Meeting Minutes: Committee on Criminal Justice
Minutes of the Academic Committee on Criminal Justice
University System Advisory Council
Savannah, GA
February 24, 2000 Meeting
Greeting:
Chairperson Gene Waters convened the meeting at 1:30 and welcomed those in attendance to the Coastal Georgia Center(see attached list of attendees). Dr. Waters thanked Dr. Cathie Mayes Hudson, the University System staff liaison to the committee, for arranging her schedule so that she could attend this meeting.Academic Committees and Institutional Representatives:
Gene Waters shared with committee members a copy of the Bylaws of the University System Advisory Council which included information on the various Academic Committees. The function of the committee, as stated in the Bylaws, was summarized, as was the proper procedure for reporting committee work. The process for being appointed as the official institutional representative to the committee was explained by Dr. Waters. He suggested that those attending who are not the official representative might wish to discuss their status with their administrative officers.Georgia Police Corps:
Bob Gaylor, Program Director of the Georgia Police Corps [bgaylor@gpstc.state.ga.us, 912.993.4247] discussed funding assistance for students willing to work in a law enforcement agency as a means of repaying the funds. Derek Marchman, Public Safety Outreach Program, Georgia Public Safety Training Center [912.993.4295] discussed his resources for programs dealing with victim assistance.New Program Initiatives:
Dr. Waters asked for information on new program initiatives at the various institutions, especially those programs that had been mentioned at previous meetings, e.g., Georgia State University's proposed PhD program.Dr. Robbie Friedmann reported that Georgia State is undertaking the planning process for a PhD in Criminal Justice. After his presentation, the committee unanimously reaffirmed its 1998 committee support for Georgia State University to implement a PhD program in Criminal Justice. Such a program would meet the need of University System master's level students desiring a doctorate and fill a need for a PhD in Criminal Justice in this region. Such a program in Atlanta would have a national appeal.
Action:
The Academic Committee on Criminal Justice of the University System of Georgia voiced its support for Georgia State University's efforts to implement a PhD program in Criminal JusticeDr. Glenn Zeurn, Albany State University, reported that a baccalaureate degree in Forensic Science is now available from the Criminal Justice Institute at Albany State.
Betsy Witt, Fort Valley State University, reported on cooperative efforts between FVSU and Macon State College to offer a new baccalaureate program. Additionally, in response to the demand for staff by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, FVSU is developing a baccalaureate program in Juvenile Justice.
Very little information was available on reported efforts to develop new Criminal Justice programs at Kennesaw State University or at Clayton State University.
The issue of Department of Technical and Adult Education units offering Criminal Justice courses, as well as two-year degrees in Criminal Justice, was discussed. The committee is concerned that the implementation of these programs at Technical Institutes is a duplication of limited state resources since such programs exist at University System institutions. Apparently, some Technical Institutes are marketing their programs as transferable to University System institutions. Concern exists that these technical programs are not congruent with the academic programs at University System units.
Gene Waters noted that the Governor's Education Reform package included proposals for changing the name of qualified Technical Institutes to Technical Colleges and creating formula funding for Technical Institutes/Colleges. Additionally, it appears that the Governor is seeking more collaboration between University System and Department of Technical and Adult Education units. Dr. Hudson explained the current committee structure for addressing issues between the two agencies. A new Education Coordinating Council is included in the Governor's education reform bill. Dr. Hudson noted that the Governor is interested in seamless education in Georgia.
Action:
The Academic Committee on Criminal Justice requests that Dr. Cathie Mayes Hudson present to the appropriate University System officials the concerns of the Academic Committee on Criminal Justice concerning the implementation of two-year degree programs in Criminal Justice at Technical Institutes, and in particular, the committee's concern over reports that Technical Institutes are promoting their technical programs as transferable to the academic programs at University System units.Criminal Justice Association of Georgia:
Dr. Lee Downing, President of the Criminal Justice Association of Georgia, provided an overview of Criminal Justice Association of Georgia. He has developed a list serve and a web site [www.ngcsu.edu/CJAG/cjag.htm] for the association. He invited participants to send information on recommended links to him. CJAG has 3 panel sessions scheduled in collaboration with the annual meeting of the Georgia Political Science Association February 25-27, 2000.Criminal Justice Education in Georgia:
Dr. Downing, North Georgia College and State University reported on his ongoing study of Criminal Justice programs in the University System of Georgia. His report, which is available upon request (ldowning@ngcsu.edu), provided information on the organizational affiliation of programs, types of degrees, required courses, and information on graduate programs. He noted the variations in institutional affiliation among units in the University System, the failure to adhere to System commonalities in some areas, differences in Area F requirements, the status (required/option) of basic Criminal Justice courses, information on the use of specialized courses (Research Methods, Internship, Foreign Languages), and information on graduate programs.University System of Georgia Issues:
Dr. Cathie Mayes Hudson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Planning and Policy Analysis in Academic Affairs, reported on grants available to academic committees, Georgia GLOBE, ECcore, the proposed Education Coordinating Council, efforts at seamless education in Georgia, educational accountability in the University System (including management reviews and bench marking), budget issues, and admission policies.Questions and discussions centered on concerns for duplication of educational offerings and interfacing issues with Technical Institutes, accountability and evaluation of courses and programs offered online (e.g., is learning improved via this technology, what is the impact on social development and interpersonal skills of such delivery mechanisms).
Follow up on Prior Actions:
Common Course Prefix, Number, and Titles:
At the request of the University System during in semester conversion, the committee previously adopted a common course prefix and a common course number for the Introductory course in Criminal Justice at System units. The selected prefix was CRJU, and the course number for the Introductory course in Criminal Justice was 11xx.Dr. Mayes noted that commonality in a course prefix for disciplines in the University System, as well as common course numbers, assist in student transfers within the University System. Also, such commonality is used at the System level in developing reports on student enrollment trends in various fields as identified by the common course prefix.
Action:
The Academic Committee on Criminal Justice requests that University System units comply with the committee's adoption of CRJU as the course prefix for courses in Criminal Justice and the use of 11xx as the course number for the Introductory course in Criminal Justice.The Introductory Course in Criminal Justice:
Dr. Waters reported that he had several inquiries requesting that we again address the inclusion of the Introductory Course in Criminal Justice as an Area E option for students.The committee concluded that students in the University System of Georgia would benefit from a course on Crime and Justice in American Society as a social science option in Area E. The committee requested the Chair to solicit additional input and discuss with Dr. Mike Donahue (AASU) his availability to Chair a committee to study this issue (see Addendum).
Dr. Mayes explained the procedures and process for seeking approval to include such a course in Area E. Once the course is approved by the various committees at the System level as an option in Area E, each unit of the system would have to obtain local approval to include the course in the respective unit's Area E.
Issues:
Dr. Waters reported that he had received requests to discuss the issue of transferability, and in particular, transfer of Area F within the University System of Georgia, especially from two-year units to university-level units.Dr. Waters referenced an earlier memorandum from former Vice Chancellor Muyskens that addresses transfers. Dr. Hudson elaborated on those points and noted that each institution has an ombudsman responsible for transfer concerns.
Students who complete an area of the core curriculum are guaranteed full credit for the area in transfer if they do not change intended majors or programs of study. In areas C and E, students completing the sending institution's core are guaranteed full transfer credit regardless of changes in intended majors or programs of study.
Apparently, there has been some misinterpretation in these policies for the transfer of Area F from two-year institutions to other units of the system. The student in criminal justice who transfers in those situations should receive full credit for Area F.
Dr. Mayes noted that this is one reason that some disciplines have developed specificity in Area F as opposed the flexible Area F adopted by Criminal Justice. This was considered area for future review.
Election of Officers:
Dr. Waters solicited nominations for Chair for 2001-2002. Dr. Zuern moved and Dr. Norris seconded the nomination of Dr. Mike Donahue as Chair-Elect 2000-2001 (Chair designate for 2001-2002). Dr. Donahue was elected; the chair is to determine his availability (see Addendum).Dr. Waters informed the committee of Dr. Donahue's conflict that prevented his attendance. Dr. Waters thanked those in attendance for their participation, and thanked Dr. Hudson for her contributions.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 pm.
ADDENDUM TO MINUTES
Dr Waters discussed with Dr. Donahue his availability to serve as Chair Elect 2000-2001 and Chair for 2001-2002; he is unavailable. Therefore, an e-mail ballot resulted in Dr. Robbie Friedmann being elected in those capacities.
A poll of units revealed little interest at this time in undertaking efforts to obtain approval of a course, Crime and Justice in American Society, as an option for students in Area E. Dr. Donahue, the recommended Chair of such an effort, is not available. Therefore, the Chair will not appoint a committee to study this proposal.
Attachment: List of Attendees