October 1 2007

From MWCSWiki

Department meeting October 1, 2007 3pm

Present: Ernie Ackerman (Ernie), Karen Anewalt (Karen), Trillane Burlar (Trillane), Stephen Davies (Stephen), Jennifer Polack-Wahl (Jennifer), Sam Jones (Sam), Ron Zacharski (Ron), Marsha Zaidman (Marsha), Juliette Zerick (Juliette)

Old Business

1. Marsha reported on Provost Nina Mikhalevsky's thoughts on joint faculty governance. The Provost requested that departments give her recommendations as to how we determine the composition of the faculty study group. Ernie suggested that study group be composed simply of people who volunteer to serve on it.
2. Provost Mikhalevsky asked us to review the University Council Bylaws. Motion was made by Ernie to put the bylaws on the department wiki and post comments by Monday. Stephen seconded. Motion passed.
3. A motion was made by Stephen to approve the September 3 minutes. Karen seconded. Motion carried.
4. Stephen inquired whether the department was happy with the wording of the proposed arts, literature, and performance, requirement or do we want to push to broaden that definition. Jennifer said she sent articles to Stephen about creativity in computer science. A question was raised as to whether this would put additional requirements on the teaching of these courses. Juliette commented that a well rounded curriculum in computer science would necessarily have courses that meet the arts, literature, and performance requirement. After substantial discussion the department agreed that the existing proposal is fine as is (with a minor tweak).
5. Marsha distributed the course flowchart and handout.

New Business

1. Dean Barra states she will meet with the department in the near future. Marsha will contact her to firm up the date.
2. Karen wanted feedback on the faculty senate proposal regarding Instructional Technology. The department voted 'no.' The department believes there should be university wide requirements
3. Karen also wanted feedback on the faculty senate recommendation that minutes will be kept of the chairs meeting. The department voted in favor of this recommendation.
4. Marsha mentioned that the Jodie will monitor faculty development accounts and give periodic updates to faculty members.
5. Marsha updated the department on the 2008 catalog. It will be a one year catalog.
6. There was general discussion about Ernie's recommendations on revising our major. This revision has three goals.
   1. Require experiential learning. (Capstone course?)
   2. Provide more flexibility by reducing the number of required courses.
   3. Reduce workload--10 courses required for major. (about 34 credits) vs. 12 in current track
7. Marsha says she is not convinced about the merits of the proposal as is, especially as the experiential learning component. She questions whether there will be enough internship possibilities. She also states that she has a big concern that it could lead to students having a hodgepodge of courses instead of a solid traditional core.
8. There was some discussion about the article on a recommended CS curriculum for liberal arts colleges.
9. Stephen questions whether the prerequisites for courses are necessary prereqs or are they arbitrary.
10. Marsha expressed a concern that with numerous choices students be stuck taking what is offered not necessarily what they find interesting.
11. Karen suggested a revision of Ernie's proposal. Karen's suggestion will be posted and discussed at a meeting on Monday.