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Future meetings are: July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16, August 30 Room 14-400, 1:00-3:00

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Committee's Responsibilities:

(From email sent by: John Bowes, May 21, 2006 12:58:26 PM PDT (CA); Subject: SIAT Curriculum Revision Committee)

SIAT Curriculum Revision Committee

As discussed in our recent “re-

1. To come forward with concrete plans to perform necessary adjustments to SIAT undergraduate curricula in years 2-4 by 1 October 2006. This effort has as a design goal for years 2-4 a core of Fall-Winter courses numbering no more than 32-35 class offerings.

2. To coordinate as needed with the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee who has responsibility for the day-to-day operation of that programme.

3. To better apportion faculty time between service, research and teaching by adjusting SIAT’s undergrad course offerings to realistic load levels.

4. To help apportion faculty load time so that all research faculty have adequate involvement in the graduate programme.

5. To articulate effectively with TechOne in both its interim form and eventual restructured form.

6. To better consolidate courses as distinctly SIAT across streams where possible. In this, to reconsider stream structure for better efficacy.

7. To improve the permeability of SIAT courses at years 2 and 3 for non-majors from outside of SIAT and as transfers.

8. To better anticipate the exigencies of University reorganisation likely in the next 18 mos.

In short, we want to redevelop our undergrad curriculum so that it is efficient and allows faculty time to do other things essential to their careers and the intellectual health of the School. There are to be no sacred cows. As soon as I have your agreement to serve (and any comments you wish to the foregoing agenda), I will put this committee forward for ratification by the full (permanent and LT) faculty.

=John

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M E E T I N G 2 1 J U N E 2 0 0 6

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Composition of the committee was approved by 13 affirmative votes. (1 denial, 1 abstention). Gromala (chair), Bizzocchi, Bowes (ex officio), Budd, Calvert, Hatala, Jamieson (staff), Rajah, Shaw, Wakkary, Woodbury

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Committee responsibilities as outlined by the Chair were discussed (see below).

Bowes discussed each item, the status of TechOne, and emphasized taking progressive measures to be ready for the university's anticipated reorganization. This included cross-listing courses, developing and/or teaching (popular/high enrollment classes) on the mountain or harbor centre, and forging closer relationships to other university entities such as Communications.

Jim Budd outlined the process for garnering approval (and avoiding potential obstacles) at various levels at SFU in some detail. Thanks JIm! Hatala and Gromala will present the revisions throughout the SFU process. Woodbury offered to lend his experience with these committees and offered to participate in them.

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Terms of engagement: We will need to meet every two weeks, with the understanding that there will be some absences because of summer vacations and conferences. Nonetheless, we will need to meet this frequently in order to make our October 1 deadline. This will be a work-heavy committee for this and other reasons. Because we need to present a united front for passage of our refined curriculum, and because we need to build on the collegiality we already have in this difficult process, I also ask that members articulate their concerns as they arise, and not wait until the last minute.

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Constraints & Opportunities: Bowes noted our roughly 40% dip in enrollment, the result of the "perfect storm."

In addition, these were discussed:

• articulation (students from 2 year community colleges) esp. Kwantlen, Capilano, Douglas

• cross-listing courses

• increasing our visibility and presence on campus

• building opportunities with other units at SFU

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Next meeting: July 5

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Stream representatives: Kozel (PMA), Wakkary (ID), Shaw (TAD), Gromala (NME) will bring in a list of their critical classes.

• a list of classes critically necessary for the stream: (5-6)

• year one: ideas for what needs to be covered in our two TechOne courses

• year two: stream introduction class

• year three: 6 upper division classes

• year four: (TBD; capstone class)

Courses which are best suited for collaboration outside of SIAT should be noted.

This list may include existing classes, changes to existing classes and/or proposed classes. Since we will also conduct discussions at conceptual levels, it may also be useful to briefly annotate classes with what they are intended to achieve, as well as definitions of each stream.

Please use jargon-free language.

"The Machine" Woodbury will bring in a working version of the design machine he proposed in the retreat. This will provide us with a method to see how changing parameters will affect the overall curriculum plan. Note that this is a way to generate ideas and alternatives. It is NOT set in stone.

Gromala will bring a calendar *proposal* which outlines what needs to be achieved by which date.