The Council on Academic Affairs Thursday postponed action on

the Speaking Across the Curriculum initiative because of

funding questions.

“As you might imagine, we have concerns about the resources

that will be needed,” said Jeffrey Lynch, associate dean of the

College of Arts and Humanities. “We ask that you postpone

action on the item until the April 19 meeting.”

The item was the only agenda item for CAA.

“We need to know what the price tag will be before we feel

comfortable with it,” Lynch said.

The initiative, which has similarities to the recent Writing

Across the Curriculum program, was developed by the Committee

for the Assessment of Student Learning

The proposal is designed to provide for the framework of

assessment and the improvement of students’ oral communication

skills, according to the proposal.

Among various recommendations, the proposal states that at

least three courses within a major should include “speaking

components.” In addition, the general education requirements

of SPC 1310/1390 and senior seminars should assess speaking

competency and include effective speaking as part of a

student’s grade.

The proposal also requests the formation of a Speaking Across

the Curriculum Committee under the jurisdiction of CAA, and the

availability of workshops on “speaking” for teachers of related

courses.

CAA member Tim Shonk, associate professor of English, expressed

concern about the ability of teachers to find the time to

incorporate speeches into a course and the authority of

Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning in this

matter.

“I know there are a number of issues, but I just wanted to

stress the resource one,” Lynch said.

He said some of the things that might require funding for the

proposal include employing a coordinator, developing a speaking

center, technology demands, speaking portfolios and class size

limitations.

“The Writing Across the Curriculum initiative was funded

through the vice president’s budget, not a college’s budget,”

Lynch said. “We need some time to see how much this will cost.”