I. CALL TO ORDER

Dr. Anderson called a regular meeting of the Academic Affairs Council to order at 3:00 p.m. He introduced Mr. Raymond Johnson to the council. Mr. Johnson is an alumnus of East Central University and the university is fortunate that he has chosen to return to his alma mater. He is filling the position of Vice President for Fiscal Affairs.

Members Present: Duane C. Anderson, Pamla Armstrong, Bob Feighner, Kurt Jackson, Carlotta Lockmiller, Linda Mitchusson, Kenneth Moore, Jack Paschall, Charles Perry, Shirley Talley, Nancy Thomason, Alvin Turner, C. J. Vires, Bruce Weems
Members Absent: Bill Walden
Others Present: Raymond Johnson, Marilyn Cole
Recorder: Sue Milner

The minutes of March 7, 2000, were approved as posted on the web.

School of Graduate Studies--Dr. Jack Paschall
The Graduate School is working to design a Master of Education in Library Media.

The State Department of Education will reimburse tuition to persons working toward a School Psychologist Degree. Dr. Rich Putnam and Dr. Laqueta Pardue-Vaughn are the contact persons to verify the student's degree program.

Grants and Research Information Center--Mr. C. J. Vires
Mr. Vires reports that 7.1 million in grants have been funded and 13.3 million in grants have been in operation at some time during the fiscal year.

A Technology Plan has been submitted. It is being reviewed and the committee will meet next week to identify the institution's needs and then develop goals from its findings.

Libraries--Dr. Charles Perry
Students are reading psychology periodicals.

Dr. Perry reports a decline in checkout in the library, circulation of materials, library loans, and the volume of reference. This is true of most academic libraries. Internet and web-based resource assignments account for some of this. Much time is spent in helping students with electronic research.

Registry--Ms. Pamla Armstrong
Enrollment Centers are still open. Ms. Armstrong reminds faculty that transfer students should be enrolled anytime they are on campus.

The degree check forms are being revised. Faculty Advisors should sign the degree check sheet and tell what catalog year is being used by the student. Permission must be granted by the Academic Affairs Office to remain under a catalog year if the student has not been in continuous attendance. In some instances, it is to the student's advantage to move to a more recent catalog.

Ms. Armstrong expects to receive the ECU 2000-01 Catalog by June.

The Registry Office is still searching for two part-time positions.

Data Processing--Mr. Bob Feighner
No report.

North Central Self-Study--Dr. Carlotta Lockmiller
A Time Line of Important Dates was distributed to the Council. The due date for the first rough draft is May 12, 2000. Dr. Lockmiller is pleased with the progress of the study.

Assessment and Institutional Research Center--Dr. Kurt Jackson
Annual assessment reports are being submitted to the Center. Dr. Jackson will identify those who have submitted their reports and then notify deans and department chairs of those who have not. The reports must be in by the end of May 2000.

School of Mathematics and Sciences--Dr. Bruce Weems
The School has employed one faculty member in biology and are still searching to fill a cartography position.

School of Business--Dr. Linda Mitchusson
The School is losing four faculty positions: Mickey Cowan and Leslie Dicus--Accounting, Walter Gaster, and Bill Walden--Business Administration. A search has begun to fill these positions.

School of Education and Psychology--Dr. Kenneth Moore
Dr. Moore is retiring from East Central University and is relocating in Portales, New Mexico at Eastern New Mexico State University. Dr. Anderson wished him well in his new endeavor.

Continuing Education and Community Service--Ms. Nancy Thomason
Holly Sewell is returning as Extension Coordinator June 1. John Medeck will be attending graduate school. The Child Development Center has received approval to pursue NEYC accreditation.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences--Dr. Alvin Turner
Advertisements are out for four positions in the School. Final screening of applicants is now in progress for positions in Art and the Col. Tom Thomas Human Resource Endowed Chair. Criminal Justice and English have just been posted. One English position has been filled.

V. AGENDA OF THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Freshman Rally
In an effort to recruit and retain students some changes will be incorporated in the Freshman Rally this year. The sign-in will not be a part of the rally. Deans and the Academic Affairs office will be on hand to welcome students. Dr. Talley is asking Deans to submit names of current students who will be invited to interact with new freshmen. An organizational meeting will be scheduled before the event.

Other
Dr. Talley is sending a copy of the Multicultural Report to council members and one to the NCA Resource Center.

VI. AGENDA OF VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Council on Instruction, March 9
Guests, Drs. Danny Goble and Dan Hobbs, spoke on the history of higher education in Oklahoma.
1) Discussion continues with the vo-tech system regarding to equating vo-tech courses with higher education courses through ACE.
2) The Business and Economic Development Review is published.
3) Teacher Education Committee gave an update. UCO increased their admission standards to 2.75. 4) Retention Task Force met two times and will be submitting a list of perceived barriers to retention. Now, suggestions must be made to meet these barriers.
5) A bill is proposed to do away with remediation courses at regional and comprehensive universities.

Council on Instruction, April 13
1) Delores Mize gave a presentation on "Smart Start for Brain Gain" that is funded by Americorp Grant. This supports programs such as Gear Up, America Counts, and America Reads. It is a service-based award whereby credits are earned, not money. Credits may be used to pay for educational expenses, or to pay off a loan.
2) Revision of the Academic Calendar Policy was discussed but no vote taken.
3) ACE and vo-tech was discussed. State Regents' staff will be equating courses and will exclude ACE from the process.
4) Changes in OSRHE staff include the reassignment of Martha Nagle and Kim Bender leaving. He will be replaced by Dr. Deborah Blaukke.
5) Retention Task Force. The Student Advisory and the Faculty Advisory Committees request every institution to have capstone courses in every degree area. East Central University must submit its capstone course offerings.
6) Two-year schools are suggesting a desire to equate entire programs at the system level.
7) State Regents are in process of doing statewide license agreements for course authoring software. Campus Pipeline has proposed an online application for Oklahoma universities.
8) The Student Remediation Report and the Admission Policy Impact study are available. Deans may request a copy.

Calendar Dates
A memo has been circulated to faculty with important dates for the end of spring semester, summer school and startup dates in the fall.
May 12 - AAC Meeting, 3:00-4:00.

Summer Enrollment
Fall enrollment in April continues to be down in FTE and headcount.

PLC Enrollment
The PLC enrollment for fall is the best ECU has had in several years. This may favorably impact final fall enrollment.

OneNet Evaluation
It is important to complete the OneNet Evaluation forms for the off campus classes. It provides data ECU needs to know. The form is to be used for the first time beginning in the fall semester.

Academic Common Market
Several programs are now available electronically through the Common Market.

Critical Self-Study Dates
A list of critical dates for the production of the NCA Self-Study was distributed.

Draft of Response to 1991-92 NCA Concerns
A draft of "Response to Concerns by the 1991-92 North Central Accreditation Association" was distributed to council members for their review and comments. There are significant changes since the 1991-92 accreditation.

Commencement
The ECU commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 13. Morning session is at 10:00 and the afternoon session at is 2:00.

Faculty Senate Survey
Dr. anderson has reviewed the Faculty Senate survey on the class scheduling system. He will study its findings.

Other
The new web pages are up. Lori Mardis has done a lot of hard work. There are still some link problems but these will be corrected as they are discovered.

VII. OLD BUSINESS

Strategic Plan
Dr. Anderson compliments all involved for their work on strategic planning. The documents were very well done.

General Education Advisory Committee
The Committee meets Thursday, May 4. They will report on syllabi.

Department Writing Plans
The English Proficiency Committee will be reviewing the plans at their next meeting.

Budget Hearings
The budget hearings are ending. A notice was sent out about final requests for equipment. If there are no additional changes, E-mail Dr. Anderson.

Undergraduate Class Schedule and General Education Schedule
The time schedules are in good shape now. The schedule will be extended each year.

Fall Retreat Update
The fall retreat is tentatively scheduled to be on campus Monday, August 14.

Research Day
Dr. Anderson encourages faculty and students to sign up for Research Day.

VIII. ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting of the Academic Affairs Council adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
 

Duane C. Anderson
Vice President for Academic Affairs