Deans Council

Minutes of July 28, 2004 Meeting

UC 310

Present: Bruce Speck, Houston Davis, Gerald Beavers, Tom Buttery, Charles Pinder, Sheila Bryant, Deborah Fetch, Gaines Hunt, Jim Diehr, Mike Gotcher, Sean Hogan

Dr. Speck welcomed Mike Gotcher as the interim associate dean of administration. This is a one-year rotating position.

1. Roy Gregory

Roy Gregory distributed information regarding the economic impact of APSU. He requested the Deans Council help in getting faculty/staff/friends who are prospective donors. Gifts-in-kind should be recorded when given directly to departments, etc. Mr. Gregory also distributed a disk regarding donations.

Mr. Gregory announced that on Aug. 14 Suzy Boggus, country music recording artist will entertain at a dinner, auction, concert fundraiser for athletics. Tickets ($100 each) are available through the Advancement Office. He welcomes fundraiser ideas and other suggestions.

2. Report from TBR Academic Sub-council Retreat - Attachment A

FYI - Materials from the July TBR Academic Sub-council meeting.

Dr. Speck noted:

Item A. - Degrees considered terminal are included in the packet. It was suggested that this list be included in the faculty handbook along with the tenure and promotion guidelines. Houston Davis will take charge of the list of terminal degrees. J.D. is not a doctorate degree - - not considered a terminal degree. Please provide input to Houston Davis.

It was suggested that Dr. Hunt and Dr. Buttery talk with Richard Jackson about the background checks for faculty and students working in hospitals. Dr. Speck’s understanding is that this procedure will be implemented this fall; he believes this a requirement from the hospitals’ accrediting agencies.

FYI - Summer TBR meeting June 9 & 10, 2005

3. Policy 5:048 – Salary Considerations for “Employees” (Attachment B)

Based Upon Continuing Education

APSU policy 5:048 was revised under Dr. Rinella to exclude faculty. Deborah Fetch and Gaines Hunt worked on the policy to include faculty and they have noted changes on the policy of wording changes. A motion was made to approve the policy as proposed; the motion was seconded and all approved. Houston Davis will send this policy recommendation to the President’s Cabinet.

4. Faculty Focus - Bruce Speck (Attachment C)

“Look Before You Leap” article. Deans should consider up-and-coming administrators (potential department chairs, etc.).

5. Universities Marginalize Online Courses (Attachment D)

Article from Bruce Myers – FYI

6. No Deans Council August 4, 11, 18, 25

Other

Gerald Beavers

• Reported another record-breaking enrollment for Fall I.

Tom Buttery

• Change in grade regarding Student Affairs is a concern from the Registrar’s office. If a student requests a certain type of W, the student is referred to Student Affairs. Student Affairs sent the form to a dean for signature, telling him the reason for the grade change was confidential. Dr. Hoppe told deans not to sign anything “blindly”, yet deans are not provided information from Student Affairs regarding what they are signing. Dr. Speck will talk with the Vice Presidents. Diane Berty is scheduled to attend Deans Council on Sept. 15.

Charles Pinder

• The biggest issue in graduate schools around the country is the “Fair Labor Standards Act” which is a new law passed last month. No longer paying graduate assistants a stipend, being paid hourly, no money for over-time. Divides the stipend by hours worked. In doing this the salary is eligible for benefits to be taken out. Currently, APSU pays $8,400 stipend to graduate assistants and take out tuition, they get remaining, which works out to about $7.50 per hour (after tuition). Dr. Pinder recommended that we provide tuition for all graduate students at in-state rate which would help grow our graduate programs. Dr. Speck will talk to Dr. Hoppe about this issue.
• The Graduate Office receives 10-15 inquiries each day about the MSM program and has sent out about 60 packets thus far.

Sheila Bryant

• The lottery list is being certified. The university sends out certification of eligibility to APSU. Lottery is a moving target, information changes daily which will most likely cause appeals. The APSU Lottery Appeals Board has been set up (including deans) which will hear eligibility issues to be reinstated for lottery scholarships and will not be able to go higher than the appeals committee at APSU, further appeal may be taken to TSAC. The Lottery Appeals Board will not hear grade appeals. The Lottery Board may reinstate the scholarship, but not the grade, nothing changes the gpa. The student gets 120 hours from Lottery, so retaking a course to improve the course is not beneficial, EVERY course counts.

Deborah Fetch

• The Library materials budget has been allocated and the departments will get about the same as last year. Perhaps in January more money will be allocated.
• In the future, late fines will not be charged; however, library privileges will be removed. Considering that once a year presenting the books for renewal. A motion was made that the Deans Council support the proposed changes in the library. The motion was seconded and all approved.

Gerald Beavers

• Mr. Beavers voiced a concern of 300 first-time freshman and the need for APSU 1000. There isn’t enough space and instructors to accommodate these numbers.

Gaines Hunt

• A new director of Agriculture and Geosciences coming in Aug. 1.
• Geology lab manager is scheduled for advertising.
• Medical Technology manager to be advertised soon.

Jim Diehr

• Starting interviews for new orchestra director (one-year interim).

Sean Hogan

• Faculty Senate – Tenure and Promotion Process: Alert faculty that 250-300 word teaching philosophy to be included in retention dossier beginning this year. Deans should alert chairs and faculty.
• Noted Susan Calovini’s email circulation to be included in Tenure and Promotion meeting. Deans should let Tammy know those attending the Tenure and Promotion meeting including the dean, chair, and a senior faculty member from each department. Let Tammy know by Aug. 11 – meeting on Aug. 25.