Minnesota
State Colleges
Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie, April 11, 2003
Geography Report Summary
Facilitators: Jim Brothen, Lynette Olson, Greg Wymer
Transfer issue/problem one:
Discipline meetings--There is a need for communication among geography faculty
Strategy(s) to address transfer issue/problem one:
- Contact CTL for faculty member listing
- Establish task force to seek a CTL grant for discipline activities
- Use the list serve
Transfer issue/problem two:
Articulation agreements—Forge ahead to build articulation agreements and develop an articulation template
Strategy(s) to address transfer issue/problem two:
- Find equivalency tables
- Obtain information on DARS/CAS and other transfer information
- Review sample transfer agreements
Transfer issue/problem three:
Level of placement—There is a need to define course levels
Strategy(s) to address transfer issue/problem three:
- Forge communications
- Establish a list of programs and courses
Jim Brothen,
Facilitator
MnTransfer Meeting – April 11th
Discipline – Geography
Notes
1. Posted Thoughts Grouped by Topics/Issues –
Discipline Meetings/Contacts
-
How formal are the transfer meetings – so few
- Lack of communication between professors at the Universities & CC’s
- Need to know each others programs; goals; departments strengths & interests
- Contact people at other campuses
- Getting to know each others programs
- Coordinating program development between institutions so curriculum changes can be managed
Unique Course Content/Rigor
-
Make sure in an attempt to facilitate transfer that we don’t accidentally begin to standardize courses – that uniqueness is of great value
- Rigor and amount of material covered. How do we make an objective ranking of another’s courses. Or should we?
- How do we assure transfer while protecting academic freedoms or at the very least variety?
- GIS development differentiated
- Courses associated with programs; eg. US &
Articulation Agreements
-
Classes are transferring into the Gen Ed Programs, but there is limited success transferring courses into the major
- Working out “Articulation Agreements” – Models?, Successes?, Problems?
- Develop agreements between CC’s and SU’s to create 2 + 2 feeder systems – compliment each other to build geography in our state
- Specific articulation agreements very desirable with larger numbers of students
Level of Course Placement
-
Placement of unique courses and interests
- Course naming, upper and lower division duplications
- Facilitate courses coordination for majors in Geography. How do the introductory level courses from one institution fit into the program of another?
- Transfer credit or try to fit into a program?
- Level of course credit
Extra’s
-
More consistent and strategic assessment – that we are willing to share
- AA Degree with emphasis at CC’s
- Matching students in the appropriate institution to meet the individual students interests and career goals
- What are the numbers? How many potential transfer students are in Geography?
2. Strategies and Recommendations and Timelines
Discipline Meetings & Communication
Suggested timeline for the following strategies: ASAP
-
Each faculty member will sign on to the list serve
- Send out a list of contacts
Suggested timeline –
-
Apply for a CTL Grant for Geography Discipline – Cindy, Sandy and Jim were designated to work on the application and information
- CTL will acquire a list of faculty, etc
- Design a web page
- Initiate e-Advisors for Geography
Suggest timeline for the following strategies: Fall/2003
-
Geography Conference – Fall, 2003
Topics: GIS Grant, Assessment, Student/Faculty Poster Sessions
-
Discipline Group – work with Craig Froke to develop communications
- Various institutions/faculty will travel to each others campuses
Articulation Agreements
Suggested timeline for the following strategies: ASAP
-
Find the current transfer equivalency tables
-
Secure info on DARS/CAS – transfer evaluation
-
Look at sample agreements between campuses (example was copied at the meeting)
-
Begin to look at various processes
Level of Placement for Courses
Suggested timeline for the following strategies: Fall, 2003 and ongoing
-
GIS – Forge communications between institutions
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List introductory courses and program plans
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Build new courses and new program plans
Recommendations
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Statewide GIS software license is recommended so that each institution does not need to acquire a local site license.
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Information should be shared with Michael Murphy regarding the Homeland Security Grant providing input from faculty and campuses
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Provide information on DARS/CAS at the next discipline meetings