General Counsel Laura McLaughlin will speak to the Council on Academic Affairs about the Open Meetings Act during its meeting Thursday at 2 p.m. in Room 4440 of Booth Library.

Currently, the “Procedures of the Council on Academic Affairs” section in CAA’s bylaws states “All meetings shall adhere to the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.” The proposed revision to these bylaws would replace that with “All meetings shall be scheduled and function in a fashion consistent with the spirit of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.”

The Daily Eastern News reported on Dec. 5, 2019 that CAA was tabling the vote to change its bylaws so it did not have to comply with the OMA.

During its Nov. 14 meeting, the council addressed that it was not in compliance with its bylaws and ultimately the OMA because the council was not posting a physical agenda at its meeting place at least 48 hours in advance and it was adding items to its agenda and voting on them same-day, something that it will be doing at its meeting Thursday.

The council also does not have time set aside for public comment during its meetings even though that is required under provisions of the OMA.

Along with the talk with McLaughlin, the council will also discuss updating the electronic course proposals.

The action items the council will vote on are as follows:

• A new minor called Public History

• Revising the Geology BS program

• A new course called Introduction to Public History

• A new course called Public History Internship

• A new course called Honors Independent Study

• Revising the Neuroscience minor

• Revising the Advertising minor

• A new course called Public History Practicum

• A new course called Message Strategies & Influence

• Revising the course Television Studio Production 

• Revising the course Television Genres: Production & Development

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at cebrock@eiu.edu.