Minutes of Math Issues Committee
March 10, 2006
Central Connecticut State University, Nutmeg Room

The meeting convened at 11:00 a.m.
 
Present — Larisa Alikhanova (Three Rivers), Kathy Bavelas (Gateway), Alice Burstein (Middlesex), Jean-Marc Cenet (Tunxis), Elaine Dinto ( Naugatuck Valley ), Miguel García (Gateway), Pat Hirschy (Asnuntuck), Joe Karnowski (Norwalk), Rachael Schettenhelm (Gateway)
 
Minutes from February 10, 2006, were approved.
 
Updates to common numbering information —
The MATYCONN website (http://www.nv3.commnet.edu/matyconn, under Math Issues) is being updated to include revisions to the following documents: (1) Common Course Equivalencies, and (2) Common Numbers, Titles, Rationale, Content. Elaine distributed copies of the latter, and had sent copies of an earlier version of the former to representatives from all 12 community colleges on March 5 (including Math Issues Committee members and full-time faculty from colleges who do not regularly attend meetings). Thus far, input has been received from representatives from Asnuntuck, Gateway, Manchester , Middlesex, Naugatuck Valley , Northwestern, Norwalk , Three Rivers , and Tunxis. Discussion is still ongoing. PLEASE send further revisions to Elaine so that we will have accurate system-wide math information compiled in an easily accessible location in order to best serve the interests of our students.
 
X99, X98, X97 course number information —
Elaine had asked the Registrar at NVCC to share information regarding special '90's numbers used throughout the system, and distributed information obtained by the Registrar from Dr. Cocchiola. Most of the Committee members were unaware of the special reserved numbers in the 090, 190, and 290 series. X99 numbers are reserved for Independent Study, and X97 numbers for electives. X98, Special Topics, has several different meanings: this is used for courses that are not regularly offered, or are offered only once for a special purpose, or to try out a course and see if it attracts students.  If there is more than one such course in a discipline, the college can use the same course number but have different CRNs and titles, or use both 198 and 298.
 
Gateway's MAT* 098 —
Miguel explained that Gateway is trying something new this semester; MAT* 098 is a 4-credit combination of MAT* 075 and MAT* 095. A discussion followed about similar courses and other possible ways to handle such a combination. Manchester 's 5-credit MAT* 096 uses Math in Action and covers prealgebra and elementary algebra. The question arose as to whether students on financial aid might benefit if the course was 6 credits, as opposed to 4 or 5, since it is not recommended that students taking remedial courses take more than 12 credits, and eligibility for financial aid requires that they be full time. In Naugatuck's "C" (computer, Academic Systems) courses, occasionally students complete one course early in the semester, buy an additional license and book but do not pay for another course, complete the second course and earn a grade for that second course. Norwalk is considering experimenting by combining elementary and intermediate algebra into one course.
 
Name change for MAT* 167, Statistics with Technology —
Having solicited input from their math colleagues, representatives voted on the proposed names for MAT* 167. Principles of Statistics is the frontrunner, receiving 5 votes; 4 colleges will be comfortable with whatever the Committee decides, and 3 colleges have not yet responded. Pat will email faculty at those colleges (Capital, Northwestern, and Quinebaug Valley ) to ensure an opportunity for input from all 12 colleges. 
 
Statistics transfer to UConn — UConn's website now lists MAT* 167 as equivalent to UConn's STAT 1100 (Stat Q 100 level). NOTE: This has been verified by a UConn transfer person!
 
MAT* 143, 144 name modifications —
While the Math Departments of the colleges involved have agreed to the name modifications, there is still no word regarding resolution of this issue by the Council of Deans.
 
Process for Course Name Change document —
Pat distributed a draft document outlining the proposed process whereby a college would initiate a course name change, input would be solicited from all colleges, and a recommendation would be forwarded to the Council of Deans for submission to the Central Office. The proposed process was reviewed, discussed and modified; Pat will incorporate suggestions and will resubmit for further comments and eventual approval by all 12 colleges. Elaine will email the document to Math Issues representatives from all colleges with the minutes, including faculty at colleges who do not send representatives to Math Issues meetings, to ensure that all have the opportunity to participate in the process.
 
Announcement —
Pat announced that the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is seeking new members to serve on the CAPT Mathematics Advisory Committee. Work is currently underway on the third generation of the test, CAPT3; committee members will review materials, give input, and guide decisions about the direction of CAPT3. Specifically candidates should have regular contact with students, have the flexibility to attend at most 6 full day meetings to be spread to the spring, summer and fall, make a commitment for at least one year, have a command of the mathematics in the 9-12 CORE portion of the mathematics framework, have experience with holistic scoring using rubrics, and know that their suggestions are given to CSDE in an advisory capacity. The group nominated Kathy Bavelas as the CC representative, but the directives explicitly state that the CSDE is seeking new members to this committee (Kathy has completed a several-year term). Please contact Pat if you are interested in serving; CC volunteer names will be combined with those from MBSCC (Math Basic Skills Committee of CT) before submission.
 
Placement Issues —
Committee members are asked to review the AMATYC statement on placement (http://www.amatyc.org/documents/Guidelines-Position/Placement.htm) and to consider incorporating multiple assessment options in our placement process.
 
Accuplacer Bands —
Discussion was tabled until the next meeting. If your college has not already sent your Accuplacer placement/cut score information to the group, please send that information to Pat or Elaine, or bring it to the next meeting.
 
Next Meeting Date — The next meeting of Math Issues will be April 28, 2006 at 11:00, CCSU.
 
The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Dinto