EVENT: Brown Bag meeting

DATE: 2/15/2008

LOCATION: SSC F-110

TOPIC: Faculty Council position paper, “Academic Freedom, Closing the Gaps, and Course Redesign”

SUMMARY

Meeting started at 12:03 with 19 faculty and one VP present.

Brown Bag organizer Scott Robinson introduced the topic: the Faculty Council position paper, “Academic Freedom, Closing the Gaps, and Course Redesign.” Scott quickly turned the floor over to the principle authors of the document, Kyle Wilkison and Joan Jenkins.

Kyle and Joan presented background information on the origins of the position paper, highlighting an apparent conflict of interest for educational software developers who have a prominent role in the course redesign initiative. More importantly, as outlined by the Faculty Council position paper, aspects of the Closing the Gaps initiative may be problematic in terms of academic freedom.

Kyle and Joan opened the floor to questions and comments. A consensus emerged that faculty should take keen interest in the Closing the Gaps initiative. Attendees further expressed concern that faculty remain at the center of decisions concerning curriculum--such as the course redesign initiative. The group then considered what to do with the position paper (i.e., to whom should the document be sent?).

Attendees expressed a desire to continue the Brown Bag discussions. Scott announced plans to organize more Brown Bag events at the other campuses.

End 12:50