Loyola University Chicago

Video-Conferenced between LS and WT

Members Present: Isiaah Crawford, Paula DeVoto, Alan Gitelson (chair), Patricia Jung, John Pelissero, Denise Starkey.

Members Excused: Anthony Barbato, Kenneth Holtz, Janice Rasheed.

Guests: Charlotte Briggs, Patricia Mooney-Melvin, Jeffrey Rosen, Gene Szarek, Terry Williams.

The meeting was called to order belatedly at 2:55 pm due to technical difficulties with the audio portion of the teleconference.

The Graduate School of Education proposed a change in the format of its two-part comprehensive examinations for the Ph.D. from the current take-home case-study analysis followed by an oral exam on the first three chapters of a student’s dissertation to a tripartite process to consist of the preparation of a prospectus, a review of the literature, and then the oral exam on the dissertation proposal.

The thrust of this change is to broaden the candidate’s background by exposing him / her to three different integrated literature reviews rather than allowing a focus on one case-study. This approach will be more beneficial for researching sources for the dissertation, for developing general intellectual skills, and for synthesizing knowledge from a variety of areas and disciplines.

The department of Mathematics and Statistics is recommending this new Master of Science degree in Applied Statistics with specializations in Biostatistics or General Applied Statistics to increase their graduates’ marketability and to attract more students to the program.

The only competitor in applied statistics is DePaul University; its program is located in the suburbs at its Naperville campus. Loyola would be able to corner the urban market. Students will collaborate with researchers in fields as diverse as biology, chemistry, economics, psychology, and sociology; centers such as CUERP, CURL, and Parmly; and Loyola offices such as Research Services. The biostatistics specialization will include statistical genetics, bioinformatics, and classical biostatistics; the specialization in general applied statistics will cover non-medical applications like actuarial, commercial, environmental, industrial, and national defense.

This is an interdisciplinary approach from University Ministry and the department of Theology. Its thrust is to provide Loyola undergraduates with the skills needed for more active and responsible leadership roles in parish activity. The coursework would basically be provided by Theology and the service experience supervised by Ministry. The minor would require 18 s.h. (6 courses) of which 3 would be at the 100-level in Bible, Christian ethics and history, or constructive theology; a 3 s.h. service learning course (Supervised Ministry 348) which is in essence an internship (paid or unpaid) requiring a minimum of 164 hours of service; a 3 s.h. capstone course (Creative Ministry 347) team taught

by Theology and Ministry; and an elective course in theology at the 300-level.

The BA in Management was approved by the AAUPC last year to replace the ODL degree in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The School is seeking to deliver its program away from its base at Water Tower Campus by utilizing the facilities of Harper College in Schaumburg. Enrollees would be restricted to Harper College’s AAS in Management graduates. Based on the articulation agreement, students would follow Loyola’s curriculum as a cohort in an approved sequence of prescribed courses. Students would bring in 64 s.h. from Harper and would complete 60 s.h. of Loyola coursework on-site delivered by regular faculty in face-to-face instruction; no distance learning is involved. The schedule is set for 8-week blocks of time, 4-hours a session, assuring 32 contact hours per term.

The purpose of the AAUPC’s review of an already approved off-site delivery for this SCPS program was prompted by a requirement of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS) which seeks “university-wide agreement to approve the proposed off-site agreement,” or internal institutional sanction.

Denise Starkey moved, Paula DeVoto seconded consideration of the proposed revisions in the doctoral comprehensive exam of the School of Education. There were reservations among the Committee as to whether this revised comprehensive exam would really test anything, that it may not be a comprehensive exam but just a jumpstart to the dissertation. The vote was 2-0-4.

Patti Jung moved, Denise Starkley seconded consideration of the proposal for the MS in Applied Statistics. Concerns were raised about the final two sentences in the proposal: “As such, the field of Statistics has much in common with Ethics and Philosophy in contrast to Mathematics. The proposed program in Applied Statistics is thus very well suited to the Jesuit traditions of seeking truth, social justice, and the pursuit of knowledge.” Where was the evidence to substantiate these statements? What makes this program distinctive? Where is evidence of ethical reflection in the coursework? This field is ripe for several risks: misrepresentation of data, loss of confidentiality of data, manipulation of data; what are the ethical connections to insuring against these? It was agreed to table this proposal until representatives from Mathematics and Statistics could address these questions.

The proposed minor in pastoral leadership occasioned discussion as to the role of Ministry in this joint venture. Could this not as easily be offered by the department of Theology alone? Should it more properly be housed in IPS, which does this very thing at a post-baccalaureate level? All the courses and faculty must be supplied by Theology; what does Ministry contribute? Ministry provides the skills needed for pastoral leadership and care… how does one teach CCD? How does one minister to the sick? How does one learn to perform the corporal works of mercy? What can a student do with this minor? Work at church-related camps, act as youth ministers in parishes, etc. What are the learning outcomes for this minor? How do these pieces fit together? There was also concern about the role of a nonacademic unit (Ministry) teaching or supervising an academic course. The vote: 2-1-1 and 2 recusals for prior participation but both favorably inclined.

The proposal for a BA in philosophy with an emphasis in social justice was taken off the table as not appropriate for the agenda of the AAUPC. But questions were raised: how does it promote a faith-based perspective of social justice? Why was the department of Theology not invited to discuss its courses in social justice for this emphasis?

Where is the spirit of collaboration?

Alan Gitelson confirmed that this was the final meeting for himself, Paula DeVoto and Denise Starkey and, if they are selected to remain of the AAUPC, our best wishes to Patti Jung and Isiaah Crawford for future meetings of the Committee.

The chair adjourned the meeting at 4.23 pm.