ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING

18 August 2003

BG Carter called the meeting to order at 1000 hours.

INTRODUCTIONS:  As the first order of business, BG Carter introduced the new members of the Board:  COL Eckrem, Aerospace Studies; LTC Moore, Mathematics and Computer Science; LTC Peeples, Electrical and Computer Engineering; COL Finch, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences; LTC Carter, Health Exercise and Sport Science; and LTC Brannan, Civil and Environmental Engineering.

AGENDA ITEM # 1:  APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 6 MAY 2003 MEETING:

The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.

AGENDA ITEM # 2:  FY 2003-04 BUDGET:

BG Carter reported that the Board of Visitors had approved a tuition and fee increase for 2003-04 that was intended to avoid furloughing faculty and staff.  The Citadel’s tuition and fees are quite low relative to other state institutions, and the plan is to increase these gradually over the next several years to reflect the relative value of a Citadel education.  These increases will begin with 2003-04.

AGENDA ITEM #3: ENROLLMENT FALL 2003:

BG Carter explained the enrollment management analysis that led to a projected class of 637 for fall 2003.  He explained that with an early football game with Charleston Southern the Altman Center that had housed overflow last fall was not available and that rooms in the Howard Johnson had been reserved.  Individuals who will be placed in HJ have in the main not paid their bills on time and space has not, therefore, been reserved for them in the barracks.  These individuals will be moved back on campus to the trailers and then to the barracks as space opens up through attrition, late academic discharges, and “no-shows.”

AGENDA ITEM #4:  ENROLLMENT FALL 2004:

BG Carter explained that with the expected completion of Padgett-Thomas Barracks for fall 2004 several options would present themselves:  do nothing, consider moving toward a fifth barrack, or experiment with a small increase in Corps size to see if that is sustainable.  It has been decided to increase the entering freshman class size by approximately 100 for fall 2004 and use the Band Barracks (trailer) that houses 106 cadets since Band Company will move back into PT Barracks.  The Commandant will be responsible for determining how the Corps will be housed relative to unit integrity.

AGENDA ITEM #5:  AUGUST 31 PAYCHECK:

BG Carter explained that the contract period for faculty will be changed to reflect more accurately the period for which the faculty is expected to be on campus.  Currently the contract period is 1 September through 31 May, while the faculty is expected to be available from mid-August through mid-May.  The contract period will be changed to 15 August through 15 May effective with the 2003-04 academic year.  This will mean that the 15 September 2003 paycheck will reflect two pay periods.  BG Carter reminded the Board that this is a one-time windfall!

AGENDA ITEM #6:  CLASS ABSENCE SYSTEM:

BG Carter explained that a new electronic class absence system for cadets had been developed by ITS over the summer.  Under the old system, the consequence of a class absence was often not felt for weeks and cadets would get themselves in very severe trouble in terms of demerits and tours before they realized it.  COL Metts commented that the consequence of 10 demerits and 20 tours for each unauthorized class absence has simply not served as a deterrent for missing classes.  Under the new system, faculty will enter class absences and lates electronically as grades are currently entered.  Absences and lates must be entered by 5:30pm on Monday through Thursday and by 4:30pm on Friday.  These class absences will be checked electronically against the Special Order System and the Infirmary System, and by that evening, Cadet Academic Officers will have access to the names of cadets who have missed class or were reported as late.  Academic Officers are responsible for determining if absences not processed electronically are excused or unexcused.  Consequences for unexcused class absences will be graduated in severity (verbal counseling, verbal reprimand, written reprimand, company restrictions, demerits, confinements) and will be determined by cadet leadership and Tactical Officers under a new, “decentralized” approach to discipline being tested by the Commandant.  When a cadet has accumulated seven unexcused class absences, he/she will be reported to an Academic Review Board that will function much like the Medical Review Board.  That Board will have the authority to recommend consequences up to academic discharge.

BG Carter explained that there is also concern with the number of excused absences and this new electronic system should provide data on which to identify major offenders.  COL Metts confirmed that excused absences do not override the syllabus of the course.  Students are always expected to abide by the rules set down by the instructor.

BG Carter announced that three workshops had been scheduled to help faculty prepare themselves to administer the new system.

AGENDA ITEM # 7:  IMMEDIATE EVENTS:

BG Carter provided handouts for the schedule of events and deadlines for 16 August (New Cadets Report) through 27 August (Day Classes Begin); Dean/Department Head locations to meet with freshman majors on Tuesday Evening 19 August; and Faculty Advisor locations for advising freshmen on Wednesday morning, 20 August.  BG Carter confirmed that athletes are to participate in the meetings with deans/department heads and in the meetings with faculty advisors.  He indicated that COL Metts would coordinate with Ed Steers to ensure athlete participation in these events.

COL Metts asked that faculty advisors be reminded that CLEP will now be accepted only during the first semester the student is enrolled at The Citadel and that returning upper classmen will be permitted to use CLEP through the fall 2003 semester.  He also asked that faculty advisors be reminded that the 24-hour minimum for successfully completed courses for the freshman year does not include any courses completed before the fall 2003 semester.

BG Carter reminded the Board that Convocation is scheduled for 11:30am on Tuesday, 26 August, and that all faculty are encouraged to attend in academic regalia.  The Convocation is intended to refocus the attention of the freshman class on academics.  Lunch will be served in McAlister Field House after the Convocation.  This will provide the faculty the opportunity to mingle with the new class.

AGENDA ITEM #8:  KRAUSE INITIATIVE:

BG Carter reported the President had selected LTC Jeff Weart to direct the Krause Initiative on Leadership and Ethics.  LTC Weart is retired from the U.S. Army, is a graduate of West Point, and earned his M.S. in Leadership, also from West Point.  A report on leadership initiatives currently in place at The Citadel was completed recently by a committee chaired by COL Walker and will provide valuable background for LTC Weart as he begins his work.

AGENDA ITEM # 9:  SACS:

BG Carter reported that the Compliance Audit portion of the SACS report had been completed and submitted on 15 August.  He complemented Dr. Bob White and Mrs. Alicia Loeffler on the outstanding work they had done preparing this report, which was submitted entirely in an electronic format.  BG Carter reminded the Board that the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) was to be submitted by 15 January 2004.  The Citadel has chosen as its theme the removal of obstacles to academic performance for freshmen and first semester sophomore cadets.  BG Carter asked that each school and department submit 3 to 5 suggestions from its faculty on obstacles that should be addressed in the QEP.  LTC Zuraw was asked to submit suggestions from the Faculty Council.  BG Carter expressed the importance of having college-wide input in the process of developing the QEP since SACS will expect college-wide participation in its implementation.

AGENDA ITEM # 10:  NCAA:

BG Carter reported that the 5-year interim report for NCAA had also been completed and submitted on 15 August.  Unlike the SACS report, this report was submitted in 4 volumes.

OTHER MATTERS:

BG Carter provided each Board member with a copy of “Understanding University Success,” a joint report from the Association of American Universities and the Pew Charitable Trusts.  The Board was reminded that CGPS classes begin on 25 August.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Isaac S. Metts, Jr.

                                                Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs