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: Bill S. Cole

Recorder: Sue Milner

First Session

I. Opening Comments/Overview--Dr. Anderson

Dr. Anderson called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. He welcomed Dr. Nick Cheper, Faculty Senate President for academic year 1997-98, to the council retreat. The Academic Affairs Council Minutes, July 15, 1997, were approved as submitted with one correction to strike the name of Tim Green from members present.

Dr. Anderson discussed the planned tour of the Ardmore Higher Education Center. The director, Mary Jane Hamilton, will conduct the tour. Dr. Anderson called for approval of the Instructional Software Installation Policy submitted by Mr. Feighner at the previous meeting. There were no objections; therefore, the policy is accepted as presented.

East Central now has three post-masters certificate programs. Nineteen students enrolled in an intersession of the program this summer. Students may not get a degree in the program but will complete the sequence of courses.

Student admission status for 1996-97 shows an increase in freshmen; however, admissions for the undergraduate transfer students show a decline in the past five years. The trend is not exclusive to ECU; other regional universities are showing a decline as well.

Various documents were distributed to council members that include the following: Degree Inventory Program for 1997-98, Program Review Schedule, Spring 1996 Enrollment of Regional Universities, Beginning Student Admission Status, Undergraduate and Graduate Student Credit Hours, Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees Granted, and End of Year Grant Monies.

II. Review of Annual Report and Academic Plan 1997-2002--Dr. Anderson and Dr. Talley

The Academic Plan is submitted to OSRHE annually. Dr. Anderson reviewed various topics in the Plan: 1) majors and the trends for past five years; 2) degrees granted; 3) active program priority status; 4) new and reallocated funds; 5) grants; 6) technology; 7) fall undergraduate and graduate enrollment by major; and 8) program review data.

Dr. Anderson reviewed the Annual Report, highlighting Appendix A - Goals and Objectives and Appendix C - Faculty Profile.

III. Review of 1996-97 and 1997-98 AAC Goals and Objectives--Dr. Anderson

Dr. Anderson discussed what academic goals were accomplished and new goals for the coming year. The status of each of the twelve goals and objectives is as follows:

1-2. ECU continues to implement and monitor student retention programs and unit efforts to improve the institution's graduation rates.

3. Dr. Talley and deans will work on the development of UNIV 3001 General Education Seminar this fall. Deans will meet early in September.

4-5. Discussion continues on course articulation and 2 + 2 articulation agreements.

6. Existing program assessment plans continue.

7. Dr. Anderson, Dr. Talley and the deans will work on a version of the professional development plan whereby school and department professional plans link to the university's plan.

8. There was little progress in the discussion of revising and improving the annual faculty performance evaluation system last year. Dr. Anderson suggests the same evaluation data and input be used in the annual performance evaluation, and the tenure and promotion process. Thus, make the collection of data more uniform across campus and tie this process to the faculty development plan.

9. Continue delivery of off-campus classes.

10. Discuss later the revision of Strategic Plans.

11. An institutional computer and information technology plan must be created.

12. Plans are to complete the Faculty Handbook and to compile an academic affairs procedures book.

IV. Assessment Update--Dr. Jackson

Dr. Jackson distributed a sample summary sheet for reporting departmental annual assessment. He explained each column, i.e., mission statement, student outcomes, goal statement, criteria and performance goals, assessment results, and use of assessment results. He suggests the departments report cover the last calendar year, rather than the academic year, to allow more time to complete the report by the end of the spring semester. Also, Dr. Jackson asked deans to review the guide sheets of their departments to see progress made in effectively using this tool for tracking assessment. The one-page report format helps faculty to understand more clearly how easy assessment can be. The current Student Follow-up Standing Committee will become an Assessment Standing Committee. Current committee members will continue to serve on the committee in 1997-98. Dr. Jackson sees faculty taking the responsibility of evaluating the assessment data. The operation of the Committee will be similar to the Program Review Committee.

V. Value-added Ideas--Ms. Thomason

Ms. Thomason outlined the idea of adding value to a degree. As an example, Continuing Education offers an approved EPA certificate program for environmental health science in the last week before graduation. The student sits for and takes an exam that says he or she is EPA Hazwoper certified. The student may tell the employer he or she has a forty-hour certificate. Thus, the employer is relieved of the expense of sending the new employee to school for special training. Students are able to receive a certificate that helps gain employment and others in the community may receive training to complement a career. Continuing Education is now working with the Wellness Center and HPER Department in developing certification classes. Deans are to go to faculty and talk about the value-added idea. Classes may be taught on weekends or at the end of graduation. Another alternative is to do a non credit class. For more information, contact Ms. Thomason.

VI. Recycling and Freshman Rally--Dr. Talley

Dr. Tally reports that a student employee is on a schedule to go to each university building on certain days to gather recycled paper. Written information and details of the process will be available early in the fall semester.

The annual Freshman Rally is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m. Council members received assignments to participate in the rally.

VII. Strategic Planning--Dr. Anderson

Dr. Anderson distributed time lines to revise the 1997-98 Strategic Plan. Revision is on a two-year cycle; therefore, the Plan will be revised again prior to the North Central review. Department goals will be added to existing Academic Plan goals. Centers, schools, and every functional unit should tie into the Strategic Plan. The deadlines are to be discussed at the September meeting

Second Session

VIII. President's Perspective on 1997-98--Dr. Cole

Dr. Cole covered several topics that affect the university community. He is very pleased with the financial allocations in the past two years. This year's allocation allowed an average 5 percent increase in salaries. The tuition increase may cause complaints from students. The tuition bill did not pass in time for the rates to be effective with the beginning of the fall semester; therefore, a blended tuition rate exists for the fall semester. Because the emergency clause did not pass, students are paying about 95 percent of the new tuition increase. Thus, East Central must deal with a split tuition increase. Dr. Cole asks that students be advised of the increase and that the university take the responsibility for the tuition increase. To provide quality service the increase is justifiable. Also, Dr. Cole suggested that ECU employees be complimentary and give recognition to our state representatives when the opportunity arises.

Campus remodeling is progressing well. Dr. Perry and his staff are commended for their organization in the move from the old library to the new facility. Dr. Cole is looking forward to having the new library open when school starts and planning the dedication ceremony and open house on October 23. This is also the dedication date of the old library. The program for the dedication of the old library will be followed, including an excerpt of the speech prepared by Dr. Linscheid. One of the suggestions coming from the planning meeting was to ask faculty to dress in regalia to celebrate the opening of the library, the heart of the university.

Additional changes will be made across campus. Remodeling and moving of classrooms and offices are in progress. One change is remodeling the Memorial Student Union to house an expanded bookstore, faculty lounge, and health services and counseling center. The plans and specs should be in place the latter part of September. Follett Book Company has been awarded the bid to operate the bookstore. The company officially goes into operation October 1. The book company will be competitive with other vendors. Dr. Cole reviewed last year's purchases of supplies and materials and found that departments bought a lot from external vendors. Dr. Cole encourages ECU employees to purchase from the bookstore.

Parking regulations are changing. Recommendation from the ad hoc Parking Committee recommends new guidelines. Past parking tickets will be removed from the file of all faculty, staff and students. After September 8, new guidelines will be enforced and all tickets must be paid. A visitor's parking area will be established in the parking space north of Mayhue Tennis Courts.

Dr. Cole spoke of projects outlined in the Master Plan. A Cultural and Arts Center is proposed. He would like to see all visual and performing arts housed in such a facility; however, monies are not yet available. Alumni and the ECU Foundation offices will probably move to the old President's home. The old library is to be used for administrative, instructional, and telecommunications space. This would allow those staying in the Administration Building to expand. The old library will not be closed in the interim. There are no funds currently available or allocated. Dr. Anderson pointed out that once an inventory of the furniture in the old library is compiled, furniture will be allotted where needs are the greatest.

Another project in progress is the removal of two houses to make way for graveled parking lots.

IX. Program/Catalog Revision, and Time-to-Degree Completion Issues

The OSRHE encourages state institutions with two, four, and five-year graduation plans to implement student contracts modeled after Iowa's four-year graduation plan. After discussion, deans agreed there are no programs at ECU that cannot be completed in the four-year time frame. However, students and advisors must be cognizant of scheduled course offerings in each semester of the four-year plan.

To better serve students, Academic Affairs and Registry revised the major program format to be used in the next catalog. Deans received the proposal to take to department chairs and faculty for their review and suggestions. No programs will be changed, only the formatting. If changes in programs are needed, they must be submitted to the Academic Committee for consideration. A course sequence outline with each major is to be considered later.

Dr. Anderson distributed a policy outlining Teacher Certification Programs. Dr. Moore discussed the deadlines for students remaining under the current policy, the 4 x 12 subject area requirements, and the new professional education sequence starting in the fall 1997 semester. Attached to the policy is a check sheet outlining courses needed to meet general education guidelines. Those interested may call Dr. Moore for explanation.

X. Adjourn

Dr. Anderson adjourned the meeting at 11:35 for lunch. The Council resumed their meeting 1:00 p.m. at the Ardmore Higher Education Center. Members were given a tour of the facility by Ms. Mary Jane Hamilton, director. Ms. Deborah Korth, academic advisor for East Central University, joined the tour also.

Duane C. Anderson

Vice President for Academic Affairs