1. Curriculum Committee Report
Faculty Senate 10/2/2017

2. Proposed New Climatology Major
Description: Climatology is the study of the meteorological state of the atmosphere as it exists over specified periods of time. This program of study of climatology examines physical processes involved in climate and climate change, leading to a B.S. degree. Measurement and analysis of the processes and their effects on the climate are also stressed. (from Form 2A, section 2.3.a)

3. Requirements
Overview of Requirements (see document, “Proposed Climatology major”)
Four Year Plan (see document, “Summary of student and faculty course schedules for Climatology Major Fall 2017”)
Additional Information (see Form 2A)

4. ESLO Updates

5. Purposes Guide planning
Inform general education planning
Benchmark for evaluating curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities
Accreditation requirement (Middle States/Dept. of Education)
Important to remain eligible for federal funds

6. Middle States’ accreditation is an expression of confidence in an institution’s mission and goals, its performance, and its resources. Based upon the results of institutional review by peers and colleagues assigned by the Commission, accreditation attests to the judgment of the Commission on Higher Education that an institution has met the following criteria:
that it has a mission appropriate to higher education;
that it is guided by well-defined and appropriate goals, including goals for student learning;
that it has established conditions and procedures under which its mission and goals can be realized;
that it assesses both institutional effectiveness and student learning outcomes, and uses the results for improvement;
that it is accomplishing its mission and goals substantially;
that it is organized, staffed, and supported so that it can be expected to continue to accomplish its mission and goals; and
that it meets the Requirements of Affiliation and accreditation standards of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Source: MSCHE Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education: Requirements of Affiliation and Standards for Accreditation, p. iv. Philadelphia, PA: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

7. Is the Institution Ready to Apply for Middle States Accreditation?
Even if an institution meets the requirements of affiliation for Commission accreditation as specified above, the institution may not be ready to apply for accreditation at this time. The institution is ready to apply when it meets the following criteria:
The institution shares Commission members’ commitments to quality assurance; continuous improvement; collegiality and peer review; and stability in resources, governance, and leadership.
The institution already meets most of the accreditation standards described in the Commission’s Characteristics of Excellence, including the following components of the standards:
an active, autonomous governing body (Standard 4)
a written strategic plan (Standard 7)
a substantial general education or liberal arts component in its undergraduate programs (Standard 12)
documented, organized, and sustained processes to assess the achievement of key goals, including student learning goals (Standards 7 and 14)
The institutional community can demonstrate the capacity to address any shortcomings and bring the institution into compliance with all remaining accreditation standards in no more than three years.
The information required in the Accreditation Readiness Report submitted with the institution's initial application and updated throughout the initial accreditation process, is readily and routinely available.
The institution has the resources of time and funds required by the accreditation process.
Source: Becoming Accredited: Handbook for Applicants & Candidates for Accreditation (p.5). Philadelphia, PA: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

8. Proposed Essential Student Learning Outcomes (ESLOs)
SUNY Oneonta undergraduates will be able to demonstrate:
1. Awareness of global connectedness, diverse human cultures, and principles of inclusivity.
2. Scientific and quantitative reasoning.
3. Oral and written communication skills.
4. Technological and information literacy.
5. Critical and creative thinking.
6. Personal and social responsibility.

9. Proposed Essential Student Learning Outcomes (ESLOs)
SUNY Oneonta undergraduates will be able to demonstrate:
Curriculum Committee Endorsed (current version)
Gen. Ed. Endorsed (earlier version)
1. Awareness of global connectedness, diverse human cultures, and principles of inclusivity.
1. Knowledge of the diversity of human cultures, awareness of global connectedness and principles of inclusivity.
2. Scientific and quantitative reasoning.
3. Oral and written communication skills.
3. Effective oral and written communication skills.
4. Technological and information literacy.
5. Critical and creative thinking.
6. Personal and social responsibility.

10. Additional Info: ESLOs
See ESLO report about:
Background
Rationale/intent
Useful comparisons
Assessment Considerations
Curricular
Co-curricular