MARIETTA COLLEGE FACULTY MEETING
December 3, 2001
MINUTES (approved 1/28/02)

The regular meeting for December of the Marietta College faculty for the 2001-2002 academic year convened at 5:00 p.m. December 3, 2001, in the Selby Science Center, room 101. Dr. Sidney Potash, Chair of the Faculty, presided.

1. Announcements.

   Yearbook. Dr. S. Walker reminded faculty about the opportunity to have photographs taken for the Yearbook.

   The Messiah. Dr. DeWine commended Dr. Monek for the recent outstanding performance of The Messiah.

2. Minutes

   The minutes, after two corrections, for the regular meeting of 15 October and the special meetings of 22 October and 26 November, 2001 were approved.

3. First Year Task Force.

   The chair re-opened discussion on the motion proposed at the previous meeting:

   To approve a Freshman Seminar as described in the material circulated separately by the First Year Task Force.

   The material referred to was attached as Exhibit B to the minutes of the November 26 meeting.

   The President spoke in support of the seminar as proposed: the Planning Committee had agreed on the importance of the seminar for improving retention and so the reputation of the College; research showed that a strong relationship between a student and a member of faculty aided retention and could also enable an ongoing intellectual dialogue. In addition, Dr. Scott saw the seminar allowing greater flexibility for instructors than was possible in a typical course.

   The Provost also spoke in support of the seminar and indicated how she might approach the course, identifying "heroes" as a possible theme and gave examples of possible resources and pedagogical techniques. Dr. DeWine said she had received comments from faculty concerning the current freshman class. She passed on the comments from Ms. Denise Norris, Director of the Academic Resource Center, who had formed the impression that this year's class came from an academic environment in which little was expected of the students. Dr. DeWine reported that the Curriculum Committee was examining the feasibility of employing the Learning Communities concept and also that resources would be made available for faculty development summer workshops. Dr. DeWine gave as a goal for the seminar the raising of student's expectations.

   Ms. Arbuckle responded to questions some of which carried over from the previous meeting. The following issues were raised (and responses): a focus in the seminar should be reading which would distinguish it from Engl 101 and Comm 101; the need for support for faculty developing skills in students such as note taking; the need for oversight of the seminar (a coordinator would be appointed from the traditional faculty); the achieving of consistency across the sections (the same as at present where the coordinator worked to achieve this); the need for instructors of the course to agree on a set of standards; the need for ongoing faculty development; the material implied a structure for the course, what was that structure? (task force had not set a structure); what was implementation date? (Fall 2002); is there an agreed definition of "critical thinking"? (no); the course was to be an integral part of freshman year program, what changes did the task force intend for the freshman year? What happens if the seminar has to go over the planned cap of 18? (task force would "go back to the drawing board"); how many members of faculty would be willing to teach the seminar in the Fall? (a show of hands produced a count of 17 or 18).

   Whether a passing grade would be required for the seminar was discussed and it was proposed that the motion be amended to include:

   The course is required for graduation, and that the student must receive a grade of C- or better.

   The amendment was seconded. Discussion covered the following issues: in the absence of the requirement that the course be passed, there would be the perception that the course was not "academic"; other institutions with similar seminars, e.g. Allegheny, Wabash, Wooster, did not require passing the course; a passing requirement could interfere with the mentor relationship.

   On a show of hands the amending motion failed by a wide margin.

   On the main motion being put to a vote, a ballot vote showed: Yes 32, No 28, with three absentions. Drs. DeLaat and Perruci were tellers and the vote counted included absentee ballots.

4. Adjournment

   The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. approximately.

Fraser G. MacHaffie
Secretary of the Faculty

cc: Dr. Jean Scott
     Dr. Sue DeWine (2)
     Dr. Sidney Potash
     Reserve Collection, Dawes Memorial Library