Posted in Northampton NOW 5/4/12

GOVERNANCE ACTIONS

 In accordance with the procedures of the Northampton Community College Governance system, Dr. Scott has approved the following proposals as posted on Today at NCC on 2/24/2012 and 3/10/2012:  

 Academic Policy Committee Items
Feb. 21 and Mar. 5, 2012 Meetings

Policy on Student Professional Conduct

Documented evidence of a student's failure to conduct herself/himself in accordance with professional codes of conduct (i.e. Departmental and Host Facilities Code of Ethics, Policies on Clinical Procedures, Departmental Policies and Procedures, etc.) could result in serious academic penalties, up to and including failure in the course or dismissal from the academic program.  If a student wishes to appeal any action taken under this policy, he/she should follow the procedures for appeal of grades.

Transfer Recommendation Policy

To receive an unconditional recommendation for transfer from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and no prior disciplinary record at NCC.  Students who do not satisfy the two aforementioned requirements may receive a conditional transfer recommendation.

Definition of Full Time status for students in non-credit occupational programs

A non-credit student will be considered to be enrolled full time if:

•1.    the program he or she is enrolled in is intended to prepare students for an occupation or to upgrade their skills in a current occupation; and the noncredit class(es) require at least 24 contact hours per week; or

•2.    if a student is enrolled in noncredit courses that are cross-listed with credit courses that amount to 12 credits or more.

 Student College Success Policy

All new students who have never attended college are required to enroll in COLS101-College Success. This course must be taken in the first semester of enrollment. Students who are required to, or have taken, COLS150-Skills for Academic Success, are exempt from taking COLS101. Transfer students are exempt.

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  GOVERNANCE ACTIONS

  In accordance with the procedures of the Northampton Community College Governance system, Dr. Scott has approved the following proposals as posted on Today at NCC 2/27/2012

Curriculum Committee Items
February 6, 2012 Meeting

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

ENGL 267, Poetry Writing, (Cr3) (3:0)

          There was a course description change and additional GE designation

                   Effective:  Spring 2012

This course is intended for students who have experience in writing poetry but would like to improve their writing.  The content, structure, and techniques of contemporary poems will be studied, with an emphasis of using such study for the writing and critiquing of the students' own poems.  Conducted through lectures and workshops, the course promotes the critical analysis of their own writing, as well as the writings of their peers, with the purpose of writing publishable poems.  Prereq:- ENGL 101C or permission from the instructor.  CORE: AH, D.

ENGL 253, Creative Writing, (Cr3)  (3:0)

          There was a course description change and additional GE designation

                   Effective:  Spring 2012

This course provides beginning writers with the opportunity to explore imaginative uses of language through the fundamentals of poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction.  Conducted through lectures and workshops, the course exposes students to prominent examples of the kind of writing they are expected to produce, and it promotes the critical analysis of their own writing, as well as the writings of their peers.  Prereq:- ENGL101C.  Core: AH, D.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

 MUSC 152, Introduction to Piano, creation of new course (Cr 2) (1:2), Prerequisite:  None, but students need access to a a piano or keyboard for practice.

                   Effective:  Fall 2013

This course is for the student who has no or very little experience and desires to begin learning how to play the piano.  It is designed to develop basic keyboard and musicianship skills including technique, sight-reading, harmonization, accompanying, music theory, and playing various piano repertoire.  Prereq:- Students need access to a piano/keyboard for practice.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY DEPARTMENT - new department

OSAH 100, Industry Outreach Safety Education, creation of new course (Cr 1) (15:0), Prerequisite:  None

                   Effective:  Spring 2012

This course is based upon the 10-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration's General Industry and Construction Industry Outreach Training Program.  The intention is to provide entry level general industry and construction industry workers a broad awareness as it relates to recognizing and preventing hazards within their respective workplaces.  The discussion and information cover a variety of safety and health hazards which an employee may encounter in either workplace.  This course is intended to be an orientation to the general safety practices along with introductory concepts of occupational safety and health.

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT       

Special Education AAS degree program, change to the title of the degree, courses for the degree, and reducing the internship course from 6 to 3 credits.

                   Effective:  Fall 2012

New degree name: Special Education Paraeducator

Courses in the degree: Only 5 courses in Special Education

Internship course number: SPED205G, now 3 credits with 150 hours of field experience

Total number of field experience will be 220.

Special Education, changes in the requirements for the specialized diploma by reducing the number of credits from 18 to 9.

                   Effective:  Fall 2012

Elimination of the Certificate Program in Special Education

                      Effective:  Fall 2012

SPED 160, Introduction to the Special Education, change in course description

                   Effective:   Fall 2012

New Description:  This course provides an overview of special education and disability perspectives.  It addresses philosophical, historical, foundation, legal, and research based aspects concerning the education of students with disabilities and their families. Using the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act ("IDEA") and related federal and state laws as its framework, the course presents students with an overview of various disabilities, the special education process, and multiple educational       approaches.  Students are required to complete ten (10) hours of observing children in educational settings.  Course may apply to Pennsylvania's Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators.  Child Abuse Registry, Criminal Background Check, and FBI clearances are required.  Also available through Online Learning.

SPED 164, Introduction to the Special Education Paraeducator, change in course title and course description.

                   Effective:  Fall 2012

New Course Title:  Introduction to the Special Education Paraeducator

New Course Description:  This course provides the competencies that support a qualified paraeducator.  Using national and state standards as its framework, the course presents students with the varying  roles and responsibilities of a paraeducator across multiple and diverse cultural and learning environments.  Students are required to complete 30 hours of field experience in an educational environment.  Child Abuse Registry, Criminal Background Check, and FBI clearances required. Course may be applied to Pennsylvania's Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators. The course is also available through Online Learning.

SPED 170, Instructional Strategies in Inclusive Environments, creation of new course.  (Cr. 3) (3:0), Prerequisites:  SPED 160, Introduction to Special Education (or co-requisite).

Effective:  Fall 2012

New Course Description:  This course addresses multiple and varied strategies and processes for educating all children.  It addresses the diversity among learners regarding language, culture, and the educational environment in meeting individual needs.  Child Abuse Registry, Criminal Background Check, FBI clearances required.  Course may be applied to Pennsylvania's Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators.  Also available through Online Learning.  Prereq:- SPED 160.

SPED 175, Behavior Support, creation of new course (Cr. 3) (3:0), Prerequisites:  SPED 160, Introduction to Special Education

                   Effective:  Fall 2012

New Course Description:  This course provides an overview of positive behavior support practices used in educational environments.  It considers the purpose of behavior and the positive approaches for preventing and responding to behavioral challenges in the classroom.  Prereq:- SPED 160.

SPED 205G, Special Education Paraeducator Internship, creation of new course.  (Cr.3) (2:10), Prerequisites:  SPED 160, SPED 164, SPED 170, SPED 175, and ENGL 101C

                   Effective:  Fall 2012

New Course Description:  Students in this course are placed in an educational setting to do an intensive internship under the supervision of a certified teacher.  This capstone experience allows students to synthesize and apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies gained in all prior coursework.  Students are required to complete 150 (one hundred and fifty) hours, (10 hours per week), in an educational setting with children with disabilities.  Child Abuse Registry, Criminal Background Check, and FBI clearances are required.  Prereq:- SPED 160, 164, 170, 175 and ENGL101C.

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Posted on Today at NCC 2/24/2012

GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS
Academic Policy Recommendations
February 21, 2012 Meeting 

The recommendation(s) listed will be considered by the NCC community for three weeks from 2/24/12.  Pursuant to the College By-Laws, all members of the College community are invited to communicate their views concerning the proposal(s) directly to the President within the aforementioned time frame.  For further information about the content of any recommendations, see the full proposal on file in the Records Office.

Policy on Student Professional Conduct

Documented evidence of a student's failure to conduct herself/himself in accordance with professional codes of conduct (i.e. Departmental and Host Facilities Code of Ethics, Policies on Clinical Procedures, Departmental Policies and Procedures, etc.) could result in serious academic penalties, up to and including failure in the course or dismissal from the academic program. If a student wishes to appeal any action taken under this policy, he/she should follow the procedures for appeal of grades.

Transfer Recommendation Policy

To receive an unconditional recommendation for transfer from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and no prior disciplinary record at NCC.  Students who do not satisfy the two aforementioned requirements may receive a conditional transfer recommendation.