CAS Meeting Minutes

September 22, 2005

Sharon Shafer opened the meeting at 12:00 N.

I. The minutes of the April 28, 2005 meeting were approved.

II. Dr. Saundra Oyewole, Dean, welcomed everyone back and introduced the Director of Library and Information Services, Kaye Gapen, and a new Assistant Professor of Spanish, Patricia Portillo. Dr. Oyewole informed the faculty that the Computer Sciences major has been discontinued and that students scheduled to graduate with that major will be accommodated. The Admissions staff is planning a “sneak preview” for October 15 for potential students and their families; faculty will be asked to participate.

III. Associate Dean Dorothy Harris introduced Laura Irwin, the new Director of Academic Support, and Karen Rowan, the new Director of the Writing Center. A new brochure, “The Road to Growth,” a guide to available academic advising, support and career services was distributed to the faculty. Ms. Harris reminded everyone of approaching advising opportunities and needs, including transcript evaluations for seniors and an upcoming graduate school fair.

IV. Karen Rowan, the new Writing Center Director, greeted the faculty and reminded everyone that the writing center is now located on the third floor. She distributed a flyer outlining writing center services, asked for help in identifying potential tutors, and spoke briefly about the Writing Across the Curriculum initiative.

V. Dr. Carlota Ocampo led off the discussion on the need to produce data, analysis, and narrative on student learning outcomes of the FLC for the CAS-CAP Committee to be used in the Middle States Report. A spirited discussion about difficulties in obtaining and translating this information followed. Dr. Brad Mello added that any evidence - quantitative or qualitative - that students have learned what we want them to learn is needed by the Middle States committee. Dr. Brunella Bowdicth demonstrated a way to track and chart the relationship of final grades to initial placements in math and writing courses.

VI. Announcements included a warning about the contents of the faculty lounge refrigerator, an expression of thanks from Dr. Bill Beverly from his daughter Olive, a request fro assistance in the development of new print material for the Admissions office, and a request for earlier distribution of CAS meeting agendas.

VII. All faculty were invited to stay and join the program chairs in continuing the discussion introduced earlier in the meeting about the need for information for Middle States. The discussion surfaced key issues that frustrate faculty in their efforts to prioritize and provide the requested material.

VIII. Th meeting adjourned at 1:30 PM.