MEETING MINUTES Curriculum Development Committee September 12, 2013 -- 3:30-4:30 GN 208 Executive Conference Room MEMBERS Kellie Toon, Chair X Judy Gosch X Minoo Askari X Marshay James no Regina Buckley X Margaret Jansen X Betty Bumgarner X Mary Kocak X Carolyn Carson no Tara Lynn X Margaret Choka X Brittany Mosby X Karen Cornell X Linda Reeves X Kurt Eslick X Kelly Rivers X Celeste Evans X Kim Wilkes X David Fey X Joe Zitka X Guests: Lois Reynolds, Nancy Ramsey I. Review: Role CDC and members play at the college Kellie Toon introduced herself to the committee as the new Chair and asked members and guests to identify themselves and their departments. With PowerPoint, Kellie presented her understanding of the role of CDC. (see Assessment Cycle handout). Lois Reynolds spoke on how CDC is accountable to SACS (see handout). Kellie distributed a second flow chart to illustrate the work flow from proposal to catalog (see Curriculum Change Guidelines handout). Judy displayed the folder of forms that CDC approved and explained that all CDC decisions are reflected in the bulk of the college catalog. II. Announcement: This semester we will be reviewing changes for the 2014-2015 catalog. The deans have been informed via email. Members were encouraged to remind deans and program coordinators to submit changes before the semester ends, and to reference the calendar of CDC meetings, below. III. Announcement: Kellie reported that the Curriculum and Master Syllabi Web sites had been revised over the summer. Using the projector, she went to the sites to acquaint new members with where to find resources as a committee member. Our master syllabi site is important to CDC. Kellie encouraged members to review elements of master syllabi and the connection between assessment, student learning outcomes, course goals, program goals/general education goals, college mission, SACS, and TBR master plan.
Kellie explained that October 1 is the deadline to place book order and October 15 to submit updated master syllabi. The deans have been informed via email. Those syllabi will be for spring and summer. With a new book, the week/unit section of the syllabus often changes. The evaluation section may change, as well. Members were encouraged to mark their calendars to make announcements to committees and/or deans. IV. Request for Sub-Committee: Kellie distributed the current CDC handbook, explaining that the practices sections had not been revised since 2007. She asked for volunteers to serve on a sub-committee to revise the handbook which is not user friendly not handy. (See 2012 Curriculum Development Committee Handbook ). Minoo Askari volunteered to chair the committee. Kim Wilkes volunteered to serve. Kellie asked members to take time to review the existing hand book and bring notes to committee next week. At that point we will establish a 4-person sub-committee, accepting volunteers interested in clarifying current practices. Meeting adjourned 4:30 p.m. Attachments CDC MEETING SCHEDULE-- FALL 2013 September First meeting--12, 19, 26 October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (Fall Break Oct 14-15) November 7, 14, deadline for deans to submit major curriculum changes (those that require CDC review and vote) 21 (possible final meeting. See Dec. 5) 28, Thanksgiving Holiday, College Closed December Contingency: 5 (last day of classes is Dec 6; exam period Dec 9-12)
Assessment Cycle TBR Mission Through innovation and judicious use of resources, the Tennessee Board of Regents system advances excellence in its diverse educational programs, research, service, and outreach in order to benefit Tennessee and its citizens. Assessment SACS Mission To assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions. Student Learning Outcomes PSCC Mission To serve its community by providing college-level and noncredit courses and learning support instruction using a variety of methods, including distance learning. The College provides support for teaching and learning, training, and workforce development, and opportunities for life, civic, and cultural enrichment. Course Goals Program/ General Education Goals
Course/Program Proposal Pathway Faculty/Program Coordinator initiate proposals Proposal sent to Department Dean Dean sends to Director of Curriculum (Judy Gosch) Curriculum and Development Committee If approved Vice President of Academic Affairs Approved course/program is sent back to Director of Curriculum, to Records, and finally it goes to the Catalog.
Pellissippi State Process for New Program Approval Faculty Member develops a new or revised syllabus or syllabi. Packet will include a four-semester plan where appropriate. Faculty member submits proposal & appropriate signed curriculum change forms to Department Dean. Changes may be proposed at any time but will become effective in fall of the appropriate catalog year. Department Dean reviews, signs, and submits proposal to the Director of Curriculum. Director of Curriculum sends proposed changes to CDC Members. If problems are found, the proposal is returned to the Department Dean for further consideration, revision and resubmission. CDC approved proposals are submitted to the Director of Curriculum. Director of Curriculum signs approved proposals and submits to Vice President of Learning. Vice President of Learning submits PSCC approved proposals to TBR. TBR approved progrms are submitted to Registrar for update in Banner. Approved changes are entered into the next edition of the catalog.
SACS Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement The Principle of Integrity: 1.1 The institution operates with integrity in all matters. The relationship between the Commission and each of its institutions is a relationship in which all parties agree to deal honestly and openly with their constituencies and with one another. (13) Core Requirements (broad-based, foundational requirements) 2.7.1 The institution offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level. (Program Length) 2.7.2 The institution offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with its stated mission and is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. (Program Content) 2.7.3 In each undergraduate degree program, the institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that (1) is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/ mathematics. The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit of general education courses. (General Education) Comprehensive Standards (more specific to operation; represent best practices) 3.4.1 The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded is approved by the faculty and the administration. (Academic program approval) Documentation: CDC website, PSCC Policies on CDC, Curriculum Change; TBR policies on Curriculum 3.4.10 The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of the curriculum with its faculty. (Responsibility for curriculum) Documentation: CDC information; PSCC policies; flowcharts 3.5.1 The institution identifies college-level general education competencies and the extent to which graduates have attained them. (College-level competencies) 3.5.3 The institution defines and publishes requirements for its undergraduate programs, including its general education components. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs. (Undergraduate program requirements)
Curriculum Development Committee Leadership Members are eligible for the position of committee chair after one year of service. At the end of the academic year, the membership recommends a chair to the president on the basis of election results. Committee chairs may serve, as recommended by the committee and approved by the president, for two consecutive academic years. Support Administrative support for the committee is provided by the Coordinator of Curriculum. Functions of the Committee: 1. Review and evaluate Pellissippi State Policies and Procedures related to curriculum and curriculum development processes to ensure consistency between policy and practice. Make recommendations for improvements where needed. Follow-up on issue of allowing students to repeat courses(s) indefinitely and if needed, propose policy to reform current practice. 2. As needed, review new and revised program and credit course offerings. Curriculum reviews should include consideration of - alignment with customer and/or discipline needs; - consistency with institutional mission, College goals, and Academic and Student Affairs goals; - compliance with TBR, SACS, and if applicable, program accrediting agency requirements; - additional consideration should be given to new and revised credit course proposals to ensure consistency with the College's standard syllabus format; - clarity of course objectives and expectations for student performance. - Unwarranted proliferation of courses and duplication of courses across the curriculum are avoided 3. Work with faculty and academic department heads to revise curriculum proposals that do not meet institutional standards. 4. Evaluate general Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree requirements and make recommended changes for the 2013-2014 catalog in compliance with TBR s general education core. 5. Continue to improve communication of curriculum policies and procedures by - providing periodic departmental presentations/reports; items needing coverage through departmental meetings include the College attendance policy, master and class syllabi, process for submitting curriculum changes, and availability of curriculum development resources on the web; a standard report format/outline will be developed to aid members in disseminating information to their departments; - submitting meeting agendas regularly to department heads; - including status report of curriculum changes in meeting minutes; - placing curriculum proposal status report on the web and update regularly. 6. Communicate the results of the committee's efforts with faculty, staff, administration, and students through appropriate means including distribution of minutes and an end-of-year report containing - a summary of the committee's activities, - a summary of new and deleted courses, - an evaluation of the committee's operations and support for accomplishing its mission and goals, and - suggestions on membership and goals for the following academic year.
Guidelines for Committee Operations Meetings CDC meets more frequently than most standing committees. During September, October, and November, the committee meets biweekly or weekly due to the volume of curriculum proposals received during fall semester. Monthly meetings are generally adequate to accomplish the committee s work during spring. Minutes Minutes are taken when the full committee meets. Copies of committee minutes should be sent to members within one week of the meeting date. Copies should also be sent to those listed on the attached minutes form. The Curriculum Secretary serves as recorder of CDC minutes. When the committee finds is necessary to develop subcommittees, subcommittee chairs and the committee chair should determine whether or not minutes are needed for subcommittee meetings. End-of-Year Reports Standing committee chairs and administrative support personnel provide summary reports to the president at the end of the academic year. Reports should include a summary of the committee s activities, an evaluation of the committee s operations and support provided to the committee for accomplishing its mission and goals, and suggestions on membership and goals for the following academic year. At the end of spring 2012 semester, CDC made recommendations to amend PSCC Policy 03:02:01, Curriculum Development Committee, section II, Proposals and Curriculum Changes, paragraph two. CDC asks that the Learning Council consider the revised policy be in effect for fall 2012. The following statement was approved: The vice president of Academic Affairs has 15 working days to respond to program and course proposals approved by CDC. If the vice president has questions or concerns about a proposed change, he or she will bring them to a CDC meeting for discussion. If the vice president denies the proposal after discussion with the Committee, the CDC Chair and the director of curriculum may, at the request of the committee, appeal to the president within 30 days of the date when the vice president attended CDC. The decision of the president is final.