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TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY The Academic Council met at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 1999, in the Deans' Conference Room of Derryberry Hall with John Harris, Chairperson, presiding. The following members of the Council were present: Dr. Jack Armistead Dr. John Harris Dr. Donald Elkins Dr. Mark Stephens Dr. Rebecca Quattlebaum Dr. Ed Griggs Prof. Rebecca Tolbert Dr. Mary Kornguth Dr. Winston Walden Prof. Ken Hunter Dr. Robert Bell Dr. Gretta Stanger Dr. Ken Purdy Dr. Edward Lisic Mr. Joseph Raymond Dr. Linda Null Mr. Casey Schewe Dr. Orville Crowell Ms. Jennifer Bradley Dr. Brian O'Connor Dr. Jane Reagor Dr. Corinne Darvennes Also attending as resource persons were Paul Bonner, Jeff Gold, Elizabeth Boucher, and John Pigg. The following members of the Council were absent: Ms. Sammie Young Dr. Marvin Barker Mr. Mark Orr Dr. Reed Cripps Dr. Jeffery Roberts Dr. Norman Williams Prof. John Dodson Dr. Harry Smith Dr. Joseph Anderson Prof. Darlene Franklin Dr. Andrzej Gutek SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS
PROCEEDINGS Approval of the Agenda Dr. Quattlebaum MOVED approval of the agenda, and Dr. Stephens SECONDED the motion. The agenda was APPROVED. Approval of the Minutes of the November 4 Meeting Professor Tolbert MOVED to approve the minutes of the November 4 meeting, and Professor Hunter SECONDED the motion. The minutes were APPROVED as distributed.Annual Reports from Committees Reporting to the Academic Council Dr. O'Connor MOVED approval of the annual reports as a group, and Dr. Bell SECONDED the motion. In reviewing the annual reports, it was noted that the Academic Council approved as an exception 127--not 126--as the minimum hours for graduation in the BFA program. The annual reports were APPROVED. Proposal to Reform the Composition of the Academic and Administrative Councils Professor Ken Hunter presented a proposal from the Faculty Senate to reform the composition of the Academic and Administrative Councils. If approved, three changes would occur: (1) all alternates would become full voting members, (2) a quorum would be a simple majority, and (3) all students would be voting members with two of the representatives to be the Vice President and the Treasurer of the SGA. Professor Hunter MOVED approval of proposed changes in the Academic Council Procedures, and Dr. Lisic SECONDED the motion. Professor Hunter noted that the typographical error in the Administrative Council Procedures (Article III, A, 1) should be corrected to read "Library" and not "School of Nursing."It was clarified that if a faculty or student member of the Council cannot be present, that vote would be lost since there is no provision in the Procedures for substitutes for faculty and students. This proposed change would be effective with the 1999-2000 academic year and would be forwarded today to the Administrative Council for approval.The recommendation from the Faculty Senate was APPROVED by a unanimous vote of the Council. University 105 Report In providing background on this informational item, Professor Tolbert said that all first-time freshmen with less than a 3.0 QPA are required to take Univ105 with the objective of developing academic skills and assisting in social and academic adjustment to the University. She then introduced Ms. Elizabeth Boucher, Director of the University 105 program, and Mr. John Pigg, ADP instructor, who distributed information on the impact of University 105 on the retention and academic performance of first-time freshmen. Conclusions from this 3-year study show that Univ105 students are retained to their second year at a higher rate than either the Control group or the entire Freshman cohort and Univ105 students outperform the control group in GPA, earned hours, and quality points at the end of their first semester. Ms. Boucher and Mr. Pigg answered questions and invited Council members to call them for more information about this program.University Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree Dr. Harris clarified that this report was from Corinne Darvennes and not from the subcommittee. Dr. Darvennes said that after the Council tabled this item at a previous meeting, she came up with the proposed wording for No. 2 on page 42 of the July 1998 catalog, as stated in her memorandum of February 18, which was distributed with the agenda for this meeting. Dr. Darvennes said her statement was based on the 120-hour TBR minimum for a baccalaureate degree and the perceived consensus of the Council that programs falling between 120 and 132 hours should be reviewed by the Council for approval. Dr. Harris ruled that it was not necessary to remove the original motion from the table. Gretta Stanger MOVED approval of the proposed new wording for the catalog, and Ken Purdy SECONDED the motion. After considerable discussion about agreement with TBR requirements, control over academic standards and the general education requirement, the effect on funding, and pressure to conform to the requirements of other institutions, Professor Hunter proposed a Friendly Amendment that was accepted by the Mover and Seconder. The motion would then read: It is TBR policy that a minimum of 120 semester hours, including 36 hours of 300 and 400 level approved courses, are required for a baccalaureate degree. However, any program of study falling below 132 hours requires approval by the Academic Council. Professor Tolbert questioned the placement of the statement in the catalog and MOVED TO AMEND to not put it in No. 2 but put it at the end of the section under "University Requirements for a Baccaluareate Degree." The group agreed to give the Office of Academic Affairs editorial discretion as to the placement of the statement in this section of the catalog. Joseph Raymond MOVED APPROVAL of the following SUBSTITUTE MOTION, and Linda Null SECONDED the motion. The motion would keep the original No. 2 and add a second sentence. The substitute motion would state that: A minimum of 132 semester hours, including 36 hours of junior and senior rank, in approved courses. Any program of study falling below 132 hours requires approval by the Academic Council. The substitute motion FAILED to pass. The question was called on the original motion as amended, and a request was made for a hand vote. The understanding was that this motion includes striking the current No. 2 from the catalog and giving the Office of Academic Affairs editorial discretion as to the placement of the statements in the University catalog under "Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree." By a hand vote, the motion PASSED with 12 voting "Yes," 3 voting "No," and 2 abstaining.Professor Tolbert expressed concern about the wording being conflicting to students and asked that the catalog editor look at it this summer. We have until next November to work out the wording for the new catalog. General Education FundJack Armistead stated that he wished to defer discussion of the General Education Fund by the Academic Council until Fall Semester. The General Education Fund is a fund created by student fees and designed for students to have experiences with cultural differences and fine arts. Although the number of these activities has increased, except for ADP students, we have not been successful in increasing participation by the students we are trying to reach. The oversight committee is looking for ideas for increasing student attendance at these events and would appreciate any suggestions. Election of Chairperson for 1999-2000
Acting as chairperson of the nominating committee which consisted of himself, Linda Null, and Orville Crowell, Ken Hunter, MOVED that John Harris be re-elected as chairperson of the Academic Council for 1999-2000. Ed Lisic SECONDED the motion. Dr. Harris was RE-ELECTED by a unanimous vote. Adjournment There being no Such Other Matters, the meeting was ADJOURNED at 4:22 p.m. |
| Last Updated: 11/20/08 |