February 16, 1999
 Room 101, Administration Building
 

I. CALL TO ORDER

 Dr. Anderson called a regular meeting of the Academic Affairs Council to order at 9:00 a.m.  He welcomed those who attended the meeting representing the areas of members who were absent.

II. ROLL CALL

 Members Present: Duane C. Anderson, Ed Brackett, Nick Cheper, Kurt Jackson, Linda Mitchusson, Chuck Perry, Shirley Talley, Nancy Thomason, Alvin Turner, Bruce Weems.
 Members Absent: Pamla Armstrong, Bob Feighner, Kenneth Moore, Jack Paschall
 Others Present: Marilyn Cole, Ben Harper, LaDonne Latimer, Jim Waller
 Recorder: Sue Milner

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 There were no objections to the approval of the January 5, 1999 minutes of the Academic Affairs Council as posted on the web.

IV. UNIT REPORTS

 Faculty Senate--Dr. Nick Cheper
 The Faculty Senate met February 15, 1999.  A number of issues came up that will be considered by the Senate but there was nothing to be reported at this time.

 Grants and Research Information Center--Dr. Ed Brackett
 The Grants Center has submitted $14,922,431requests of which $8,537,656 has been awarded.  This is 2.5 million more than total receipts of last year, a record setting year.  As of this date, the success rate of grants submitted by East Central is a 10-1 approval rate.  Also, ECU is a leader among Oklahoma institutions in obtaining Eisenhower summer academies.  Dr. Thompson and Ms.Heitland, Dr. Rutledge, and  Dr. Hobbs were awarded the Eisenhower grants.

 Assessment Center and Institutional Research--Dr. Kurt Jackson
 The Fact Book is about ready for distribution and the demographics report is completed.

 The Assessment Committee has been working diligently on evaluating assessment of general education.  One concern is how to evaluate critical thinking.

 School of Education and Psychology--Dr. Kenneth Moore
 Dr. Harper reported for the School.  David Whitehorse, leader of the NCATE team, and others were on campus last week for a pre-visit.  The team returns March 27 for the teacher education evaluation.

 School of Business--Dr. Linda Mitchusson
 The School met with the State Regents'external education team January 26 for their review of business programs.

 The School is in the process of searching for candidates to fill the position vacated by Bill Huffman in the Accounting Department.
 

 The Parker Ethics Lecture is scheduled for March 16 in the afternoon.  Ben Howard of Howard Associates is the speaker.

 February 27, the School of Business will have a reception for the winners of the Interscholastic Meet in the business area.  They have invited the students and their families.

 School of Mathematics and Sciences--Dr. Bruce Weems
 The school is interviewing applicants for the unfilled faculty position in Family and Consumer Science Department.

 The Cartography/Geography Department has been very active.  Wednesday, February 10, the Alpha Pi Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, The International Geographical Honor Society, hosted a lecture by Dr. Joel Morrison entitled "21st Century Cartography."  Dr. Lowry has been named to the Executive Committee of the Honor Society as the Southwest Regional Counselor and will represent the states of NM, OK, TX, AR, and LA at Association of American Geographers and National Council for Geographic Education meetings in addition to coordinating activities within the region.

 Dr. Lowry's article "The Southwest in the American Mind" has been accepted for publication in the Southwestern Geographer and will be out in November.  Also, he will be presenting the Hedgehog and Fox Lecture this year on April 7 in the Estep Multimedia room.  The topic is the NASA research.

 Dr. Block had an article accepted for publication in the Journal for the Study of Food and Society.  It is called "Purity, Economy, and Social Welfare in the Progressive Era Pure Milk Movement."  It is scheduled for publication in May.
 
 Preparations for the State Science Fair are underway.

 School of Humanities and Social Sciences--Dr. Alvin Turner
 There are a number of activities in progress.  The Oklahoma Cultural Studies has been funded to provide Oklahoma cultural programs.  The first all-day event is April 8, 1999.  Michael Wallace, writer of Pretty Boy Floyd and Route 66, has been invited.  Also invited is Guy Logsdon who gives a presentation of Woody Guthrie, cowboy poetry, songs, etc.  There will be Southwest exhibits and many other activities throughout the day.

 The School received a grant for economic development from the Templeton Foundation that puts them in a league with Harvard, etc.  They hope to do something that will interface with the Regent's idea of economic development.

 Gerald Clark, assistant professor of art, just finished his art exhibit.

 Historians meet in Tulsa next week.

 The Tempest, a Shakespeare production is February 24-26 and a dinner theatre event sponsored by the ECU Women in conjunction with the play is February 26.

 The Jazz Choir is in demand for performances in the Ada community.

 The University Choir is performing April 19 in the Stanley P. Wagner Ballroom and is also singing at Commencement.

 Two positions in the Human Resources Department have been filled for the fall semester.

 Computer Services--Mr. Bob Feighner
 Jim Waller reported the semester start was a little rough in the Computer Services area.  They are now replacing the campus computer network backbone.  It is a labor intensive response time.  Windows 3.1 will be replaced that will reduce the traffic on the campus network.  Materials have been ordered to wire classrooms throughout the campus for computers on wheels projectors.  This will take a number of months to complete.

 Computer Services is interviewing applicants for two positions to get more help in this area.

 Libraries--Dr. Chuck Perry
 The State Regents are sponsoring a workshop next week.  The topic is "Drinking from the Fire Hose."  It is co-sponsored by librarians.  Participants will be looking at information technologies and the future of libraries.

 Registry--Ms. Pamla Armstrong
 LaDonne Latimer had nothing to report.

 Continuing Education and Community Services Center--Ms. Nancy Thomason
 The Center is busy getting a few grants funded, particularly the one on Teacher Preparation.  The Reading Grant provides training for teachers.  They trained more than 6,000 teachers last year.  The Center is hiring a coordinator and secretary for the grant.

 Health Awareness Week is in progress at the Wellness Center.  They are conducting evaluations for $5.00.  The Wellness Center has new mirrors in the weight-lifting room and mirrors and motivational pictures on the running track.

 Distance education is going well.  People are wanting more class offerings on the interactive system.  These offerings are adding to the university enrollment significantly.
 Dr. Anderson reported that East Central will exchange foreign language offerings with Northeastern State University next fall.  We are sending them Russian I and they are sending their German I to East Central.  The academic vice presidents have considered this possibility for those areas where enrollments are low or expertise is unavailable.

V. AGENDA OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

 COI, January 14 and February 11, 1999
 The Council has met twice since the Academic Affairs Council meeting.

 January 14:
 a. The Council had a lengthy session on the Learning Site, Receive Site Policy.  It came back to COI after some revision by the presidents.  This will be on the Board Agenda in March.  Institutions will be responsible for identifying, servicing, and exporting in our geographical service area even though geographical areas do not exist.

 b. Legislation introduced: A bill to abolish foreign language as a requirement; another is to get the Teacher Preparation Commission in the sunset rotation.

 c. Kim Bender spoke of the Course Transfer Matrix.  A few changes were made to the 1999-00 matrices.

 February 11:
 a. Kim Bender discussed Gear Up, a new grant funded in the Higher Education Amendment Act.  Gear Up is similar to the Trio Programs and is designed to put another program in schools to identify students in the 6-8 grade range with the potential of going to college and target economically disadvantaged areas and then provide services to that entire class.

 b. Accountability Report: A State and Institutional Report will be done and will include statistics and data comparing institution to institution in Oklahoma.  Oklahoma will be compared to the nation.  This is in response to citizens' recommendation, State Regents Work Plan, and Academy of State Goals.

 c. Ned Bastow discussed several items: Capital bond issue is still pending.  Of $320 million, East Central is scheduled to receive $1.1 million.  It is currently being held up in a legal suit.  Some decision on this will probably be issued in the next two weeks.  An issue regarding whether East Central should receive financial support from DRS for ADA was discussed.  The Department of Rehabilitation Services believes institutions should not receive monies because the ADA states the institutions must provide services to students with disabilities.  Dr. Anderson says this will hurt East Central since we have many students who receive these services.

 d. Bryce Fair gave a legislative update: Agencies will their budgets cut.  The Governor is still saying those budgets for common education and higher education will not be cut.  Education may get a $40 million increase.  Of that, $20 million is scheduled to come from tuition increases.  East Central is anticipating a 7 percent tuition increase for fall, 1999.

 e. Higher Education Amendment: In the higher education bill from last fall, there were several efforts to create an accountability report for institutions that have teacher education programs.  Institutions must report to the public on quality, efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of the teacher education programs, and provide an overall view of where Oklahoma higher education stands nationally.

 Calendar
 February 18 The Board of Regents will be on the East Central Campus for their monthly meeting.
 February 22 Last day to drop 1st 8-week courses.  No exception will be made.
 February 26 Distribution of Evaluation of Administrators.
 March 2 Recommendations for Rank Promotion due at 5:00 p.m.
 March 8-12 Spring break.  No classes meet.  Administrative office will be open Monday and Tuesday.
 March 18 General Education Assessment testing.
 March 19 Department Chair Evaluations of Faculty due.
 March 23 Summer pre-enrollment begins, Seniors/grads.
                   Academic Affairs Council meeting.  The meeting may be rescheduled.

 Spring Enrollment Report
 An enrollment report was distributed.  FTE enrollment is down .6%.  Headcount enrollment is down 87 students (2.1%)

 Summer and Fall 1999 Advising and Enrollment Procedures
 A handout of the advising and enrollment instructions that will be part of the summer class schedule was distributed.  Dr. Anderson referred to some change in the procedure.  Enrollment Centers open 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Admission and advising begins April 28 through May 28 for open enrollment.

 The fall semester has two enrollment periods: April 19 through May 28 is open enrollment.  If advisors are not available, students may go to the school dean or Academic Advising Center.  The June 2 enrollment is open until August 6.  All students, except beginning freshmen, may enroll.

 There are three options for payment of fees and are the same for fall and spring.  Students may pay in full; enrollment is held for students with financial aid; or, students may choose the $100 partial payment to hold enrollment.  Four Hundred sixty students used the $100 partial payment option in the 1999 Spring Semester.

 Computer Count
 A computer count was conducted for all academic areas in January.  The report is not ready for distribution but will be brought to the Council meeting next month.

 Administrator Evaluations
 The evaluations will be distributed for completion soon.

 First-Time Student Report
 A handout was provided showing the enrollment trend of beginning freshmen and transfer students from 1982-83 through 1998-99.  The trend shows transfer students peaked in the early 90's and the 1982-83 trend brought in 800 to 900 beginning freshmen.  The decline in these two areas accounts for much of East Central's  enrollment decline.

 Nursing NCLEX Exam Results
 Of the nursing students who took the NCLEX exam, 97.3 percent passed.  This pass rate is above the state and national averages.  The nursing faculty members are to be commended.

 Disengaged Students - Editorial
 Dr. Anderson distributed an editorial from the March/April 1998 issue of Change, the magazine of higher learning.

 Other

  Stokes Lecture:
  The second annual Stokes Lecture is set for Monday, February 22.  A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Regents Room.  The lecture is at 7:30 in the Estep Multimedia Center.  The Teacher of the Year, Lynn Peacher, will give a presentation concerning her approach to teaching fourth grade students.

  Teacher Job Connection:
  Dr. Anderson distributed a publication of an ad indicating to teachers and employers how they are able to make connection on this web page set up by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

VI. AGENDA OF ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

 Dr. Talley had nothing to report other than her appreciation to the deans and instructors for the Interscholastic Meet testing.  Instructors were asked to make new test or revise old ones for the Meet and they were very responsive to the request.  The Meet went well and she received no report of problems.

VII. OLD BUSINESS

 1. Four-year Degree Plans - Samples.
  A sample of a Four-year Degree Plan was included in the deans' packets.   The deadline for returning a Plan for each program is April 2, 1999.  The Plans will be included in the 2000-01 ECU Catalog.

 2. Budget Preparation for 1999-2000.
  All E&G budgets must be completed and returned to the Academic Affairs Office by Friday, February 19.

 3. Institutional Technology Plan.
  Dr. Anderson will visit with deans and others about serving on a committee to develop a technology plan for the university.  Others will include the Faculty Senate, Student Services, Business Office, etc.  A detailed plan will not be written but will establish goals and objectives that will give the institution some direction.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

 There was no new business to report.

IX. ADJOURN

 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.