ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING

9 December 2003

BG Carter called the meeting to order at 1515 hours.

AGENDA ITEM # 1: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 18 NOVEMBER 2003

            The minutes were approved as submitted.

AGENDA ITEM # 2: HISTORY DEPARTMENT CURRICULUM PROPOSALS

            Lt. Col. Gardel Feurtado, Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, presented proposals by the Department of History for new courses and for a minor in African-American History and recommended approval of these proposals on behalf of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee.  The Academic Board unanimously approved the recommendation from the Curriculum and Instruction Committee.

AGENDA ITEM # 3: SACS – ASSESSMENT EXAMPLES

            BG Carter reminded the Board to get examples of “closing the assessment loop” into Col. Metts by 15 December.  These examples are to include problems or issues that have been identified through the assessment process, the actions taken to address these problems or issues, and the follow-up assessment results on the effectiveness of these actions.  BG Carter reminded the Board that Col. Metts had provided the electronic format for these submissions.

 AGENDA ITEM # 4: SACS – QEP

            BG Carter presented the latest draft of QEP Goals and reminded the Board of the steps taken to reach this point.  Through meetings and requests for suggestions, nearly sixteen pages of specific suggestions for actions to be taken as part of the QEP had been collected.  These suggestions had been grouped under eleven broad goals or objectives.  These had been critiqued by the President, the Commandant, the faculty (through a CAC meeting), and the Academic Board.  Based on the responses and recommendations received, the members of the QEP Committee had narrowed the focus to eight items. General Carter discussed each of the eight goals and gave some possible actions for accomplishing each.  He distributed a QEP timeline.  The QEP is to be completed and in the mail to SACS by 12 February 2004.

            BG Carter reminded the Board that the theme of the QEP is to remove obstacles to academic success for fourth classmen and first-semester sophomores, both in the classroom and beyond.   BG Carter presented some findings on the number of hours of sleep required for adolescents, and the number of hours of sleep that freshmen reported they were getting. He had reviewed the Mood Report, the Lane Report of 1991, and studies done at West Point and the Naval Post-Graduate School. Col. Finch and Lt. Col. Nida had provided him information from research studies on sleep deprivation and sleep requirements.  Based on findings from all these sources, it is evident that something needs to be done to change the sleep habits of freshman and sophomore cadets.  The Office of the Commandant; Department of Health, Exercise, and Sports Science; Director of Club Sports, and ROTC Departments will be working together to develop a plan for addressing this issue. 

AGENDA ITEM # 5: MID-YEAR REVIEW

            BG Carter reminded everyone to include in the Mid-Year Review things needed for the current academic year as well as things that were anticipated for the coming academic year.  Each request for resources must be justified as addressing one of the Strategic Initiatives approved by the BOV.    Mid-year reviews are due 15 January 2004.

AGENDA ITEM # 6: HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

            BG Carter asked the Board to encourage faculty to attend the Open House given by Major General and Mrs. Grinalds on Wednesday, 10 December.

AGENDA ITEM # 7: OTHER

            Major Zuraw asked about the status of the Provost Search.  Col. Finch reported there were approximately 60 applicants so far.  Each Committee member is reviewing the applicant pool and will submit a list of his or her top 5 candidates.  These lists will be compiled, and from that compilation, ten candidates will be brought to Charleston for interviews with the Committee.  The top five candidates, based on these personal interviews, will be brought to campus.

            Lt. Col. LeClercq asked BG Carter to comment on Governor Sanford’s press conference.  General Carter indicated that the Governor would like to see strengthening control over higher education and possibly a Board of Regents as a governing agency.  Privatization of higher education institutions is not a very viable solution.

            Lt. Col. Ezell reminded the Board of the deadline for submitting Maymester/Summer Schedules.  If additional assistance is needed, members should contact her.

            Lt. Col. Nesmith reported that PANCHO was now available for the submission of grades.

            BG Carter announced that Ms. Edith Kaufman would be retiring on 15 January, but would be available through May for assistance with cadet commencement.

            There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Patricia B. Ezell
                                                            Associate Dean, CGPS