Minutes of Math Issues Committee 10/28/05
Central CT State University, Memorial Hall, Nutmeg Room
        

The meeting convened at 11 AM
 
Present – Kathy Bavelas (Gateway CC),  Jean-Marc Cenet (Tunxis CC), June Decker (Three Rivers CC), Elaine Dinto ( Naugatuck CC), Andre Freeman (Capitol CC), Diane Hillyer ( Manchester CC), Pat Hirschy (Asnuntuck CC), Joe Karnowski ( Norwalk CC), Mark Leach ( Housatonic CC)
 
Welcome to our new member Andre Freeman from Capitol CC.
 
He (and any others listed above) will be placed on the email distribution list.
 
Minutes from the September 16th meeting approved.
 
 
Old Business

1.  Change the name for MAT 143 and MAT 144 to “Math for Elem Ed: Alg, Nmbr Sys” and “Math for Elem Ed: Geom, Data”

The committee agreed that their proposed name changes for MAT 143 and MAT 144 accurately reflect the independence of the courses and indicate the intended audience. The current titles “Math for Elementary Ed I” and “Math for Elementary Ed II” mistakenly imply that one is a prerequisite of the other.

After checking the number of characters in proposed course titles, a space was inserted after the colon.

At the September meeting, the representatives of the individual colleges were charged with bringing the proposed name changes back to their departments for discussion.  All but Manchester endorsed the name change, because Manchester is restricted by a college wide policy prohibiting the use of the words “elementary education” in the title of a course. The rationale for the policy is that Manchester does not offer a program of study in elementary education.  The Math Issues Committee noted that the proposed titles clearly indicate the intended audience, and that a title without the words “Elem Ed” would not be as accurate.  It was felt that the proposed titles accurately describe Mat 143 and 144.  Rather than find a new title for the course, the group recommended that Manchester revisit this issue.  It was noted that MAT 143 and 144 are offered for 3 credits each at both Gateway and Naugatuck .  Norwalk offers 4-credit versions of these courses.  All of these transfer to 4 year universities.
   
2. Pat and Elaine are still trying to meet with Kate McLaughlin to clarify the statistics articulation agreements with UCONN
   
3.  Name change for MAT 167: Statistics with Technology. 

Pat provided a rationale for the proposed name change for MAT 167: specifically, the word “technology” may refer to technical fields such as engineering or it may refer to the use of graphing calculators.  Since the “technology” designation in no longer needed for transfer, Pat suggested we eliminate the ambiguous word.  She suggested several course names and delineated the process for name change.  It was agreed that everyone would bring the suggested names to their departments, and ask for their input. The campus contacts at Quinebaug, Northwestern and Middlesex will be emailed to request their input.  The “Stats Course Articulation Agreement” approved by this committee on May 13, 2005 will be sent to all.   The suggested names for MAT 167 are: Statistics, Descriptive and Inferential Statistics, College Statistics, Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences, and Elementary Statistical Analysis.  The group favored the first two options.
   
4.  As a point of information, it was noted that Pathways are negotiated individually between each CC and CSU.  The question arose at to whether or not Pathways are limited to shortage areas.
  
5. The group noted that Governor Rell is sponsoring statewide initiatives to improve math and science education, and we would like to offer our support.  Kathy Bavelis will make informal contact with Richard Cole, CEO of the CT Academy for Math, Science and Technology (K-16), to see if he will keep us apprised of their work.  Miguel will send an email to Paul Susen to ask how our committee may become involved.
  
6. Announcements:

  1. Mark Leach: Developmental Math Position open at HCC.  Would like to fill it by January ‘06
  2. June Decker:  Math Instructor Position open at TRCC. Search will begin in the spring of ‘06
  3. Gateway had a search for two math instructor positions this fall.
  4. Kathy Bavelas:  Volunteer presenters needed for CAMPY (grades 5-8) at Western CSU, Central CSU   and Quinnipiac on May 25, and at UCONN at an earlier date.  Let Kathy know if you are interested.
  5. Joe Karnowski: Capitol, Norwalk and Housatonic have received a grant targeting students who “fall through the cracks”, particularly in developmental education.  The grant is called “Achieving the Dream.”
  6. Congratulations to all who worked with Vice Chancellor Estella Lopez on the Math Conference re Transition from High School to College held at CSU on October 14.  .  Everyone agreed it was a huge success.  The steering committee will meet at the CSU Central Office on Woodland Street on November 18 at 1:30.

7.  Next meeting will be December 9, 11AM CCSU, Nutmeg Room


Adjourned 12:30.

Submitted by June Decker, TRCC