VCAA Newletter

The American Democracy Project begins in earnest in January. The campus leader is Dr. William Hojnacki, Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs and former dean of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. A core group of faculty from each of the university's schools and colleges has been identified as a working group. Spring semester 2004 will be dedicated to campus conversations about the meaning of democracy and what it means to be an American citizen. The committee will work in tandem with the general education committee to determine curriculum themes and activities around the theme for AY 2004-05. It is envisioned that external grants will be pursued in support of curricular initiatives and related activities. The Office of Academic Affairs will provide internal curricular grant support that link general education to the American Democracy Project.

Position Announcement for a Director of General Education: IU South Bend is seeking a Director of General Education to begin June 1, 2004. This is a ten month appointment with substantial summer responsibilities. The position will include a $5,000 summer stipend. The Director will have one course release time for the fall and spring term. The appointment will be for a three year term, with renewal possible. The Director will report to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Watch for details about this position, the duties, qualifications, and application procedure which will arrive by campus mail. Application deadline is March 8, 2004, or until the position is filled.

The next Dean's Seminar of the 2003-04 series will be held on Friday, February 20, 2004 at noon in the Board Room. Constance Deuschle, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Human Services, will present her research on "The DreamsWork Program: Mentors as Assets to Students Success."

On Friday, February 13 from 8:30-noon, UCET and IMS are co-sponsoring a digital video workshop in NS 245. Participants will learn how to incorporate short video segments into Power Point presentations. The workshop will cover pedagogical issues, copyright concerns, and technical skill information specific to using IUSB equipment and resources. You may register by sending an email to ucet@iusb.edu or imsreq@iusb.edu.

IRB Update - There were 113 original files sent to Bloomington. Of those, 58 have been approved and 39 have been closed. This leaves 16 studies still under review, but every one of those has received at least initial contact from the Bloomington committee.

On Friday, November 14th, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education approved two new graduate degrees for our campus: The Master of Arts (M.A.) in English and the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) English. That same day our Academic Senate Curriculum Committee approved two new minors for our campus: an African American Studies minor and and International Studies minor. We all look forward to the new opportunities that the graduate degrees and minors will provide our students.