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

Others Present: Charlie Jones, Holly Sewell

Recorder: Sue Milner

I. Call to Order

Dr. Anderson, vice president for academic affairs, called the regular meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. He welcomed Dr. Turner, new dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Talley, recently named assistant vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Cheper, this year's representative for the Faculty Senate. Also, Dr. Anderson announced that Ms. Sewell will be transferring to Continuing Education and Community Services to serve as coordinator of off-campus classes, effective August 1.

Dr. Anderson briefly discussed the 1997-98 budget allocation. More money was allocated and a higher average pay increase for faculty and staff than in the past seven years. Personnel changes have been extensive. Not all the positions will be filled by the fall semester. Counting transfers and three new faculty coming in January, there could be 25 new persons starting in the fall.

II. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of June 10, 1997, were approved as distributed.

III. Unit Reports

Assessment and Institutional Research Center--Dr. Kurt Jackson

All departments have submitted their revised assessment plans.

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

At the close of the grant year, $4,351,911 new money came into the university. Title III has identified 132 students eligible for that program.

Continuing Education and Community Services--Ms. Nancy Thomason

Ms. Thomason reported she is pleased to have Ms. Holly Sewell join her staff. Grant writing is an ongoing activity in that area. Reports show that Continuing Education served 15,000 people during the past fiscal year.

School of Education and Psychology--Dr. Kenneth Moore

The Commission, as of July 1, has taken over the assessment program. There is still an opinion from the Attorney General pending on who can be certified strictly under the testing requirements. Universities are currently operating under the old system until an opinion is received.

School of Business--Dr. Linda Mitchusson

The report for reaccreditation is finished and all standards have been met. Mr. Vance Lesseig resigned from the Business Administration Department. The department employed a third faculty member, Dr. Andrew Parkes, with a specialty in the finance-economic area. He comes to East Central from Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas.

School of Mathematic and Sciences--Dr. Bruce Weems

Ms. Kandi Hudson joins the Nursing faculty this fall. She comes to East Central from Grays Harbor College, Aberdeen, Washington. The Nursing Department will relocate to the third floor of Science Hall. The department made the decision to deliver an R.N. Program to Idabel and Southeastern. Dr. Paul Woodson, professor of environmental and health sciences, resigned as chair of the department and will return to the classroom.

Faculty Council--Dr. Charlie Jones

Dr. Cheper represents the Faculty Senate after the summer session. There is no report until the Council resumes its activities in the fall.

Library--Dr. Chuck Perry

The move to the new library is going well. Approximately 80 percent of the book collection is in the new facility. The move should be completed by the fall semester. Dr. Anderson commended Dr. Perry and his staff for making the move go smoothly. The topic of the month is "falconry."

Data Processing--Mr. Bob Feighner

Mr. Feighner distributed a revised copy of the Instructional Software Installation Policy. Comments may be sent to the academic affairs office by July 23; otherwise, the policy is adopted as distributed. Data Processing is notifying students of tuition increases for the fall semester and if there is a balance owed for their fall enrollment.

Registry--Ms. Pamla Armstrong

Walk-in enrollment ends Friday, July 18.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences--Dr. Alvin Turner

The office of the dean is moving to the space vacated by the Nursing Department. Dr. Turner is participating as a panel member July 16 and 17 for Oklahoma Teacher General Education Testing.

III. Agenda of Vice President for Academic Affairs

A. COI, July 10, 1997

1. Time-to-degree. Institutions are encouraged to develop plans based on the University of Iowa model. Dr. Anderson believes there will be few students contracting to complete a degree in four years since the primary burden is on the student.

2. College Core Articulation Committee. The Legislature has asked for an update by January 1998. Additional disciplines are being added to this operation. Institutions are asked to nominate faculty in those areas for input. A general meeting of the Transfer Committee is scheduled for October 3 at UCO.

3. Freshman Course Grades for Fall 1996. Dr. Stuart distributed these materials to the Council. Interested faculty may get a copy from their dean.

4. There was brief discussion concerning student suspension.

5. Teacher Education. Will get a ruling requiring regional universities to accept transfer credit for course, Human Growth and Development, from two-year schools.

6. Four by Twelve. The requirement is effective for students entering teacher education September 1, 1997, and after. This topic will be discussed further.

7. Foreign Language. Vice Presidents agree that institutions will accept the credit for students meeting the foreign language novice, high competency level if accepted at another institution.

8. Electronic Media Committee. Oklahoma is joining the Oklahoma Western Governor's University by offering associate degrees made up of courses from a wide variety of institutions. They are offering courses in the technical area. Dr. Anderson does not see this as a threat to an institution like East Central.

B. Calendar

1. July 16 - Residual ACT Test.

2. July 18 - Walk-in enrollment ends. No enrollment center will be open after the close of enrollment; however, if a transfer student should come to campus, he or she is to be directed to the dean of the school for advisement and to the Registry office for enrollment through August 3. Enrollment will resume August 19.

3. July 28-29 - Final exams. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education require those institutions which reserve the final week as a testing period to ensure that all classes meet during the testing period.

4. July 31 - Summer grades are due at 10 o'clock. Students receive an "N" grade if submitted late.

5. August 11 - All academic administrators should return for the fall semester.

6. August 12-13 - Academic Affairs Council retreat.

7. August 15 - New faculty return for orientation.

8. August 18 - All faculty reports to campus for a general faculty meeting set at 9:00 a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. School and department meetings should be scheduled in the afternoon.

9. August 19 - Regular fall enrollment from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Freshman Rally from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

C. Summer Enrollment

Undergraduate FTE is up 1.1 percent and Graduate FTE is up 5.3 percent.

D. Fall Enrollment

ECU is down in headcount at this time but the report is a week earlier that the one for last fall.

E. Oklahoma Museum of Higher Education

Information is available concerning the induction ceremonies in higher education.

F. AAC Meeting Dates for 1997-98

Regular meetings are on Tuesday from 9-12 noon in the week following the Council on Instruction meetings. Council members are asked to arrange their schedules for the meeting dates distributed.

G. Humanities, G1 and G2 Schedules

Dr. Anderson distributed a Humanities Courses schedule. Dr. Turner is to review the offerings with the school faculty.

H. Off-campus Schedule, Wayne-Payne

Dr. Anderson distributed a course rotation for Mid-America Vo-Tech. Deans are to review and suggest changes.

I. AAC Members--Budget and Annual Review Conferences

Deans are to apprise department chairs of the procedure for equipment purchases and instructional technology purchases. Again this year, specific equipment items have been approved for purchase. The technology fee Budget, No. 10107, is to be used for student computer labs. All technology fee requests and E&G equipment will come through the academic affairs office. When deans come for their annual review conference with Dr. Anderson, items to bring are budget materials and a "Howmanio" green bar.

J. Other

Student Services has a new View Book.

IV. Agenda of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

A. Recycling Program

Deans and administrative heads are asked to provide receptacles and centers to receive paper contributions. Eight hours of student help is approved to move recycling contributions to a general site in the basement of the Education Building. A general clean up of the basement area must be done before the fall semester. Volunteers are needed to get the area ready for recycling. Persons interested may contact Dr. Talley. Dr. Talley is preparing a report of the recycling plan.

B. Freshman Rally

The annual Freshman Rally is scheduled August 19, 6:30 p.m., on the university mall in front of the University Center. It is student spirit directed; fight songs, Alma Mater, etc. Council members should notify Dr. Talley if they are able to participate in the Freshman Rally activities.

V. Old Business

A. Retreat, August 12/13

Dr. Anderson distributed Goals/Objectives for Academic Affairs. Council members are to review and suggest other tasks to include by July 24. Topics at the retreat include:

1. Strategic Plan update,

2. Catalog review and time-to-degree completion,

3. AAC work plan,

4. Articles of interest to be read prior to retreat, and

5. Vice President for Academic Affairs Annual Report.

B. Teacher Certification

Deans met with Dr. Anderson immediately following the Council meeting to discuss the latest issues of the continuing changes in teacher certification.

VI. New Business

A. AAC Minutes for 1997-98

Dr. Anderson announced that the Academic Affairs Council minutes are available on the Academic Affairs home page, and that starting in August the minutes will be posted on the Academic Affairs home page only, and will not be distributed in paper copy.

B. New Faculty Orientation, August 15, 1997

New faculty will be on campus for orientation August 15.

VII. Adjourn

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 11:15 a.m. for a tour, led by Dr. Perry, of the new library.

Duane C. Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs