Minutes of the University Committee
for September 22, 2000

The Committee met at 8:35 in 262 CART. Members present were John Buenker, Walter Feldt, Laura Gellott, Fran Kavenik, Greg Mayer, and Carol Lee Saffioti-Hughes. Also present were Al Crist, Larry Duetsch, and John Ostheimer.

Provost Ostheimer and Dr. Crist said that they had had discussions about the need for a Director of Institutional Research and Assessment Services and would welcome input from the Committee. They said they would expect this person to coordinate the collection of information for BOTH administrative and planning purposes, such as enrollment management, and also to provide support services for the groups charged with carrying out academic program assessment plans. Members of the Committee expressed strong support for the notion of hiring an experienced professional staff person who could assist academic departments and program steering committees in carrying out their assessment plans. There was also support for the development of better demographic data regarding the communities we serve, so that our program planning can be improved.

Provost Ostheimer and Dr. Crist left the meeting, saying that they would draft a position description and forward it to the Committee in the near future for further input. Members of the Committee thanked them for coming.

The Committee established the agenda for the early Fall meeting of the Faculty Senate on October 3.

The Committee briefly discussed a proposal that has been developed to grant credits for experience-based learning and agreed to refer the proposal and questions regarding it to the Academic Policies Committee.  To wit, what is the maximum number of credits that can be granted and what role should the departments play in granting them?

The Committee asked Professor Saffioti-Hughes to discuss the work of the Committee on Admissions, Records, and Student Information with faculty members who might accept appointment to fill vacancies on that Committee.

The meeting adjourned at 9:45.