ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING

23 September 2003

BG Carter called the meeting to order at 1515 hours.

AGENDA ITEM # 1:  APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 18 AUGUST MEETING
The minutes were approved with the correction of the military rank of Dr. Zuraw.

AGENDA ITEM #2:  DISCUSSION ON SCHEDULING CLASSES AND DISTRIBUTION OF CLASSES ACROSS THE ENTIRE DAY.
COL Finch shared the difficulty he experienced in trying to help students change their schedules and presented data provided by Institutional Research on the distribution of scheduled classes. These data indicated that most classes are scheduled from 0900 to 1200 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with very few classes scheduled at 0800 or in the afternoons. COL Finch expressed that the scheduling of classes should be reviewed to determine if a more reasonable distribution might be practical. COL Metts was asked to provide to each Board member the data on class schedules developed by Institutional Research.

AGENDA ITEM #3:  REPORT FROM BOARD OF VISITORS (BOV).
BG Carter shared with the Academic Board the clarification on reinstatement recently approved by the BOV. College Regulations had indicated that a student who has been expelled from the College could be reinstated by the Provost if new evidence became available within one semester that convinced the Provost the original findings or charges were in error. Under the clarification, the Provost is required to obtain the approval of the office or board that made the final decision on expulsion in order for the reinstatement to be granted.

Under the clarification, the Provost is required to obtain the approval of the office or board that made the final decision on expulsion in order for the reinstatement to be granted.

BG Carter reported that the SC Budget and Control Board had sequestered 1% of the 2003-04 State appropriation and had advised state agencies of the likelihood of additional cuts at mid-year. BG Carter felt that any additional cuts less than 3% could be handled through the budget reserve that had been made possible in the main because of a better than expected summer school income. Additional cuts of between 3% and 4% could be handled without furloughs, but a reduction of 4% or higher may require the implementation of a mid-year furlough.

BG Carter reported that state agencies in presenting their 2004-05 budget requests are being asked to address how potential reductions of 3%, 5%, and 7% may be addressed.

BG Carter reported that the BOV had authorized the College to consider a 2% salary increase at mid-year, but this could be nullified by additional mid-year reductions in appropriations.

BG Carter reported that the BOV has approved effective in spring 2004 the reinstatement of the optional evening meal for upperclassmen. Under this format, the freshmen will stand Retreat, march to the messhall, and eat family-style with minimal upperclass supervision. Upperclass cadets will have the option of eating in a cafeteria style from 1700 until 1900. It was noted that when this optional meal format was last tested, the freshman grades improved significantly.

The issue of the 1950 accountability formation surfaced again. BG Carter pointed out that there is no longer a formation, but there is an all-in check in the barracks at 1950. It was pointed out that this 1950 requirement really means that for many students who want to study in a classroom or in the library, ESP does not begin until after 2015 or 2030. BG Carter pointed out that the College is working on an electronic accountability system that would allow cadets to report their whereabouts by computer, but it will likely be several years before this system is available.

AGENDA ITEM #4:  UPDATE ON PROVOST SEARCH.
BG Carter announced that the President had formally appointed the search committee:

Faculty Council Representatives: Peter Greim and Bob White
Academic Board Representatives: Al Finch and John Carter
Presidential Appointees: Kathy Brown, Janette Moody, and Dudley Sleeby (BOV)
Board of Visitors Representative: Allison Dean Wright

The committee's first meeting is scheduled for 1400 on Friday, 26 September. BG Carter reported that he would propose to the committee a schedule that would bring candidates to campus early in the spring 2004 semester. He encouraged members of the Board to provide the committee with potential candidates.

AGENDA ITEM #5:  OTHER MATTERS.
BG Carter reported the following:
1. Pat Ezell will be retiring as of 1 July 2004 and will be very difficult to replace.
2. Summer School produced a net income of more than $1,000,000. This was more than expected and has mitigated some of the anticipated budget reductions.
3. At matriculation, this year's freshman class numbered 636. To date, we have lost 52 or 8.2%. This is the lowest attrition rate since fall 1998.
4. Since Padget-Thomas barracks will be completed for fall 2004 and the Band Barracks (trailers) are still in relatively good shape, it has been decided that the College will admit an additional 100 freshmen for fall 2004. This action will mean additional revenue, but we cannot overlook the fact that there will also be additional costs. By 1 November, each department and school is asked to submit the additional resources needed to handle this larger freshman class.

COL Metts indicated that the 300-level Naval Science courses would be changed to a lecture/lab format effective with the spring 2004 semester. This will not affect credit hours or course content, but should facilitate the scheduling of these courses. The new numbers will be NAVL 303/321 and NAVL 302/322.

Dr. Zuraw reported that much of the Faculty Council time had been spent on the parking issue. Members of the faculty are very upset that all spaces in the Capers Hall lot have been sold as reserved. Since those using these spaces are not teaching every day, many spots are empty while faculty must park in other locations.

Dean Henson indicated that while he might request that the NCATE review be delayed for one year, everyone needs to continue to work toward the February 2004 submission deadline. He indicated that the status of folios will be checked on 15 October.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

                                                                Respectfully submitted,

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