COTA Meeting Minutes, October 2007
Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA)
Missouri Department of Higher Education
October 24, 2007
Participants: Evelyn Jorgenson (Chair), Jeanie Crain, Don Doucette (via phone), Arlen Dykstra, Steven Graham, Steven Kurtz, John McGuire (via phone), Aaron Podolefsky, and Kandis Smith
MDHE Staff: Hillary Fuhrman, Jeremy Kintzel, Leroy Wade, Ken Winn, and B.J. White
COTA-AC Representative: Melissa Hattman, Chair COTA-AC
Dr. Jeanie Crain called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m.
Consent Item
I. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Aaron Podolefsky and seconded by Dr. Arlen Dykstra to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2007 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
II. Proposed Dual Credit Research Project
Mr. Jeremy Kintzel reported that the Community College Research Center (CCRC) had intended to be present to discuss their proposal, but notified him on October 23, 2007 that they would not be proceeding with their project in Missouri, due to a variety of reasons. CCRC also related to Mr. Kintzel that they were interested in working in the future with COTA and hoped to do so if the opportunity arose. Mr. Kintzel distributed a letter from CCRC that further explained their reasons and thanked COTA for its time.
Dr. Crain asked if Dual Credit should be on COTA’s agenda in the future. Dr. Dykstra suggested that COTA look at the work of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) as a starting place. Dr. Don Doucette stated that if dual credit is on the COTA agenda that COTA should take a look at institutional compliance with dual credit policy. It was also mentioned that some K-12 schools would shop around to find an institution that would bend the dual credit policies so that its students and/or teachers would participate. Dr. Steven Graham concurred with Dr. Doucette regarding dual credit compliance and stated that a potentially significant concern with dual credit would be the qualifications of the teachers if some institutions were not adhering to the policy. Dr. Doucette stated that dual credit is valuable to Missouri, but in some ways has a cloud over it and that greater oversight would legitimize dual credit.
Dr. Crain asked if dual credit should be on COTA’s agenda or a focus for the Transfer Conference. Dr. John McGuire stated that if this is a policy issue the Conference may not be the most effective place to discuss the issue. Dr. Podolefsky asked who was responsible for the administration of dual credit. Dr. Doucette responded that the institutions and COTA were responsible, and that the CBHE also played a role, especially with the new regulations in SB 389. Dr. Crain stated that dual credit and related issues, such as administration, compliance, and SB 389 would be on the November COTA agenda.
III. 2008 Transfer Conference Planning
Ms. Melissa Hattman distributed a copy of an email to COTA members regarding the Conference themes and schedule. Ms. Hattman reported that COTA-AC had envisioned a “one topic for one day” approach, and that they had narrowed the possible topics down to a list of four, including: P-20 initiatives, general education and proprietary institutions, best practices in articulation, and what K-12 educators want to know about transfer and student preparation.
Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson stated that CAI could be a potential topic and the Conference could be a good way to get information out about CAI and to provide a status report on the progress of the initiative. Dr. Crain concurred.
Dr. McGuire asked if any other topics should be considered for the conference. Dr. Doucette stated that he felt that proprietary transfer was not a major concern at this time as long as institutions were fulfilling their obligation to review courses that students wanted to transfer. COTA concurred. It was also noted that many of the K-12 issues would be addressed if CAI was the focus of the Conference.
Dr. Jorgenson asked if COTA if they were comfortable proceeding with CAI as the focus of the conference. COTA agreed that CAI would be the focus. Ms. Hattman suggested the breakout session would focus on key issues surrounding CAI.
Ms. Fuhrman asked how the Conference would be able to focus on transfer practitioners and what they could contribute, and that she would not want the Conference to lose sight of its target audience. Ms. Hattman agreed, stating that Conference should contribute to the understanding of CAI. Dr. Jorgenson concurred. Ms. Fuhrman stated that 2008-2009 was targeted for implementation, and the conference could be a way to discuss how CAI would affect various aspects of transfer.
Ms. Hattman stated that space may be an issue especially if K-12 practitioners are invited. Dr. McGuire stated that the transfer between institutions of higher education would be a more critical focus of the conference. Dr. McGuire suggested that someone from out-of-state could serve as a speaker for the plenary session. Ms. Hattman stated that she and Ms. Fuhrman would work to locate a speaker for the session.
After much discussion, COTA decided that the focus of the conference would be CAI, and that the topic for the day would be: How CAI will affect transfer. Also COTA-AC would develop sub-topics to be addressed in the breakout sessions.
IV. AAT Public Relations and Marketing
Dr. Doucette stated that a general statewide brochure was being developed on the AAT for the community colleges, and that some institutions have developed their own brochures as well. Dr. Steven Kurtz stated that Mineral Area College was also contacting local superintendents regarding the AAT. Ms. Hattman stated that she had developed program guide sheets for the University of Missouri – St. Louis and had sent them out to local community colleges to be vetted. Ms. Hattman further stated that the process does not move quickly due to the nuances at each community college.
Dr. Jorgenson asked how Ms. Hattman would distribute the program guides. Ms. Hattman replied that the guides would be posted on the UMSL website and would be sent to all community college advisors upon completion.
Dr. Dykstra asked how Ms. Hattman dealt with the Exceptional Child course. Ms. Hattman said that it would be accepted as an elective before the student is accepted in the program only if it was taken as part of the AAT. Dr. Dykstra stated that Missouri Baptist University was planning on only accepting the course as an elective. Dr. Doucette suggested that it may be better for students if four-year institutions do not accept the course at all if it would not be accepted for program credit. This would prevent students from duplicating coursework.
Dr. Crain mentioned that there had been discussion of developing other statewide degrees, but that perhaps COTA should monitor the AAT during its implementation and the first large set of student transfers before proceeding with any new degrees.
Ms. Fuhrman asked Ms. Hattman to check with other transfer officers to see how the program plan development is going. Dr. Podolefsky and Dr. Jorgenson asked to see the community college brochure and samples of the four year program plans.
New Business
None
Other
None
Adjournment
Dr. Jorgenson adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Next Meeting
The next COTA meeting is scheduled for November 21, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. via conference call.
