COTA Meeting Minutes, June 2007
Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA)
Missouri Department of Higher Education
June 6, 2007
Participants: Evelyn Jorgenson, Brent Bates, Don Doucette, Melissa Hattman, Stephen Lehmkuhle, Aaron Podolefsky, Jim Scanlon, Kandis Smith, Robert Stein, Keith Swanson, and Clark Triplett
MDHE Staff: Hillary Fuhrman, Chad Hampton, Paul Wagner, and B.J. White
Chair Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Consent Item
I. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Lehmkuhle to amend and approve the minutes of the April 26, 2007 meeting. The amendment will add details regarding the transfer of electives courses taken as part of the AAT. Dr. Lehmkuhle said the minutes should reflect that COTA determined that electives courses, taken as part of the AAT, would be accepted in transfer on a course by course basis and that receiving institutions would not be required to accept electives. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
II. Update on Legislation Affecting Transfer
Deputy Commissioner Paul Wagner updated COTA on the curriculum alignment section of SB 389. Mr. Wagner stated that the CBHE and institutions must work on developing entry-level competencies for access to collegiate level work and exit-level competencies for general education courses in English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, and the Social Sciences. Furthermore, the goal of this section is to reduce remediation of incoming high school students and smooth transfer of general education courses. Commissioner Stein stated that the equivalencies would be similar to those in the general education matrix. Dr. Stein also noted that the DHE had decided to include Engineering/Technology and the Arts and Humanities to this work in order to round out the curricula. Ms. Hillary Fuhrman stated that faculty volunteers would comprise seven workgroups to carry out this work and the workgroup would be directed by a steering committee.
Mr. Wagner also stated that SB 389 requires DESE to align their assessment to the entry-level competencies developed. Dr. Stein and Ms. Fuhrman noted that K-12 and DESE administration would be involved in the process.
Dr. Lehmkuhle stated that the same competencies should be applied to dual credit courses as they are entry level collegiate courses.
Dr. Aaron Podolefsky asked if this was a movement toward a statewide assessment of general education. Dr. Stein stated that this was not a move for statewide assessment, but rather a chance to focus on the curriculum conversation on collegiate entry expectations.
Dr. Don Doucette noted that while a goal of the legislation is to ensure transfer that there is not really a transfer problem. Dr. Jorgenson stated that the problem is the perception that transfer is difficult. Dr. Doucette concurred and stated that at the freshman level there are few problems. He also noted that the entry-level part of the Curriculum Alignment Initiative would most likely be the harder part and that the work of the Missouri Developmental Education Consortium (MoDEC) could serve as a starting point.
COTA members discussed several aspects of this work including the charge, templates for the work and the role of COTA in relation to this work. Dr. Stein stated that the charge was being developed but that it would focus developing the entry and exit competencies. Ms. Fuhrman noted that other state and national work on this issue would be used to guide and inform the work. Dr. Lehmkuhle stated that this is a DHE initiative and not a COTA initiative. Dr. Stein stated that while that is true COTA would be looked to for input and guidance for the initiative.
III. Advisory Council for COTA
Ms. Melissa Hattman (UMSL), Chair of the COTA Advisory Council was present to discuss the Council and explained that the Council’s main purpose would be to review issues, initiatives and proposals on transfer that COTA asked the Council to review. Ms. Hattman noted that the council would report directly to COTA. Ms. Hattman explained that the Council is made up of 9 rotating elected members and the council would always have at least one member from each sector (independent 2-years and proprietary schools are one sector).
Dr. Lehmkuhle noted that it must be clear to the Council members that the role is only advisory. Ms. Hattman replied that all members understood this and that COTA has no obligation to the Council. She also stated that Council members understood that they had no authority. Dr. Lehmkuhle asked Ms. Hattman about the speed at which the Council could provide feedback to COTA. Ms. Hattman stated the Council is dedicated to providing quick feedback and would convene on an as needed basis.
Dr. Scanlon asked Ms. Hattman who would elect Council members. Ms. Hattman replied that Missouri Transfer Conference attendees, MO-AACRAO members, Transfer and Articulation Officers (TAO) and other statewide transfer groups and practitioners were invited to vote in the first election. Ms. Hattman explained the candidates were self-nominated and that voting took place online. During the first elections 144 votes were cast.
Ms. Hattman also indicated that the Council would like COTA to approve their name, COTA-Advisory Council and that the Council is looking for a neutral website to host the Council’s web pages. Ms. Fuhrman stated that the Council could be given space on the MDHE’s website. Dr. Jorgenson stated that there should be an approval process for posted content.
Dr. Lehmkuhle applauded the effort and leadership of Ms. Hattman and Ms. Yvette Sweeney (St. Charles Community College), who together began the Council. He stated the Council would provide better communication between COTA, TAO’s and Student Advisors and will ultimately benefit COTA.
Dr. Jorgenson joined Dr. Lehmkuhle in congratulating Ms. Hattman and Ms. Sweeney. Dr. Jorgenson then read the following:
The COTA Advisory Council is to act as an arm of COTA. Its primary role is to review proposed revisions and initiatives to state-wide transfer and articulation policies and to assess, evaluate, and provide feedback on the feasibility of implementation of said proposals.
Dr. Jorgenson suggested that this may serve as the charge for the COTA-Advisory Council. Dr. Lehmkuhle moved that COTA endorse the charge as read by Dr. Jorgenson. Dr. Don Doucette seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Sweeney asked if there was anyone else the Council should be communicating with about its creation and purpose. Dr. Stein indicated that the Council must ensure good communication with TAO’s and that a note should be sent out from COTA to all institutions regarding the charge and membership of the Council.
IV. Update on the AAT Articulation Agreement
Dr. Lehmkuhle stated that the Missouri Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (MACTE) has proposed changes the AAT Articulation Agreement that could potentially undo the work of that had been done thus far. Dr. Podolefsky stated that many of the concerns regarding the transfer of credit hours. Dr. Scanlon stated that all concerned groups had the appropriate opportunity to comment earlier in the process, but many did not. Dr. Lehmkuhle reiterated that the Articulation Agreement is voluntary. Dr. Stein concurred and stated that if institutions did not sign the Agreement then they could forge alternate agreements.
Dr. Doucette stated that much of the resistance was not to the program itself, but rather the articulation and the program plan. Another problem is the notion that the articulation must be course to course. Dr. Doucette offered to assist any four-year in developing their program plan. Dr. Lehmkuhle stated the transfer of electives must be clarified.
Dr. Stein stated the analysis of problems and signatories would be coordinated through the MDHE and that he would like a two-year and a four-year institution to serve as resource for other institutions. Dr. Jorgenson volunteered Moberly Area Community College and Mr. Keith Swanson volunteered State Fair Community College.
New Business
V. Planning for 2008 Missouri Transfer Conference
Dr. Jorgenson stated that Transfer and Articulation-Conference Coordinating Committee should begin work over the summer to design the conference. Dr. Stein suggested that the Advisory Council could design the conference. Ms. Hattman said that the Council would be willing to design the conference. Dr. Lehmkuhle moved that the Advisory Council present a design of the 2008 conference to COTA at the September, to include the time, place, date, and initial themes. Dr. Jorgenson seconded the motion. The motion passes unanimously
Other
Dr. Stein reported that the USDE may identify pilot states to use as examples of transfer. Dr. Stein stated that Missouri should be a part of this to receive national attention on its transfer initiatives. Dr. Lehmkuhle asked that further information be presented to COTA as it becomes available.
Adjournment
Dr. Jorgenson adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
Next Meeting
The next COTA meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. via conference call.
