Undergraduate Council Attending: H.Alley, F. Chadwell, H. Chereck, P.Engelking, R. Hurwitz, D. Koch, J. Long, K. Nicholson, J. Nicols, S. Ponder, D. Pope, J. Rice, J. Wade Absent: S Bender, M. Gleason, A. Leavitt, W. Mitchell, M. Partch, J. Watson Guests: John Moseley, Provost, Scott Pratt, Council Member, 1999-2000, Bob Zimmerman, Council Member, 1999-2000 Meeting started at 2:35 PM Changes in Undergraduate Education Moseley indicated that he is considering a new position, one of Dean of Undergraduate Studies or Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies, similar to the Dean of the Graduate School. This new position will have the responsibility of encouraging pathways, PLE's, freshmen internship program, and initiatives in recruiting and advising. These responsibilities would include some of those now designated to Jim Buch in Student Academic Affairs. By reassigning these duties, this would allow Jim to focus more on admissions, registrar's office, financial aid, and enrollment management. Also, the new person would be included in the Council of Deans and be included in discussions, as is now the Dean of the Graduate School. Moseley noted that this idea is not totally worked out yet and is not set in stone. He was presenting this idea to the UC for feedback and discussion, and noted that it would probably take a year before it is instituted. In response to the concern that this position requires a lot of planning, Moseley indicated that it would be an internal person, probably a faculty member who has demonstrated a real concern for undergraduate education. He also noted that this can be done with existing budgets. Bob Hurwitz questioned the specific duties and compromising of the autonomy of the various departments and units on campus. He commented that the person should be a coordinator who brings things together to plan policy, rather than someone who makes policy. Moseley compared this new position with that of the Dean of the Graduate School. He would like to work with the UC beginning early in fall to talk about the responsibilities of the position, and would like a search to begin early next academic year. Moseley indicated that Karen Sprague (Chair of the Undergraduate Implementation Team) will play a lot of those roles next year. He also indicated that he wanted the Council to carefully consider this position and that he did not want to create a position that infringes upon departments. Paul Engelking asked about staffing for the new position--would it be similar to the Graduate School or would he use the staff in the Provost's office? Moseley indicated that we now have a staff person who services the Undergraduate Implementation Team, and that person would probably be the staff person. The new dean or vice provost would have an office in Johnson Hall, and there would be no major expansion in staff. Moseley indicated that he would like to attend the first meeting of the UC in fall term to discuss this further. Jim Long indicated that the UC has not done much in the area of innovation, as it has just been a reactive body. Long asked how Moseley sees the role of the UC in innovation? Moseley indicated that the implementation team will give the UC initiatives. How this evolves will depend on the dynamics of the UC and the undergraduate dean. The dean or vice provost will work with the UC, the provost and the deans. There are a lot of ideas that have not been explored and we must set priorities. We will need a priority sorting mechanism to use the funds approved by the legislature. Kate Nicholson indicated that as an elected council, the UC functions as an oversight group, not a group of innovators. Long asked about the Graduate Council and if they play the role of innovators. Moseley indicated that the Graduate Council is a facilitating group and has an oversight role. Moseley asked the group for advice, and noted that we need a mechanism for our progress and redirection of resources. John Nicols indicated that the UC works well with ex officio members, as most are members of other groups. Unfortunately, he indicated that this puts a heavy burden on people and this is very time consuming. Moseley then indicated that he did not want this process to be counterproductive. Before leaving, Moseley said he would come to the first meeting of the UC in the fall and then we would start the process. Process for Change [Moseley left the meeting] UC Chair for Next Year Independent Studies Henry Alley noted that students should be discouraged to participate in the program, and there should be another place for these students. Joe Wade indicated that many of the students in this program are under-achievers, not motivated, and not interested in the traditional program. The UC agreed that the GPA should be raised to 3.5. Program in Photography 3-4 Credit Justification Residency Requirement Criteria for Group Satisfying Courses Retiring Members of UC Schedules for Fall Members were asked to give their schedules to Carol. She will send each one a form to fill out and return to her for coordination of a meeting time. Meeting adjourned at 3:35 PM Minutes submitted by Carol White Next meeting: Fall term; date and place tba. 
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