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Proposed BS Degree in Technology, Arts and Media

Mark Gross provided a summary of the proposed BS in TAM degree, noting that the TAM minor and certificate are very popular and that a survey showed strong interest in an undergraduate degree. The Undergraduate Education Council endorsed the degree proposal earlier in the day, with a recommendation that the 24 credits of math, engineering and computer science courses follow the requirements of the CS major. The Administrative Council also endorsed the proposal. Rob Davis will do a final review and then forward it to the Provost’s office.

Staffing for Freshman Projects Courses

Rob noted that the number of freshman project sections has grown from 15 – 16 per year a few years ago to about double that number next year, due to growth in college enrollments, addition of the pre-engineering program, and an increased fraction of students taking either the main GEEN 1400 course or one of the departmental or RAP projects courses. Still, the number of sections of GEEN 1400 and COEN 1400 to be assigned to departments will remain steady at about 13, as new instructors associated with the GE+ program and one with the Idea Forge are expected to accommodate the growth (note: GEEN 1400 is the first-year projects course taught in the Integrated Teaching and Learning Lab, and COEN 1400 will be a new version to be taught in the Idea Forge). Rob had previously distributed the assignments per department for these 13 sections, based on the same algorithm as used before (50% based on enrollment of majors in the 1400 sections, 25% based on undergraduate enrollments per rostered faculty member, and 25% based on student credit hour generation per rostered faculty member). Some concerns were expressed that departments with below average enrollments and credit-hour generation still needed to teach their own slate of courses, even if enrolling not as many students per course as other departments. There were also some concerns expressed that the GEEN 1400 course does not have the flexibility and challenge desired by some departments, whereas others have found that it works very well for their students. The current algorithm for distributing section assignments to the departments will continue to be employed for the time being, and departments are encouraged to assign excellent teachers who will inspire the impressionable students who take first-year projects courses.

Shared Facilities Update and Planning

Support was expressed for issuing another call for proposals this spring for college cost sharing of shared research facilities. It was suggested that the cost share be increased to 50% (from 30%) for the first six months of a brand-new facility, to help with a startup phase as the user base grows. It was also suggested that the financial management for such facilities be centralized.

College and Campus Updates

Rob noted that a special Regents meeting is scheduled for March 21, to consider tuition increases and the campus budgets for next year. The Boulder campus leadership has requested a 3.6% increase for in-state, undergraduate tuition and a 3% raise pool for faculty and exempt-professional staff.

Other Items

Doug Smith announced that engineering enrollments for summer session are up 55% over the same time last year. Penny Axelrad asked about the slate of department-based faculty awards discussed last year, and Rob noted that it has been approved and he will send out the information.

Attendees

Rob Davis, Doug Smith, JoAnn Zelasko, Sarah Miller, Jeff Sczechowski, Mary Steiner, Diane Sieber, Kurt Maute, Penny Axelrad. Dan Schwartz, Balaji Rajagopalan, Jim Martin, Mike Lightner, Conrad Stoldt, Mark Gross