The Council on Academic Affairs will have its first meeting of the semester 3 p.m. Wednesday in Room 4440 of Booth Library.

At the May 3 meeting, the council elected its new executive board for the 2012-2013 academic school years.

Larry White, a business faculty member, was elected the council chair.

He had previously served in this position during the 2010-2012 school years.

Stephen Lucas was elected to the vice chair position.

Prior to meeting the council’s learning goals subcommittees will meet at 2 p.m. in the same room.

These subcommittees focus on the learning goals set by the university and how to improve upon how the university works with and applies them.

White said these subcommittees are involved in multi-year process that began in the fall 2011 semester.

The committees are: committee to address the importance of writing across the curriculum committee on general education segment definitions and Study Abroad Senior Seminars and the committee on Integrative Learning.

The subcommittees will discuss their progress thus far and make plans for the upcoming semesters.

At print time, the council’s agenda was not yet set, although White had a rough idea what was going to be on it.

“The agenda for August 23 is not final yet, but at this point it appears it will primarily consist of orientation for new CAA members, review of communications from various campus entities, and appointment of CAA representatives to a few campus committees,” White said.

Currently there a few things labeled as pending after last year’s last meeting.

At their last meeting the council passed a proposal known as STA 4000G, the Study Abroad Capstone—a class that will allow students to study abroad in replace of the required senior seminar.

The passed proposal also dictates that students that participate in the study abroad program must provide a “reflective piece” for their electronic writing portfolio.

In order for their study abroad to be accepted at a senior seminar replacement, the must have completed an approved study abroad program and at least 75 semester hours.

The CAA will meet Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812 or alwywialowski@eiu.edu.