Committee Meetings and Minutes

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Foreign Languages Task Force

Meeting Minutes

Current Status of Minutes: Final
Date	April 8, 2016
Time	1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Location	HBC 214

Members Present
No member attendance has been recorded.
Guests Present
No guest attendance has been recorded.

Item # 0:	Attendees
Presenter	In Attendance from 1:30 to 5:00 pm
Discussion	Julie Kleinhans-Urrutía, Talía Loaiza, Todd Phillips, Vanessa Lazo, Mariela Prato-Williams, Scott Gibby, Becky Jaimes, Rosa Dávila, John McMinn, Stuart Smith, Marc Prévost, Theresa Oh, Jan Emberson, Alina Waguespack, Joe Liro, Bernadeta Kaminska, Mary Greff, Richard Ezell, Stephen Johnson, Ewa Siwak, Cathy Angell.

Item # 1:	Approval of Minutes
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Cathy Angell presented the minutes from the November 6, 2015 meeting. ACTION TAKEN: The minutes were approved with no changes.

Item # 2:	Announcements and Information (a) The Timeline of the Rio Grande Campus (RGC) Renovations
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Cathy Angell reported that RGC is scheduled to close in the spring 2017 and that a few offices and classes may stay in Building 3000. Stuart Smith asked if there will be shuttle services to the Highland campus if classes are moved there, but no information was available. Cathy Angell expressed concerns about scheduling the lesser- taught languages so that enrollments are not negatively affected by the move. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 2:	(b) New Spanish Honors courses
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Cathy Angell announced that Jan Emberson is organizing new Spanish 1411 and 1412 honors courses for healthcare professionals to be offered online. Alina Waguespack has also proposed a Spanish honors course stressing conversation and culture. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 2:	(c) Foreign Language Lab courses to be deleted from the catalog
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Cathy Angell announced that the lab courses are being expired because they are no longer funded by the State, and they have not been offered recently. Scott Gibby asked whether we could keep them if they were reorganized. Cathy Angell suggested that since they are no longer funded by the State, they would probably have to be offered as continuing education courses. Stuart Smith reminded everyone to make sure that the lab classes are no longer mentioned on their syllabi. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 2:	(d) Strategic Plan Report
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Cathy Angell reported that each department is supposed to prepare a strategic plan for the next three years. It should include: an executive summary, background information about the evolution of the department, the college and department mission statements, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, goals, accessible objectives, and an assessment plan. Cathy Angell asked faculty to send ideas to her of what should be included in each of these sections. As threats, faculty members mentioned the loss of full-time instructors that are not being replaced, the possible loss of enrollments from the closing of RGC, the low enrollments of second-year courses, and the removal of the first year courses from the core curriculum. Rosa Dávila suggested that the Community Outreach Committee could help increase enrollments. There was also a discussion of using “rack cards” (bookmarks) or videos to provide information about foreign language courses. Richard Ezell suggested sending questions for the strategic plan to faculty and with a deadline to respond. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 2:	(e) Department Chair Elections
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Cathy Angell reminded faculty that we are having elections for Department Chair. Since nobody accepted the position last year, she was given a one-year appointment that expires this year. The Department Chair is elected for a three-year term and receives fifteen hours of release time per year. Stuart Smith, who is coordinating the election, announced that full-time faculty and voting representatives of the adjunct faculty may nominate candidates and that nominations are due by April 20th. Ballots will be sent out by April 22nd, and they will be counted at the Pinnacle Campus in office 406 at 11 a.m. on May 11th. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 3:	Program Review Report
Presenter	Marc Prevost
Discussion	Marc Prévost reported that he is still working on the Program Review and requested help from faculty. It was suggested that he give different parts of the report to faculty to prepare as was done for the last Program Review. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 4:	Degree Mapping and Guided Pathways
Presenter	Jan Emberson, Julie Kleinhans-Urrutia, Talia Loaiza, John McMinn, and Cathy Angell
Discussion	John McMinn summarized information from the meeting on Degree Mapping and Guided Pathways that Cathy Angell, Jan Emberson, Julie Klenhans-Urrutía, Talía Loaiza and he attended on April 1st. He shared the new template for displaying degree plans and explained that departments were asked to try to limit choices for degree requirements to options of three suggested courses but that students would still be able to choose other courses from the core curriculum for each area instead of the suggested courses. He also pointed out that some departments at the Degree Mapping and Guided Pathway meeting expressed reluctance to give the impression that students are limited in their options, and faculty were told that they were not required to list suggested courses. He distributed a list of all core curriculum courses showing how they transfer to Texas State and UT, how many sections are currently offered at ACC, and on how many campuses. The following changes to degree plans were proposed: 1) In Semester I, list HIST 1301 as the history requirement and change the note to say that students may substitute HIST 2301, HIST 2327, or HIST 2381 for HIST 1301. This is intended to make it clearer that HIST 1301 is the standard survey course of the first half of American History, and the other courses are more specialized topics. 2) Add a note for the math requirement recommending that students transferring to Texas State take MATH 1314, and those transferring to UT take MATH 1342 so students will take the courses required in the degree plans at those schools. The note will also recommend that students transferring to other four-year schools see a counselor/advisor to see which classes will transfer. 3) In Semester II, list HIST 1302 as the history requirement and change the note to say that students may substitute HIST 2301 or HIST 2328. 4) Add PHIL 1304 (Intro to Comparative Religion) as an option for the Restricted Electives since the study of Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are related culturally to the study of Arabic, Japanese, or Chinese. 5) For the language, Philosophy, and Culture requirement: a) delete the options of PHIL 1316 and 1317 since they are being expired. b) add PHIL 1304 to the list of courses that may be counted only once since it will also be an option for the Restricted Electives. c) add a note suggesting that students transferring to four-year schools take a literature course since it is usually a requirement. ACTION TAKEN: The suggested changes to the degree plans were approved. The department decided not to give limited suggested courses for other areas of the degree plan that currently direct students to choose from the courses in the Core Curriculum.

Item # 5:	Procedures for Textbooks selection for Spanish
Presenter	Scott Gibby
Discussion	Scott Gibby presented a proposed procedure for selecting textbooks. In the proposal, faculty members wishing to change textbooks should include the following information: 1) a scope and sequence for the four semesters; 2) a list of web-based materials and an explanation of how they might be used; 3) a list of ancillaries; 4) implications for distance learning courses; 5) costs; 6) endorsements from at least two other faculty members. The department would have two weeks to decide whether to consider or reject the proposal. If it is decided to consider the proposal, desk copies would be ordered for all voting faculty who would have at least two weeks to consider them before a full presentation. Faculty wishing to consider other books should submit their proposal at least one week prior to the full presentation of the first presentation. Full presentations will be directed by faculty instead of textbook representatives. During the discussion of this procedure, some faculty expressed concerns that it might be cumbersome. ACTION TAKEN: The proposal was accepted as suggested guidelines to be used along with the current schedule for deciding whether to review textbooks when there is a new edition of current textbooks.

Item # 6:	Committee Reports (a) Foreign Language Honor Society
Presenter	Julie Kleinhans-Urrutia
Discussion	Julie Klenhans-Urrutía announced that there were six new full and twelve new associate members of the Honor Society. They were all in Spanish. Rosa Dávila suggested providing a flyer with information about the Honor Society that instructors could distribute to interested students when it is time for applications. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(b) Spanish Course Challenge Exams
Presenter	Julie Kleinhans-Urrutia
Discussion	Julie Klenhans-Urrutía asked faculty if they had any more suggestions for the SPAN 1411 and 1412 challenge exams that were distributed via email. There were motions to approve them. ACTION TAKEN: The new challenge exams for SPAN 1411 and 1412 were approved.

Item # 6:	(o) Special Events
Presenter	Theresa Oh and Mariela Prato-Williams
Discussion	Theresa Oh reported that there had been a good turnout at the farewell party for Anna Pyeatt, Julio de la Llata, Christa Montoya, and Merry Wheaton. ACTION TAKEN: None.

Item # 6:	(p) Professional Development
Presenter	Stuart Smith
Discussion	John McMinn reported for Stuart Smith that Judy Hay would give a workshop on April 22nd at HLC 1-2209 entitled Working in the FOLA Classroom with Students with Disabilities. ACTION TAKEN: None.

Item # 6:	(q) Adjunct Faculty Interview
Presenter	Marc Prevost
Discussion	Marc Prévost announced that the Spanish instructor for the dual credit class at Lehman High School was the only interview currently planned. ACTION TAKEN: None.

Item # 6:	(r) Student Success
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Nothing new to report ACTION TAKEN: None.

Item # 6:	(s) New Faculty
Presenter	Todd Phillips
Discussion	Nothing new to report ACTION TAKEN: None.

Item # 6:	(i) Curriculum
Presenter	John McMinn and Jan Emberson
Discussion	John McMinn reported that there had been requests that the department consider offering certificates for students who do not wish to complete an Associate’s Degree. He asked faculty to think about what types of certificates might be appropriate and might encourage students to complete the four semesters of languages. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(j) Spanish for Spanish Speakers
Presenter	Rosa Davila
Discussion	Rosa Dávila reported that the Spanish for Spanish Speakers course did not make this semester. She also announced that she is planning to change the textbook for the course. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(k) Eligibility List
Presenter	Vanessa Lazo
Discussion	Vanessa Lazo pointed out that the wording of requirements for the MSTA position needed to be changed since faculty now receive one Evaluation Summary form that includes the fall, spring, and summer terms. It was suggested to change the requirements to 1) Faculty members must have taught the language for which they are applying for at least six terms at ACC; 2) Their last evaluation summary was excellent; 3) They have met expectations with regard to administrative procedures. ACTION TAKEN: The new requirements for the MSTA position were approved.

Item # 6:	(l) Outreach
Presenter	Rosa Davila and Jan Emberson
Discussion	Nothing new to report.

Item # 6:	(m) Scheduling
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Nothing new to report besides the concerns about closing Rio Grande. ACTION TAKEN: None.

Item # 6:	(n) Technology
Presenter	Scott Gibby
Discussion	Scott Gibby reported that the Spanish 2311 and 2312 Distance Learning courses had been approved and will be offered this summer. He asked faculty to consider whether they should be offered in the fall and the spring. ACTION TAKEN: None.

Item # 6:	(c) Assessment
Presenter	Julie Kleinhans-Urrutia
Discussion	Julie Kleinhans-Urrutía reported that the following percentages of 1411 students passed the SACS assessments of reading comprehension with a score of 80% or better: Arabic 86.7%, Chinese 66.7%, French 82.9%, German 94.3%, Japanese 64.7%, Russian 90.9%, and Spanish 91%. She also announced that 100% of the students in Spanish 1412 completed the task with a partner testing interpersonal skills. On the test of personal responsibility in Spanish 1412, 81.5% of the students said they took the course seriously and spent at least 4 hours per week studying for the course. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(d) Textbook Inventory
Presenter	Becky Jaimes
Discussion	Julie Kleinhans-Urrutía reported for Becky Jaimes that for Summer 2016: 1) French 2311 will use Horizons, 6th edition, Volume 2, ISBN 9781305777729; 2) French 2312 will use Imaginez, 3rd edition, ISBN 9781680042399; 3) German 1411/1412 will use the new edition of Deutsch Heute, 10th edition, ISBN 9781305704619; 4) Spanish 2311 will use Vistas, 5th edition, starting in SSI; 5) Spanish 2312 will use Vistas, 5th edition, starting in SSII. For Fall 2016: 1) Chinese 1411 will use Integrated Chinese, 3rd edition, Level 1/Part 1; 2) German 2311 will use Kaleidoskop, 9th edition, ISBN 9781305720862; 3) Latin 2311 will use Wheelock’s Latin, 7th edition, and Bennett’s New Latin Grammar will be ordered as “optional” instead of as “required”; 4) Spanish 2313 will use ¡Conozcámonos!, ISBN 9781428294929. For Spring 2017: 1) Chinese 1412 will use Integrated Chinese, 3rd edition, Level 1/Part 2; 2) Spanish 2313 will use ¡Conozcámonos!, ISBN 9781428294929. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(e) Textbook Audio
Presenter	Stuart Smith
Discussion	Nothing reported. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(f) Early College High School (ECHS)
Presenter	Cathy Angell
Discussion	Cathy Angell announced that there has been a request to add a dual credit Spanish class at Lehman High School, and an instructor from Lehman High School has applied to teach the course. Marc Prévost asked for someone to help conduct the interview, and Jan Emberson volunteered. Cathy Angell also reported that ECHS programs continue to grow and that classes have improved since they moved to ACC campuses. Talía Loaiza shared that she finds no difference in teaching her ECHS classes at Highland Campus and her traditional ACC classes. There was a discussion of how to resolve eStaffing problems in assigning these classes since faculty cannot see which sections are ECHS classes. Cathy Angell is going to see if faculty who do not wish to teach those classes can be coded as not qualified for those sections so those classes do not appear as options. Faculty is encouraged to consult the course schedule to see which ones are ECHS sections when selecting classes in eStaffing. Mariela Prato-Williams suggested looking for someone interested in teaching those classes when hiring new full-time instructors. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(g) Study Abroad
Presenter	Todd Phillips
Discussion	Todd Phillips reported that there are five study abroad programs this summer. Two in Italy, one in Great Britain, Jan Emberson’s program in Spain, and his program in Costa Rica. Twelve students are going to Spain, and eleven are going to Costa Rica. ACTION TAKEN: None

Item # 6:	(h) Adjunct Faculty Evaluation
Presenter	Talia Loaiza and Mariela Prato-Williams
Discussion	Mariela Prato-Williams told adjunct faculty that their evaluations had been completed and that they should have received the evaluation summary forms. ACTION TAKEN: None

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