Faculty Organization and Council
Undergraduate Studies Committee
Members
Dean Lewis, Chair (ENG)
Mary Connerty (HSS)
Richard Hedderick (BUS)
Ken Louie (BUS)
Miriam McMullen-Pastrick (HSS)
Michael Naber (SCI)
Beth Potter (SCI)
Elisa Wu (ENG)
Qi Dunsworth, ex officio
Purpose
The Undergraduate Studies Committee recommends policies affecting undergraduate educational programs. The Committee organizes annual programming addressing issues related to teaching and the academic environment. The Committee selects annually the recipients of the Behrend College Council of Fellows Excellence in Teaching Award and the Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising. It also makes recommendations about physical facilities and instructional support systems. The direction of the Center for Teaching Initiatives serves as a non-voting, ex officio member of the Undergraduate Studies Committee.
Charges for Current Year
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Standing charge – Faculty awards; Work on criteria and formats for nominee packets to assure content consistency from schools.
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Discuss the addition of the Director of Learning Resource Center on the Committee (non-voting role) Change in constitution?
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Online SRTEs- (work with faculty affairs, and administration). Report on response rates at Behrend pre- and post, going online with SRTEs. Compare scores for the four schools for in class vs. online SRTEs. If there is a difference create a report for dissemination to P&T review committees. Provide recommendations for improving the process.
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Academic standards. How can Behrend develop a culture of high standards that supports faculty efforts and student learning? The Committee may discuss academic expectations for different types of courses, such as lower- and upper-level courses. Can some common guidelines be developed to support faculty efforts? Should we have an honors code at Behrend? (Note: This is also being considered at the University level).
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Work with the advising center on ways to provide accurate and positive information about general education classes and requirements.
Reports (PDF Format)
Minutes
2011-12