Academic Affairs Committee

February 15, 2006 - 9:00-10:30 p.m.

Newcomb Hall, Room 481

Present: Reginald Garrett, Houston Wood, Ricardo Padron, Ann Hamric, Amy Bouton, Daniel Hallahan, Janet Herman, Peter Beling, Stephen Gladis, Linda Waggoner-Fountain, Marian Moore

Guests: David Breneman, Dean, Curry School of Education and Eric Patashnik, Associate Professor, Department of Politics

Reginald Garrett, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called the meeting to order.

Houston Wood, Chair of the Faculty Senate, reminded the group about the letter he recently sent out to all Senators. This letter lists focus issues and asked for Senate volunteers to work on one or more of the issues. Mr. Wood encouraged everyone to volunteer, if they have not already done so.

New BA/MPP Program in Public Policy - Presented by David Breneman, Dean of the Curry School of Education, and Eric Patashnik, Associate Professor of Politics

Dean Breneman and Mr. Patashnik gave an overview of a proposal for a Five Year BA/MPP Program in Public Policy. The program is being proposed by the Provost's Task Force on Public Policy. The program will be directed by Dean Breneman and co-directed by Eric Patashnik. It will be a five-year program, offering 2 degrees. It is envisioned that the program will begin in the fall of 2007, pending all required approvals. The program has aspirations of creating "school" status, depending on successful planning, Dean Breneman said.

Eric Patashnik gave a brief history of his background and his interest in Public Policy. Mr. Patashnik also gave an overview of the program proposal.

The members of the Academic Affairs Committee discussed the proposal further and agreed that they are in favor of the program, but they feel that they need further clarification on several issues before final approval. It was suggested that the Committee should ask Dean Breneman and Mr. Patashnik for a three-year plan, to include financial projections. This three-year plan can also serve as a template for information need for other new programs that may come before the Academic Affairs Committee. Marian Moore agreed to send the Committee a copy of last year's Darden new program proposal to be used when creating this template of information the Committee needs when considering program proposals.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.