DAESACoursesUNIV: University-WideThe UNIV Curriculum Committee

The UNIV Curriculum Committee

Through its management and oversight of UNIV, the Curriculum Committee ensures that students are able to access and engage in support and opportunities while learning the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors to progress in their field of study and chosen profession.

UNIV Curriculum Administration and Delivery

UNIV courses are offered under the auspices of the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President.  The Vice Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Achievement is responsible for the oversight of the UNIV curriculum.  The Vice Provost designates an Assistant/Associate Vice Provost to serve as the UNIV Chair and lead the UNIV Curriculum Committee.  The Vice Provost also works with the Vice Chancellors on the Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses to identify a committee member to serve in the Academic Director role. The Assistant/Associate Vice Provost identifies other committee members and designates a scheduler and evaluation coordinator.

UNIV curriculum is administered in accordance with the principles of OneWSU (one faculty, one degree, shared accountability) and Executive Policy 29. As such, the chair is responsible for teaching assignments, scheduling, student outcomes assessments, and course evaluations.  Academic directors are generally responsible for teaching assignments, scheduling, student outcomes assessments, and course evaluations on their campus, in consultation and agreement with the chair.

Purposes and Functions of the UNIV Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Design and Management

The Committee works to continually update UNIV offerings to ensure that students receive the most effective and relevant curriculum.  The Committee will:

  • Review, evaluate, and periodically update learning outcomes and competencies developed through the UNIV program and assess whether program offerings are meeting student needs and adequately advancing student success.
  • Evaluate whether the distribution of competencies among courses is logical and coherent and ensure adequate coverage of all competencies throughout the curriculum.
  • Assess whether each course employs foundational student development, engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts that advance student success and institutional mission.
  • Assess whether the sequencing of courses progressively builds concepts to facilitate student success.
  • Make course recommendations based on accreditation reviews, institutional goals, student feedback, and relevant research.

Course Management

The Curriculum Committee deliberates upon major curricular change requests submitted to the Vice Provost and Chair through the Registrar’s Office as detailed in the Curriculum Handbook. Proposals from instructors sent directly to the department scheduler or committee members will be redirected to the Registrar’s Office process.  Summer and Fall course changes must be submitted by October 1st of the prior year.  Spring course changes must be submitted by February 1st of the prior year. Curricular change deliberation functions include:

  • Evaluating course proposals for completeness of information.
  • Ensuring course proposal alignment with overall UNIV strategy and design.
  • Communicating concerns and follow-up action needed to the proposal author.

The Chair, committee section lead, and campus Academic Director (for courses in Vancouver or Tri-Cities) will review minor curricular changes and instructor assignments, assessing (at minimum) the adequacy of the following to support course/program activities:

  • Facilities
  • Instructor expertise and dedicated time
  • Student outcomes
  • Compliance with WSU policy

Curriculum Evaluation

The Curriculum Committee reviews aggregate data and individual course measures annually. Based upon these measures, the Committee recommends subsequent action when necessary and devises a mechanism to monitor the action taken. Annually, the Committee compiles the data from assessment materials and submits a report to the Vice Provost that contains an overall review of the curriculum, including recommendations for further action or resources needed.

Policy Development

The Curriculum Committee recommends policies that support any of the above functions. This includes, but is not limited to, policies concerning curriculum design, pedagogical principles, assessment standards, and course and faculty evaluation standards.

Recordkeeping

The Curriculum Committee must document the performance of its designated functions and, specifically, must maintain the following:

  • Assessment materials and reports
  • Curriculum Committee minutes
  • Policy changes
  • Course and program change forms and supporting documents

Membership

The Vice Provost appoints Curriculum Committee members in consultation with the Chair.  In addition to the Chair, the Curriculum Committee shall be composed of a representative from:

The Chair shall convene the committee at their discretion or at the direction of the Vice Provost. Whenever the Chair is absent, they shall designate a delegate to fulfill the functions and duties of chairperson.

Committee Members

UNIV Curriculum Committee

  • Michael Highfill (chair)
  • Felix Braffith (WSU Vancouver)
  • Ali Bretthauer (College Success Programs)
  • Jeremy Lessmann (Undergraduate Research)
  • Thabiti Lewis (WSU Vancouver)
  • Sam Lohman (Vancouver Library)
  • Amanda Morgan (Career Services)
  • Anna Plemons (WSU Tri-Cities)
  • Karen Weathermon (First-year Programs)
  • Laura Welch (Transfer Center)

Administrative Support and Scheduling (WSU Pullman and Global)

  • Karly Gomez (primary)
  • Crystal Orr (secondary)

Subcommittee Members

Academic Support and Transition

  • Karen Weathermon (lead)
  • Felix Braffith
  • Karen Diller
  • Thabiti Lewis
  • Oscar Martinez
  • Laura Welch

Career Preparation and Exploration

  • Amanda Morgan (lead)
  • Jordyn Creighton
  • Michael Heim
  • Judy Hopkins
  • Harrison Hughes
  • Cynthia Johnson
  • Melania Kiel
  • Chris Miller
  • Anna Plemons
  • Laura Sanchez

Leadership and Global Citizenship

  • Ali Bretthauer (lead)
  • Steve Bischoff
  • Thabiti Lewis

Undergraduate Research and Creative Discovery

  • Sam Buechler
  • Ryan Learn
  • Jeremy Lessmann
  • Sutton Mooney