Minutes of Math Issues Committee Meeting
February 21, 2003
Gateway Community College, North Haven Campus

Attendance:   Larisa Alikhanova (Three Rivers), Alice Burstein (Middlesex), Pat Hirschy (Asnuntuck), Elaine Dinto (Naugatuck), Miguel Garcia (Gateway), Alice Grandgeorge (Manchester), Joe Karnowski (Norwalk), Bob Lynott (Naugatuck)
 
MATYCONN issues were discussed.  Members of the committee were requested to submit information to Elaine D. for the MATYCONN Spring Newsletter.
 
Members of the committee shared concern about budget problems. 
 
Alice B.  said there had been a proposal to Liberal Arts -science option - wanted to remove calculus requirement.  The Math Department voiced their objections, but the proposal went to the Curriculum Committee.  The results are not yet known.
 
Miguel said that Gateway got approval for an Associate Degree in math/science.
 
Pat H. says 60% of students at Asnuntuck are general studies majors with no program coordinator.  Others said it was the same at their campus.  Pat said she would like to see a math option for general studies. 
 
Pat also stated that failures in math are emphasized much more than successes.
 
Alice said that many coordinators insist their students cannot do above a certain level of mathematics.  
 
Pat said we should show what mathematics is about - communicating, problem solving etc.   It is possible some of our colleagues have maybe had traditional and possibly negative experiences in their own study of mathematics.  
 
It was agreed that we need to develop a "common mathematical mission".  Pat said she already has something in place at Asnuntuck.  We will use this a guide.
 
Elaine noted that we need to get together and make decisions about tech prep.
 
The Department of Higher Ed has not yet approved Manchester’s program for education majors.  A task force was created to look at this.  
 
It was decided that we will have a panel discussion at a future MATYCONN meeting.  The panel will discuss the community college role in teacher preparation.  Valerie Lewis (commissioner of higher ed) will be invited.   Bob will serve as moderator. 
 
Pat H. suggested that we volunteer math courses to be among the first to convert to common numbering.  Other members agreed.  Paul Susen will be invited to either the April 25^th meeting, or a future meeting, to discuss this issue.   Other issues to discuss include articulation problems and tech prep. 
 
The April 25^th meeting has been changed to Capital Community College.
 
Submitted by
Joe Karnowski