MINUTES OF THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL

PROCEEDINGS

Approval of the Agenda

Prior to the approval of the agenda, Council members introduced themselves. Dr. Cupp MOVED approval of the agenda, Dr. Loutzenheiser SECONDED the motion, and the agenda was APPROVED as distributed on the web.

Approval of the Minutes of the April 6 Meeting

Dr. Loutzenheiser MOVED approval of the minutes of the April 6 meeting, and Dr. Larimore SECONDED the motion. The minutes were APPROVED as posted on the web.

Approval of Revision in the Teacher Education Committee Procedures

Dr. Sandy Smith presented the proposal to revise the Procedures of the Teacher Education Committee by adding a College of Education Advising Center representative to the existing composition of the Committee. Dr. O’Connor MOVED approval of the proposal, and Dr. Stanger SECONDED the motion. The Council PASSED the motion by a unanimous vote.

Question of Dropping UNIV 1020

Dr. Linda Null, UNIV 1020 Coordinator, asked the Council members for input on the question of allowing students to drop UNIV 1020. Dr. Larimore MOVED that UNIV 1020 be made a course that cannot be dropped, and Dr. Loutzenheiser SECONDED the motion. After considerable discussion, by a unanimous vote, the Council APPROVED the motion with the understanding that it applies to Honors 1010 and all courses serving the function of UNIV 1020. Also, it is understood that a student could always request an exception because of extenuating circumstances.

Requiring Two Center Stage Events in UNIV 1020

Professor Tolbert raised the question of requiring students in UNIV 1020 to attend two Center Stage events. She said that justification for proposing this requirement is that our students continue to rank below average on student survey questions regarding (1) understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds and (2) attending art exhibits, galleries, plays, and dance or other theatrical performances. Dr. Null MOVED support of the proposal to require all students in UNIV 1020 or equivalent courses to attend at least two Center Stage events—one Fine Arts event and one World Cultures event. Dr. Miller SECONDED the motion.

Dr. Armistead reported that we are doing very well with attendance at Center Stage events when the instructor requires students to attend but not so well when students are not required to attend. The Council discussed at length the issue of mandatory attendance at cultural events and also whether or not cultural activities other than Center Stage events could be used to meet the requirement. The consensus was that the instructor can determine what qualifies as an acceptable cultural event.

Dr. Cupp suggested a change in the wording of the proposal to allow for events other than Center Stage events, and Dr. Null accepted it as a FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. The motion now reads: To require all students in UNIV 1020 or equivalent courses to attend at least two events—one Fine Arts and one World Cultures such as those presented by Center Stage. Dr. O’Connor proposed a substitute motion to require two Center Stage events, but the motion died for lack of a second. The original motion as amended PASSED with one dissenting vote.

Revision in TTU Mission Statement

Professor Tolbert reported that she and several others from Tech attended a workshop with TBR and UT people last year to plan for steps that should be taken once the Geier Consent Decree is settled. A committee met last spring to come up with this revision to the Mission Statement, and then it was sent to TBR. This fall the University Planning Committee made a few changes, and that committee is now sending the revision to the Academic Council for approval. We are making an educational case for diversity in our Mission Statement. Dr. Barry Stein is presenting the revised Mission Statement to the Administrative Council today. Professor Tolbert MOVED approval of the proposal to add the diversity statement to the Mission Statement, and Dr. Loutzenheiser SECONDED the motion. The motion CARRIED by a unanimous vote.

Academic Misconduct Policy

Dr. Roberts stated that this item is on the agenda for information only. Because of some problems on campus, President Bell appointed a committee last summer to examine the academic misconduct policy. One idea was to require expulsion when a graduate student received a failing grade. However, some Faculty Senate members expressed opposition to this. Thus, while the Academic Council will welcome such proposals from individual programs, a university-wide policy to this effect does not seem appropriate. A discussion ensued about whether an instructor could give a student an “F” grade for cheating without actually charging him/her with academic misconduct, but Dr. Barker said that assigning the “F” grade for cheating or plagiarism is tantamount to accusing the student of academic misconduct and the instructor should make the official charge. It was pointed out that students have the right of appeal through their college academic misconduct committees. The grade appeal is a separate issue from the appeal for academic misconduct. Dr. Roberts said the Academic Misconduct Policy is a complicated procedure that requires further study.

Such Other Matters

Alternate Monday/Wednesday/Friday Schedule

Dr. Roberts said that last year the Academic Council passed an alternate Monday/Wednesday/Friday class schedule, and he would like for this optional time schedule to be distributed to the chairs for their information.

Proposed Reorganization of Agriculture, Human Ecology, and Nursing

Because of the resignation of the Dean of the School of Nursing and the retirement of the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Ecology, Dr. Barker said consideration is being given to combining the administrative structure of these areas in order to reduce administrative costs. Dr. Barker reported that, as required by University policy, he has talked with the faculty in all three schools and has not found any major problems with this proposal. He said he is also required by policy to inform the Academic Council to ensure that there are no tenure or promotion issues. Also, one of the ideas under consideration is to include the School of Interdisciplinary Studies in the reorganization. Dr. Barker said it is anticipated that a recommendation for reorganizing these units will go to TBR at its December meeting. One possible title is the College of Agricultural and Human Sciences. Dr. Barker invited input from the Council on this proposal.

Dr. Harris questioned whether ISEE should be included in the reorganization since those programs were intended to be interdisciplinary in nature. Professor Tolbert pointed out that we may want to keep the curriculum committees as they are in the individual schools rather than having a college curriculum committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.