Educational Planning and Coordinating Council

1. Approval of Minutes

September 12, 2002

2. Resident Units for Certificates - Greg Granderson

3. Schedule Template - Ed Buckley

4. Cr/NCr Limitation - Renee LoPilato

5. Change in Accreditation Standards - Ed Buckley

ATTENDING: Ed Buckley, Kris Abrahamson, Victor Cummings, Terri Frongia, Greg Granderson, Karen Kellam, Renee LoPilato, Anne O'Donnell, Joan Scarborough, Liz Bauer

1 Approval of Minutes

Minutes of September 12, 2002 were approved as presented

2. Resident Units for Certificates - Greg Granderson

Greg Granderson distributed three drafts of policy language on this topic that have been in discussion at EPCC and/or the Academic Senate. The latest, proposed by Barbara Croteau, is scheduled for action at the next Senate meeting. Discussion: the draft allows considerable flexibility for departments to specify minimum residency. Will the college be able to manage such a flexible system and provide accurate information to students? How should we handle the issue of illegal course repetition in the case of students who have already succeeded in courses at other colleges that articulate with ours? Would a policy that distinguishes between career certificates and other kinds be practical? EPCC will request through Greg Granderson that the Senate table this item to allow EPCC to develop a paper reviewing the issues and perhaps suggesting some options.

3. Schedule Template - Ed Buckley

Ed Buckley distributed the Academic Affairs report on the schedule template. He noted that the Santa Rosa campus had effectively begun adopting it before it was formally approved, as departments moved MWF courses to a MW pattern in large numbers. Academic Affairs could detect no negative impact on enrollments or productivity. Some students and others lament the loss of the "college hour," but it too disappeared before the formal change. More classes will need to be offered on Fridays and Saturdays, not only to accommodate growth but also to maintain facility "efficiency" so as to qualify for future capital project funds from the state. Steve Olson will answers questions about these matters at an upcoming Academic Senate meeting.

4. Cr/NCr Limitation - Renee LoPilato

Renee LoPilato presented a packet of information, including a history of the college's practice re Cr/NCr, a profile of the various educational goals identified by students, and practices by other colleges. Karen Kellam added data from the CSU and UC systems. Discussion: the information seems to support a change in policy, perhaps removing the limit on the Cr/NCr option for students whose stated educational goals are "personal interest" and one or two other categories. and keeping the limit (12 units) for students whose goal is transfer, a degree, or a certificate. Ken Lofgren will come to our next meeting to discuss the MIS implications of various possible changes, as we continue this discussion.

5. Changes in Accreditation Standards - Ed Buckley

Ed Buckley distributed the newly adopted WASC accreditation standards, along with a cover letter. EPCC will be discussing these later in the year.

1. Approval of Minutes

September 12, 2002

2. Resident Units for Certificates - Greg Granderson

3. Schedule Template - Ed Buckley

4. Cr/NCr Limitation - Renee LoPilato

5. Change in Accreditation Standards - Ed Buckley