MINUTES--ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL
February 13, 1997
Conference Room 101, Administration
Members Present: Duane C. Anderson, Pamla Armstrong, Ed Brackett, Bob Feighner, Tim Green, Kurt Jackson, Charlie Jones, Linda Mitchusson, Kenneth Moore, Jack Paschall, Chuck Perry, Ray Quiett, Shirley Talley, Nancy Thomason, Bruce Weems
Others Present: Doug Weirich, Holly Sewell
Recorder: Sue Milner
Dr. Anderson, vice president for academic affairs, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of January 7, 1997 were approved with corrections to Calendar Dates by changing the dates of "March" to "February."
II. Unit Reports
Assessment and Institutional Research--Dr. Kurt Jackson
The Center is conducting a random sample survey of 700 students for assessment of student satisfaction and program evaluation in courses offered this semester including departments scheduled for program review in 1997-98. Deans are to personally deliver the survey and relate its importance to faculty. The survey is due by Spring Break.
Title III and Grant/Research Information Center--Mr. Ed Brackett
Of twenty-one Eisenhower grants awarded by the Regents statewide, ECU captured 24 percent of those grants. Continuing Education is distributing 500 free bicycle helmets in conjunction with a grant received. East Central has been awarded more than four million dollars in federal grants since July 1, 1996 and there are proposals pending. Faculty and staff are commended for their work.
Health, Physical Education and Recreation--Dr. Tim Green
Both men and women's basketball teams are doing well. Three home games remain for the season, scheduled for February 15, 22, and 27.
School of Graduate Studies--Dr. Jack Paschall
The Graduate Committee approved two programs for certification in School Psychometry and School Psychology. Changes propose moving away from offering 3000-4000 level courses for graduate credit to 5000 level courses exclusively.
School of Business--Dr. Linda Mitchusson
The School is working with SBDC through Continuing Education to develop courses for an Entrepreneur Program for persons thinking about going into business. Courses will be ready for the summer session. .The School of Business and the Parker Ethics Center is sponsoring a conference with a focus on "ethics." The event is slated for April 16. The conference qualifies for six hours credit of CPE. Further information is available through Continuing Education brochures.
School of Education and Psychology--Dr. Kenneth Moore
Dr. Moore has a copy of the rules for teacher education. They are now in the approval process. Division of Social Sciences--Dr. Ray Quiett Dr. Quiett announced that he has formally submitted his retirement letter, effective June 15, 1997.
Faculty Senate--Dr. Charlie Jones
Faculty and staff returned 102 Campus Technology Surveys by the stated deadline. A more detailed report will be distributed at the March meeting of the Faculty Senate. A set of proposed bylaws for the Senate and proposed housekeeping changes to the Constitution were distributed. The Senate will review these documents in preparation for its March meeting.
Linscheid Library--Dr. Chuck Perry
The library is calling for bids on shelving for the new library. New construction will be moving rapidly in the next few weeks. The most searched topic this month is "biological sciences."
Registry--Ms. Pamla Armstrong
Registrars met for a regional conference that included 13 states in East Central's area. Ms. Armstrong asked that faculty be reminded that the associate degree in applied sciences does not fulfill the general education requirements nor does it meet the articulation agreement. Graduating students should apply for graduation by March 27 for summer graduation. The Registry office has a new scanner that can store information on CD-ROM.
Data Processing--Mr. Bob Feighner
A policy will be developed to provide a procedure for faculty requesting installation of software for class usage. Mr. Feighner commented that the recent Interscholastic Meet ran very smoothly and that Mr. Essary and Dr. Williamson are commended for their organization. Plans for next year include listing school results on ECU's web page the day after the meet; and, append the results of the Art Show to the file containing test scores. Individuals will know the Art Show results without calling the Art Department.
Division of Arts and Letters--Dr. Shirley Talley
The Wil Martin art show is in progress. Forensics is attending a contest in Norman. The Music Department is host to a district vocal music contest February 24 with approximately 2000 high school students participating. Eril Hughes was awarded a grant from The Board of the Oklahoma foundation for the Humanities to assist in the Legacy Tour 97 supporting Black History Month.
Continuing Education and Community Service--Ms. Nancy Thomason
Over 400 students enrolled to use the Wellness Center, which has been open for students the past two weeks. Ms. Barbara Reed-Harrison, director of the Wellness Center, opens the center to faculty and staff beginning Monday, February 17. All participants must present an ECU ID and go through a 30 minute orientation before using the Wellness Center. ECU faculty and staff may use the facility free until March 3. The community and family members of faculty and staff may enroll March 3. Hours for the center are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday; and, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday.
III. Recycling Program--Dr. Douglas Weirick
Dr. Weirick reported on the progress of a recycling program to be implemented at ECU for administrative and faculty offices. Fort Howard Paper Company has agreed to take white paper (bond paper, window envelopes, etc.). ECU is also maintaining a relationship with the local Ada Receiving Paper Company. The first endeavor is to collect white paper in receptacles provided for offices. East Central is mandated by state law to be involved in a recycling program and annually report its progress.
IV. Vice President for Academic Affairs Agenda
1. Calendar Dates
2. Academic Administrator Evaluations
The process will continue although a problem exists for evaluation of chairs in small departments.
3. Recent OSRHE Policy Revisions
Dr. Anderson distributed a letter from OSRHE dated January 27 concerning posted or approved policies. Policies listed are the following: Student Transfer, English as a Second Language, Accreditation, and Cooperative Agreements.
4. Graduate Night Schedule Times
Dr. Anderson distributed a revised night schedule for graduate courses. The revisions include new time frames of 4:25 to 7:00 and 7:05-9:40 p.m., Monday through Thursday with a five-minute intermission between classes. The revisions are conducive to the Ardmore schedule. The revision is effective fall semester, 1997.
5. Campus Network Usage
Dr. Anderson distributed a graph showing computer usage for periods June 1994 through September 1996. Usage increased from 5,400 to 42,000 packets.
6. Budget Meetings (Deans/Division Chairs)
Dr. Anderson will hold a brief office visits with deans/division chairs. In April, deans/division and department chairs budget meetings will be held.
7. Faculty and Staff Professional Development Brochures
Faculty who teach general education courses are encouraged to participate in the "Portfolios in Classrooms and in Schools" scheduled for March 25.
8. Other
V. Old Business
1. Undecided Major
Dr. Anderson proposed to allow students to be undecided majors until the semester after completing 30 semester hours. At the next enrollment period, students would declare a major. He asked the council to review and comment.
2. Undergraduate Night Schedule
Council members are to review the revised schedule and make sure that over a two-year period that one course is available in the Humanities and Social Sciences category. The schedule will be completed at the next meeting.
VI. New Business
1. Dean and Department Chair Job Descriptions
Dr. Anderson will form a small committee including three or four deans/division chairs and at least one department chair from each current school or division. The committee will develop common job descriptions. The description should include 1) narrative description, 2) school or department list of functions, and 3) specific duties for a dean or department chair that is not common to others.
VII. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m. by
Dr. Anderson. Duane C. Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs