2001-2002 - Viterbo University

Viterbo University Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2001
Present: Amy Gleason, Kim Fredricks, Ed Rushton, Rich Maresh, John Nebeck, Tim
Schorr, Pat Wessels, Wayne Wojciechowski, Rich Maresh, Keith Knutson,
Ed Wenzel, Rolf Samuels
Absent: Jack Havertape, Pat Zander
I. We approved the minutes of the October 10 meeting.
II. Michael Lauer proposed that BIO303 (Ecology of Belize) be granted a diversity (D) and
environmental (E) overlay. Discussion followed.
BIO303 is a three-credit course, one credit of which students earn in the spring semester, two
credits of which students earn during 14 days of fieldwork in Belize in May. The trip was
offered once before as part of BIO 161 and as the lab portion of CHEM 470. The ecology angle
of the course asks that students compare the ecology of Belize with that of Wisconsin. Michael
said that the course’s diversity component lies in student interactions with native cultures—in the
field through interaction with Belize guides, in the town through interaction with Creoles,
Mayans, etc. The course discusses ecotourism and sustainable agriculture, both of which ask
students to look at the particular culture of Belize. Students keep a reaction journal during their
time in Belize.
When Pat raised a question of how student learning about diversity might be measured, Michael
said that such insights are recorded in the journals, though he could stipulate a portion of journal
entries that could be dedicated directly to diversity.
Rich wondered about diversity requirements in other courses. Nothing in the college catalog
establishes exact standards, although the catalog does list particular courses that qualify for D
and E overlays. Pat wondered if courses with both designations ought to balance those two
elements. Kim then circulated CC procedures that showed how instructors should submit
courses for D or E overlay approval. Those procedures spell out six kinds of courses that qualify
a course for a diversity overlay and three criteria that sanction an environmental studies overlay.
These procedures also showed that all such proposals first require the approval of the department
chair and the school dean. Michael agreed to secure this approval and resubmit his proposal to
the CC.
Overall, the committee agreed that the ecological angle of the course was easy enough to
approve, but we wanted a better course instrument to measure how well students interacted with
the diversity of the Belize culture. Michael agreed to present us a revised syllabus at our next
meeting, one that incorporated such measurement.

Pat turned discussion to the measurement of diversity in all such designated courses in the
catalog. What ensures that these courses still qualify as diversity courses? Rich said that the
initial designation of D status came from the ad hoc committee that approved general ed
requirements some five years ago. Pat suggested that we ask departments to revisit which
courses warranted diversity overlays. The CC could develop a form that departments could use
to support the diversity legitimacy of their D courses.
III. We agreed to meet for the last time this semester during finals week, Monday, December
10 at 9:00. Ed will check on the continued availability of the conference room. The
meeting adjourned at 4:22.
Respectfully submitted,
Rolf Samuels
Recording Secretary
cc: Michael Lauer
Sr. Georgia Christensen
Todd Wehr Memorial Library

Viterbo University Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes
10 Dec 2001
Present: Amy Gleason, Kim Fredricks, Jack Havertape, Keith Knutson, Rich Maresh, Ed Ruston,
Rolf Samuels, Tim Schorr, Ed Wenzel, Pat Wessels, Wayne Wojciechowski, Pat Zander
Absent: John Nebeck
The committee was called to order at 9:07 a.m.
We approved the minutes of the 8 Nov 2001 meeting by a 10-0 vote. The motion was made by Pat
Wessels and seconded by Kim Fredricks.
The main agenda item for this meeting was to have been the approval of the Diversity and Ecology
overlay status for BIO 303 (“The Ecology of Belize”), but the additional materials the committee had
requested (see 8 Nov minutes) were not yet available, so this item was tabled until sometime in the
coming semester.
We then began a discussion of the issue of student re-entry to Viterbo after an academic leave of absence.
There is a case of a student in the Marshfield area who has been taking courses in the RRN program when
they become available in her area; she has taken many courses in her major area (BIS) and is essentially
trying to finish her general education courses. The problem is that when no appropriate course is available
locally in a given semester (it might be a nursing course or a course she has already taken) she has to
“drop out” (or “stop out”) and then go through the re-entry process to take further courses, which requires
filling out a form and paying a nominal fee ($20). So it has been suggested that we might be able to make
this process easier by not requiring re-entry, at least under some conditions.
Pat Zander said that the catalog is also an issue – if a student “stops out” for a while, a semester or a year
or two, and then decides to resume the program, should she be forced into the current catalog? This can
create a moving target situation.
After considerable discussion of these matters the committee decided to have Jack and Amy do a little
looking around to see what other schools do in this regard and to then consider some sort of proposal in
the spring semester.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
The schedule for the next semester will be determined in January.
Respectfully submitted,
Rich Maresh
Recording Secretary

Viterbo University Curriculum Committee Minutes
February 14, 2002
Present: Kim Fredricks, Amy Gleason, Jack Havertape, Rich Maresh, John Nebeck,
Ed Rushton, Rolf Samuels, Timothy Schorr, Ed Wenzel, Pat Wessels, Wayne Wojciechowski,
Pat Zander
Absent: Keith Knutson
Ed Wenzel called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
The committee approved the minutes of the January 17 meeting.
Agenda item 3: allowing students to take academic leave without having to reapply for entry or
transfer into a new catalog. Because off-campus sites do not offer general education courses on
a regular basis, students at these locations may not be able to enroll every semester and are
forced to pay a $20 processing fee and change to the current catalog each time they reenter.
While it is the students’ responsibility to inform the University when they plan to reenter,
currently there is no distinction between a “leave of absence” and simply dropping out of school.
Jack Havertape proposed the creation of a leave of absence policy that would exempt students
enrolled in off-campus programs, or those who need to take a year off from school for medical or
other reasons, from paying the $20 reentry fee or changing to a new catalog. Discussion: (1) the
question of who will keep track of students granted a leave of absence, (2) the length of a leave
of absence, (3) the advisor’s role in the process, (4) the leave of absence policies of other
institutions, (5) how students will be informed of a leave of absence policy. The proposed policy
would be similar to those at other institutions, as compiled in a handout by Amy Gleason. Jack
Havertape offered to keep track of students granted a leave of absence through his office.
During exit interviews with students who are leaving school, Wayne Wojciechowsi may be able
to help identify those students who want to apply for a leave of absence. The 2002-2003 Student
Handbook and the next University catalog would articulate the new leave of absence policy.
Jack Havertape made the following motion: “Students may apply for a one-year leave of
absence with the Academic Vice President. Students who receive such a leave will not be
responsible for the reentry fee and can remain in the same catalog, provided they return within
three academic semesters.” The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda item 4: investigating methods for making graduation checks more efficient and timely.
Currently it is the responsibility of the advisor to ensure that students have completed all
requirements for graduation. Amy Gleason suggested the need for a third party to do a final
credit check while still respecting the role of the advisor. Consensus was that advisors would
welcome help in making sure that students fulfill all graduation requirements. Discussion: (1)
the question was raised of when a final credit check would occur and who would it, (2) a concern
with transfer students not having enough upper-division credits to graduate. Amy Gleason
offered to monitor the anticipated graduation dates on degree audit sheets and to complete a final
credit check when students have earned 80 credit hours, or before 115 credits for extendedlearning
students. She will include a list of unmet requirements with the registration materials

that she sends to each advisor. This process would typically occur at the Junior II level, just
before the student’s final two semesters.
Additional agenda item: the proposed approval of BIO 160 as a General Education course.
This course is currently closed to all students except biology majors. The proposal would allow
all students to take the course in fulfillment of the General Education requirements. Discussion:
(1) the Chemistry Department already has a similar policy, (2) the School of Letters and Sciences
Chairs Committee has approved the change, (3) biology majors who subsequently change to
another degree program could count BIO 160 as a General Education course rather than having
to take a lower-level course, such as BIO 100, to fulfill the requirement.
Pat Wessels moved to approve BIO 160 as a General Education course. John Nebeck seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Schorr
Recording Secretary