2008 Woodie Awards
Trustees assess academic outcomes
Kristen Oxley
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
April 25, Milligan's academic committee met with the board standing committee of Academic Affairs, made up of trustees, for their biannual meeting to discuss developments in Milligan's academic department.
A progress report was given to the attendees with updates on each department's developments this semester.
The chairman of the committee is Roy Lawson, former vice president of Milligan. Other trustee members present were Joanne Richardson, Mark Webb, Marvin Swiney and Bill Rhoads. Many members of the academic committee of professors and staff were also present to represent their academic areas.
Academic Dean Mark Matson introduced the area chairs and went over Milligan's mission statement.
Next, Area Chair of Humane Learning Jack Knowles described the recent changes in the humanities program. He explained the change in the lecture format and why the writing courses will be separated.
"The intention is not to make it more isolated but more connected to the curriculum as a whole," Knowles said.
Lawson was a part of the original formation of the humanities program, which has been changed and modified over the years.
"From the beginning the humanities program was an idea and an ideal," Lawson said. "I'm proud that you've kept it the core of the curriculum. It's only going to remain valuable if you keep fiddling with it."
Swiney asked how the humanities department planned to keep pace with the technological advances privy to incoming freshmen.
Knowles said that the professors are experimenting with various media including PowerPoint, pictures and videos. He also mentioned that the humanities program will require continual readjustment in the future, but complete structural alterations will seldom occur.
Rhoads asked if Milligan administers any "non-threatening" tests to incoming students to determine how much students know and how they learn best.
Milligan does have testing for students who may need developmental classes but does not administer an overall test to determine the skill levels of incoming students, according to Sue Skidmore, associate dean, registrar and director of institutional research and effectiveness.
A progress report was given to the attendees with updates on each department's developments this semester.
The chairman of the committee is Roy Lawson, former vice president of Milligan. Other trustee members present were Joanne Richardson, Mark Webb, Marvin Swiney and Bill Rhoads. Many members of the academic committee of professors and staff were also present to represent their academic areas.
Academic Dean Mark Matson introduced the area chairs and went over Milligan's mission statement.
Next, Area Chair of Humane Learning Jack Knowles described the recent changes in the humanities program. He explained the change in the lecture format and why the writing courses will be separated.
"The intention is not to make it more isolated but more connected to the curriculum as a whole," Knowles said.
Lawson was a part of the original formation of the humanities program, which has been changed and modified over the years.
"From the beginning the humanities program was an idea and an ideal," Lawson said. "I'm proud that you've kept it the core of the curriculum. It's only going to remain valuable if you keep fiddling with it."
Swiney asked how the humanities department planned to keep pace with the technological advances privy to incoming freshmen.
Knowles said that the professors are experimenting with various media including PowerPoint, pictures and videos. He also mentioned that the humanities program will require continual readjustment in the future, but complete structural alterations will seldom occur.
Rhoads asked if Milligan administers any "non-threatening" tests to incoming students to determine how much students know and how they learn best.
Milligan does have testing for students who may need developmental classes but does not administer an overall test to determine the skill levels of incoming students, according to Sue Skidmore, associate dean, registrar and director of institutional research and effectiveness.
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