December 9, 2025 – Academic Program and Curriculum Committee – Minutes

Time: Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.
Location: Lubar N116 and Microsoft Teams

Present: John Boyland, Dave Clark, Sandeep Gopalakrishnan, Matt Knachel, Emily Kuhnen, Linnea Laestadius, Yura Lee, Kim Litwack, Jesse McLean, Mike Newman, Hong Min Park, Matt Petering, Ionel Popa, Sarah Riforgiate, Nathan Salowitz, Gwyn Wallander, Jonathan Wipplinger

Absent: Anja Blecking, Nicholas Silvaggi

Guests: Sonia Bardy, Sara Benesh, Lisa Berger, Laura Blaska, Suzanne Boyd, Jennifer Deroche, Iruoma Ezumba, Alessandra Gillen, Mallory Kaul, Kerry Korinek, Nadine Kozak, Nora Miller, Shabnam Nikravan, Kathleen Olewinski, Hilary Snow

I. Call to order

The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m.

II. Announcements

Committee Reports – There were no discussions relevant to APCC.
Undergraduate program review schedule

1. Approval of the meeting minutes from November 11, 2025.

2. Curricular changes – Review in CourseLeaf

a. New Courses

ARABIC 385: Honors Seminar: (subtitle)
ART ED 229: Introduction to Art Education: Post-Baccalaureate Program
INFOST 694: Computer Forensics
LINGUIS 105: Linguistic Approaches to AI Literacy
MATH 101: Mathematical Literacy for College Students
MATH 104: Algebraic Literacy
SOCIOL 433: The Sociology of Beer and Brewing
WLC 197: Study Abroad: (subtitle)
WLC 199: Independent Study
WLC 297: Study Abroad: (subtitle)
WLC 299: Ad Hoc: (subtitle)
WLC 397: Study Abroad: (subtitle)
WLC 497: Study Abroad: (subtitle)
WLC 499: Ad Hoc: (subtitle)
WLC 597: Study Abroad: (subtitle)
WLC 699: Advanced Independent Study

b. Changed Courses

ART 422: Design Methodologies: Process, Communication & Theory
ART 529: Design & Visual Communication III: Capstone & Exhibition
BUS ADM 380: Introduction to Real Estate Markets
BUS ADM 400: Accounting Professional Internship
BUS ADM 481: Real Estate Finance & Asset Management
BUS ADM 483: Property Development and Management
BUS ADM 484: Real Estate Law
CIV ENG 202: Dynamics
CIV ENG/MECHENG 463: Introduction to Finite Elements
CIV ENG 571: Design of Concrete Structures
CIV ENG 572: Design of Steel Structures
COMPSCI 317: Discrete Information Structures
ELECENG 101: Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
FILM 232: Animation I
FILM 384: Drawing for Animation
FITWELL 291: Arts and Crafts: (subtitle)
FITWELL 294: Adventure and Outdoor Activities: (subtitle)
FITWELL 298: Mindfulness and Wellness: (subtitle)
IND ENG 290: Foundational Topics in Industrial and Systems Engineering: (subtitle)
IND ENG 465: Optimal Decision Making Under Uncertainty
L&S HUM 102: FYB Writing Studio for English 102
L&S HUM 110: First Year Bridge Seminar: Critical and Interdisciplinary Reading
MUSIC 31: University Community Band
MUSIC 51: Kameraden Chorus
NUTR 208: Introductory Internship in Nutritional Sciences
PHYSICS 209: Physics I (Calculus Treatment)
THEATRE 205: The Theatrical Experience: (subtitle)
WGS 500: Advanced Research Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies: (subtitle)

c. Inactivated Courses

AIS/ANTHRO 225: The Aztec Empire
ART 224: Dynamic Typography
ART 606: BFA Exhibition in Design
ART 621: The Design Group

d. Minor Program Changes

African and African Diaspora Studies Cross-Listed Courses
Animation Arts, BFA
Applied Computing, BS
Art Education, BFA
Community Engagement and Education, BS: Exceptional Education (Non-Licensure)
General Business, Minor
Global Studies, BA
Health Care Administration, BS
Physics, BS
Quantitative Social Data Analysis, Undergraduate Certificate
Real Estate, Undergraduate Certificate
Structural Engineering, Minor
Women’s and Gender Studies, BA

e. Inactivated Programs

Community Engagement Strategies, Undergraduate Certificate

IV. New Business

1. Software Engineering, Graduate Certificate

This is a new, 15-credit graduate certificate consisting primarily of computer science courses with some electives.

John Boyland moved to approve the graduate certificate in Software Engineering. Matt Petering seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

2. GER Policy Revisions

The policy document will also need to be approved by Senate. The previous buckets were replaced with categories mandated by System. The policy must be implemented for fall 2026.

Dave Clark moved to approve the revised policy and Sarah Riforgiate seconded the motion.

Matthew Petering moved to replace the existing definition of Civics and Perspectives with the following language, “Courses in this area explore how identities, perspectives, technologies or civic contexts shape people’s experiences and/or participation in society. Students will develop the ability to analyze diverse worldviews or lived experiences, and to understand how historical, cultural, technological, economic, or governmental forces influence community life, public decision-making, or engagement in democratic society.” John Boyland seconded, and the motion failed.

This definition seems narrower than current language. More direct. Current definition isn’t focused enough. Matt’s definition really focuses on modern and 21^st century problems. Don’t exclude past but specifically add modern.

Matt Petering moved to revise the Civics and Perspectives definition as follows, “Courses in this area explore how identities, perspectives, technologies or civic contexts shape people’s experiences and/or participation in society. Students will develop the ability to analyze diverse worldviews or lived experiences, and to understand how historical, cultural, technological, economic, or governmental forces influence community life, public decision-making, or engagement in democratic society.” Nathan Salowitz seconded the motion.

Gwyn Wallander called the question and Matt Knachel seconded. Matt Petering called for a roll-call vote:

Blecking: Absent
Boyland: Yea
Clark: Nay
Gopalakrishnan: Nay
Knachel: Nay
Kuhnen: Nay
Laestadius: Abstain
Lee: Nay
Litwack: Nay
McLean: Nay
Newman: Nay
Park: Nay
Petering: Yea
Popa: Yea
Riforgiate: Nay
Salowitz: Yea
Silvaggi: Absent
Wallander: Nay
Wipplinger: Nay

John Boyland moved to approve the policy document. Matt Knachel seconded and the motion passed.

3. GER Implementation Document Revisions

Many of the learning outcomes from previous buckets were retained in this version. Communication and Literacy will focus primarily on writing and communication, so the old OWC-B was eliminated. Civics and Perspectives is new.

Committee members had questions about testing out of GER or placing into higher-level math. Dave Clark explained that if students test out of ENG 102, they would take two Communication and Literature courses. If students test into a higher-level math course, that would be their Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning course.

John Boyland moved to approve the implementation document, and Jesse McLean seconded the motion.

Matt Petering moved to add a #3 to Civics and Perspectives: students should complete 1, and/or 2, and/or 3): “Analyze the impact of technological, economic, or governmental forces on community life, public decision-making, or engagement in contemporary society.” And to include the following additional bullet points:

understand what it will take for human civilization to become sustainable;
understand what it will take to create a world beyond war.
understand the pros, cons, and principles behind one or more advanced technologies such as AI, the internet, biotechnology or cryptocurrency.

Sarah Riforgiate seconded the motion.

Many of these things are already included in other categories, as well as other bullets in this category.

Learning outcomes must be demonstrable.

Jesse McClean called the question and Dave Clark seconded. The motion failed.

There has been discussion of APCC taking over student appeals as current practice in the schools and colleges doesn’t match policy. The issue is not addressed in this iteration of the document.

Kim Litwack called the question on the implementation document and Hong Min seconded. The motion did not pass by a 2/3 majority.

Matt moved to amend the Civics and Perspectives category by adding the following bullet points:

investigate and analyze the pros, cons, and/or principles behind one or more advanced technologies;
describe efforts for humanity to work towards environmental sustainability;