Members Present: Duane C. Anderson, Pamla Armstrong, Ed Brackett, Nick Cheper, Bob Feighner, Kurt Jackson, Linda Mitchusson, Jack Paschall, Chuck Perry, Shirley Talley, Nancy Thomason, Alvin Turner, Bruce Weems

Members Absent:  Kenneth Moore

Others Present: Ben Harper, Marilyn Cole

Recorder: Sue Milner

I. CALL TO ORDER

At 9:04 a.m., Dr. Anderson called a regular meeting of the Academic Affairs Council to order.

Dr. Paschall moved to approve the minutes of March 3, 1998, with one correction: The date of the meeting was March 3 not March 4. Dr. Jackson seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Continuing Education and Community Service--Ms. Nancy Thomason

A Multi Cultural Fair is slated for April 15 in the University Center. Booths displaying different cultures are planned as well as a speaker at noon and a flautist in the evening.

Libraries--Dr. Chuck Perry
 
• The word of the month is "marijuana."
• The current book display in the library is multi cultural, featuring Eastern religions.
• The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) is contracting for libraries in Oklahoma to offer expanded full text on-line in several fields. The new feature will be available through the campus net computers. ODL has signed a letter of intent for three years for this service. Full text is a revolutionary capability for libraries.

Registry--Ms. Pamla Armstrong

Ms. Armstrong and Mr. Feighner attended a workshop concerning a $252,000 grant awarded by the Regents as an incentive for universities to implement electronic transfer transcripts. ECU has one year to implement the program to receive $7,500.

Faculty Senate--Dr. Nicholas Cheper

There is no report from the Senate. The Senate will be holding elections April 21 to replace oneself of the senators. Shortly after elections, work will begin on the selection of committees for next year.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences--Dr. Alvin Turner
 
• The School is continuing to fill faculty positions.
• Ginger Brackett completed all the requirements for a Ph.D. recently.

School of Mathematics and Sciences--Dr. Bruce Weems
 

• The School completed the Oklahoma Science Fair.
• Dr. Darryl Barnett is joining the faculty in the fall to fill the position of the Robert S. Kerr Chair of Environmental Health Science.
• The School is interviewing candidates for two positions in computer science. Dr. John McGrew is leaving East Central at the end of the semester to move to Wisconsin.

Title III and Grants and Research Information Center--Mr. Ed Brackett

The grant's office is having a banner year. Fifty grants have been approved for this fiscal year with a value of $6,225,853. A total of $14,032,762 in grants was submitted; East Central has received rejection notification of $252,123 of the 14 million. A record 84 grant applications were submitted during the year.

School of Business--Dr. Linda Mitchusson
 
• Dr. Mitchusson announced that Dr. Andrew Parkes has accepted the position in finance on a permanent basis.
• The Small Business Development Center placed first among all centers in the state in helping clients' meet their goals.
• The Business Administration luncheon is Friday, April 24. The Accounting banquet is Saturday evening, April 25. The Business/Office Technology awards luncheon is April 22.

School of Education and Psychology--Dr. Kenneth Moore
 

• Dr. Ben Harper attended the meeting for Dr. Moore. Dr. Harper announced the School is conducting searches for two positions in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) department and two in the Education department.
• Victoria Dansby, assistant professor of HPER, received her Ph.D. recently.

School of Graduate Studies--Dr. Jack Paschall
 

• Dr. Paschall reports the Distance Learning Electronic Policy is on track. The Regents believe it will be in place this fall.
• The Southeastern District OEA meeting was held on the ECU campus Friday, April 3. Dr. Paschall extended his appreciation to Ms. Thomason and Ms. Sewell for their work in making the meeting a success.
• Renovation of room 203, Administration building, will give ECU a third interactive television room.
• April 8 is ECU day at Ardmore. Faculty members who take programs to the Center are welcome to attend. A better time to go is 3:30 or 4:00 to visit with the students.

Data Processing--Mr. Bob Feighner

Friday, April 10, Administrative computers will be down for minor upgrading and, also, the library will be down for major software installation. The campus network will be up for E-mail.

Assessment Center and Institutional Research--Dr. Kurt Jackson

Dr. Jackson distributed an enrollment schedule for students with Presidential Leadership Class (PLC) scholarships. No regular assessment testing for PLC students is a change because most have high ACT scores. However, students who require testing will meet at 1:00 p.m. Most students will go to enrollment centers shortly after 1:00 p.m.

Calendar Dates

• April 13 Fall pre-enrollment for Honors and Title III students
• April 14-17 Fall pre-enrollment
• April 14 Last day to drop 16-week single course
• April 15-16 Board meeting
• April 20-23 PLC enrollment
• April 28 Last day to withdraw from school--all classes Last day to drop 2nd 8-week class Last day for early summer and fall pre-enrollment walk-in (Deans are reminded to accommodate students who have driven in for enrollment by sending them to the Registry office for enrollment.)
• May 5 Summer 1998 faculty load update
• May 6 Final exams begin
• May 9 Commencement (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ceremonies--administration goes to both) There is no ROTC Commissioning. Nursing pinning is at 4:00 p.m.
• May 12 Academic Affairs Council meeting
• May 14 Grades due at 10:00 a.m.

Summer School Enrollment Report

Dr. Anderson distributed summer 1998 pre-enrollment figures, comparing 1997 and 1998 enrollments during the same period.

Summer 1998 Faculty Load Report Update

Schools are to submit an interim update of the faculty load report for summer 1998. Dr. Anderson will meet with deans to review small classes as soon as late enrollment ends.

Van or Bus Usage Policy

The Council received a revised policy for van or bus usage. The changes include the addition of recently added sports.

Alternative Admissions Policy Audit

A page from Mr. Bill Heman's report from his last visit was circulated for review of state universities' standing in the alternative admission provision. East Central met the guideline by admitting three fewer students than allowed. Several institutions admitted more than allotted.

State Regents Five-year Enrollment Data

The Council received data on enrollment comparisons for universities. The data shows East Central had significant growth in the 1990's in the graduate division. ECU has declined in enrollment, as has many institutions. East Central is outstanding in non-credit activities. Dr. Anderson sees this achievement as a result of the leadership of Ms. Thomason and the superior work of the Center's staff.

Insurance Option Period

Health insurance costs are projected to increase significantly, both for the employee and the institution in the next renewal period. It is anticipated that ECU employees will be given an opportunity to review the options (section 125 plan) they have selected to make changes if desired.

AAC Meeting Days for 1998-99

Dr. Anderson is considering changing the time and day of the Academic Affairs Council meetings for the next fiscal year. A decision will be made at the next meeting.

George Nigh Luncheon

Council members are invited to attend the luncheon April 21 in the south dining room at 11:45 a.m.

NCA Conference

Several administrative staff attended the annual North Central Association conference in Chicago. Plans are to start preparing for the next visit of NCA.

Other

• 1. The preliminary report of the National League of Nursing was excellent. Also, the State Board approved delivery of the nursing program to three off campus sites: Idabell, Durant and McAlester.
• 2. Several deans and faculty attended the recent demonstration of multi media projectors. It appears that the mid level projector with a longer life may be the choice to include in the budget.
• 3. Dr. Anderson asks deans and department chairs to review the web page to identify classes that may be in danger of cancellation because of small enrollments and announce to their classes in case there are students who want to enroll to ensure the class is not canceled.
• 4. The Institutional Goals Survey is now completed and a summary sheet is being written. A copy of most data will be placed in the library for those interested in the outcomes.
• 5. Mr. Curtiss Baker announced he is retiring from East Central as of June 30, 1998. 6. Academic administrative evaluations are completed and will be distributed.

UNIV 3001 Update

• The course, UNIV 3001 General Education Seminar, is scheduled to be taught this fall. The topic of study is environmental issues. All students admitted as beginning freshmen since summer 1996 must take UNIV 3001. Some transfer students may be waived from taking this course.
• Deans are to recommend interested faculty members to teach UNIV 3001. An outline of faculty responsibilities is available from Dr. Talley. The course includes four assembly lecture sessions and six individual class meetings. Dr. Talley is accepting suggestions for speakers to give their presentation at the four group lectures.

Freshman Rally

The Rally is scheduled for August 18. Dr. Talley is asking for volunteers.
 

Duplicating Office Update

Dr. Anderson reports that Mr. Baker is responding to the Faculty Senate's concerns about the Duplicating office.

Budget Meetings with President/VPAA

Budget meetings are being scheduled. Deans may first review the school's perspective of its major concerns. Otherwise, enrollment management issues will be discussed and monies budgeted where needed. Priority equipment needs will also be reviewed for next year's budget.

Dr. Paschall moved to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:55 a.m. Dr. Jackson seconded the motion. The motion passed. Deans remained for a meeting.

Duane C. Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs

IV. MEETING WITH DEANS

Four-year Degree Plans

• Deans submitted several samples of four-year degree plans. Some are psychology, business/office technology, biology, sociology, communication, English, and social work. The next step is to work out minors for each major.
• Dr. Anderson asked if departments have an existing rotation on set programs.
• Since there is more work to be done in developing four-year degree plans, a list of programs that may be taken under the plan will be available for the PLC enrollment. Dr. Anderson will give this some consideration.
• Another suggestion is to develop a plan of study and modify it each year. Also, a single faculty member in each program should be responsible for the contract and advising of the students.
• Deans will meet early next week to finalize the four-year degree list and identify advisors for each program.

Deans adjourned at 11:10 a.m.