USF General Education Council - Minutes of November 20, 2006

Present: Andrew Smith, David Frankel, Ed Kellner, Gladis Kersaint, Hunt Hawkins, Irene Frank, Jane Noll, Joan Morris, John Ferron, John Hodgson, Nancy White, Robert Potter (Chair), Philip Levy, Scott Campbell, Suzanne Perry-Casler

Absent: Gregory Paveza, Sharon Geiger, Terry Sincich

Guests: Diane Williams, Janet Moore, Joseph Moxley, Patricia Maher, Philip Bishop, Theresa Flateby

The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m.

1. The minutes of November 6, 2006 were approved as submitted.

2. Discussion
   • The council discussed creating a spreadsheet that tracks proposal status as away to keep both faculty and council members informed of the progress/disposition of all courses submitted. The council reaffirmed its commitment to incentives and support for departments as ways to increase the number of courses approved. The topics of classroom space allocation (more needed due to multiple breakout sessions) and distribution of student course taking patterns were also discussed.
   • Exit Course Proposal: The council decided to rewrite the exit proposal. The council requested volunteers. Dr. Janet Moore, Dr. David Frankel and Dr. Joan Morris volunteered to review the proposal.
   • First-Year Composition program: A request for recurring funding in the amount of $115,897 was submitted to General Education Council. Discussion was tabled for a future meeting.
   • Meeting on January 22nd, 2007: The council decided to have a meeting on January 22nd, 2007. It was decided to find an alternate room as SVC 2080 will be blocked for the UGC meeting.
   • Extension of Incentive program deadline-----approved.
     The course proposal deadline was extended from December 1st, 2006 to January 5th,2007. The extension of incentive program deadline was approved by all in the council.

3. New course/curriculum proposals

   • EVR 2002 - Environmental Science: Regional and Global Issues ----- missing course (not listed under pending). Check for status.

   • ENC 1101- Composition I (06/23/2006) and ENC 1101- Composition II (10/16/2006) ---------pending.
     The council decided to have a look at the proposal. The council will be unable to provide the amount of funding asked (around USD 400,000) in the original proposal. The council decided to begin by examining a modified proposal and request from English. Dr. David Frankel, Dr. Scott Campbell, Dr. Philip Levy and Dr. Theresa Flateby volunteered to review the course. In the discussion of improving writing the topic of a writing center (suggested in the original general education program) was brought up. A very small program is currently funded by the English department but this could not support the need for writing assistance anticipated by the council. It was suggested in the council meeting that the writing center could be housed in the library which has space and is interested. Members of the committee will be following up on this proposal. The need to generate internal and external funding with some form of user based support for the writing center were discussed.

     New Course

   • THE 4330 - Shakespeare for the Theatre----------------------------- pending.
     Decision to be taken in the next meeting on Dec 4th, 06. The council will discuss the funding requests and will then take a formal decision for approval.

4. Distribution and Assignment of Course Proposals
   • SYD 4411 - Urban Life 11/15/2006

The next meeting will be Monday, December 4, 2006. The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Please send any suggestions or comments to:
Mia Fluitt - webcat@ugs.usf.edu