Core Curriculum Task Force Meeting
MINUTES
DATE AND Friday, March 16, 2007
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION: SU 80, Room 223
Member(s) Present:
Pamela Brannon representing Tim Lenz; Fred Fejes; Jeff Galin; Mary Ann Gosser Esquilin, Chair; Paul Hart; Lee Klingler; Maria Petrie; Debbie Raines; Allen Smith; Miguel Vazquez
Member(s) Absent:
Marina Banchetti; Susannah Brown; Oliver Buckton; Mark Jackson; Robin Jordan; Don Torok
Agenda Items:
1. Approval of Minutes of February 16, 2007
The minutes of February 16 meeting were approved as distributed.
2. Report on Results of UUPC Meeting on March 2, 2007
Interim Dean Mary Ann Gosser and professor Debbie Raines attended the UUPC to present the plan for the Freshman Reading Program. The UUPC endorsed it and liked the Blackboard component but they asked how faculty were going to be told and how would the Blackboard be supported. They wanted OIT to guarantee backup of the system. Debbie will present the plan to the UFS Steering Committee on March 19 and then at the Senate meeting on March 30 for their endorsement.
3. Freshman Reading Implementation w/Blackboard Component
Debbie has developed a 3-credit course for upperclassmen interested in gaining leadership skills as well as to develop their abilities with Blackboard and monitoring discussions during Summer C. They will serve as moderators for the Blackboard sites into which the first-year students will be participating. These students may also get service hours for taking the course. Debbie has created a flyer to advertise to all students and she says English honors students are good candidates. She plans to have two physical meetings with the moderators and would like the Honors students to come down to the Boca Campus for the 1st workshop session. Jeff suggests giving the students a stipend or small tuition remission for taking the course so that they will remain next year. Mary Ann said she would ask the budget manager about the tuition remission. Jeff also suggested sending out a cover letter to the Deans and Chairs letting them know about the course. Incentives for freshmen reading the book were brought up and it was suggested that we track some throughout the year to identify the top people in the program. For those who do exceptionally well by completing the 1st year and maintaining a 3.5 GPA would receive tuition waivers in their sophomore year. Someone also suggested having a Freshman Reading Awards ceremony.
4. Convocation Update
Mary Ann sent a firm offer to Susan Orlean's speaking agent. If she agrees to the terms of the offer we can start advertising the Freshman Reading and Convocation. The Graphics department has designed a flyer for the Freshman Reading Program which Mary Ann passed around. This flyer would be inserted into an advanced registration material packet that Freshman Academic Advising mails out to freshman the second week of April. Posters will also be made and setup at various areas such as the Library and the Student Support Services building. A table will be setup during all freshmen orientation dates that will have computers displaying the Blackboard site and the books will be for sale to the students. It was suggested that we contact Lifelong Learning and invite them to the Convocation. An announcement to faculty will be drafted once we hear that Ms. Orlean will attend and then sent to the task force for their input; also invitations will be sent to students and faculty and the schedule will be finalized.
5. New Business
Mary Ann asked the task force how they felt about having a representative from the Library on the CCTF. They had no objections but felt it should first go before the Council for Excellence in Undergraduate Education for approval. Also, because Fred Fejes had to leave the meeting early and could not express his opinion they felt he should be asked.
Next Meeting: TBD
Meeting adjourned: 11:15am
