LAS POSITAS COLLEGE
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
2:30 P.M., ROOM 804
Approved Minutes
Faculty/Voting Members Present: Non-Voting/Ex. Off. Members Present:
Christine Acacio (SS/Counseling) Neal Ely
Andrea Alvarado (SS/Articulation) Nicole Huber
Jeremiah Bodnar (A&C) Martha Konrad
Rajeev Chopra (BCAT) Laurel Jones
Debbie Fields (BCAT) Janice Noble
Adeliza Flores (MSEPS) John Williams
LaVaughn Hart(Chair, Non-voting)(BCAT)
Tiina Hukari (A&C) Non-Voting/Ex. Off. Members Absent:
Cynthia Keune (MSEPS) John Armstrong
Pat Pohl (SS&W) Jeff Baker (exc.)
John Ruys (SS&W) Philip Manwell (exc.)
Michael Schwarz (SS/Counseling) ASLPC (2 students)
Cheryl Warren (A&C;Librarian)
Guests:
Faculty/Voting Members Absent: Ron Johansen
Christina Lee
Mark Tarte
AGENDA:
1. CALL TO ORDER: The November 12, 2008, regular Las Positas College Curriculum
Committee meeting was called to order by Chair, LaVaughn Hart, at 2:35 p.m. in room
804.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved (Alvarado) and seconded Chopra) to approve the
minutes of the October 22, 2008, meeting. Approved with two abstentions.
3. CURRICULUM PROPOSALS/PRESENTATIONS:\
MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Mark Tarte presenting.
AJ 99.XX (Fitness for Life—Healthy Living for the Law Enforcement Officer, 3
units, 2 lecture, 3 laboratory)—New course; prerequisite: completion of a POST
basic academy (AJ 99.97) and possess a Basic Certificate; CSU transferable only;
may be taken 4X. Course is part of an ongoing series of classes for police officers; it
provides a holistic approach to health and fitness designed to reduce incidence of
illness, stress, accidents. Each time it is taken will be a variation or level
improvement where each repetition will raise the level of accomplishment. This type
of course has long been part of the Fire Service training, but only recently added for
police officers. It will be taught off-campus by a POST certified trainer in accordance
with state POST curriculum standards. This is not a PE course and is not an entry-
level class.
Needed: Sections on Measurable Objectives, Course Content, and Typical
Assignments should be focused toward police officers rather than stated in general
terms.
FIRE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY
Ron Johansen presenting.
FST 75A (Fire Instructor IA—Instructional Techniques, Part 1, 2 units; 40 total
hours)—Course revision; new catalog description, new course title; prerequisite FST
50; CSU transferable only; GR only; may not be repeated.
LPC Curriculum Committee, November 12, 2008 Page 2
FST 75B (Fire Instructor 1B—Instructional Techniques, Part 2, 2 units; 40 total
hours)—Course revision; new catalog description, new course title; prerequisite FST
75A; CSU transferable only; GR only; may not be repeated.
These two courses are being submitted for accelerated approvals in order to be
submitted for Fall 2008 data reporting. The courses have been in the college
inventory for a long time, but not taught at Las Positas College and the course
outlines are out of date. These two courses are necessary for certification of the first
level supervisor, to prepare for creating and delivering lessons to firefighters and
provide the skills necessary to be/become leaders. Ten officers training courses are
being brought up to date.
Needed: Course format should be changed to reflect the Las Positas College
Carnegie Units format, e.g., 40 total hours (lecture), rather than 32 hours lecture and
8 hours laboratory, as these are teaching demonstrations and evaluations. Changing
these laboratory hours to lecture will not change scheduling patterns significantly but
will increase instructor load.
Agreement: Instructor will revise course outlines and proposal forms to be reposted
quickly. A survey will be posted on Blackboard to vote in order to make the deadline
for the December Board of Trustees meeting for approval.
MATHEMATICS
Cindy Keune presenting for Craig Kutil.
MATH 45 (College Algebra, 3 units, 3 lecture, 1 laboratory)—Course revision;
catalog description change; prerequisite: MATH 55 or MATH 55B or MATH 55Y; GR
only; transfer to CSU/UC; LPC GE; no repeatability.
Course revision is a Title 5 update. The course is the college transfer-level algebra
course. Outcomes are from the new outlines for the prerequisites as required for
update.
SOCIAL SCIENCE/WELLNESS
Pat Pohl presenting.
PE CL (Cheerleading, 0.5-2.0 units, 1.5-6.0 laboratory)—New course; CSU/UC,
LPC GE; may be taken 4X
Cheerleading is very athletic and competitive, and students may be injured so it is
essential for them to learn with good supervision. This course, however, would not be
taught at the highly athletic level. Students may become cheerleaders for LPC sports
events. Needed: course outline revised to address safety content.
STUDENT SERVICES
Christina Lee presenting.
PSYCHOLOGY-COUNSELING 10 (Career and Educational Planning, 2 units, 2
lecture)—Course revision;DE request. Course rubric and number are shared with
Chabot.
Course outline being revised and updated, including new textbooks, in support of a
distance education request. This popular course would be accessible to more
students in DE. The objective of the course is to increase student self-awareness.
As this is a shared course, Ms. Hart asked whether Chabot will make parallel
changes in their outline. Ms. Lee will follow through with this question. The
agreement has been that when the catalog description, including prerequisites,
matches at both colleges and when 80% of the course outline is in agreement, the
course will be considered in alignment. Ms. Alvarado reminded that this agreement
does not always provide the best solution for students. This is a situation that will
continue to be highlighted as the Chancellor has tasked the District Curriculum
Council to discover the extent of curriculum non-alignment between the two
colleges.
4. REVIEW/VOTE
SOCIAL SCIENCE/WELLNESS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Pat Pohl presenting.
LPC Curriculum Committee, November 12, 2008 Page 3
PE CS (Court Sports, 0.5-2 units, 1.5-6 hours laboratory)-New course; CSU/UC,
LPC GE; may be taken 4X. Based on exploration to determine whether the UC
would consider PE CS to be a variable topics course, vote on the course outline had
been tabled pending revision. Ms. Alvarado reminded that when THEA 4 had been
submitted with reference to “three of the five groups,” it was not approved by the UC,
but when the language was defined to state that “five groups” would be covered, it
was accepted. Ms. Alvarado entered the following email into record:
Although UC Faculty has been lenient in the past regarding the treatment of PE
activity courses, "Variable Topics" courses in this area need to be reviewed just
like academic courses. Likewise, should a PE course be approved as "Variable
Topics", it will not be considered until after transfer.
Thanks for your patience,
Sheila Lau
Articulation Officer/Counselor
College of Alameda
MOTION: MSC (Schwarz/Chopra) to table vote on PE CS to December 10 meeting agenda,
pending additional revision of course outline for resolution of “variable topics” issues.
PE DS (Disc Sports, 0.5-2 units, 1.5-6 hours laboratory)-New; CSU/UC, LPC GE;
taken 4X.
PE X1 (Adapted Aquatic Exercise, 0.5-2 units, 1.5-6 hours laboratory)-New;
CSU/UC, LPC GE; taken 4X; for special needs students.
PE X2 (Aqua Aerobics, 0.5-2 units, 1.5-6 hours laboratory)-New; CSU/UC, LPC
GE; taken 4X; course used to be called Aqua Conditioning; will be taught in the
shallow end of the pools with instructor on side of the pool.
PE X3 (Aqua Jogging, 0.5-2 units, 1.5-6 hours laboratory)-New; CSU/UC, LPC
GE; taken 4X; excellent exercise; similar to walk-jog classes.
PE X4 (Swimming -Beginning, 0.5-2 units, 1.5-6 hours laboratory)-New; CSU/UC,
LPC GE; taken 4X.
PE X5 (Swimming for Fitness, 0.5-2 units, 1.5-6 hours laboratory)-New; CSU/UC,
LPC GE; taken 4X.
MOTION: Moved (Chopra) and seconded (Schwarz) to approve course outlines for
PE DS, PE X1, PE X2, PE X3, PE X4, PE X5. Approved, with one abstention.
MOTION: Moved (Alvarado) and seconded (Acacio) to approve PE DS, PE X1, PE
X2, PE X3, PE X4, PE X5 for LPC GE. Approved, with one abstention.
MOTION: Moved (Alvarado) and seconded (Chopra) to approve PE DS, PE X1, PE
X2, PE X3, PE X4, PE X5 for CSU Transfer. Approved, with one abstention.
MOTION: Moved (Acacio) and seconded (Schwarz) to approve PE DS, PE X1, PE
X2, PE X3, PE X4, PE X5 for UC Transfer. Approved, with one abstention.
5. VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Following several meeting absences for conferences, Dr.
Jones was welcomed back to Committee. She reported on the information she had
received at the Fall 2008 CIO Conference, at which Mark Wade Lieu, president of the
statewide Academic Senate, had presented on a number of topics:
The CID “Course Identifier program,” which may become replacement for the
CAN system in provided a crosswalk for coursework across the California
Community Colleges and state university systems (UC/CSU). It had been hoped
that the LDTP (Lower Division Transfer Program) would develop into this
function, however, that is not likely. There is optimism that the CID (Course ID)
program will grow into this capability and should be especially helpful for
counseling.
The American Diploma Program (www.achieve.org) is a work directive with the
states to articulate K-12 with college and university programs. The CSU has
signed off to participate, and we will hear more about this. This is an
“aspirational” attempt to take on the differing educational standards at the K-12
LPC Curriculum Committee, November 12, 2008 Page 4
level and to produce more alignment. High School exit exams and related issues
need to be addressed, particularly from the vantage of the Department of
Finance. Achievement defined by passing exit exams is different from “learning.”
The CSU has expressed its willingness for community colleges to review their
assessment items that let students move from high school into the CSU. We will
be able to look at developing a similar matriculation pattern for the community
colleges.
APG—Assessment and Planning Group. Information is available on the State
Chancellor’s website www.cccco.edu. Dr. Jones recommended that those
interested in the strategic plan for assessment go to the website and review.
PACE—Organization of faculty members to help come with “across the
disciplines” rubrics. Dr. Jones will continue with information at upcoming
meetings.
6. CURRICULUM CHAIR’S REPORT: Ms. Hart reporting:
A. District Curriculum Council (DCC), November 7, 2008:
Credit for Veterans. Many community colleges and universities give credit in
some college courses for veterans. While this sounds simple, in practice it is
not because the needs of veterans vary widely due to finance/GI benefits
regulations and because the government cannot function with a table of
“options.” At one point honorably discharged veterans received an automatic
pass on Health 1, but this was discontinued some years ago. Financial aid
officers and veterans staff members attended the DCC meeting to request
that this be raised as a discussion topic to reinstate some form of credit. To
facilitate this, a small subgroup has been established, consisting of
representatives from veterans groups and counseling (Andrea Alvarado,
Todd Steffan, Jane Church) to draw up plans for how this could be
implemented. The subgroup will bring their report to the December DCC
meeting. Although the DCC cannot make a decision, it can make a
recommendation back to the colleges’ Curriculum Committees and
Academic Senates. Ms. Hart emphasized that this is another area in which
the Chancellor believes that uniformity would be beneficial for students.
Curriculum Management software. With the leadership of the Chancellor,
the District is moving ahead on acquisition of management software, most
likely CurricUNet. “Costing” information is needed; we do not know the true
cost of CurricUNet, for example. It appears that there would be the purchase
of software and configuration (which would be done separately for the
individual colleges); maintenance; training; implementation. It is hoped that
there can be a small pilot next fall, with a full pilot in Spring 2010. The
timeline for full rollout would be Fall 2010, which may prove too ambitious.
Curriculum Alignment issues at Las Positas and Chabot. Implementation of
DegreeWorks has highlighted this problem. Ms. Alvarado explained that
implementation of DegreeWorks, meant to be very interactive for students
and counselors, is not yet workable for several of the important goals. While
it works for students who have “only just come to Las Positas,” it does not
have the capability of handling multiple transcripts or district issues created
by differing rubrics and course numbers. Ms. Hart noted, further, that, when
initially implemented by IT, district course equivalency tables had not been
established by faculty determinations. This remains as an important issue,
among other non-alignment concerns, and is one of the reasons the
Chancellor has tasked the Curriculum Chair at each college to discover the
extent of the non-alignment. This will entail further work and discussion
between the two colleges in order to create a working definition of
curriculum alignment and to determine what course equivalencies should
be. Mr. Schwarz also reminded that, while an equivalency table will be
helpful for the district, the issue of transcript evaluation from other
institutions will continue as a concern.
B. Liberal Arts Degree revision: A number of departments need to make
adjustments to the language in their Areas of Emphasis for the proposed Liberal
LPC Curriculum Committee, November 12, 2008 Page 5
Arts degree revision. Ms. Hart has sent emails to them with language from
degrees that have been “approved” or “approvable” to be helpful in their
proposals. An Area of Emphasis involving several disciplines needs to make it
clear that students must take coursework in all disciplines. Students must also
receive information on transfer direction (to what type of institution, what majors);
career (job entry, what fields); use of terminal degree. Ms. Hart hopes that faculty
will respond for the December Curriculum Committee and Academic Senate
meetings so the revision can be submitted to the State at the end of Fall
semester and included in the Addendum.
7. GOOD OF THE ORDER: In reference to the recent approval of NUTR 1 for LPC GE, Dr.
Pohl expressed his concern about lack of communication among faculty and Curriculum
Committee when there are changes that impact other disciplines. He felt that division
faculty had not had the opportunity to consider this in advance, and that after Curriculum
Committee approval, division discussion was too late. Also bypassing the division was
the approval of HLTH 55 (Orientation to Health Care) as an option for LPC GE, and when
learning of that, division faculty had raised the issue of how a 2-unit course could fulfill a
3-unit requirement. Ms. Hart acknowledged need for increased communication, but said
that the Curriculum Committee would make the natural assumption that the division
review process had been fulfilled since both Health and Nutrition are in the same division.
However, this important issue will continue to be expanded in any revision of Curriculum
forms. Ms. Fields hoped that quality division technical review would reduce some of this
concern and resolve the types of technical issues that should not remain in curriculum
received by the Committee. Dr. Jones reminded, however, that many of these impacts
are outside the division, which is why it is important to integrate curriculum review into
Program Review process. This can help to highlight situations in which there is potential
impact in another discipline and can facilitate communication. Curriculum minutes are
also publicly available, and the implementation of CurricUNet will aid this by providing a
database history of courses, but, Dr. Jones added, “I think the problem will get bigger;
we’re going to have to figure out better means of communication.” Dean Williams agreed
that these types of issues will be much better when CurricUNet is implemented because
there are queues and prompts that require persons to sign off in the proper flow. Ms.
Hart’s opinion is that good process definition will go far to ameliorating such problems
both between the two colleges and among the divisions and discipline faculties, but
CurricUNet will not be a complete solution, and faculty will still need to be actively
involved in conversation and collaboration.
8. ADJOURNMENT: MSC (Pohl/Chopra) to adjourn at 4:08 p.m.
9. NEXT MEETING: December 10, 2008.
10. PENDING ITEMS:
A. Revision of Forms to include TOP codes: Under review.
B. INDT 61 and INDT 74, inactive status of courses tabled for review of impact on
other degrees and certificates. Responsibility: BCAT Division.
C. Research on AP practices: responsibility: Andrea Alvarado
D. AS Degrees to continue with Program Based GE requirement identification:
responsibility discipline faculty
E. AS Degree in Science Technology to be considered for deactivation:
responsibility Dr. Ely, division faculty, advisory board.
F. Creation of form for Program Approval: Under review
G. Resubmission of PE CS outline; AJ 99.XX; FST 75A and FST 75B.