January 27, 2003 - 2:00-3:30 p.m. -- Board Room, Newcomb Hall

Present: Robert O'Connell, Phillip Gates, Richard Warner, Pamela Kulbok

Guests: Reginald Garrett, Professor of Biology and Research and Scholarship Committee member, Christopher Husser, Student Council, Susan Perry, Associate Professor of Commerce and former Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, Thomas Skalak, Chairman of the Biomedical Engineering Department

Robert O'Connell, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called the meeting to order.

New Degree Program - Biomedical Engineering BS Degree Thomas Skalak, Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department, gave an overview and background information on the proposed program. In addition, Mr. Skalak has made available to the Committee, a detailed report on the rationale for the new program, including: · General attributes & requirements of the proposal · Discussion of the proposed B.S. in Biomedical Engineering · BIOM Required Courses for proposed B.S. in Biomedical Engineering · BIOM Electives for proposed B.S. in Biomedical Engineering The members of the Committee asked questions regarding the new degree proposal. Richard Warner made a motion to approve the new degree proposal, Pamela Kulbok seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The new degree proposal will go before the full Senate at the upcoming meeting on February 13.

On-Line Course Evaluation System - Robert O'Connell introduced Chris Husser. Mr. Husser gave the Committee the history and overview of this initiative. The Research and Scholarship Committee considered the proposal last year, and reserved endorsing the initiative at that time. Susan Perry, past chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, was on-hand to update the group on last year's work on the initiative. Mr. Husser distributed a handout that described the goals, and types of questions, that are to be included on the On-Line Student Evaluation form. Mr. Husser said that Information Technology and Communications is building a University-wide evaluation system. The go-live date for this program is March 31, 2003. Student Council has asked the Senate for feedback on the proposed questions for the evaluation form. Some concerns cited regarding an on-line student evaluation form are: · Response rate or non-response · How to integrate students' and faculty questions - which poses some difficulty · The need to limit the number of questions on the system · The ambiguity of the questions It was decided that the proposed questions for the evaluation form should undergo some refining. Additionally, Committee members agree that faculty members are not well informed about this initiative. Professor O'Connell will let the Executive Council know of the Academic Affairs Committee's concerns. It was suggested that the subject be introduced to, and discussed with, the faculty at the upcoming Faculty Senate meeting.

Expanding Reading Day Period -- The Committee decided that they did not have sufficient information to make a decision at this time. The subject will be addressed at a later meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 3:37 p.m.