Educational Policy Committee

Minutes April 1, 2003

Members present: Kris Eitrheim, Barb Wiese, Mike Hustedde, Pam Long, Bonnie Leonhardt, Terry Schlabach,

Guests present: Rich Legg, Dan Zeimet, Rick Dienesch, Lori Rodrigues-Fisher, Monica Forret, Bob Ristow, Bea Jacobson, Jill Jacobson

The minutes of the March 25^th meeting were approved.(Kris Eitrheim moved, Mike Hustedde seconded).

It was moved that ENGL 380 Teaching English as a Second/ Foreign Language (3 credits) be approved as a new course.(Kris Eitrheim moved, Barb Wiese seconded)

Bea Jacobson explained that the course will be taught in Ecuador for the intersession at the Centro de Estudios Interamericanos. Many students are interested in traveling so teach English to earn their way. This course would help English speakers learn how to teach English and even though it would not be equivalent to a degree program in ESL, it would allow the student to be certified and might encourage them to continue their education. Bob Ristow spoke on behalf of Education in favor of the program. Motion passed.

Committee moved to Ambrose computer lab to be instructed in using Blackboard. Jill Jacobson explained a template she developed for the committee. The Managerial Studies Department will pilot test the Blackboard site for review materials. Managerial Studies’ materials are available now to committee members for the April 15^th review and they are especially impressive. Thanks to Jill for her work developing the Blackboard site.

It was moved that the DBA program review be accepted. (Mike Hustedde moved, Pam Long seconded) Monica Forret introduced the DBA review. The DBA program began five years ago, and received a very good review from North Central last year when they made their focused visit. There are 40 students active now, two likely graduates this spring who successfully defended proposals this winter, and two more scheduled to defend proposals this spring. Eight students have successfully passed written and oral comprehensive exams, and three more taking written comprehensive exams this week. Admission averages about ten new students a year. The average age of students is about 45 and most work fulltime and take one or two courses at a time.

The DBA review includes syllabi for 3 courses now taught that were originally approved without syllabi. Minor changes were made to the mission to clarify it. They also proposed dropping the portfolio requirement for student work, as examples of students’ published work, written comps, and theses will be available as evidence. Motion passed.

It was moved that the meeting be adjourned (Mike Hustedde moved, Kris Eitrheim seconded). Motion passed.

Submitted by Bonnie Leonhardt