UNDERGRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING

January 8, 2004

Members present:  Deborah Baumgold, Hilary Gerdes, Steve Pologe, Jim Imamura, Tyler Neely, Herb Chereck, Mark Thoma, Laura Vandenburgh, Ron Severson, Martha Pitts, Karen Sprague, Kathy Roberts, Julie Newton, Harry Wonham

Members absent:  Colleen Bell, John Postlethwait, Paul Engelking, Deborah Exton, John Lysaker, Gordon Sayre

Department of Exercise and Movement Science Proposed Name Change

The council discussed the proposal from the Department of Exercise and Movement Science for a name change to Human Physiology.  The following questions were raised:

1. To what extent does the name Human Physiology describe the subject matter the department teaches?
2. New faculty have been hired.  Does Human Physiology describe their areas of research and expertise?
3. What is common across universities for a department name in this field?
4. Would the following department names better reflect the subject matter?
• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise Physiology and Mechanics
• Kinesiology
• Exercise Physiology and Structural Mechanics

A motion to postpone consideration of the proposal and invite a member of the department to the next council meeting was made, seconded and passed by a majority vote. 

Criteria for 300-level Group Satisfying Courses

Karen Sprague distributed a draft document of criteria for 300-level group-satisfying courses.  The council discussed the criteria and had the following thoughts:

1.      In the last bullet point, replace the word “prerequisite” with one of the following:

·        background

·        substantial lower-division work

·        university-level sophistication.

2.      This document differs from the recommendations for 100- and 200-level group-satisfying courses in being considerably more detailed.  Is this useful?  Yes.  The purpose of this document is to provide practically useful criteria for the committees who evaluate 300-level courses that are proposed for group-satisfying status.  A summary version of the document might also be useful for other purposes

3.      Examples from various disciplines will help clarify the criteria.

Karen asks that council members email examples to be included in the final draft.  She will revise the draft document for the next council meeting. 

Next Meeting

The Undergraduate Council will be on January 22, 2004, in Johnson Hall Conference Room from 12:00 – 1:30.