MIAMI-DADE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MEDICAL CENTER CAMPUS
January 28, 2002
PRESENT: Frances Aronovitz, Annette Baker, Darlene Berger, Martha Bryan, Carl
Jean-Charles, Terrence Davis, Arcie Ewell, Hernan Febres , Orlando Fernandez , Virginia Fuillerat, Diann Gregory, Caridad Gutierrez, Susan Kah, Joan McLaughlin, Miguel Menendez, Carol Miller, Carlos Pedemonte, Carol Petrozella(attending for Pam Singer), Richard Prentiss, Lessie Pryor, Silvia Romero, Eric Weaver, Mary Worsley, Lenora Yates
ABSENT: Raquel Hardie (sick), Pam Singer(out of country),
GUESTS: Ellyn Biggs, Olga Mayoral -Garcia, Raquel Montequin, Cheryl Pestaina
The minutes from the11/26/01 CASSC meeting were approved.
Susan Kah presented the newly proposed course for art majors – Color and Composition I
(ART 1205C). She stated that according to Ken Boos, Associate Dean for the School of Arts and Letters- North Campus, there is currently no art course that deals with color and this course is a studio art course that is focused on learning the theory and practice of color mixing and compositional arrangement. Susan also stated that this proposed course is for 3-4 variable credits.
Martha Bryan stated that it would be helpful if someone were present to fully explain the competencies for this new course.
Arcie Ewell agreed, stating she would like for students to have all pertinent information about this course. She also stated that the competencies should be polished before this proposal is taken to College wide CASSC.
Carol Petrozella inquired whether or not this course is an elective. Susan pointed out that this course can be counted towards an Associate in Arts degree or may be used as an elective. Carol Petrozella stated that she did not want to endorse this course, due to a lack of information about whether this course will be 3 credits or 4 credits and whether or not students will be charged a special fee.
Fran Aronovitz inquired about the role of Campus CASSC. Susan explained that the role of Campus CASSC is to take information back to College wide CASSC. She acknowledged that information pertaining to the course needs some clarification and stated that Campus CASSC can pass this course on to College CASSC with reservations about the lack of information. Anyone with additional concerns or comments was encouraged to email them to Susan Kah.
Richard Prentiss presented the proposal for the Massage Therapy (PSAV) Program. A
three-track program into Massage Therapy has been developed. Track 1 is the generic curriculum as identified in the State of Florida curriculum framework- 750 hours
(25 PSAV credits). Track 2 is an option for licensed Physical Therapists and/ or Physical Therapist Assistants to become a Massage Therapist using an accelerated option. Track 3 is an option for any licensed allied health professional and/or licensed registered nurse to become a Massage Therapist using a transitional option. The Board of Massage Therapy has already approved this proposal for the three Massage Therapy tracks and May 2002 is the targeted start date of this program, but it could be as late as the fall term, 2002.
Susan Kah remarked that we cannot begin recruitment for this program because the proposal still has to go through Campus CASSC on other campuses and College CASSC.
Carol Miller stated that representatives who attend the Campus CASSC meetings on other campuses will provide feedback to Richard Prentiss so that all concerns and comments are addressed.
Diann Gregory inquired whether or not the Massage Therapy Program would address massage during pregnancy. Susan Kah commented that perhaps the competency on contraindications covers massage and pregnancy. Competencies related to pregnancy can be found in Competency 6.
Carl Jean-Charles inquired about the demand for the Massage Therapy Program. Richard Prentiss stated that the needs assessment revealed a high demand for this program.
Hernan Febres and Carol Petrozella raised the issue of competition. Richard Prentiss stated that this program will compete with the Massage Therapy Programs at Lindsey Hopkins, as well as other private programs. Carol Miller commented that Broward Community College also offers a Massage Therapy Program.
Miguel Menendez inquired if there is a need for massage therapists. Richard Prentiss pointed out that once students complete the Massage Therapy Program, they don’t have to wait for employment; graduates of the program would then be able to open their own business. Eric Weaver commented that many businesses will offer space to massage therapists for a fee.
Susan Kah suggested that perhaps before attending College CASSC, more data should be collected on the employment opportunities for massage therapists. Susan also added that one possible obstacle to the development of this program will be the college budget.
College CASSC endorsed the Massage Therapy PSAV Program.
Raquel Montequin discussed the action plan for the Alliance Program with CASSC members. Raquel stated that the action plan was developed to monitor and enhance the quality of the Alliance Program. She also revealed that she recently met with all of the Natural Science Chairpersons to review issues relating to the Alliance Program. The chairpersons will then share information related to the action plan with the Natural Science faculty. Susan Kah stated that for quite sometime the perception has been that students taking courses in the Alliance Program receive an inferior science experience.
Raquel mentioned that one problem has been the textbook adoption process. Because Alliance courses use the book of the nearest campus, students taking Alliance courses sometimes use different textbooks for the same course, depending on which site they are attending for courses. Richard Prentiss commented that there should be one textbook for students. Susan Kah stated that she does not think that will occur because faculty value the prerogative of textbook selection.
Richard insisted that the book adoption process is not fair for the students and that sometimes faculty members require students to purchase several books that they never use.
Hernan Febres commented that offering the Alliance courses on Sundays is an excellent idea. Raquel stated that there will be more courses offered on Sundays in the future.
Hernan also questioned if there is any follow-up to see if students taking Alliance courses are feeding our Medical Campus Programs. Raquel stated that approximately 90% of students taking Alliance courses are pre-select students.
Susan Kah announced that the Alliance Program has its highest enrollment this term and congratulated Raquel Montequin on this accomplishment.
OPERATION PAYCHECK UPDATE
Cheryl Pestaina and Olga Mayoral-Garcia reported that Operation Paycheck targeted those individuals who were unemployed because of the events of September 11th and is currently in full effect. They reported that they have come in contact with people from a wide variety of occupations and that currently there are 9 students enrolled in the EMT Program, 3 students are enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician Program, 7 students are enrolled in the Phlebotomy Program and 6 students are currently enrolled in the Medical Assisting Program.
Richard Prentiss inquired whether or not each campus was coordinating their own Operation Paycheck Program. He said that he has been receiving phone calls about Operation Paycheck and the EMS Program in Homestead and wants to know if he should refer those calls to someone on the Homestead Campus. Cheryl Pestaina stated that she would look into this.
Carol Petrozella inquired if students would cease to be eligible for the Operation Paycheck Program if they find employment while in the program. Cheryl stated that they would not and that they qualify for Operation Paycheck if they lost their jobs as a result of the September 11th tragedy.
Virginia Fuillerat added that students are also being encouraged to apply for financial assistance so that they can continue their education.
COLLEGE WIDE CASSC REPORT
Susan Kah reported that the curriculum changes to the Radiography Program, Veterinary Program, Transitional Option in Nursing Program, and the Crossover to Law Enforcement (COLE) Academy were approved at the December 11, 2001 College wide CASSC meeting.
Susan Kah reported that the role of College CASSC was discussed at the January 15, 2002 College wide CASSC meeting. The Coordinating Committee of College CASSC will meet and develop guidelines for promoting communication between Campus CASSCs and the College CASSC.
Carol Petrozella reported on the following: A new faculty mentoring program, a 2 part session on Clinical Teaching and Evaluation (January 28 and February 11, 2002), College wide New Faculty Orientation (January 25, 2002), the cancellation of Excel Basics, Curriculum Overview (February 18, 2002), Word- Headers and Footers (February 25), PowerPoint Basics (February 7, 14, and 21) OSHA 2002 will take place February 4th- Barbara Russell, RN, will be the facilitator.
Carol Petrozella stated that OSHA 2002 is geared towards faculty with students who are at risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens. Susan Kah questioned if this workshop meets the needs for the Medical Center Campus. Carol Petrozella reported that this OSHA workshop meets the needs of what the faculty need to know in the hospitals and is not specific to the Medical Center Campus. Susan responded that the workshop could be expanded by about ten minutes to include this information.
Susan Kah reported that the campus’ proposal for a $25 non refundable application fee for all A.S. degree programs and an acceptance fee for some programs will go to the board in February. She stated that the acceptance fee will now be referred to as a deposit. This deposit will be applied to the students’ registration fees unless they fail to enroll in the program. In such case, the programs will keep the deposits.
Caridad Gutierrez and Joan McLaughlin commented that the Medical Lab Technology and Histologic Technology Programs should also charge a deposit. Carol Miller responded that the programs that were targeted for the deposit were those with high rates of no shows. Carol encouraged faculty who want deposits charged to students for their programs speak with other faculty and chairpersons so this issue can be revisited.
Virginia Fuillerat expressed her concern about charging students additional fees.
Orlando Fernandez inquired whether the program application fee applies only for the AS degree. Susan Kah responded that yes, it does.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Virginia Fuillerat discussed the issue of course substitutions and whether they are allowed or not. Susan Kah stated that in 1998-1, the Associate in Science Degree had a new 18 credit general education core. She said that we are requiring the general education core for students admitted after that date.
Susan commented that HUM 1020 should not be substituted for the Critical Thinking and Ethics course. Fran Aronovitz inquired if we are offering enough sections of the Critical Thinking and Ethics course.
Virginia would like this issue to go to College CASSC, but Susan stated that she does not think that is necessary. Virginia then suggested that something should at least go out to faculty, advisors, and others reminding them of the proper procedure. Virginia commented that some students tend to do advisor shopping until they find an advisor who will substitute courses for them.
Because we no longer offer students the opportunity to select undecided as a major, Richard Prentiss and Virginia Fuillerat both agreed that we should come up with a core of courses that Associate in Arts students and Associate in Science students could take during their very first semester. That way, students won’t take Associates in Arts degree courses that they can’t use if they decide to switch to an Associates in Science degree the following semester.
Susan Kah announced that she will go to the Academic Deans for clarification on this issue.
Because of time limitations, Susan Kah decided to postpone the agenda items regarding service learning, BSN proposal, and Title V.
Susan Kah announced that the Mayor’s Healthcare Initiative will take place on February 15, on the Wolfson Campus. The discussion with Mayor Alex Pinellas will address access to healthcare in Miami-Dade County.
NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2002, AT 12:00PM IN ROOM 2304.
Submitted by Debra A. Shannon
Cassc.min.1.28.02