Academic
Affairs Committee (AAC) Meeting HUM 120
Present: Lisa Chase, Jim Dembowski, Wilma Feliciano, Glenn Geher (Chair), Yoav Kaddar, Cindy McCormack, Debra Miller, Matthew Schwartz (Student Representative), Robin Smith, Chih-Yang Tsai, Greg Wirszyla.
The meeting began at 11:35 AM. The minutes were approved as amended.
Announcements: The Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Symposium will take place on May 2, 2002 at the Terrace Restaurant; students will present independent research projects.
Calendar:
· Glenn Geher reported on his presentation to the Academic Senate (AS) on March 7, 2003. The Senate approved the three following proposals brought forth by the AAC:
- to eliminate of Basic Algebra as a graduation requirement;
- to extend the S/U Grading Option to students on Academic Probation;
- to require students to adhere to GE program requirements at the time of matriculation
· The presentation of the Fall 2004 Academic Calendar resulted in much discussion of the inclusion or not of religious holidays; the AS rejected the Calendar proposed by the AAC by a vote of 8 to 7.
· History: Previously the President's Cabinet proposed the Calendar and sent it to the AAC, which then voted and forwarded it on to the AS and the full faculty. The process changed during President Bowen's tenure. The AAC proposed the Calendar, forwarded it to the AS for approval and presented it to the faculty.
· Discussion of Calendar: Issues and Principles
- AAC still supports the Calendar presented to the AS because it has the advantages of flexibility, a mid-term break, earlier conclusion to the fall semester, and fewer substitution days. Moreover, the exclusion of religious holidays respects all faiths without favoring some over others.
- Procedural question arose: Proposals presented by the AAC to and rejected by AS do not advance to the faculty, but not proposing a Calendar not an option. The full faculty has never voted on the Calendar. Glenn Geher will confer with Barbara Hardgrave to determine if he can bring the Calendar issue to the faculty at the next meeting, March 14, 2003.
- Motion seconded and passed: That the Chair report to the faculty on the three proposals passed, inform them of the F04 Calendar approved in AAC and rejected in the AS, and of the AAC's intention to present an alternate AY 03-04 Calendar that includes the four religious holidays traditionally observed (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Good Friday). The faculty can choose between the two calendars at the April 25, 2003 meeting.
Debra Miller distributed alternative 04-05 Calendars that include religious holidays.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2003 in HUM 120 to discuss the Spring 05 Calendar. The Chair asked Debra Miller to move all subsequent AAC meetings to HUM 120. The meeting ended at 12:30 PM.
Secretary pro temp.