[Vpaaetal] Changes in University Studies Requirement for Capstone Course

[vpaaetal@TAMU-Commerce.edu]

September 20, 2005

 Colleagues:

 

There have been questions about the disposition of the capstone course
issue.  I thought it would be helpful to outline what has been accomplished
to date.  In the fall 2004, I asked the University Studies Committee,
chaired by Dr. Rick Kreminski, to formulate recommendations on capstone
courses as they relate to the core curriculum. The committee's
recommendations were reviewed by the deans and these recommendations were
forwarded to the Faculty Senate. The full report can be accessed at:

 
<http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/coas/math/universitystudies/capstonesf2004.pdf
>
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/coas/math/universitystudies/capstonesf2004.pdf

 

 Dr. R. N. Singh, then chair of the Faculty Senate, conveyed a memo to
President McFarland on April 7, 2005, outlining the Faculty Senate's
guidance on four issues:

 

1. Separate the capstone classes from the core curriculum.

      "The Faculty Senate supports this recommendation."

 

2. Maintain the capstone as a University graduation requirement 

        "The Faculty Senate supports this recommendation, though there are
strong points both for   and against this argument, and most concerns voiced
were with 'lowering academic standards' by losing credit hours."

  

3. Have an entity comprised of faculty to oversee the University required
capstones.

      "The Faculty Senate supports this recommendation."

 

4. Retain capstones within College and Department degree programs

"The Faculty Senate recognizes that many excellent capstones have been
offered over the years and that these courses have made valuable
contributions to the education of our students. The Senate also recognizes
that capstones have added depth and breadth to the University's general
education program and have been an important reason why our University
Studies curriculum is more than a cafeteria plan. We therefore encourage
Colleges and Departments to consider retaining capstones in their degree
programs."

*	The University has placed an item on the Regents' agenda to remove
the capstone requirement from the core curriculum.  This will be considered
by the Board of Regents this week.  

*	We fully concur with the continuation of the University Studies
Committee and its role but are not certain about how to establish oversight
of capstones until the colleges have acted.

*	Deans' Council has discussed the question of retaining capstone
courses within the colleges and will complete consultation with the
respective executive committees shortly.

 

Since the time of Dr. Singh's memo, a Legislative action to reduce, yet
again, the total degree hours permitted for state subsidy (resident tuition)
may influence collegiate discussions.  Under HB 1172, institutions must
charge non-resident tuition whenever a student exceeds 30 hours of credit
above the minimum total hours required for the baccalaureate degree.  So, if
a program requires 120 hours, a tuition surcharge goes into effect after 150
credits.  I attach some data to illuminate the issue for you as it could
affect our students.  On the quality count, the Southern Association would
say that their required outcome assessment process is designed to ensure
quality. 

 

I would like to thank the University Studies Committee and the Faculty
Senate for tackling this issue.  As you know, the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (THECB) has encouraged all universities to formulate
seamless transfers between two-and four-year institutions. This action will
now allow us to designate students as "core complete" upon transfer.  

 

Thank you for your interest in this important issue. We will keep you
apprised of the Board action and the outcomes of collegiate discussions. 

 

Joyce A. Scott, Provost

joyce_scott at tamu-commerce.edu <mailto:joyce_scott at tamu-commerce.edu> 

 

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