November 11, 2025 – Academic Program and Curriculum Committee – Minutes

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

Present: Anja Blecking, John Boyland, Dave Clark, Sandeep Gopalakrishnan, Matt Knachel, Emily Kuhnen, Linnea Laestadius, Kim Litwack, Jesse McLean, Michael Newman, Hong Min Park, Matt Petering, Ionel Popa, Sarah Riforgiate, Nathan Salowitz, Nicholas Silvaggi, Gwynn Wallander, Jonathan Wipplinger

Absent:  Yura Lee

Guests:  Sara Benesh, Lisa Berger, Anne Bonds, Suzanne Boyd, Kate Brondino, Christy Greenleaf, Prasenjit Guptasarma, Kundan Kishor, Carol Klingbeil, Zelenda Koch, Kerry Korinek, Nadine Kozak, Nora Miller, Kathleen Olewinski, Hilary Snow, Kristin Sziarto, Dimitri Topitzes, Chris Young

I. Call to order

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

II. Announcements

  1. Committee Reports – No business to report that is pertinent to APCC
  2. Undergraduate program review schedule – November 21 – DAC; CIM – November 19
  3. Update on GER Revision
  4. Created a subcommittee to draft changes in response to State legislature’s mandate. Focusing on buckets and learning outcomes, especially – math, communication, and civics and perspectives. There is also discussion regarding sub-buckets (e.g., one art and one humanity rather than arts and humanities). No placement tests, but AP, IB, CLEP, and transfer credits.

1. Approval of the meeting minutes from October 14, 2025.

2. Curricular changes – Review in CourseLeaf

Chair Mike Newman moved EAS 120 and UWS NSG from auto consent to new business. Matt Petering objected to the Chair pulling these courses and asked to know who requested that items be removed from auto consent. He further objected when the chair declined to provide that information.

a. New Courses

  • LINGUIS 355: Language Behavior of AI Models
  • PHYSICS 103: Introduction to Research in Physics

b. Changed Courses

  • BUS ADM 360: Principles of Marketing
  • BUS ADM 361: Business Scholars: Principles of Marketing
  • BUS ADM 496: International Business
  • CHEM 100: Chemical Science
  • CHEM 101: Chemical Science
  • CHEM 102: General Chemistry
  • CHEM 105: General Chemistry for Engineering
  • ELECENG 140/MECHENG 140: Intro to Embedded Computing I: Digital Logic and Microprocessors
  • ELECENG 240/MECHENG 240: Intro to Embedded Computing II: C Programming for Embedded Applications
  • ELECENG 301: Electrical Circuits and Electronics
  • ELECENG 340/MECHENG 340: Embedded Systems I: C and C++ Programming for Embedded Applications
  • ELECENG 421: Communication Systems
  • ELECENG 440/MECHENG 440: Embedded Systems II: Advanced Embedded Systems
  • ELECENG 464: Fundamentals of Photonics
  • ELECENG 465: Broadband Optical Networks
  • ELECENG 565: Optical Communication
  • ELECENG 595: Capstone Design Project
  • FILM 481: Advanced 16MM Film Production
  • HCA 300: Professional Development Seminar for Health Administration Students
  • HCA 333: Health Organizations Professional Practice Standards
  • RUSSIAN 242: Vampires: From Slavic Village to Hollywood

c. Minor Program Changes

  • Community Engagement and Education, BS: Exceptional Education (Non-Licensure)
  • Data Science, BS
  • English, BA
  • Global Health, Undergraduate Certificate
  • Honors College Degree Requirements
  • Kinesiology, Minor
  • Study of Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches, Undergraduate Certificate

d. Curricular Area

MALLT – Moving to World Languages and Cultures

IV. New Business

  1. APCC Charter
    Sarah Riforgiate moved to approve the proposed changes to the charter. John Boyland seconded the motion.

    The Secretary of the University has requested that APCC add instructional academic staff to the membership. The current charter calls for three students. The proposal is to replace two students with two instructional academic staff members.

    The motion passed unanimously.
  2. EAS 120: Sustainable Earth: The Natural World, Built Environment, and Earth’s Future
    Sarah Riforgiate moved to approve EAS 120 and John Boyland seconded.

    The course was created last spring and was denied GER designation. Comments indicated there was too much overlap with existing courses, and not enough focus on engineering. The course was not changed substantially, but a narrative response was included with the resubmission.

    Sarah Riforgiate called for a vote. Gwyn Wallander seconded, and the motion to proceed directly to a vote on the approval carried.

    Matt Petering asked for a roll-call vote. On the roll-call vote: there were two votes in favor of approving the course; ten votes against; and five abstentions. The motion failed.
  3. UWS NSG 4: Health Care Economics, Finance, and Policy for Nursing Practice

    Jonathan Wipplinger moved to approve the course and Sarah Riforgiate seconded the motion.

    The Department of Economics has been offering a health economics course for many years. The learning outcomes of this course are very similar to the existing course. Economics has not been consulted and requests that the title of the course be changed.

    UWM is part of a collaborative with six other universities. This course will not compete with the Economics course as it is only offered online to students in the BSN @ Home program. The course meets accreditation requirements and there is no overlap of students.

    Matt Knachel called for a vote. Gwyn Wallander seconded, and the motion to proceed directly to a vote on the approval carried.

    The motion to approve the course passed with three abstentions.

V. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:47 a.m.