OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Curriculum Council
MINUTES - #00-01.17
Thursday, May 31, 2001

MEMBERS PRESENT:

I. Delson - Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
T. Dick - Math Learning Center
L. Friedman - Public Health, Chair
J. Gross - Anthropology
W. Loveland - Chemistry
G. Olson - Human Development and Family Sciences
M. Quinn - Computer Science
N. Scott - Crop and Soil Science
G. Tiedeman - Sociology

NON-VOTING MEMBERS, SUPPORT STAFF, AND GUESTS PRESENT:

B. Allen - Information Services/Library
G. Beach - Academic Affairs, Academic Program Coordinator, Ex-officio
R. Burton - Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs, Ex-officio
J. Dorbolo - Information Services/Instructional Technology
F. Leibowitz - Philosophy/Budgets and Fiscal Planning Committee
M. Merickel - Information Services/Distance Education
M. Patterson - Catalog Coordinator, Ex-officio
M. Rhodes – Assistant Registrar
G. Craig - Assistant to the Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of 5/17/01 were reviewed and discussed.  The reporting of the Geosciences Academic Program Review discussion was found to misrepresent the intentions of the Council.  T. Dick will revise that section.  Further review and action was deferred pending revision.
  2. REPORT FROM ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: (R. Burton)
    1. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee has approved the Category I Proposal to establish an MS/PhD in BioEngineering, and that proposal is to be reviewed and voted on by the full Faculty Senate on June 7.
    2. Open House and Advising/Admissions Sessions at the Cascades Campus earlier this month were well attended.  Courses are in place and listings are on the Web for Fall Term for the Cascades Campus.  Work has begun to prepare the Winter Schedule of Classes.  Members of the Council raised concern as to accuracy of the schedule and departmental review of courses offered at the Cascades Campus. 
  3. REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: (L. Friedman)
    1. L. Friedman will initiate discussions with H. Sayre (President, Faculty Senate) regarding concerns raised by the Curriculum Council that approval of new programs without a corresponding termination of weak programs may compromise the quality of existing programs.  The council agreed that conversations need to be initiated to resolve these concerns.
  4. OLD BUSINESS
    1. Professional Certificates:  The Council reviewed two documents submitted by Distance and Continuing Education (DCE):  1)  "Criteria and Guidelines for Awarding Continuing Education Units", and 2)  "Process for Review of Non-credit Professional Certificate Programs at Oregon State University".  The Council also asked for clarification on the composition, role and oversight provided by the Statewide Degree Program Council.  Members of the Curriculum Council expressed a concern that the proposed process for review assure an assessment consistent with all other curriculum issues.  The Council discussed several options to provide this type of assessment within timeframes which would still allow Professional Certificates to be competitive.  Decision:  This matter was tabled pending revision of the proposed Professional Certificate process.  Revisions will reflect that the Curriculum Council will review proposed Certificate Programs and will have a 30 day period after the proposal has arrived in the Office of Academic Programs to review the proposal and reach a decision; otherwise, the proposal will receive ipso facto approval. 
  5. STATUS OF CATEGORY I PROPOSALS – the most current information on the status of Category I proposals can be found on the World Wide Web, OSU Curriculum Home page:  http://osu.orst.edu/admin/uap/curriculum_database/
  6. ACTIONS OF THE COUNCIL VIA EMAIL - all proposals are viewable on the World Wide Web, OSU Curriculum Home page: http://osu.orst.edu/admin/uap/curriculum_database/

No Category II Proposals were approved via e-mail between May 24 and May 31.