Curriculum and Assessment Policy Committee (CAPC)

given at the February 25, 2008 University Senate meeting

submitted by Deborah Vess

At our February meeting, CAPC discussed a new sophomore seminar implemented by the Nursing faculty to better prepare students for the major courses in the upper level.   The sophomore seminar will be required for all pre-nursing students who wish to be admitted to the nursing program beginning in the Fall 2009.  The course was developed for the Board of Regents Nursing Education Initiative. The nursing program received $167,124.00 to increase the capacity of the BSN program from 80 to 95 students per year and implement a student-success strategy to increase the program’s student retention and graduation rates. The two-hour course is being offered for the first time this semester.  Current pre-nursing students are encouraged to take the course. 

The credit hours earned in the course do not count towards the 120 hours required for the degree.  The committee discussed the possible impact on HOPE and course load.  This proposal falls under the CAPC purview as an item of information to be shared with the university for communication purposes and does not require the committee to recommend it for further debate on the senate level.

CAPC members also discussed a routing document prepared by Dean Gangstead to clarify the steps that must be taken prior to submitting proposals to CAPC.   We continue to receive inquiries on how to submit proposals and occasionally have received proposals without the proper approvals.  The CAPC sees communication with the university about our procedures and other areas of concern as an important part of our charge, and we hope the routing document will help provide relevant information about the steps in the recommendation process to those who wish to submit proposals.  The document was circulated among ECUS members and no concerns were noted.

At our next meeting, a proposal from the SOE to establish a MAT program in middle grades math and science education as part of a STEM grant initiative will be discussed.