announced that IT has brainstormed potential solutions to the problem of broadcast e-mails, which he will present at the next Senate meeting.

An assessment of general education requirements will also be presented at the next Senate meeting.

II. MEETING MINUTES

The motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the Curriculum Committee minutes from August 26th. (Cowden/Thomas)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to receive the Graduate Council minutes from September 14, 2004. (Cowden/Thomas)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the Faculty Senate minutes from September 16, 2004. (Casey/Cowden) One amendment was made to the date of the next Board of Trustees meeting, which is to be held on October 21, 2004. The motion was then made, seconded and passed to approve the Faculty Senate minutes from September 16, 2004 as amended. (Casey/Thomas)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the Curriculum Committee minutes from September 23, 2004. (Thomas/Grabow) Gary Looft reviewed the highlights of the minutes from the September 23, 2004 meeting including discussion about the AS in Nursing, HPW course modifications being made for accreditation purposes, and program deletions in Engineering and Physical Science due to resources and low enrollment. The motion was then made, seconded and passed to approve the Curriculum Committee minutes from September 23, 2004. (Thomas/Cowden)

The motion was made, seconded and passed to move the next Faculty Senate meeting from October 21, 2004 to October 28, 2004. (Cowden/Thomas)

III. ESTABLISHING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR INSTRUCTORS

Kavanagh began the discussion on the issue of lowered minimum instructor qualifications by outlining the basic concerns including those for maintaining standards and academic reputation. He suggested that appropriate instructor qualifications be established within each individual department especially for courses to be taught off-campus.

Carol Futhey gave some background information about off-campus education including a program whereby CNCC has been offering concurrent college courses to high school students in the Delta/Hotchkiss area so that they are able to graduate with both a high school diploma and an AA. The minimum qualifications for the instructors have not been very high, thus resulting in ill-prepared students who are unable to perform at a level consistent with their peers in upper level college courses. Andy Breckel pointed out that part of CNCC's success with this program, which now makes up 1/3 of their total FTEs, has been as a result of the lack of concurrent educational opportunities offered by Mesa State College. This is why MSC is in the process of developing a menu of general education classes that could potentially be offered for concurrent enrollment. And, as Breckel pointed out, many of these smaller schools are too far from higher education facilities and aren't able to offer Advanced Placement courses, so concurrent coursework may represent the only opportunity to earn college credit while attending high school.

Futhey assured the Senate that MSC is considering a narrow range of offerings for concurrent enrollment and that only qualified personnel would be allowed to teach the courses. Possible options include beaming classes to these smaller schools from on-campus.

Cowden expressed how imperative it is that the faculty be involved and work together with the administration to develop a matrix for offering and insuring quality instruction of off-campus courses especially in the realm of concurrent education. Futhey suggested that she and President Foster attend a future Senate meeting to discuss in greater detail the definition of being a "Regional Education Provider." Kavanagh suggested that prior to that meeting, Senate members should discuss these issues within their departments.

IV. ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF OFF-CAMPUS COURSES
V. INTERNET DELIVERED COURSES

Kavanagh informed the Senate that it had recently come to his attention that some off-campus courses were being offered through MSC with little or no supervision. This is inconsistent with on-campus requirements especially for first-year instructors, which include submitting a syllabus and final exam for approval in addition to in-class observations by Department Heads.

Cowden pointed out that agenda items III, IV and V are all part of the same issue, which is what is best for the students in terms of off-campus educational opportunities that will still allow MSC to maintain standards of quality, retention, and graduation. It was suggested that these items be broached at a future meeting after they have been discussed within the departments and once more information has been obtained about the Advanced Placement program.

The Senate asked that Kavanagh request a copy of the audit and budget from the administration.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jessica Cowden
Minutes Secretary