Minutes of the Dean’s Council Meeting of March 3, 2009

Present: Anantha Babbili, Moustafa Abdelsamad, Arthur Hernandez, Kelly Quintanilla, Mary Jane Hamilton, Frank Pezold, David Billeaux, Harvey Knull, Robert Nelsen, Christine Shupala

Note taker: Cely Smart

I. Call to Order

The minutes from the Council meeting of February 24, 2009 were unanimously approved.

II. Summer School Planning

Dr. Babbili reported that budgets for summer courses have not been determined. Deans should review the last three year’s summer sessions to review courses with low enrollment and find a creative way to channel these students into other courses.

III. Chancellor’s Teaching System Award

Dr. Babbili provided clarification that all campuses will receive a guaranteed number of awards. Dr. Babbili asked the Deans to email the faculty asking for a yes or no response regarding if they wish to participate. Faculty members can choose which of their qualifying courses they want to submit.

IV. 2.5% Reduction in Budget Update

Dr. Babbili reported that he has sent in the budget reductions to the Budget Office. Academic Affairs returned almost $10,000 more than required for the budget cut.

V. Research Release Funds for Summer

Dr. Babbili reported on his request for a statement on each college’s use of the funds last summer. Due to confusion on the correct budgets, Dr. Babbili will work with Finance to determine the correct budget, and the issue will be discussed in a future meeting. Dr. Knull discussed the importance of these funds to stimulate research activity on campus.

VI. Conflict of Interest Form

Dr. Nelsen discussed the concerns with the Conflict of Interest form that Scholarship Committee members are required to sign. The form has been returned to the Scholarship Committee, and it will be reviewed and revised. Dr. Billeaux reported that there was not a university form for student confidentiality, but several departments use a form they created. He requested that the Deans take these forms to their Associate Deans to discuss with staff who work with students and send him feedback. The Council agreed that a generic form should be created to disperse to students, but not to staff or faculty in security sensitive positions.

VII. Budget Request Forms due 1-Apr-09

Dr. Nelsen reported that the due date for budget forms in their entirety has been changed to April 1 from April 15. Academic Affairs will use the full month to review requests more fairly and establish priorities.

VIII. Proposed Exceptional Talent Admissions Policy

Dr. Nelsen reported that the policy must be published for SACS and NCAA compliance. A new policy has been created for publication in the 09-10 catalog. The policy was unanimously approved by the Council; it will be up for approval by the Faculty Senate on March 13.

IX. Academic Calendar Policy

Dr. Nelsen described the changes to the Academic Calendar Policy that are based on a lack of clarification on the time frame and number of years to be created in advance. The policy will now reflect a four-year calendar to accommodate the American Bank Center contract. The last two years of the calendar will have an asterisk to allow for the adjustment of graduation dates. Additions to the policy include who has membership on the committee, term length, and a shortened time frame between approval dates for faster publication.

X. Other Issues of the Council

Chris Shupala requested all minutes and meeting notes again, the deadline is March 4. These minutes should include any assessment discussion of WEAVE online. Dr. Knull reported that the application and enrollment numbers of graduate students has not declined. The University is nearing the $12 million mark for grants and awards.

XI. Adjourn