2008-01-14 SENATE
From Library
Contents |
Senate Chair Report
Patrick talked about the Board of Trustees December meeting. He discussed
- Progress on Graduate Programs
- Revitalize WSC mission to student by first focusing on Student's writing ability.
- Charge to FPAC on student perceptions of faculty and problems with current faculty/student evaluation process
Faculty Trustee Report
There will be changes to the Board of Trustees over the next couple of years as new BOT members replace present BOT members. One reason is to create a balance between Democrats and Republicans on the board to comply with law.
Old Business
Development of the graduate program
We received drafts Graduate Studies Policies, and Internal Procedures and Forms drafts. Some general discussion of WSC graduate programs included what is the minimum number of students for a graduate program. John Sowell said that per Colorado Higher Education requirements, a program must graduate 10 students per three years but WSC does have 5 exemptions that can be used. Also discussed was funding of graduate programs and how that would impact departments. At the minimum credit hours, a new faculty member will be needed per program but burden of paying and organization of graduate program will be up to the department. Senate will review documentation in greater detail at next meeting.
Student Writing
Assessment committee does not want to do any more surveys but focus on direct data by looking through each program assessment report. Ask faculty directly instead of survey, each senator will go back to his/her department for writing ability impressions of both 1st year students and upper-level undergraduates.
New Business
Curriculum proposals were discussed but vote will be next Senate meeting. Objections were raised about English 099 proposal which went back to issues discussed regarding student writing. Some senators want a more formal developmental program for at-risk students. Some statistics about WSC 099 program:
- 20.4% of incoming students require English 099
- 32.2% of incoming students require Math 099
- 40.4% of incoming students require either English or Math 099
- 14.9% of incoming students require both
