MINUTES OF THE MEETING

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The College of Education Executive Committee met on Thursday, November 9, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. in the COE Conference Room (Room 235) in the Education Center with Dean Gunter presiding. Members present were: Drs. McGahee, Stanley, Soady, Reffel, Gerber, Langford (for Griffin), Martinez, Leech, Hull, Bauer, Gladwin (for Galeano), Hilgert, Lee, Mr. Pearce, and Ms. Roberts. Guests: Dr. Katka Vitaskova, Dr. Jiri Langer, and Ms. Jana Kvintova.

Dr. Bauer introduced the guests from Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic: Dr. Vitaskova, Vice Dean of Education; Dr. Langer, faculty member in Special Education; and Ms. Kvintova, doctoral student in Psychology. Dr. Hull explained that both she and Dr. Bauer had met with these guests from the Czech Republic and discussed various ways to share resources; additionally, the group visited three schools in Valdosta. Dr. Vitaskova expressed her appreciation for the hospitality shown to the group and also expressed hope for further faculty and student exchanges between VSU and Palacky University.

Drs. Myers-Jennings and Johnston were at the meeting to discuss the letter of intent for a proposed doctoral program in Communication Disorders. They both explained that this program was just at the "talking" stage; they further explained that the letter of intent had been inspired by the BOR Health Professions Report which had stated a need for more trained professionals in the field of speech/language pathology. Dr. Bauer made a motion that the letter of intent be revised and forwarded on to the BOR; Dr. Leech seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

Discussion turned to the Area F curricular changes which will be required because of the three new BOR-mandated courses. These three new required courses are: EDUC 2110 (Investigating Critical & Contemporary Issues in Education), EDUC 2120 (Exploring Socio Cultural Perspectives on Diversity), and EDUC 2130 (Exploring Teaching & Learning). The EDUC 2110 course should be a fairly even "swap" with MSED 2000. The EDUC 2120 course will be a "new" course--consideration might be given to this course being taught by faculty from various departments. Dr. Bauer announced that his departmental faculty will look at the EDUC 2130 course.

Dean Gunter noted that no specific course is required for teacher education majors, except SPEC 2000 (Special Education); this course is mandated by the state legislature. SPEC 2000 will be changed to SPEC 3000 and put in each program's major course area in order to make room for the three new courses in Area F. Related to this issue, Dr. Martinez announced that he will move forward with a proposal to put ACED 2400 in Area D of the core curriculum. Dean Gunter noted, however, that departments should not consider this proposed change for ACED 2400 in making their Area F changes. Dean Gunter asked each department head to report on where his/her department was in making the Area F changes. Dean Gunter wants all proposals for the Area F changes to be presented for approval at the November 30 meeting.

Dr. Reffel announced that she would like to meet with all 2999 instructors to try to develop a more uniform and consistent approach to the course across the unit; she will try to set up a meeting. Dr. Reffel will also examine the possibility of offering an EDUC 2999 course off campus.

Dean Gunter asked Dr. Martinez to present the unit's diversity plan at the November 30 meeting.

Dean Gunter announced that Visitation Day would be held this coming Saturday. He also announced that Dr. John Merriman, former Head of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, had passed away.

Dr. McGahee announced that Education Career Day would be on November 21.

Mr. Pearce announced that an art exhibit would open in the Fine Arts Building on Friday.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donnie J. McGahee