Minutes of the Faculty Assembly

January 29, 2004

 

  1. R. Serianz called the meeting to order at 3:15 and led the assembly in prayer.
  2. R. Serianz explained that today’s meeting would be to discuss the proposal of Themes, that it would be an open discussion, that there would be no motions, no conclusions, but that this would be a time to share ideas.  She encouraged the faculty to show reverence to one another and to be courteous.
  3. B. Peters and T. Schuster presented a short history of how themes had came about.  They explained that an assessment done in 1997 showed that students were dissatisfied with coherence, and did not see the connectedness between their General Education requirements and their disciplines.  St. Ambrose is a Liberal Arts institute and there is a strong value placed on receiving a broad general education.  Many advisors already talk about themes with their students and realize the importance of this issue.  A PowerPoint presentation was then done that summarized the Themes proposal that had been given to everyone in writing.  The main purpose of themes for the students is to encourage them to relate topics and make connections and to enhance their critical thinking skills.  Pros for themes are that disciplines are crossed and meaningful discussions are encouraged.  Cons are the increased workload for the student and the advisor.  It was stated that when the General Education program was approved by faculty that this did not mean that the faculty were approving Themes, which was a part of this proposal.  It was also explained by P. Koch that the committee does not want themes to be a burden.  He explained that themes would first be developed in the NSS and that there would be some changes to orientation.  This would encourage students to think of academics early on.
  4. Several questions and comments were made.  The following is a summary.  It is difficult for advisors to know what is covered in a course just by a title.  It was suggested that a database of syllabi be put on the computer.  It was felt that the themes would offer a renewed enthusiasm for those teaching the NSS and offer more connection and richness.  A theme would be required for graduation.  A suggestion was made that students should demonstrate more community involvement, such as service-learning projects since this is part of the St. Ambrose mission.  It was stated that transfer students would be excluded from themes since they have already completed several General Education courses from other institutions.   There was then some discussion on the percentage of students that would actually be affected by this and if this is something we want all St. Ambrose graduates to experience.  If so are we accomplishing our goal with themes?  Some felt that this was a great ideal and that it shows we are looking ahead to get consistency and coherence.  It was stated that some students don’t even know a major so how would they pick a theme. Students would have until the junior year to complete their themes.  Students would be able to change their theme if they had taken only one course.  Themes could be a springboard into minors.  A suggestion was made to increase faculty development and training and not to put in place a set of rules.  P. Koch emphasized that this is a student directed program that refection is what is important and that this is just a tiny part of the General Education proposal.  Others stated that they felt that we are solving a people problem with structure and that this is just another hoop to jump through.  Others stated that this is a glimmer of hope for the future.
  5. At the end of the discussion R. Serianz summarized the options:  Send proposal to Ed Policies committee.  At the next faculty meeting take a vote on whether to drop the concept of themes or not.  Send out ballots for all faculty to vote on themes.  A “straw poll” was done for the faculty present:  17 were in favor of the presented themes proposal.  28 were against the presented themes proposal.
  6. G. Bailey moved to adjourn the meeting.  T. Burns seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 4:10 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted

Renae Harroun, Secretary

Faculty Assembly