Borough of ManhattanCommunity College

The CityUniversity of New York

AcademicSenate

______

Minutes

Final Meeting of the Third Session of the Academic Senate

May 26, 2010

N402

  1. CALL TO ORDERat 2:46 pm.
  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of April 28, 2010AS meeting were approved unanimously.

  1. STANDING COMMITTEES
  1. CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
  1. A new course HED-110: “Comprehensive Health Education” was approved unanimously.

A comprehensive exploration of the philosophies, concepts and knowledge base of health within its physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritualdimensions is presented to afford students the foundation and skills necessary for informed health decision-making (See Attachment A.)

  1. Course revisions for EDU 201 “Observing Children’s Development,” EDU 202 “Urban Schools in Diverse American Society,” and EDB 202 “The School in American Society: Bilingual Education in the UrbanSchool,” converting the lab hour to an hour of instruction were approved unanimously. (See Attachment B.)

The lab hour will be converted to a class hour to increase instructional time to align these courses with their equivalent courses at CUNY.

  1. Course revision for CHI 476, changing the title from “Chinese Cultural Heritage,” to “Chinese Civilization and Language” was approved unanimously. (See Attachment C.)

The original title is confusing students who are enrolling in ASN 111, “Chinese Culture and Heritage,” which is not a study-abroad course. CHI 476 is the study-abroad course, and changing the title will eliminate confusion for the students.

  1. New course POL 110 “Introduction to Politics” was approved unanimously.

This class involves students in observation and critical analysis of political affairs. Topics and themes will include both American and global perspectives and both contemporary and historical cases. The class introduces a range of approaches to the study of politics, such as empirical research, quantitative analysis, theoretical questioning and the examination of literary or artistic works. Central concepts will include politics, power, government, conflict and justice.

  1. Course revisions for POL 210 “World Politics”, 220 “Politics and government in New York City,” and 230 “Power in American Politics,”changing prerequisites for both courses from POL 100 to POL 100 or POL 110 “Introduction to Politics” were approved unanimously.
  1. Course revision for POL260 “Political Theory,” changing the prerequisite from POL 100 or any Social Science course to any Social Science course was approved unanimously. (See Attachment D.)
  1. The proposal for a new course LAT 200 “Peoples and Cultures of Latin America” (same as ANT 200) was approved unanimously.

This course surveys the diversity of Latin America as a complex combination of diverse peoples and cultures with an increasing presence in the US. (See Attachment E.)

  1. Course revision for ANT 200 “Peoples and Cultures of Latin America” to be cross-listed with LAT 200 “Peoples and Cultures of Latin America” to permit Anthropology faculty to teach this course was approved unanimously. (See Attachment F.)
  1. The following CIS changes were approved unanimously:
  2. New CIS curriculum: Geographic Information Science (A.S.)

GIS is a powerful program designed to gather, story, retrieve and analyze geospatial data. GIS is a rapidly expanding field with growing career opportunities.

  1. Change of prerequisites for CSC 110 “Computer Programming I,” from P-MAT 010/011 to P-MAT 051, and
  1. Change of prerequisites for CSC 210 “Computer Programming II,” from C-MAT 012/051 to C-MAT 056. (See Attachment G.)
  1. The following course revisions for VAT were approved unanimously:
  2. VAT 152 “Introduction to Media Applications,” to change the prerequisites (removing SPE 100/102),because SPE100 is not a necessary prerequisite for the class, and the standing requirement of three 100 level courses (Speech 100, VAT 100, & VAT 151 or VAT 152) is inhibiting VAT students from graduating within a four-semester sequence.
  1. MMP 460 “Multimedia Project Lab,” changing the prerequisites for MMA majors from MMP 200 and ART 354 for MMA majors to MMP 200 & either ART 215, 225, or 235, because ART 354 is no longer offered.
  1. New course MMA 100 “Foundations of Digital Graphic Design,” same as ART 100.

This image-based course will introduce graphic design as the foundation upon which effective visual communication is built. Investigation of the elements and principles of graphic design will lead to specific design problems and their solution. The development of ideas and the ability to communicate them effectively will be covered.

  1. Revision of ART 100, to be cross-listed with MMA 100, because this is a core course in the MMA area specialization of the Multimedia Program, part of the Media Arts and Technology Department.
  1. New course MMA 215 “Typography and Layout,” same as ART 215.

This course will explore type design and its application in visual communication. Students will study the formal qualities of typefaces and their historical origin. Students will learn to manipulate type properties to design meaningful and effective graphic communication. The use of industry-standard desktop publishing software will be covered as well and will be applied to a range of typographic solutions.

  1. New course MMA 225 “Digital Imaging for Graphic Design,” same as ART 225.

This course continues the study of Digital Imaging as it relates to graphic design. A core philosophy of this class is the introduction of photographic images as a basis for approaching 2D design concepts. During the semester, this class covers digital input, editing, archiving and beings to study digital output.

  1. New Course MMA 235 “Visual Communication and Design,” same as ART 235.

This class builds upon principles and skills learned in foundations of Digital Design. Students will apply the principles underlying effective visual communication to increasingly complex design problems. Projects may include poster design, symbols and logos, editorial design, information design, visual identify and branding and other design systems.

  1. Course revisions

1.ART 215 “Typography and Layout” to be cross listed with MMA 215,

2.ART 225 “Digital Imaging for Graphic Design” to be cross listed with MMA 225, and

3.ART 235 “Visual Communication and Design” to be cross-listed with MMA 235. (See Attachment H.)

  1. New Course VAT 153 “Script to Screen,” which is the equivalent of VAT 151 “Script to Screen.” This change in elective is reflected in the updates to the program curricula attached.

This course focuses on writing treatments and scripts for the screen and video. Students learn the basics of visualizing narratives in 3-act structure; how to identify fiction and non-fiction genres; how to create character and story; how to research and write treatments and outlines; how to write single-column screenplays for narratives and two-column scripts for documentary scripts; and how to give and receive critiques on script work. (See Attachment I.)

j. Change of prerequisites

  1. VAT 161 from VAT 100; VAT 152 or VAT 153 to VAT 100 and VAT 153
  2. VAT 165 from VAT 152 to VAT 100 and VAT 153.
  3. VAT 171 from VAT 100; VAT 152 or VAT 151 to VAT 100 and VAT 153.

B. FACULTY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Committee Chair submitted the final report.

  1. Faculty Development Day featured Prof. Michael Anderson from BrooklynCollege who spoke on Program Assessment Outcomes and Assessment Practices in the Classroom featured in Faculty Focus.
  2. The Joe Doctor Colloquium on April 28, 2010 on Academic Freedom included panelists Prof. Manfred of Lehman college and Chair of UFS and Dr. Shirley Rascher.
  3. 15 Faculty Development Grants were awarded for 2010-2011.
  4. The Committee’s recommendations for 2010-2011 included having a specific system for electronic submission of proposals and to simplification of the selection rubric. Begin the process of reviewing faculty development process earlier in semester to submit IRB approval in timely manner.
  1. INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

The Committee raised discussion regarding the Course Cap Resolution passed in Spring 2009. The Committee, charged with collecting data for course caps in all departments, submitted a report to the Academic Senate. The Committee reported that the first step in meeting the Resolution to stabilize the current course caps has been met. The Committee reported on the 2nd step in meeting the proposed caps was that the current courses stay stable in the fall and spring. The Committee proposed that the administration should honor this resolution.The Resolution was passed unanimously. Improving faculty resources will be included in the end-of-year report.

  1. ACADEMIC STANDING COMMITTEE
  1. The Committee read 2632 appeals. There remain 365 outstanding appeals awaiting the Chair’s signature.
  2. The Committee’s reported on the review of the policy for appeal of academic dismissals. The Committee’s charge was to review the wording in the catalogue regarding academic dismissals. The Resolution was returned to Committee for review.
  3. The Committee proposed a new resolution.
  1. UNDER DISMISSAL: (new wording in boldface)

Students whose GPA falls below minimum retention standards for two semesters are academically dismissed. Academicallydismissed students may not attend BMCC for at least one semester unless the AcademicStanding Committee deems that there are well-documented circumstances that merit an exception.

  1. UNDER Readmission after Academic Appeal: (new wording in boldface)

An academically dismissed student who is granted an appeal for special academic probation by the Committee on Academic Standing is eligible for readmission to the college. Students who have been academically dismissed two or more times may only be readmitted to BMCC when the Committee on Academic Standing rules that there are well documentedextenuating circumstances. If the student's appeal has been granted, the student must file a readmission application through BMCC's Panther system at or with the Admissions Office.

  1. Discussion ensued. VP Diaz spoke on behalf of the Administration,saying that the policy as stated is clear and strikes the appropriate balance between those individuals who want to attend school and cannot and those who had the chance but didn’t meet the standards. He further stated that in the absence of data indicating that the policy should change, the administration does not recommend such changes at this time.
  2. Prof. Blake reported that the past practice of the Academic Standing Committee was to give students the opportunity for multiple appeals but that now, due to enrollment pressures, the Administration wants to limit the number of appeals to two.
  3. It was stated that the Department of Student Life counselors were given a mandate that appeals should not be written for students with 2 dismissals because of the wording in the catalogue. The committee presently reads all appeals that are submitted, and whether they are granted or not depends on the case. Prof. Miller noted that the committee feels that every student should have the right to appeal and the committee will make an academic decision.
  4. The Resolution was approved with Dean Craig opposed and Dean Gillespie, VP Bragg, Dean Wong, and Prof. Brookes abstaining.
  1. COMMITTEE ON STUDENT AFFAIRS
  1. The Committee presented the Advisement Academic Warning Form, which addresses the 2 concerns: 1) Referrals for students with behavioral issues: Student Affairs Assistance form; and 2) Tracking: Student will bring form to tutoring or counseling and obtain signature.
  2. The name of the form was changed back to Academic Warning Form. The Academic Senate asked for a time line and that the forms be separated. It was noted that this is basically an academic form for academic issues and only documents the process but does not require any action. Behavioral issues should be referred to security or counseling. This form provides more guidance than the old form and some tracking. It breaks apart behavior from academic.
  3. The Committee was charged with follow up on the use of the form for some means of assessment.
  4. The Resolution was approved as it stands unanimously.
  5. The Committee’s report on student retention was submitted.
  6. The Committee recommended Writing Intensive courses and paired courses and the expansion of title V advisement.
  1. ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

A written report was submitted.

  1. AD HOC COMMITTEES REPORT
  2. REPORTS

A.CHAIR’S REPORT

The Chair submitted a preliminary final report with the following recommendations:

  1. The 2009 UFS Faculty Experience Survey serve as the standard to address three primary faculty concerns: (1) department participation in decision-making; (2) workload; and (3) faculty participation in BMCC’s decision-making process. A two-tiered assessment of these three areas would focus on; (1) the organizational apparatus that promotes or offends faculty participation in the decision-making process; and (2) chronicling the extent the expertise and fiduciary role of BMCC faculty is respected and reflected in the president’s decisions and actions. The initiative’s objective is to identify for the president the factors, variables and policies that offend faculty’s charge in the academic enterprise of BMCC. This initiative’s goal is to significantly improve faculty’s ranking of BMCC on the subsequent UFS Faculty Experience Survey.
  1. The Chair of Academic Senate be allocated three reassigned hours per semester to allocate to officers and representatives of Academic Senate to carry out Academic Senate tasks.
  1. A reliable and expedient roster and vote recording apparatus be provided and maintained for the Academic Senate by September 1, 2010. (Kindly note that Personal Response Systems (PRS) have been utilized on campuses across the nation for some time with software provided to colleges’ professors for their laptops to record attendance and students’ responses on examinations in lecture halls.)
  1. Part B, section 4.b of the BMCC Governance Plan be amended to: “The Council meetings precede the Senate meetings and shall last no more than 40 minutes.”
  1. In practice the College Council should present all reports and presentations in writing, preferably as part of the College Council agenda--and reserve deliberations for action items.
  1. The College Council should be scheduled for only two meetings per semester. (The College Council Executive Committee has the power to call additional meetings if warranted.)
  1. All Academic Senate attendance recording, balloting, nominations and elections will be conducted and certified by the Elections Committee regardless of the manual or electronic or digital apparatus employed. For electronic or digital vote-recoding apparatus (PRS) deployed--the administration will provide and supply the Elections Committee the requisite hardware and software to supervise, perform, tabulate and certify all Academic Senate attendance recording and voting actions.
  1. It is recommended that a freshman senator orientation be conducted at the first meeting of the standing committees. The convener of the standings committee would be charged with preparing the orientation following guidelines provided by the Chair of Academic Senate. Committee members will serve as a resource to the organization, history and practice of Academic Senate, College Council and their respective standing and administrative committees for the orientation. The orientation will also function as an introductory and convivial setting for new members and their colleagues.
  1. Amend the BMCC Governance Plan to establish the Study Abroad Committee as an administrative committee of the Academic Senate.
  1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
  1. ADJOURNMENT

Adjourned at 3:54

Academic Senate Third Session: 5/26/10 Agenda: page1of 8