Addendum #3

SUMMARY

Board of Trustees

Academic Affairs Committee

December 15, 2006

Members Present:  Ms. Mary Lukens, Chair, Mr. Brian Cloyd, Mr. Larry Inman, Mr. Jon LaSalle, Mr. Karl Weber, Dr. Fred Joyal, Dr. Les Wong, ex officio

Guests:  Dr. Alec Lindsay, Dr. Tim Compton, Professor Michael Strahan, Dr. Mary Ellen Powers, Professor Peter Pless, Dr. Larry Pagel

The Academic Affairs Committee meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m.

Academic Senate Update

Dr. Larry Pagel, Chair of the Academic Senate briefed the Committee on the function and responsibility of the Academic Senate and its subcommittees.  He said the two ad hoc committees formed earlier this semester, the Senate Ad Hoc Internationalization Committee and the Academic Service Learning Ad Hoc Committee have presented their recommendations to the Academic Senate.

Charter School Board Approvals

Dr. Fred Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs presented a proposed new board member list for North Star Public School Academy. 

The motion duly made and seconded the Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees the approval of the list of board members.  This motion is part of the formal recommendations.

Concentrated Learning Experiences Abroad (CLEAs)

Dr. Fred Joyal, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs presented a list of Concentrated Learning Experiences Abroad (CLEAs).  These courses are brief courses – usually 2-4 weeks in duration—conducted at international locales by NMU faculty members.  Currently, there are seven CLEA’s planned for the 2007 winter and summer semesters.

Dr. Alec Lindsay, Assistant Professor of Biology gave a presentation on the Concentrated Learning Experience Abroad to Zambia scheduled for summer 2007.  The course will take students on an extensive expedition into an under-studied and under-developed sub-Saharan African country. 

Dr. Tim Compton, Head and Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures discussed the Intensive Spanish Language Program scheduled for winter 2007.  This program includes four courses in one semester with the last course held in Parral, Mexico.

Faculty Presentations

Professor Michael Strahan, AIS/Library and Dr. Mary Ellen Powers, Professor of Nursing discussed the Information Literacy Program, an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Olson Library and the Nursing Department.  The comprehensive program was devised so nursing students can quickly access knowledge throughout the entire Nursing curriculum. 

Professor Peter Pless, Art & Design Department presented his work on Rapid Prototyping.  This process uses new technologies to quickly fabricate a scale model of a part or assembly using three-dimensional computer aided design data. 

Good of the Order

None.

Ms. Lukens thanked the Committee and the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.