ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING

18 November 2003

BG Carter called the meeting to order at 1515 hours.

AGENDA ITEM # 1: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 21 OCTOBER 2003

            The minutes were approved as submitted.

AGENDA ITEM # 2: CORE MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENTS

            COL Metts reported that the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science had approved the following:

1.      MATH 119 may be substituted for MATH 104 for those students who begin in a major requiring MATH 131 and then change to a major requiring MATH 104.

2.      A student who completes MATH 106 or MATH 131 and then changes majors may then take MATH 104 or MATH 105, as appropriate, to complete the Core Mathematics requirement.

3.      A student who completes MATH 105 may complete the Core Mathematics requirement with MATH 104, as appropriate.

4.      An upperclass student may complete the Core Mathematics requirement for his or her major as reflected in the current catalog.

            COL Metts indicated that he would inform the faculty of these decisions to facilitate student advising.  SIS would also be altered to reflect these actions.

AGENDA ITEM #3: FACULTY CODE OF ETHICS

            COL Metts reminded the Board that the Faculty Council had forwarded a statement of the Faculty Code of Ethics.  This was presented by the Faculty Council Chair, COL George Williams, at the last Board meeting in May 2003.  The statement had not been strongly supported by the Faculty Council, but had been passed with the understanding that it would be revisited after being considered by the Academic Board.  The Board took no action at the May meeting.  BG Carter suggested that a subcommittee of the Board be asked to review the document in fall 2003 and present its suggestions to the full Board.  COL Metts provided each member a copy of the Faculty Code of Ethics.

            BG Carter suggested that Board members consult with their faculty and present to him by 15 January 2004 any suggested changes.  If after this step it appeared that further review is needed, he would appoint a subcommittee.

AGENDA ITEM #4: ASSESSMENT DATA FOR SACS RESPONSE

            COL Metts reported that the off-campus SACS review team had expressed no concerns with the format or content of the Annual Assessment Reports presented as part of the compliance audit.  However, since these reports address assessment results for only one year, there were no examples of “closing the assessment loop.”  We need examples of issues, concerns, or problems that have surfaced through the assessment process and the steps taken to address them.  In the follow-up report, we need to include as many examples as possible from the past 3 to 5 years.  If your school/department offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, please include examples from each.  COL Metts provided the format for submissions and asked that examples be submitted to him and Bob White by 15 December 2003.

AGENDA ITEM #5: PERFORMANCE FUNDING ADVISORY BOARD DATA

            COL Metts asked the Board to report on the advisory boards that were active in 2002-03.  He provided the Performance Funding criteria for defining an advisory board and its membership.  The format for submitting the data was also provided with 15 December as the submission date.

AGENDA ITEM #6: CHANGES IN M.ED. IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

            BG Carter explained that the M.Ed. in Physical Education was originally intended to serve secondary teachers, but over the years, the clientele has changed. Now almost no educators are enrolled in the program.  To reflect these changes, the Graduate Council has approved the following:

1.      The degree title will be changed to M.Ed. in Health, Exercise, and Sport Science to reflect the new department name.

2.      The Curriculum Track, all courses directed toward Teacher Education, and all references to “Physical Education” will be eliminated.

            LTC John Carter provided a copy of the section of the current graduate catalog reflecting these changes.

            BG Carter explained that CHE has indicated that these changes would be approved, and with these changes, this program would no longer be subject to review by NCATE.  BG Carter explained that after these actions are approved, the Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Science would begin the process of changing the M.Ed. in Health, Exercise, and Sport Science to the M.S. in Health, Exercise, and Sport Science.  These changes were approved without opposition.

AGENDA ITEM #7: MINOR AND MASTER’S IN LEADERSHIP

            COL Finch reported that departments have been meeting and are very close to agreement on the content of an undergraduate minor in leadership.  This program will be presented to the Curriculum and Instruction Committee early in the spring 2004 semester.  COL Finch reported that the same departments are considering a master’s program in leadership.

AGENDA ITEM #8: MID-YEAR REVIEW AND 2004-05 BUDGET REQUEST

            BG Carter provided each Board member a copy of the budget request provided by COL Jim Openshaw.  This request asks for funding needs for the remainder of the 2003-04 academic year and those needs that will continue through the 2004-05 academic year.  BG Carter asked that the Board members review their needs very carefully and make complete submissions.

            To ensure the connection between strategic planning and budgeting, each budget request must be related directly to one of the strategic initiatives of the strategic plan.  All budget requests must be submitted by 12 January.

AGENDA ITEM #9: SACS UPDATE AND REQUEST FROM DEPARTMENTS

            BG Carter stressed once again the importance of providing documentable examples of closing the assessment loop.

AGENDA ITEM #10: PROVOST SEARCH UPDATE

            COL Finch reported that the search committee for the Provost has received 33 applications so far.  Letters have been sent to 450 presidents and provosts asking for nominations and applications.  The search committee is meeting regularly to review candidates and consider screening criteria.

AGENDA ITEM #11: OTHER MATTERS

            BG Carter provided a copy of a recommendation from the Finance Department that graduate assistants be compensated for actual hours worked at a rate of $10 per hour.  This rate for 20 hours per week would equal an assistantship of $7,000 for the year.  Any questions or concerns regarding this action should be sent to the Provost as soon as possible.

            BG Carter provided an article, “Strengthening Liberal Education,” from AASCU and reported that the mailing list of AASCU members had been used in soliciting nominations and applications for the provost position.

            BG Carter reminded the Board that he and Mrs. Carter would be hosting a pre-game reception on 1 December for the basketball game with Appalachian State.  He asked the Board to remind the faculty and encourage them to participate.

            LTC Pat Ezell provided the Board the calendar for Maymester, Summer Session I, and Summer Session II.  The Summer School pay schedule had already been provided.  The schedule of courses for Maymester and Summer School are due by 9 December.

            COL Moreland announced the next speaker in the series hosted by the Westvaco Chair, Phil Lader.

            There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Isaac S. Metts, Jr.
                                                Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs