FACULTY SENATE

Minutes: April 18, 2001
Pat Phillips, Secretary

 MEMBERS PRESENT:  Phil Sell, Mike Cicero, Hui Ming Huo, Eric Baer, Bob Bonner, Priscilla Bell, Glen Avantaggio, Sharon Hashimoto, Barbara Smith, Jeff Wagnitz, Pat Phillips

 GUEST:  Gwen Spencer

 General Discussion: Option B

 Major points of discussion included the following -

 §         Affects very few students.
§         Used by creative writing students and students in the arts, similar to preparing a portfolio to apply for admission  to a transfer institution.  Works very well for them.
§         Can cause confusion since students may get into jeopardy because they aren't aware that their choices of classes may not prepare them to transfer.
§         Can be abused by students who are trying to avoid other degree requirements.
§         Need to protect students from their ignorance but provide choice for those who need it.
§         Isn't really whatever a student wants since a faculty advisor has to approve it.
§         Public should be able to make certain assumptions about what a student has gained from a degree - doesn't exist with this.
§         Report from Jeff on Grays Harbor Community College's requirements: loosely defined transfer degree with some requirements; available only in certain areas.
§         Fulfills a good purpose but needs some minimum requirements.
§         Part of the problem may be in what it's called.
§         General agreement there should be a minimum set of requirements.