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, Todd Essary, Marilyn Cole

Recorder: Sue Milner

I. CALL TO ORDER

At 9:03 a.m., Dr. Anderson called a regular meeting of the Academic Affairs Council to order.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of December 9, 1997 were approved as distributed.

III. PRESENTATION BY PRESIDENT COLE

Dr. Cole reported there were many activities in the fall and more to come during the spring semester. ECU delayed payment of fees for pre-enrollment for spring until after the first of the year to accommodate students and families to take advantage of the tax incentive. An enrollment management program is being considered.

Bids open January 15 for the renovation of the old student union. If a bid is accepted, work will get underway in February. Campus-wide projects are under consideration. Included are the renovating the roof on Kerr Center, a new Fine Arts building, and other campus needs.

There are several personnel changes, some created by retirements. East Central has been fortunate in hiring new personnel.

ECU is the leader among regional universities in securing external funding. Recently, Ms. Nancy Thomason secured a two million-dollar grant. Dr. Moore and his faculty are congratulated for working with Ms. Thomason. A GTE grant for $30,000 provides seed money and to attract minority transfer students in the sciences. The Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges meets on the East Central Campus January 16. Dr. Cole will present about three million dollars in grants and contracts to the Board.

Dr. Cole distributed the President's Three-Year Report 1995-97 to council members. The booklet covers many of the activities and events during those years, and provides documentation for the North Central Accreditation Association. He commended Ms. Rebecca Kennedy and her staff for their work on the report.

IV. UNIT REPORTS

School of Education and Psychology--Dr. Kenneth Moore

The Education Department filled three faculty positions and a one-semester appointment. Dr. Moore delivered the Institutional Plan to the Regents. All faculty have submitted first draft folios except library science, school counselor, school psychometry, and music. The next report is in February. More information is forthcoming on the fate of the Commission during this legislative session.

School of Business--Dr. Linda Mitchusson

Ms. Allison Perrin is filling the position of dean's secretary in the School of Business. Mr. Bill Huffman defended his dissertation proposal December 12 and Mr. Thomas Lanis is now ABD after passing his comprehensives last month. A Parker Ethics lecture is slated for February 23 in the Estep Multimedia Auditorium. Mr. Michael G. Daigneault, President of the Ethics Resource Center, Washington, D.C., is the guest lecturer.

School of Mathematics and Sciences--Dr. Bruce Weems

Dr. Daniel Block and Dr. Deborah Flowers completed all requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree at the end of the fall semester.

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

Mr. Steve Turner is working on his dissertation. Dr. Alvin Turner is reading approximately 2,000 letters collected for his Oklahoma research project. He will select those to include in the manuscript, "Letters from the Dust Bowl."

Libraries--Dr. Chuck Perry

Lori Mardis joins the library faculty this month. There were few searches during the interim, but of those, "deafness, sports medicine, and student loans" were the most popular topics.

Registry--Ms. Pamla Armstrong

There were a lot of problems with grade recording for the fall semester. Almost every School had students sitting in class who were not listed on the class roster. Ms. Armstrong reminds faculty that it is their responsibility to confirm that students attending their class are listed on the class roster.

Continuing Education and Community Services--Ms. Nancy Thomason

Mr. John Wingard is filling the position of Coordinator, Residential Care Programs, effective January 2, 1998. One new exchange student from Hunter College, New York, comes to East Central this spring.

School of Graduate Studies--Dr. Jack Paschall

The Graduate Office is moving to the southwest corner of the old library sometime in February. Dr. Michael Brand's intersession class is going well; twelve are enrolled.

Faculty Senate--Dr. Nicholas Cheper

The Faculty Senate has not met in the interim session. However, a consensus of the faculty is to establish an Advising Center for a variety of functions. Dr. Anderson asked Dr. Cheper to relate the problems of recording grades to the Senate.

Assessment and Institutional Research Center--Dr. Kurt Jackson

Dr. Jackson distributed a recommended enrollment schedule for freshmen, scheduled for January 9, 1998. Enrollment starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Raymond Estep Multimedia Auditorium.

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

This is the last year for the Title III Grant. Title III recently placed a new laser printer in the assessment lab. The Institutional Goals Survey is completed. At the end of December, current grant applications submitted total $8,000,000.

IV. AGENDA OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Calendar Dates

January 9 Spring regular enrollment

January 15 Non-instructional Contribution Forms due January 21

Reappointment of non-tenured faculty due

Spring 1998 Part-time Faculty Payroll Contracts due

January 22 Fall 1998 Class Schedules due

Fall 1998 Proposed Faculty Load Report due

Spring 1998 Proposed Faculty Load Update due

Fall 1997 Final Faculty Load Report due

February 3 Spring 1998 Course Syllabi due (only courses not taught in fall should be submitted)

February 6 Departmental recommendation for tenure due

February 10 Academic Affairs Council meeting rescheduled to February 17

SWOSU - Resource Publication

A document, "Resources in Support of Public School Education" prepared by the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, was distributed for information.

Tentative 1998-99 Academic Calendar

Dr. Anderson distributed a tentative calendar for 1998-99. The calendar will be on the Regents' January or February agenda. The calendar should not be distributed until approved.

GPA & ACT Data

Dr. Anderson distributed a Five-year GPA and ACT Comparison Report for Fall 1993 through Fall 1997. The overall GPA for East Central is 2.90. The trend is up during the last five years.

Recent Grant Awards

Three summer academies are approved for funding in 1998. Two were written by Dr. Eugene Hobbs who continues to write grants for East Central. The third one is an interdisciplinary program in biology and criminal justice. Four Eisenhower proposals are approved for next summer; Dr. Hobbs wrote two proposals and Dr. Rahmona Thompson and Dr. Carl Rutledge each wrote one.

Computer Count

Dr. Anderson distributed a breakdown of the annual computer count. The overall trend is 916 machines in the academic area and 151 in remaining areas. In 1994 the first physical count was 544 in the academic area. In four years the number of machines has nearly doubled.

Computer Usage Data

Dr. Anderson distributed a computer usage graph showing number of packets in use. The trend shows an increase from 1994 of less than 10,000 packets to more than 80,000 packets in December 1997.

Other

A. An organized committee will be named to develop a technology plan. State Regents recommend that universities have such a plan; the emphasis will be on computers and software.

B. As a result of a protest by East Central to Rogers University's intention to invite the University of Arkansas to deliver a Rehabilitation Counseling program in Tulsa, it appears that East Central will deliver the Rehabilitation Counseling Program in Tulsa next fall. Dr. Baumgartner and Dr. Elston put together a proposal. The Rogers University Board approved the proposal and asked the State Regents for approval and funding. This is an opportunity to expand our Rehab Program, now recognized as one of the best in the country.

C. The Administration Conference Room is to be refurbished this spring. There was some theft of computers during the holiday. Shortly, there will be new locks installed on computer lab doors using a card system.

V. AGENDA OF ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Interscholastic Contest - February 10

Dr. Talley and Mr. Todd Essary will oversee the Interscholastic Contest. Plans are to enter the results on the Internet as soon as possible. This will enable many schools to pull up the results. Mr. Essary discussed the contest procedures and distributed materials to be used.

UNIV 3001 Syllabus

Discussion was postponed to the afternoon session with deans.

Recycling Status

The student worker will be on duty with the beginning of the spring semester. The schedule for pickups will remain the same unless notified of a need. The Recycling Program completed its second pickup from the paper company. About four tons was recycled, the same as for the first pickup. Dr. Talley reminds all the program will benefit as collections increase.

Scholarship Report

Dr. Talley is submitting a formal report outlining scholarly activities of faculty and students. Faculty will be asked to submit activities such as speeches, presentations, etc. and supply student information. The report includes calendar years 1995 through 1997. She is using Non-instructional Contribution forms submitted for those years to collect data.

Professional Development Program

A Professional Development brochure is ready for distribution January 12. Faculty are encouraged to participate.

Other

A. East Central has contracted with a new health care agency for on-the-job injuries. This requires some faculty meetings for the program to be explained and forms signed. A physician selected by the health program will be used. In essence, East Central will have a new workman's compensation program.

B. An OSLEP public lecture is slated for January 22 in the Raymond A. Estep Multimedia Auditorium. Dr. Christopher Wills speaks on human evolution entitled "Are We Still Evolving?". Honors students are coming to the East Central campus for the week from across the state. The public lecture is provided as part of the OSLEP program.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

1998-99 Budget

The approach to budget preparation is basically the same as in previous years, no new money. Deans may move expenditures from department to department and adjust line-items but the overall budget remains the same. Student wages are frozen and work study wages may not be increased. An addendum is to be attached to the budget for new needs in personnel and non-personnel areas. Deans should refer to the new budget guidelines. Budgets are due in the Academic Affairs Office February 13.

Four-year Graduation Plan

This will be discussed in the afternoon session.

Strategic Plans

Dr. Anderson is returning the Strategic Plans through the mail.

Spring Enrollment/Small Classes

Cancellation of enrollment for nonpayment is Thursday, January 8. Small classes will not be considered until Monday, January 12.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

General Faculty Meeting, January 8, 1998

Deans introduce new faculty members at the general faculty meeting.

School Teaching/Technology Centers

Discussion was postponed to the afternoon session.

VIII. ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. and will resume with the academic deans attending in the afternoon.

I. UNIV 3001 SYLLABUS

The syllabus is on the agenda of the Academic Committee meeting scheduled for January 26. The course is a capstone course and will be offered in the fall semester. Dr. Talley led discussion of Part I and Part II of the syllabus. Concerns discussed were orientation meetings, attendance policy, evaluation policy, assignments for the portfolio, instructor and scheduling.

II. FOUR-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM

Plans are to identify one-third of the undergraduate programs that have a solid sequence of courses. Of those third, faculty will develop a four-year degree plan within their major. The plan must coincide with courses actually being offered. A four-year degree plan must be in place by fall 1998. The plan will not go into the catalog at this time; however, enrollment of students in the plan will be implemented. A stipulation will be added for students who are not accepted into a program. Faculty comments will be considered at the next meeting.

III. ADJOURN

All remaining topics were postponed to a later date. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Duane C. Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs