Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Academic Affairs UPC Meeting
April 26, 2005
Meeting held via bi-campus video-conference
Members Present: Paula DeVoto, Alan Gitelson (chair), Sheila
Haas, Patricia Jung, E.J. Neafsey, Tiffany Ying
Members Excused: Anthony Barbato, Fred Kniss, Emily Preheim
Guests: Dawn Harris, Larry Metzger, Konstantin Laüfer
The meeting was called to order by the chair at 2:40 PM.
Fred Kniss moved that we accept the minutes of the January 25, 2005 meeting
as distributed. Tiffany Ying seconded the motion. The minutes were accepted
unanimously.
Tiffany moved and Patti seconded approval of the minutes of the March 22,
2005, meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously.
The chair noted the date for the remaining meetings of the AAUPC - May
10th, and cancelled the tentative meeting scheduled for May 24th.
The first proposal from the School of Business Administration was
presented by Dawn Harris and dealt with the creation of a Center for
Excellence in Hospitality - Tourism Management with the intent to award
initially a BBA and later an MBA. There is also the possibility of a large
gift from an interested donor to underwrite the undergraduate major and
graduate concentration.
Patti noted that issues of eco-tourism, ethics, gender, environment, and
global preparation are very much in demand these days and this program
appears relevant, but should take care to focus on these prevailing issues.
To Alan's query about the emphasis on hotel accommodation, Dawn responded
that the SBA would develop a wider focus once the program director was in
place and had time to work on planning and implementation. Sheila added
that the program (similar to the School of Nursing's graduate program in
dietetics), when dealing with food service must include a solid foundation
through a course in microbiology so that students are aware of basic
health-related issues including international health regulations. Indeed
such a course should be obligatory in the undergraduate core for the major.
Tiffany recommended consideration of the current course in "anthropology of
tourism" being taught by Kathleen Adams, a recognized authority in this
specialty.
Sheila advised that particular care be given to the marketing materials
for this program so that "Why a student should choose Loyola" over other
similar programs in the area be emphasized. Patti moved and Tiffany
seconded that the AA-UPC affirm this proposal with the condition that the
School of Business Administration examine the inclusion of ethics,
interdisciplinary and science core courses in the curriculum.
The vote was 6-0-0.
Larry Metzger presented the proposal for a combined five-year BBA/MBA in
which selected students would, during their senior year in the BBA program,
enroll in the first year of the MBA program. The SBA would allow two
courses to count simultaneously for graduate and undergraduate progress
toward the respective degree. The impetus for this proposal is the
significant decline nationwide in applicants for MBA programs. Larry and
E.J. both spoke to the precipitous decline in international students, as
high as 20%-25% in some universities. Both DePaul and UIC have similar
programs.
During the discussion concern was expressed by several committee members
about the looseness or vagueness of the internship requirement in the
combined BBA/MBA. In the proposal, an internship component is not well
developed and could be satisfied through a summer job. Alan proposed that
the AA-UPC recommend support but ask for clarification regarding the
internship, including criteria and relevance to the student's area of
concentration. This proposal was approved 6-0-0 after a motion by Alan and a
second from Sheila.
Konstantin presented a proposal for an MS in Clinical Research Methods
which would be housed in the Department of Preventive Medicine
(epidemiology) at the Medical Center in Maywood and use faculty from the
SSOM. This proposal has already received approval from the Graduate School
Council. It would consist of 24 s.h. and its target audiences are 1) health
care professionals with experience, and 2) Loyola University Chicago Medical
Center faculty in order to improve their chances to obtain grant funding.
Its assets are that it would be offered in the evenings, students would
enroll on a part-time basis, and tuition would be moderate. The program
would fall under the auspices of the Graduate School but be located at the
SSOM and staffed by SSOM faculty.
Concern was expressed about approving this in time for inclusion in the
marketing materials being developed to promote the graduate programs at
LUMC. In addition, Fred Kniss should be reminded that he will need to
request that the faculty from SSOM teaching in this program be attached to
the Graduate School.
This was discussion about the structure of the program and the need for a
research design core course in order that students have a broad research
methodology background. Concern was expressed regarding the narrow focus in
the proposal on the use of randomized clinical trials exclusive of other
methodologies. As for an ethics component, there is a clinical bioethics
course specified among the 18 required semester hours; six semester hours
are elective. The required courses are epidemiology I and II, biostatistics
I and II, clinical trials, and clinical bioethics. E.J. moved and Sheila
seconded a motion for approval; the vote was 6-0-0.
Pete expressed a sentiment that the committee should consider …. "Should
the University require that its professional schools require an internship
in their curricula?" Pete recommended that the committee look at the WT
Initiatives document of which John Pelissero has a copy. To a question as
to whether or not the AACSB required internships, he answered "No, but
strong business schools have co-op learning experiences."
The final meeting of the academic year will be May 10th . Also under
consideration will be a discussion on the academic calendar and how it
evolved. There will also be a discussion about the role of the AA-UPC as it
concludes its second year.
Sheila moved and E.J. seconded for adjournment. The meeting adjourned at
3:55 pm.