The Council on Academic Affairs decided again to postpone action on a proposal to re-number a geology and industrial technology course at Thursday’s meeting.

Both departments are considering lowering the course in question, GEL/INT 3300G, to the 2300 level. The CAA has been discussing the change with Alan Baharlou, chair of the geology and geography departments, and Larry Helsel, industrial technology professor and CAA member.

Baharlou previously asked the CAA to lower the course number to a 2000 level so more students could fulfill general education requirements in the sciences, which would reduce class sizes in other science courses.

“All I requested is that I be able to provide more opportunities for those who need physical science courses next fall,” Baharlou said.

Helsel’s initial concern, if the course number was lowered for freshmen and sophomores to take, was that the current curriculum is too challenging for less-experienced students.

Helsel teaches a section of GEL/INT 3300G, and he said out of 16 students, only two are sophomores, and those two students have the lowest grades in the class. He also surveyed students about the course content and most wrote GEL/INT 3300G should be an upper-level course.

“I want to make a motion to approve the change in numbering, with the stipulation that a well-developed rationale for a change be presented, including how content and requirements for the course will be changed to reflect a 2000-level course,” Helsel said.

Baharlou said he plans for both departments to get together and develop a rationale for re-numbering the course, and he will try to speed up the typically long process involved.

A vote to change the course number first and provide the rationale later to save time did not pass with the CAA.

James Tidwell, journalism professor and CAA member, said he did not see any reason to take rush action and suggested the departments come up with a revised course before the council approves the proposal.

After another vote, the CAA agreed to postpone action on the proposal.

The CAA did approve a proposal to revise the speech communication and health studies minor in health communication, making it a more accessible interdisciplinary minor.

The council also approved a report from a CAA sub-committee which discussed establishing a “Speaking-Across-the-Curriculum Committee.”

Next week the CAA will meet, but with no pending agenda item.