Office of Academic Affairs

Minutes of Academic Affairs Council - October 8, 1996
Room 101, Administration

Members Absent: Shirley Talley

Others Present: Delma Hall, Holly Sewell

Recorder: Sue Milner

Dr. Anderson, vice president for academic affairs, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. He welcomed Ms. Delma Hall, department chair of communications, who attended for Dr. Talley.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• The minutes of September 17, 1996, were approved as distributed with two corrections. Page 3, Faculty Senate--Dr. Charlie Jones, should read "The Faculty Senate would be discussing dead days...,' and 'By-laws are under development and election procedures are in place."'

• Dead Week and Final Exams.
  Dr. Anderson summarized the historical use of dead week and Dr. Jones reported on the discussion of the Faculty Senate concerning this topic. The primary complaint from students is some faculty give exams the week before the final exam period. There was limited discussion and no consensus on a course of action.
  
• Early Enrollment Policy and Procedures
  Concerns expressed were faculty advisor availability during the walk-in enrollment during the summer, the scheduling of scholarship student early enrollment during the week prior to final exams, and drop/add period between semesters. Dr. Anderson believes any changes in current practice must include changes that are student service oriented. Discussion included student advisement at a central advisement center and using students in the advising process.
  
• Campus Recycling Program Dr. Anderson, Dr. Weirick, Mr. Baker, and Mr. Howarth are working out the details of a recycling program. A plan is forthcoming that will allow the placement of receptacles in all departments to recycle paper.
• Lower Level Night Schedule This topic was deferred until the next meeting in November.

Continuing Education & Community Service--Ms. Nancy Thomason

• Registration for the 13th Annual Peer Tutoring in Writing Conference is in progress. The ECU Writing Center is hosting the conference. A reception for international students is scheduled in the south cafeteria from 4:00-6:00 p.m., October 24.
  Arts & Letters Division--Ms. Delma Hall (for Dr. Talley)
  
• There was good attendance at the latest theatre production, Harvey. The music department is hosting the Oklahoma Tournament of Bands and expects 1,800 students. Little Dixie Choral Contest expects to attract approximately 2,200 high school students on October 29-31. Jim Alford has the first faculty show for Art, starting October 8.
  Library--Dr. Chuck Perry
  
• The topic of the month is "Biology." The construction of the new library is progressing. Dr. Perry reported the bid process is at the stage of working out detailed specs for equipment.
  School of Mathematics & Sciences--Dr. Bruce Weems
  
• The Biology department received an NIH grant award of $322,000 over two years including $60,000 for equipment. Dr. Cluck and Dr. Biles are the Principal Investigators.
  Social Sciences Division--Dr. Ray Quiett
  
• Human Resource and History faculty attended national conferences to present papers and chair meetings. Dr. Joyce is scheduled for the next Hedgehog and Fox lecture.
  School of Business--Dr. Linda Mitchusson
  
• Dr. Mitchusson reminded council members of the upcoming Boswell lecture, 7:30 p.m. on October 29.
  School of Education & Psychology--Dr. Kenneth Moore
  
• Dr. Moore pointed out that programs will not meet general studies' guidelines for teacher certification if students are required to take only courses in a particular discipline rather than a selection from the liberal arts area. Dr. Anderson suggested a meeting with department chairs, deans and Dr. Moore for further discussion.
  Assessment and Institutional Research--Dr. Kurt Jackson
  
• The Fact Book will be available soon. General Education tests are slated for October 23 and 24 in the Student Union Ballroom and Regents room.
  Title III & Research/Grants Development--Dr. Ed Brackett
  
• Title III has completed its third year. Funding has been appropriated for next year at the same level. They have submitted several applications for summer academies and Eisenhower grants.
  Health, Physical Education & Recreation--Dr. Tim Green
  
• The campus network has been expanded to the Kerr Center. A community fitness grant has been submitted to NCAA.
  School of Graduate Studies--Dr. Jack Paschall
  
• ECU is collaborating with Cameron, Southwestern, and USAO Universities to transmit some cooperative programs. They will start with Master of Education in School Counselor program. Students may declare a degree from ECU or Southwestern through this cooperative effort.

1. COI, October 3, 1996.
1. A representative from the Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers Association discussed the competency testing proposal for prospective teachers.
2. A college guide was distributed. Dr. Anderson referred to the "Courses to Take" section and the requirement of 15 core units for high school students, which takes effect for fall 1997 admission.
3. The State System Curriculum Transfer Project is working on the establishment of course equivalencies between universities. Chairs of the twenty discipline groups will present their reports by November 18. The State Regents' staff will assign a cross-walk number to these course equivalency groups.
4. There were several committee reports. The Electronic Media Committee may propose some revisions to their policy.
2. Calendar Dates
1. October 14, Insurance meetings start. All employees should attend a meeting.
2. October 16, last day to drop a course with automatic "W."
3. A memo will be sent to faculty that night classes do meet Wednesday, October 16.
4. October 17, ECU Tigers play Langston here at 7:30 p.m.
5. October 21, 1997 summer school allocations are due to deans.
6. October 25, last day to add 8-week courses.
7. October 28, early enrollment begins. Honors and Title III students only enroll this day. Honors enroll in the Arts & Letters Division office and Title III students enroll at Title III office.
8. October 29, Boswell Lecture at 7:30.
3. Student Fees.
The university will be submitting new student fees to the Regents by November 1. Students may not be charged unapproved fees.
4. Other
1. Dr. Anderson thanked the Deans and others who sent the school/division secretaries and staff to the Excel workshop.
2. Minimum wages go up again in September 1997. Budget revision for student wages will be sent to deans/division chairs for distribution to departments.
3. The Regents sent an annual notice to ECU asking for submission of applications for the Common Market.
4. A schedule of dates for the development of next year's Interscholastic Meet was distributed. Mr. Todd Essary will be on the agenda in November or December to discuss the Meet with council members.
5. Dr. Anderson reminded deans/division chairs that all syllabi should be checked to see if every course is submitted for the fall semester. Only Part I must be submitted to the Academic Affairs office but Part I and II may be combined.

V. NEW BUSINESS

Academic Reorganization
Dr. Anderson suggested that, from now until the Coordinating Committee submits its report, faculty should submit their suggestions for reorganization to that committee. Dr. Anderson reaffirmed that any academic reorganization is not an opportunity for retrenchment, program deletion or change, or new programs to be added. Hopefully, only programs with similarities or disciplinary affinities will be included in any new proposed department structures. Program review, assessment, etc. will not be discontinued. Job descriptions will be written for chairs, coordinators, and deans to specify the duties of each.

VI. MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m. The next meeting of the Academic Affairs Council is set for Tuesday, November 12, 1996.

Duane C. Anderson Vice President for Academic Affairs