The WTCS State Board’s working group on the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree met Wednesday (January 26, 2005) and began addressing several of the issues and concerns surrounding the proposed restructuring of the AAS degree. The working group was formed by WTCS State Board President Brent Smith at the November 17, 2004 board meeting after faculty representatives presented a series of concerns about the AAS restructuring plan and a number of corollary issues.

The Wednesday meeting was both spirited and productive. Working collaboratively, group members identified a series of concerns, including:

The bulk of Wednesday’s work focused on proposed changes to the AAS degree’s credit mix. The proposed AAS degree structure increases the number of general education credits required for fulfillment of the AAS degree. At the same time, the proposed degree structure caps the number of total degree credits at 68 -- this despite the fact that nearly 50% of the associate degree programs currently have requirements in the 69-72 credit range. Taken together, the increase in general education requirements and 68 credit maximum will force many programs to either eliminate occupational and technical coursework or reduce electives.

The two faculty representatives in attendance -- Lonnie Benning (WEAC) and Michael Rosen (AFT-WI) – argued that the 68 credit maximum and new general education requirements will have an adverse impact on WTCS programs.

Benning told the working group, “Many employers and program advisory committees want students with more occupational and technical competencies, not less. The new credit mix runs completely contrary to what we’re hearing from the employers we serve.”

Rosen argued for the need for additional flexibility. “We need to be sensitive to issues such as student workload and time to degree,” he said. “Yet faculty are responsible for ensuring that students have the appropriate occupationally based companies upon graduation. Professional faculty, advisory committee members and other constituents groups should not be limited by an artificial credit cap when structuring degree programs.”

After an extended discussion, Lori Weyers (VP of Instruction at NWTC) proposed adding some flexibility to the proposal by lifting the credit maximum from 68 to 70. Weyers also proposed allowing programs to exceed the new 70 credit maximum if a special exception was granted. The working group members agreed to take the concept back to their respective constituent groups and gather reactions.

Working group members realize that there are a number of very complicated – and controversial – issues yet to be fully discussed. However, the first meeting was characterized by most as an extremely positive experience and a good first step in addressing some of the concerns that have been raised.

The State Board has requested the working group report its recommendations by March. The group will meet next on February 23.