Educational Programs and Policies Committee

Minutes, October 27, 2008

Present: Bob Aiken, Suman Balish, Bruce Conrad, Chris Dennis, Phil Harris, Tamara Johns, Wendy Kutchner, Michelle O’Connor, Catherine Schifter (acting chair), and Kate Wingert. Novella Keith as guest.

Minutes were reviewed and approved with no changes.

Community-Based Learning: Novella attended to inform the committee about the new CBL standing committee of faculty senate. She reviewed the levels of CBL the committee has developed and criteria for a course to be a CBL course. Michele provided background – no way to identify classes/courses that were CBL. For research and reporting purposes, we need to identify these courses accurately, but also new levels indicate extent of community involvement. The purpose of the code is to point out to students the level of CBL required, hence better communication to students.  Bob asked how codes will be operationalized. Michele noted that whole courses or sections may be coded and college staff will need to be part of the process.

Novella explained the check list for helping faculty identify if their course is a CBL course or not. She explained the International Service Learning program in Jamaica she’s involved with, and asked about internships vis-à-vis CBL.

Chris noted how courses are coded for Honors. Course numberings were saved and can be used to identify specific types of courses – like Honors, Online, etc, or might use the section type or the RCI. Bob suggested that the information be packaged in such a way that it can be shared with and promulgated by advisers.  

Michele noted a challenge with CBL courses in that some have sections that are CBL, and not others. She noted that President Hart had an opportunity last year to apply for an award related to CBL , but getting the information was extremely difficult.

Suman asked if one program or department was more involved and Novella noted how wide spread the offerings are across campuses, but noting that CBL fits some departments better than others. Campus Compact has done much to spread CBL and has syllabi examples on their website.

Kate asked about the relation of 3 areas on handout. Novella noted the parallel efforts between Gen Ed with the Philadelphia Experience and CBL, and further noted how they are trying to resolve the differences. The “local community” is defined as contextual. Kate pointed out the importance of “reciprocal” giving back to the community. Novella noted the committee has not addressed professional schools issues.  Phil brought up the constraints of summer, but there was consideration that CBL could be accomplished during the 6 week summer sessions.

In the end, this was an informational conversation with Novella taking suggestions back to her committee. We adjourned at 3pm.

Respectfully submitted, Catherine Schifter