EDUCATIONAL POLICY COMMITTEE
Minutes
November 8, 2007
Attending: S. Birrell, H. Dettmer (Chair), M. Gilbert, K. Hall (committee staff), R. Honey, R. Ketterer, M. Niño-Murcia, A. Segre
Excused Absence: J. Cox, J. Kimberley (student member), J. Menninger, M. Reagan
Guest: Linda Maxson, Dean of the College
- The minutes from November 1 were approved as written.
- Dean Linda Maxson visited with EPC about the current state of the College. She noted that the recent decision by EPC to review all new tracks is an important one, allowing faculty, departments, and the College to be aware of curricular changes. Dean Maxson encouraged the committee to take on other curricular responsibilities, such as examining new course proposals for duplication with courses offered by other units in the College or elsewhere on campus. Currently, all newly proposed courses are approved by the associate dean; it might be useful to have an EPC subcommittee advise the associate dean on these and related issues. Dean Maxson recommended the creation of a three year pilot to see if such a subcommittee would prove helpful. A discussion followed, with EPC raising a number of concerns, including possible stifling effects on curricular innovation and the practical logistics of such a subcommittee. Dean Maxson stressed that most academic institutions have a collegiate curriculum committee and that it is the responsibility of the College to provide guidance to departments and programs on curricular matters. Dean Maxson also addressed other concerns of the EPC, such as faculty advising duties, noting that faculty are wonderful mentors but that professional advisors are essential in departments with very large majors such as English, Psychology, Communication Studies, and others.
- Professor Miriam Gilbert, the liaison to GECC, asked that EPC examine the issue of GE courses taught in the three-week summer session, a topic of concern at recent GECC meetings. The issue will be placed on the EPC agenda as soon as feasible.
- EPC will not meet on November 15.
Respectfully submitted,
Rob Ketterer
EPC Secretary pro tem