USF Undergraduate Council - Minutes of November 26, 2007

Present: Bradley Kamp, Dell DeChant, Sherman Dorn, Michael LeVan, Sunita Lodwig, Dewey Rundus, Larry Thompson.

Absent: Sharon Geiger

Guests: Dave Armitage, Kay Perrin, Felix Wao

The meeting was called to order at 3:01 p.m.

1. The minutes of October 22, 2007 were approved with amendments.

2. Announcements/Discussions

   • Consent Agenda - Nonsubstantive Changes
     • ENG 3443 - APPROVED
     • GLY 3311C - APPROVED
     • ISM 3232 - APPROVED
     • ISM 4141 - APPROVED
     • ISM 4212 - APPROVED
     • ISM 4220 - APPROVED
     • ISM 4233 - APPROVED
     • ISM 4234 - APPROVED
     • ISM 4300 - APPROVED
     • ISM 4480 - APPROVED
     • LIN 2000 - APPROVED

   • Discussion of Policy Reviews

     The UGC members discussed procedural issues and policy procedures. Among procedural issues tracking of courses which are ready for approval were discussed. The members suggested simplifying the process of tracking courses. The members also suggested a format for substantive changes in degree programs. The members also discussed policy procedures and identified undergraduate academic related policies. The related policies included:

     
     
     1. Class Scheduling
     2. On-campus Living requirement
     3. Overlap of St. Petersburg catalog and review.
     4. Regional campus academic responsibility.
     5. Approval of academic programs that exist outside of academic departments.
     6. +/- grading system
     7. Adjunct faculty/tenure issues
     8. Super FCAT
     9. Class size issues, summer offerings
     10. Distance learning courses and their capacities (suggested by Dr. Dell DeChant). This has assumed importance as more number of students are enrolling in distance learning courses.

         It was announced that UGC has been asked to be involved in these policy issues though it's an advisory group. The Council will focus on policies 4, 5 and 10 for further discussion and reviewing processes.

3. New course/curriculum proposals

   • BSAS - Concentration in Information Technology - APPROVED
     The BSAS degree is designed to serve Florida's A.S. graduates who desire a bachelor's degree for self-enrichment, advancement in their current career or to qualify for higher-level employment in other settings. A.S. graduates looking for a flexible Bachelor's degree program will find the BSAS degree recognizes the value of academic work already completed, and requires only 60 additional credit hours beyond the A.S. degree. The Concentration in Information Technology has been designed to bridge the gap between computer science and the business use of computers. Its emphasis is on knowledge-based computer and information technology as well as applications, programming, and networking in an era of rapidly changing technology. This concentration emphasizes flexibility in the construction of a program of study appropriate for each student's goals, and in recognition of the rapidly evolving nature of information technology itself.

   • Philosophy - Change in Major Requirements - APPROVED
     The changes in major requirements were approved by the Undergraduate Council. The changes concerning minimum passing grades requirements and program specific residency requirements were discussed and approved. The minimum passing grade requirement stated that "no grade below C- in any required philosophy course or philosophy elective may count toward the major". The residency requirement stated that "no more than six hours of philosophy electives and three hours of required philosophy coursework taken at institutions other than USF may count toward the major.

   • PHZ 3113 Mathematical Methods in Physics - APPROVED
     The course is designed to develop the basic mathematical skills required in subsequent courses in physics, as well as form the basics for a fundamental understanding of the mathematics needed for the study of physics. Following discussion, this course was approved.

   • Religious Studies - Change in Major Requirements - APPROVED
     The UGC approved the changes in major requirements in Religious Studies. These changes would add greater precision to the curriculum and will bring the requirements of the department closer to the other humanities departments at USF.

The next meeting will be Monday, December 10, 2007. The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

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