Academic
Affairs Committee (AAC) Meeting HUM 120
Present: David Blankenship, Lisa Chase, Ben Endres, Wilma Feliciano, Glenn Geher
(Chair), Russell Hilliard, Yoav Kaddar, Jason Larsen, Debra Miller, Chih-Yang
Tsai, Greg Wirszyla, Mohammad Zunoubi.
The meeting began at 11:35 AM. The minutes were approved without changes.
Announcements:
· Glenn Geher distributed binders compiled by Kelli Parmeli with background information and models related to student evaluation of instruction at other colleges, and asked that the committee look over the material.
· Greg Wirszyla, the Chair of the SEI Ad-Hoc Committee, will contact the chairs of several other governance bodies and the Dean of Engineering and Physical Sciences to suggest representatives to the SEI Committee.
Discussion of Faculty Meeting February 13, 2004 to determine calendar for three years:
· Glenn Geher reported the inability to compare and contrast the "secular" and "traditional" calendars because the discussion focused only on the philosophy and mechanics of the calendar (start/end dates, make-up days, etc). After a lengthy discussion, nothing was resolved because there was not the necessary quorum to put the issue to a faculty vote.
· Options discussed at AA meeting: Have an email or "hard-mail" vote (faculty must agree to process). Request another special faculty meeting to discuss principle issues Discuss them on BlackBoard prior to meeting and vote, and emphasize accommodations to individual cases whenever possible. Affirm that AA voted for "secular" calendar during prior year but did not indicate a preference either way during the current academic year.
· AA must provide summary of effects of holidays on schedule, such as substitution days, fragmented semesters, difficulty of timing spring/fall breaks (best if just after mid-point); end of summer session affects beginning of fall term, etc. We must also clarify the issue of "[non-] obligatory holidays" and how many instructors/students are affected; if large critical mass, major impact; must elicit student perspective.
· Regardless of calendar adopted, AA will recommend that we include a "Diversity Calendar" as an educational tool to acknowledge other cultures and religions represented on campus. AA will invite John Agnelli, Associate Director of College Activities, a representative from the Student Association, and one from the Center for Peace and Social Justice to confer with AA on diversity calendar.
The meeting ended at 12:30 PM.
Secretary pro temp.