Minutes for Math Issues Committee 04/01/05
Memorial Hall, Nutmeg Room, CCSU

 
The meeting convened at 10:40 a.m.
 
Present:  Pat Hirschy (Asnuntuck), Miguel Garcia (Gateway), Rachael Schettenhelm (Gateway), Mark Leach (Housatonic), Diane Hillyer (Manchester), Elaine Dinto ( Naugatuck Valley ), Joe Karnowski (Norwalk), Larisa Alikhanova (Three Rivers)
 
Minutes from the January 28, 2005 meeting were approved.
 
MATYCONN issues/notes—
Discussion took place regarding the upcoming MATYCONN Meeting/Workshop at Gateway’s North Haven Campus, Friday, April 29. Elaine will send flyers and registration forms for the event within the next few days; please make colleagues aware of the event and the new timeframe (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Harlan Brothers’ presentation/workshop, Become a Fractal Musician, promises to be educational and fun! The group also discussed possible ideas for the MATYCONN scholarship.
 
Common Numbering Issues—
(1) New course proposal, Math Education in Practice, MAT*H170I, H170II, H170III—
As a follow-up to email communication, Elaine told the group of Naugatuck ’s plans for a new one-credit course, intended to give students the opportunity to develop their communication skills in mathematics. Students will assist and tutor students in mathematics, in NVCC’s Math Lab, using appropriate technology for a minimum of three hours per week for 15 weeks; an instructor will be assigned to supervise students, to coordinate all course activities, and to advise. The course may be repeated for up to 3 credits and will be graded P/F. Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in MAT* H172 with two letters of recommendation from an instructor. Pat offered some good suggestions that will be passed on to the faculty member who has designed the course. The group agreed that the MAT*170 number is appropriate, and liked the “I, II, III” designators as opposed to using three numbers.
 
(2) Recommendations regarding the integrity of the Common Numbering Matrix—
The group discussed the fact that course descriptions are not static, and the importance of preserving the integrity of the Math Common Numbering matrix. Miguel will contact the System Office, by email, regarding the status of the recommendation made by Math Faculty at the Professional Staff Day, September 24, 2004, at Naugatuck Valley .
Note: In the Report on Mathematics Faculty Discussions, sent to the System Office in October 2004, on behalf of system-wide math faculty Alice Burstein noted that math faculty approved this recommendation: The mathematics common numbering matrix developed by the Math Issues Committee and adopted by the system is dynamic rather than static. While recognizing the local requirements regarding department, curriculum committee, and dean approval as well as system requirement regarding numbering, the Math Issues Committee will facilitate maintenance of the matrix. Colleges considering changes in topics or outcomes for a course should bring proposed changes to Math Issues to see if they match changes considered at other colleges. The Committee can help determine if the new courses are still within 80% compliance, if one or both of the courses are new, where it (they) belong in the matrix, and whether one or two new numbers are required. The group developed guidelines for adoption of new mathematics courses, and the role of the Math Issues Committee, which were included in the report.
 
(3) System-wide Common Course Numbering Document — 
College math courses listed in the Common Course Numbering Crosswalk data file, http://www.commnet.edu/academics/ccn/crosswalk.asp, do not appear to have been updated over the past year. Math Issues representatives were urged to check this list for accuracy and to report inconsistencies to their supervisors.
 
Update on Statistics transfer to UConn—
Pat distributed documents regarding CSU-CC Statistics course articulation to committee members: (1) a set of matrices, listing CC first level statistics courses with an intermediate algebra prerequisite and CSU courses, also course descriptions of relevant CSU courses; and (2) course descriptions for CC statistics courses. A discussion ensued. The group agreed that Pat should represent us at the MBSCC meeting to follow later in the afternoon; an agreement in writing by math faculty regarding CSU-CC statistics transfer would then be presented to Drs. Estela Lopez and Paul Susen. Such agreement would put us on stronger footing to address the UConn statistics transfer issue.
 
Conference on Developmental Programs—
Miguel announced that he was unable to ascertain any more information about the CC Council of Presidents’ plans for a conference on increasing retention and speed of the process of developmental programs. 
 
Possible title change for MAT* 167—
Pat asked the group for input regarding a possible title change for MAT* 167, Statistics with Technology. When that title was chosen, the intent was to distinguish the course from those statistics courses that do not fully integrate technology throughout. Unfortunately, the title has been a source of confusion by colleagues and advisors, especially those in other areas; many appear to interpret the title as meaning the statistics course is for technology majors (as opposed to those in the social sciences). The group agreed that a title change would be a good idea and will consider recommending a specific change at another meeting.
 
The meeting adjourned at 12:21 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted by
Elaine Dinto