Meeting Minutes, January 30, 2003
Criminal Justice Academic Advisory Committee
Mulberry Inn, Savannah, GA
Members in Attendance:
Leo Downing, North Georgia College & State University
Hil Harper, Valdosta State University
Gerald Kehr, East Georgia College
Dennis Cook, Dalton State College
Dan Guerrant, Middle Georgia College
Dan Lockwood, Savannah State University
Kevin Demmitt, Clayton College and State University
Kerry Stewart, Gainesville College
Charles Ochie, Albany State University
Chris Ludowise, Georgia Southern University
Rhonda Morgan, Gordon College
Dorinda Dowis, Columbus State University
Sutham Cheurprakobkit, Kennesaw State University
Marie Lewis, Macon State College
Kathy Bennett, Armstrong Atlantic State University
Charles Ubah, Georgia College & State University
Don Cheek, Darton College
Larry Stokes, Savannah State University
Paul Hudson, Georgia Perimeter College
Dave Camp, Georgia State University
Susette Talarico, University of Georgia
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM by the Chair, Leo Downing.
1. Old Business:
A. Hil Harper gave a report representing the committee charged with developing a system wide CJ course appropriate to Area B. Initial work on the project was delayed because of a lack of support found at a number of institutions for such a course. A lengthy discussion followed indicating that several institutions had developed Area B courses independently. The committee expressed support for the development of similar courses at individual institutions, but given the diverse nature of Area B courses between institutions within the USG, abandoned the idea of a uniform system wide course. Institutions interested in developing Area B criminal justice courses for their institution should contact committee members from institutions with similar courses already established (ex. Valdosta, Georgia State, etc.).
B. Dave Camp gave a report on the current development of a PhD program in Criminal Justice at Georgia State University. The development of the program has been stalled while the department conducts a national search for a new Department Chair. Candidates are being screened with expectations that they will be directing a PhD program. An estimated start up date of Fall 04 was given but not promised. The committee again expressed their support and urged the start of the program ASAP.
C. Leo Downing gave a report on the Comprehensive Program Review (CPR) workshop he attended in December. The workshop centered on the need to review programs from outside the department and to offer remedies for “triggered” programs. A DRAFT copy of the CPR for the criminal justice program NGCSU will be posted on the CJAG web site by March 1.
D. Leo Downing urged all members to enroll as many faculty in their departments as possible on the CJAG listserv and to also make each aware of the CJAG webpage: http://www.ngcsu.edu/CJAG/cjag.htm. Both are used extensively for disseminating information on criminal justice in Georgia.
2. New Programs
Paul Hudson from Georgia Perimeter College introduced himself to the committee and reported on the status of a criminal justice program being developed at his institution.
3. Internships
Dan Lockwood, Savannah State opened up the discussion by inquiring how other institutions handled a multitude of problems associated with directing internships. Most prominent among these issues were the problems associated with the number of work hours required and grading procedures during short summer semesters. The issue of the whether or not the AAC should establish uniform or "standard" practices regarding internships was also discussed. A lengthy discussion followed, which highlighted the differences between each of the institutions and how they handle the various problems associated with internship programs. The wide diversity among the institutions demonstrated the uniqueness of each program and the population it serves. Several representatives offered solutions for some of the problems discussed but there was no agreement on the need for standardization. Several committee members suggested that the establishment of internship standards would best be left to an academic organization such as the Criminal Justice Association of Georgia.
4. BOR Meeting in September
Leo Downing gave a report on the issues and charges outlined in the September meeting of the AAC Executive committees.
A. Faculty
The BOR, while recognizing that workload issues do exist in the system, feels that these issues would best handled by the administrators closest to the teaching faculty.
The BOR will explore a process for promotion from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, in order to retain qualified instructors.
The BOR will also study the increased use of part time faculty within the USG.
B. AAC
Copies of the AAC operating procedures were distributed to the members as well as the current list of institutional representatives. Committee members were asked to review the list and submit corrections.
C. Faculty Development Funds
There would be no TLAT conference this year due to a lack of funds.
D. Regents Quantitative Skills Exam
The new "math" skills exam is ready for implementation and will be required of all new students entering the system in the Summer of 04 or the Fall of 04 (date has not yet been determined). Students will be required to take the exam after completing 30 hours and pass the exam prior to the completion of 45 hours of work. Students not doing so will be enrolled in a remedial math course.
***Update since the meeting: The implementation of this exam has been postponed until a later date.
E. Charges to AAC
As charged by the BOR, the committee reviewed the criminal justice Area F requirements for each institution. A small number of discrepancies were noted. Committee members from some of the identified institutions gave assurances that their inconsistencies would be remedied by the Fall semester.
The following inconsistencies were noted and not remedied.
-No Introductory Criminal Justice Course: University of Georgia
-Improper Course Prefix (approved prefix CRJU):
Augusta State University (using CJ)
-Improper Course number for Introduction to Criminal Justice course
(approved number 11XX):
Dalton State College (using 2201)
East Georgia College (using 2501)
Armstrong Atlantic State University (using 1010)
Fort Valley State University (using 2000)
The committee reviewed the general USG Area F requirements for criminal justice and decided to amend the current requirements. The following motion was made and unanimously passed:
That the current Area F criminal justice guidelines be amended to include computer science courses in category B.
The BOR also charged each committee with determining learning outcomes for each common core course. Criminal Justice does not have any core courses so no action was taken on this charge. It was noted later in the meeting that Georgia State University has proposed a criminal justice course for inclusion in the Area E options at Georgia State University. This course has been accepted at the institutional level and forwarded to the BOR for approval. The class has not yet received BOR approval.
5. BOR report by Cathie Hudson
Cathie Hudson was unable to attend the meeting due to budgetary restrictions, but
relayed information through the chair. Leo Downing spoke briefly of the pending budget crisis in the
USG and noted that we will have to do much more with much less.
6. Election of Chair for 2004-2005
Because the next term of service is only for half a year, a motion was made and approved to extend the
term of service for the next chair, Hil Harper, for an additional year. Thus Hill Harper will serve as
Chair for the next two meetings of the BOR AAC on Criminal Justice. The next meeting will be
November 13, 2003 at Callaway Gardens.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:43 PM. Hil Harper of Valdosta State University assumes the Chair of the committee. The executive committee remains the same (Hil Harper, Gene Bouley and Leo Downing).